PoloTimes May15

Volume 20 • Issue 4 • May 2015 • £6.50

FIP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT

Polo Under the Stars, Victor Ludorum 6 goal focus & Polo Insurance Special PLUS: Antony Fanshawe interview & High goal guide

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Tally Ho Farm EUROPE’S LARGEST POLO SUPPLIER

Official Equestrian Supplier to the England Polo Team

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside...

May 2015

Production Editor & Group Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Commissioning Editor Charley Larcombe charley@polotimes.co.uk

Ben Bovill ben@polotimes.co.uk

Club Liaison & News Manager Lucy Wilson lucy@polotimes.co.uk

News

6 All the latest news 12 HPA news 14 FIP update

Comment

Polo Reporter & Researcher

16 Your views: Letters 18 Comment: Chukka chat with Lila Pearson 21 Umpires corner: Rule views from Peter Wright

Tilda Woodd tilda@polotimes.co.uk

Features

Principal Design James Morgan

Additional Design Tony Ruddy

22 Cover Story: Interview with Antony Fanshawe 26 Insurance Matters: A look into polo insurance 28 Chris Hyde, 10 goals 31 Licensing: What is WATO? 37 Cover Story: High goal guide 41 Cover Story: Looking ahead at the 6 goal Victor Ludorum series 59 The Big Picture

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors

Charles Betz, Stephen Biddlecombe, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Ciara De La Cour, Tony Emerson, James Evans BVetMed MRCVS, Lorna Edgar, Lottie Goldstone, Gary Hulton, Lila Pearson, Tony Ramirez, Felipe Poga, Kate Scurfield, Charles Whittington, Andre Williams, David Woodd, Peter Wright

Contact details Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos, GL2 9LN Tel: 01452 730770 email:admin@polotimes.co.uk

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© Polo Times Limited 2015 and Database Right 2015 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

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22

Advertising Manager

Reports

47 Cover Story: Apes Hill’s Polo Under the Stars 50 Cover Story: FIP World Polo Championships 55 US Open

Club Focus

60 Your Club news from home and abroad

Women’s Polo

65 Women’s polo update

50

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73 Pony running reports 76 Vet insight: The importance of routine dental examination 79 Nutrition focus: Hydration and electrolytes 81 Equine legal advice: Understanding the law 82 Equipment focus: Bits – the Pelham

Sidelines

83 84 88 92 94

Gossip: Don’t be the last to know Sidelines: Social pages What’s on in May? Polo Times Marketplace Passions: Robert Mehm

All subscribers receive an exclusive weekly newsletter and competition offers

Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Cover photograph: Action from Polo Under the Stars at Apes Hill Polo Club; Barbados

By Andre Williams Photography www.andrewilliamsphotography.net

Polo Times, May 2015

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The private bank for polo

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Proud sponsors of: EFG Aravali Team, UK High Goal Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Cowdray Park Polo Club International Polo Tournament, Sotogrande

Photos: www.imagesofpolo.com; Abhishek Acharya; Elsa Ochoa.

40 Goal Challenge, Palm Beach RMA Sandhurst Polo University of St Andrews Polo Veytay Masters, Switzerland Singapore Polo Club, League

Haryana Polo Club, Delhi Thai Polo Open Kakira Nile Polo Club Guards International S達o Paulo Polo Trophy Apes Hill, Barbados

Practitioners of the craft of private banking

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News

from the Publisher As this May edition of Polo Times hits the shelves, you our readers would’ve already begun chukkas – and hopefully in the glorious spring sunshine we’ve been experiencing.

Whether at Cowdray or Cheshire, we hope you have enjoyed finally getting out onto the grass – but don’t forget to make sure you’re safe to do so. Read pages 26-27 to ensure you’re correctly covered this season.

As ever, the Polo Times team have been front-and-centre, reporting on the biggest polo tournaments around the globe, from The FIP World Championships in Chile, to The U.S. Open in Palm Beach. We of course, never lose sight of the grassroots of polo; the players, Clubs and supporters who are the lifeblood of the sport and we hope to offer as much coverage as possible. As the season progresses, we would love to hear from all Clubs both here in the UK and further afield so please do get in touch (editorial@polotimes.co.uk).

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Guards Polo Club on reaching their milestone 60th anniversary. The Club has already begun its Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a magnificent party at Windsor Castle with HRH Prince Philip in attendance and we wish everyone well for a fantastic season. As well as looking back at the Club’s illustrious history, we like to look forward to a new era at the Club with the appointment of Antony Fanshawe as Polo Manager. Read his Polo Times interview on pages 22.

The polo season in the UK is here!

Enjoy!

Nick Hine, Publisher

Polo Times to provide Best Playing Pony Awards at Cowdray POLO TIMES AND Cowdray Park Polo Club are pleased to announce they are partnering up to provide Polo Times Best Playing Pony prizes for the following tournaments this summer: The Dollar Cup (12 goal) 11–25 May, The Duke of Sutherland Cup (18 goal) 17 May–7 June, The Harrison Cup (15 goal) 18 July–1 August, The Holden White Cup (8 goal) 20 July–2 August, The Cowdray Park Challenge Cup (18 goal) 20 July–2 August and The Autumn Cup (12 goal) 7–20 September.

The St. Regis International Polo Times Best Playing Pony from 2014

Guards announce Land Rover sponsorship

Photography by Guards Polo Club

GUARDS POLO CLUB have announced a three-year Corporate Partnership with Land Rover. As well as becoming a Club Partner, Land Rover will also become title sponsor of The Duke of Cornwall Trophy, the Club’s final 16 goal tournament of the season, which is staged from the 1–23 August.

Speaking on the new agreement, Neil Hobday, CEO of Guards Polo Club said, “It is fantastic to have such an iconic British brand as Land Rover supporting us financially, with vehicles and through the sponsorship of the prestigious Duke of Cornwall Trophy. This attractive deal, which is for an initial period of three years, will benefit the Club even further as Land Rover expands its activation with us at Smith’s Lawn. Land Rover is well established within the equestrian world, but this sponsorship agreement will be their first in polo at the highest level in the UK and Guards Polo Club will provide the perfect platform for them to make their mark in the sport.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s UK Marketing Director Laura Schwab, commented, “For Land Rover, obviously we have a long history within equestrian sports, especially in the UK, and so for us, we really saw polo, and specifically Guards, as a wonderful extension to our venture in equestrian sports. It was a perfect fit for our brand. We believe it will be a wonderful partnership. We see Guards Polo Club as the pinnacle of polo in the UK.”

Guards Polo Club Ambassadors, Richard Le Poer & George Meyrick help launch the new Land Rover partnership

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Polo Times, May 2015

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Explore the world with us.

ABU DHABI | DUBAI | MOROCCO | USA GREAT BRITAIN | CHINA | SINGAPORE NIHIWATU | MEXICO | INDIA To apply for an invitation to attend a British Polo Day please call +44 207 352 0340, alternatively email info@britishpoloday.com for more information. www.britishpoloday.com

News

Packer pulling out of polo

Julian Appleby to stay State-side this year

THE POLO GRAPEVINE was all a-flutter over the Easter weekend as news broke that Jamie Packer is selling his father’s polo legacy. It may not have come as a surprise to many after Packer’s absence from the UK polo season (despite his investment in the Ellerston HQ at Selham in Cowdray) and the noticeable omission of his name from the team sheet during the high goal in Sotogrande. Perhaps the final clue was sent out to the polo world when the annual Ellerston Spring Tournament was cancelled in October at the family’s polo operation in Scone, Australia.

However, Polo Times has learnt that Ros Packer is looking to buy her casino magnate son’s polo assets both in Australia and the rest of the world.

JULIAN APPLEBY HAS accepted a position as a Professional Umpire with the USPA following a season umpiring the Palm Beach high goal. Peter Wright told Polo Times, “I will miss umpiring alongside him in The Queen’s and Gold Cups, but wish him and Trudie all the best in this bold venture.” Julian’s departure has left a gap in the HPA’s Regional Chief Umpires list for the central belt of Clubs in the country covering Cheshire to West Wycombe.

Important changes to apprenticeships that will benefit the equine industry

The Polo Awards Nominees Announced THE NOMINEES HAVE been announced for the tenth annual Polo Awards. The successful candidates will be revealed during The Polo Awards at Guards Polo Club on Tuesday 19 May. The nominations are as below: The Most Outstanding High Goal Team: Dubai, Halcyon Gallery, King Power, Talandracas and Zacara.

The Most Outstanding High Goal Patron: Rashid Albwardy (2), Lyndon Lea (1), Sebastian Pailloncy (3), Guy Schwarzenbach (2) and Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhahaprabha (1).

The Most Outstanding High Handicap Player: Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Juan Martin Nero (10), Facundo Pieres (10), Polito Pieres (8) and Gonzalito Pieres (10).

The Most Outstanding British Professional: James Beim (7), Max Charlton (7), James Harper (6), Richard Le Poer (6) and Luke Tomlinson (7).

The HPA Victor Ludorum Awards: 18 goal – Dell Park; 15 goal – Cadenza Juniors; 12 goal – Black Eagles; 8 goal – AFB; 6 goal – Rigby & Rigby.

All HPA members can vote for their favourite players and teams by logging on to www.thepoloawards.com Tickets are currently available at £195 per person for the evening, which will include a champagne reception, black-tie dinner and post-awards drinks. Contact Aislinn Price on: +44 (0) 7708 906810 or bookings@polofix.com

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Polo Times, May 2015

Is your club ready for the UK outdoor Polo season?

Photography by The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club

EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE equestrian industry have been called upon to have their say on the proposed standard for apprenticeships as part of the Government’s Trailblazer initiative.

The consultation with employers was run 1–21 April in a quest to urge them to complete a survey relating to key themes highlighted in the proposed standard. Compulsory changes are being made to the way in which apprenticeships are run and aims to ensure that every apprentice is enrolled on a scheme that has been designed and approved by employers.

A steering group of 60 individuals from across the industry, including members of the British Equestrian Federation, the British Horse Racing Authority, equestrian charities, the Household Cavalry and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as representatives from polo and hunting, are asking employers for feedback on the proposed standard for Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships.

As part of the third phase of the Government’s apprenticeships initiative announced on 23 October 2014, more than 700 employers are involved and will design 76 new top-quality apprenticeships in professions ranging from TV production to welding, including the occupation of the equine groom. Across 37 sectors, which make up Phase Three of the Trailblazers project, employers are designing new apprenticeships to best meet the skills and needs of their industries.

To find out more about the survey visit: www.equinetrailblazerapprentices.com

Duralock Performance Fencing can add that additional touch of glamour

POLO IS, AS we all know, associated with luxury and elegance with well dressed spectators attending events. Expectations can also be extended to the club and its grounds. Duralock Performance Fencing can add that additional touch of glamour to your surroundings. Duralock is not just a pretty face, all fences are made from strong, durable PVC-u, which will not crack, splinter or rot. Available in pristine white, it doesn’t require painting and is virtually maintenance free. It is approved for safety by racing authorities worldwide and is used on some of the world’s most iconic racecourses. For further details visit: www.duralock.com

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POLO FEEDS THAT MAKE A

à For muscle tone, power & stamina to help win chukkas at all levels à Proven, nutritionally balanced products that

are preferable to feeding straight oats à An easy to feed range of formulations to suit all types

EXPERTS IN POLO NUTRITION

Contact Lorna Edgar, Polo Nutritionist 07808 863 864 lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Tel: 01371 850 247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

DIFFERENCE

News

FESTIVAL LAUNCH The 2015 NFU Mutual Norfolk Polo Festival (27–28 June) launch was held at Bar 11 on Friday 3 April. The launch was attended by sponsors, players and fans who partied long into the night BERKSHIRE APPOINTMENT Lucy Gibson has picked up the reins at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club as their new Assistant Polo Manager UMPIRE SEARCH Brenda de Boer has launched a new website that will make searching for an umpire around the world easy. To start your search visit www.polo-umpire.com

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Polo Times, May 2015

RUTLAND ASSISTANT Ida Thore has been appointed as Assistant Polo Manager at Rutland Polo Club.

Ida can be contacted on 07585 11491 TEAM GUARDS Heather Lodder has taken up the position as the new Sponsorship Director at Guards Polo Club PONY WELFARE Holly Baird, Scott Dunn vet and Guards Polo Club Welfare Officer, has begun a dedicated page to Pony Welfare on Facebook and Twitter @ponywelfare HILLS AT SUSSEX Molly Hills, who previously worked at Ham Polo Club, will be Polo Manager for the 2015 summer season at Sussex Polo Club

New website for a new season Photography by Cheshire Polo Club

News in brief

JF POLO ACADEMY have launched a new website in time for the summer season. Run

by James Fielding, the JF Polo Academy is run Cheshire-based Polo

by James Fielding Academy offers more than just a lesson on a Sunday afternoon.

Fielding also offers schooling for your ponies, pony hire, field rental, Pony Club and corporate learn-to-play days. The smart new website also shows off the facilities available as well as their branding partners, plus their attention to detail for the client means you will undoubtedly have the same experience when you turn up for your first lesson.

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News

Team selection for South African BMW Series THE NEW ZEALAND Polo Association has selected the 23 goal New Zealand team for The BMW JP Clarkin will captain the Series in South New Zealand team Africa later on this year (13–20 September). The team will include Hamish Ormond (3), Craig Wilson (6), JP Clarkin (8 – Captain) and Thomas Hunt (6) with Alan Browne (3) as reserve.

Polo Splice celebrate 10 years on the road AFTER 27 YEARS of selling and supplying everything from taco’s to tack, Polo Splice are also celebrating their 10th Anniversary of their on-the-road shop. This season they will be out on the road in the newly revamped big mean truck and trailer. Look out for them at a club near you this season.

Polo Splice travel in style this summer

Technical ONA at Tally Ho SINCE THE LARGE refit at Tally Ho Farm, there is now space for a purpose built polo area, which has seen the arrival of the specialist polo brand, ONA. Established in the UK in 2000, ONA has gained international recognition for its Pro-Tech Gloves which are the number one choice of Professional Players. Tally Ho Farm currently stock the following ONA polo products: ONA Elbow Pads, ONA Carbon Pro Gloves, ONA Pro Tech Gloves, ONA All Weather Gloves, ONA Non-Slip Whip and ONA Boot Bags. The recently launched elbow pads are built with Kevlar® and treated with POLYGIENE® – Swedish odour technology. ONA polo gloves are made in Pittards WR100X leathers and engineered to wick away moisture.

The addition of the carbon fibre inserts in the Carbon Pro model provides a glove, which not only has a superior grip but reduces the risk of injury. We also look forward to future products in May, including ONA technical base layers and polo whites.

Zonkey Polo Clothing and RJ Polo open a new shop in Cirencester ZONKEY POLO CLOTHING and RJ Polo are together opening the doors to their new showroom. The two companies have created the UK’s first one-stop polo shop, which is located at Unit 14, College Farm Buildings just two miles outside of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The shop opened in April and not only stocks all polo necessities for both players and ponies, but customers will also be able to design their own team clothing in-shop.

Zonkey Polo Clothing, launched earlier this year, are inviting guests to see their new range, pitch-side at the Final of the 0-40 goal tournament at Cirencester Polo Club on Sunday 10 May.

Polo features in SO! DALIAN programme for second time

THE DATES FOR the second edition of the SO! DALIAN event have been released. Last year the event featured China’s first ever Beach Polo World Cup, and this year we will see the event welcomed back once again. From 18–21 June, eight teams from China and overseas will compete for China’s premier Beach Polo World Cup title. The three-day tournament is organised in association with The Polo Life from Miami.

UK IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Level 1 OISC registered immigration consultants specialising in work related immigration for polo

www.polopermits.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1798 869496 Email: info@polopermits.co.uk

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Polo Times, May 2015

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HPA News International Cup on Saturday 16th May 2015 when England will play South America.

Members will be requested to show their membership card, which they will receive in their membership pack for 2015.

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters FIP WORLD CUP Congratulations to Chile on winning the FIP 14 Goal World Cup. England (Jack Hyde 2, George Pearson 2, Will Emerson 5 and Peter Webb 5) came fourth having lost to the USA in the Semi Finals and to Brazil in the Subsidiary Final. For a full report turn to page 50.

ARGENTINA At the time of going to press, the following were about to represent England in the Copa de Las Naciones; Luke Tomlinson 7, Mark Tomlinson 6, Max Charlton 7, and Ollie Cudmore 5. It is a 26 goal International tournament run by the Argentine Polo Association featuring teams from England, Argentina and the Rest of the World.

Played at Palermo matches were scheduled as follows: Sat 18 April: Argentina v Rest of the World Wed 22 April: England v Rest of the World Sat 25 April: England v Argentina Argentina: Matías Benoit 6, Alejandro Muzzio 8, Felipe Martínez Ferrario 4, and Francisco De Narváez 8. Total: 26.

Rest of the World: HRH Crown Prince Ismail Ibrahim 3, Nicolás Pieres 9, Nachi Du Plessis 8, and David Jean Du Plessis 6. Total: 26.

In addition, an England Under 15 team of Luke Wiles -1, Charlie Townsend 0, Marcus Cork -1 and Milly Hine -1 played at Palermo on the same dates as the England matches, against representative teams from the same countries.

POLO SERIES SPONSORED BY LYCETTS In 2015, Retraining of Racehorses/Lycetts will give prizes at the International test matches and also at the Junior HPA tournament final in August, as well as in selected medium and low goal games. In addition, RoR will be holding its Racing to Polo Challenge at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on 7th September. In the four main classes all horses must have raced in GB and be registered with RoR (using their racing name please). A new class will be held for horses that are unraced but have been registered ‘in training in GB’.

HPA MEMBERS’ CAR BADGE The HPA members’ car badge gives members access to the Internationals at Beaufort (Saturday 13th June), Guards (Saturday 25th July) and Chester Racecourse (Saturday 5th September). Please see the HPA website for further details.

ST REGIS INTERNATIONAL CUP All HPA members will be given free entry to Cowdray Park Polo Club for the St. Regis

WELFARE BOOKLETS The Welfare Booklet is in the process of being rewritten in both English and Spanish. These will be sent to all Clubs for distribution to their members. Please read them carefully and pass them to anyone that is involved in the care of your horses.

CONCUSSION We would like to clarify for clubs that if a player has suffered from a concussion at your club, you as the club must notify the HPA within 24 hours so that the HPA can notify other clubs.

The player will not be permitted to play again for a minimum of one week from the date of the concussion without a certificate of fitness from a doctor. For more information please see Rule 29c.

HORSE PASSPORTS Please ensure that all of your horse passports are up to date. If you have a horse without an up to date passport you are liable to receive a considerable fine. The HPA will continue to issue passports; all the various passport forms required can be found on the website www.hpapolo.co.uk/ponies/passports/.

If you have any queries, please contact Victoria at the HPA.

DATES FOR THE DIARY Thurs 30 April Wed 13 May Mon 11 May Sat 16 May Tues 19 May Wed 20 May

Council Meeting Voluntary Assistants Course First Aid Course for Coaches St. Regis Test Match The Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club Coaching Seminar (Existing Coaches)

Cavalry & Guards Club, London Down Farm, Beaufort Polo Club Little Coxwell Village Hall Cowdray Park Polo Club Contact Polofix for details Rugby Polo Club

ARENA END OF SEASON HANDICAP CHANGES

These will be effective from 1 May 2015 and can be viewed in the latest news section on the home page of the HPA website www.hpa-polo.co.uk Congratulations to Chris Hyde who has gone to 10 goals. He and Tommy Biddle (US) are the only two 10 goal arena players in the world. Congratulations also to Max Charlton who has gone to 9 goals.

Hyde, Chris 9 to 10 Charlton, Max 8 to 9 Dawnay, Sebastian 8 to 7 Morrison, Jamie 7 to 6 Smith, Howard 7 to 6 Southwell, Tarquin 7 to 6 Williams, Roddy 7 to 6 Henderson, Michael (6) to 6 Mancini, Oscar (6) to 6 Bown, Tim 6 to 5 Lucas, William 6 to 5 Hodges, Harold 5 to (5) Matthews, Roddy 5 to 4 Henderson, Glynn (4) to 3 Turner, Gavin (4) to 4 Baker, David 4 to 3 Clarke, Austin 4 to 3 Raschia Grau, Adrian (3) to 3 Acosta, Daniel 3 to 4 Banner-Eve, Edward 3 to 4 Morris-Lowe, Edward 3 to 4 Ormerod, Robin 3 to 4

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Polo Times, May 2015

Ruzzaman, Alan 3 to 2 Bossignon Temes, Joaquin (2) to 3 Seller, Philip (2) to 4 Al-Rifai, Faisal 2 to 3 Eastwood, Aurora 2 to 1 Hitchman, Charlie 2 to 3 Severn, Oliver 2 to 3 Ude-Martinez, Karl 2 to 3 Wilson Smith, Heloise 2 to 3 Lent, Terence (1) to 2 Meadows, Saskia (1) to 2 Shaw, Kevin (1) to 1 Wightman, Chris (1) to 2 Cooney, Charles 1 to 2 Cork, Joshua 1 to 2 de Vos, Marc 1 to 2 Hyde-Andrews, Hayley 1 to 2 Noakes, Joshua 1 to 2 Perry, Jonathan 1 to 2 Severn, Thomas 1 to 2 Cork, Ollie (0) to 2 Cork, Andy (0) to 0

Fitzwilliams, Edward (0) to 1 Hotston, Sarah (0) to 0 McCarthy, James (0) to 1 Morris-Warburton, Sam (0) to 0 Wood, Georgina (0) to 1 Bond, Anthony 0 to 1 Coid, Thomas 0 to 1 Cork, Marcus 0 to 1 Fitzwilliams, Tilly 0 to 1 Fuller, Henry 0 to 1 Gibbons, Tamara 0 to 1 Grant, Alex 0 to 1 Holman, Frances 0 to 1 Le Seelleur French, Georgina 0 to 1 Mann, James 0 to 1 Meakin, Abi 0 to 1 Turk, Rosanna 0 to 1 Wiles, Luke 0 to 1 Beim, Zachary -1 to 0 Bell, Chris -1 to 0 Bradshaw, Benji -1 to 0 Brady Anna, Druids -1 to 0

Burt, Carla -1 to 0 Calvert-Ansari, Alexei -1 to 0 Cowan, Lucie -1 to 0 Davies, Andrew -1 to 0 Dickinson, Diana -1 to 0 Edwards, Alexandra -1 to 0 Graham, Claire -1 to 0 Johnston, Colin -1 to 0 Keen, Andrew -1 to 0 Leake, Julian -1 to 0 Liddle, James -1 to 0 Marchant, Grace -1 to 0 McAlister-Martin, Richard -1 to 0 Poppel , Michael -1 to 0 Thomas, Marie-Clare -1 to 0 Triance, Paul -1 to 0 Turk, Charlie -1 to 0 Walker, Ed -1 to 0 Wallis, Tom -1 to 0 Waters, Melissa -1 to 0 Westall, Larissa -1 to 0 White, George -1 to 1

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FIP News

FIP Update

Photography by US Polo Association

Chairman of the Federation of International Polo, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, gives us an update on the latest FIP news from around the world

The historic San Cristobal Polo & Equestrian Club was a beautiful setting for the games

We have all read or heard about ‘the perfect storm’ but seldom a ‘perfect tournament’!

In Chile we managed to get both in a tenday period!

Chile had been under drought conditions for four years when we arrived for The FIP 14 Goal World Championships, which are held every three years, but within 24 hours a terrific thunderstorm swept the country causing some severe damage in the north and prompting one of my colleagues to send me an, as yet unauthenticated, quote of Churchill’s “If you want to break a drought, organise a polo tournament!”

Something we can all identify with here in the UK! Two years of planning had gone into the organisation of the tournament, with playoffs being previously held in FIP’s four Zones around the world producing a winner for each Zone; England, USA, Brazil & Pakistan; whilst the other two teams making up the draw were the previous winners Argentina and the host country, Chile. The tournament was to be played at the historic San Cristobal Polo & Equestrian Club in Santiago, a Club which stables over 800 polo ponies and is situated in one of the most stunning settings in the world, right in the centre of the city surrounded by snow capped mountain terrain.

Then, it was the International Polo Federation’s turn to be responsible for levelling the playing field. For over a year, FIP’s Tournament Director Alex Taylor and our renowned Horse-Master

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Polo Times, May 2015

Jose Lartirigoyen had been travelling to Santiago to work with Lionel Soffia the President of the Chilean Polo Federation.

Together, they worked to organise the event and test over 200 ponies generously lent by the Club’s players. Jose and his team rode the ponies, evaluated each one and then divided them into three categories: A, B and C. Six strings with the same number of A, B and C ponies were created and then drawn by each of the six teams, ensuring that each side, including the hosts, received fair distribution.

Leading international umpires Rafael Silva from Uruguay, Fergus Gould from Australia and Steve Evans from South Africa were chosen from non-participating countries and the scene was set.

To give you an idea of how effective this formula was and what an improvement there has been in international handicapping, I am delighted to report that out of the ten matches played in the tournament, four of the games went into an extra chukka, two had only one goal difference and two, only two goals difference at full-time.

Mention must be made of the favourites, Team USA who had been practicing for several months together prior to the tournament and whose support and backup were second to none. However, with both Team Chile and Team USA battling through to the Final against Brazil and England respectively, then it was a matter of ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’ or in this case, the Team!

Will Emerson on the ball in front of US player Felipe Viana

Watched by a massive local crowd of over 8,000 spectators (the largest crowd ever to grace the stands in the Club’s impressive 70-year history), the Chilean team were first decimated by the welldrilled US squad and then lifted by the crowd’s support to heights which meant the contestants were all square at the end of the sixth chukka. The seventh saw a foul by the US team result in Chile taking the ball to the half-way point. Pereira hit a strong shot which reached the 40-yard line and created a timely set up for Mario Silva. A superb backhander by the young 17-year-old Silva, hit the goalpost and dribbled over the goal line thus a new local hero was born. Chile became the worthy winners of the 10th FIP International Championships for the second time in the trophy’s 28-year history.

Our sincere thanks must go to all those who supported this event so well, our sponsors and the FIP Staff led by Alejandro Taylor. Our deepest gratitude goes to Lionel Soffia, the President of the Chilean Polo Federation and the members of the San Cristobal Polo & Equestrian Club who so selflessly and generously lent ponies and entertained all the visitors to such a wonderful spectacle and such an excellent week of polo and parties.

On a final note, I mentioned in my last article that we would be announcing the new CEO at the end of the Championships.

We had sought applications from our Member Nations around the world to fill the post of CEO. We were delighted to receive some twenty-three responses from different countries and eight applicants from five different nations which we eventually shortlisted down to two. After interviewing the final two applicants we are pleased to announce that Alex Taylor has been confirmed in the post and I offer my sincere congratulations to him on his well-deserved appointment. a full report on The FIP For 14 Goal World Championships, please turn to page 50.

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Metropolitan Polo Club An Exceptionally Refined World at Your Service www.metropolitanpoloclub.com Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, 16 Hai Tai Hua Ke Jiu Lu, Bin Hai Gao Xin Qu, Tianjin 30384, China.

T: (86) 22 8372 8888 F: (86) 22 8371 7733

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Letters

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Letter of the month

The writer of Letter of the month wins a bottle of BLOOM Gin

Polo Times, May 2015

Chris Crawford, from CSC Polo, put his stickability to the test at the Ultimate Cowboy Competition (10 – 11 April) held at the Grange Equestrian Centre in Oakhampton, Devon. Organised by Silver Spur Ranch Idaho, Crawford put his rodeo skills to the test in a number of disciplines including barrel racing, team penning, breakaway roping, cattle loading and wild cow riding

It isn’t just girls that can multi-task when taking saddles, bandages and four ponies to chukkas on your own

Photograph by Dawn Harper

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Photograph by Tom Falcon

Sir, As spring has sprung, there are a few things we need to consider as the polo season begins. As we all know having horses in peak condition to start the season is paramount to running a successful string.

As in my previous article regarding ‘Atypical Myopathy’ caused by Sycamore seeds, I felt it was worth mentioning that at this time of year it can also be of concern. There have been a number of cases attributed to the ingestion of Sycamore seedlings, which pop up in our pastures at this time of year. It is of particular concern this year due to the high yield of seeds of last autumn. There were a suspected 100 cases seen over the autumn and winter in the UK alone.

Another hot topic at this time of year is always worming. Of particular note in spring is the emergence of Cyathostomin species also known as ‘Small Red Worm’. These worms are the most common cause of parasitic disease in horses, causing diarrhoea, weight loss, colic and inflammation of the gut wall, which can occasionally be fatal. The immature larvae hibernate in the gut wall over winter and emerge as mature larvae as the temperature rises. They are notoriously difficult to worm against and we have seen issues with resistance to some worming products. Another guilty party is Tapeworm, known to cause spasmodic colic and impactions. Ensuring that the correct products have been administered is essential, if a Moxidectin and Praziquantel combination wormer has not been used during the autumn as part of routine worming, it should be considered for use in spring. There are various different approaches to worming; ‘Interval worming’ whereby we blanket treat every horse using the same product at regular intervals – this is the most common approach to worming on large establishments – but it can lead to un-necessary expenditure as not all horses may require worming, it is also thought to be one of the causes of building resistance to the products we have available to us. ‘Strategic worming’ a somewhat more rational approach, where we take into consideration the time of year, the key parasites thought to be a problem and worm with products that target those worms. Issues that can arise with this approach include, changing weather conditions and movement of horses into premises that have a high worm burden. The best approach is ‘Targeted Strategic worming’ whereby we use an adaptation of the Strategic worming protocol, and not only consider the types of worms present at particular times of year but each individual horse’s worm burden as well. This is monitored using a faecal worm egg count, allowing the identification of those horses in need of worming and those that do not. This can dramatically reduce the cost of worming and helps to prevent resistance to wormers.

Colic – as we bring our horses off the pasture to get them fit and start the season, such dramatic changes in diet and exercise can result in colic.

A swift change from grazing to being stabled and fed only hard feed and hay results in a change of the gut bacteria and the breakdown products they produce, this can result in gassy colic, the other concern is impaction colic as we change them to a relatively dry diet in comparison. Prevention methods include feeding wet hay/haylage and a gradual change onto hard feeds and ensuring constant access to water.

Good luck for the start of the season.

Best wishes, Nicola Bell BVetMed MRCVS

By Email

Four legs vs two wheels! Peter Mwangi and James Harper having a race up the pitch after chukkas at Rugby Polo Club

Testing times...

Q: The St. Regis International Test Match is coming up this month on the 16 May at Cowdray Park Polo Club. Who did England play against in 2014 and which side won?

A: Turn to page 90 to check your answer

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Your views

Comment

Sir, I have just read Linda Williams’ letter regarding her first Polo Times subscription and this prompted me to look at my various polo magazine records. Not only do I appear to have kept more or less every edition from volume 1.1 (I know, it’s sad!), but I also have 18 editions from 1993 – 1995 of Polo Advertiser, which I seem to remember was some sort of precursor, or am I wrong? If you weren’t sitting in the stand at Cowdray when these little news-sheets were handed out or you arrived a little late, that was tough luck. And yes, where would we be without it – keep up the good work!

Kind regards Adrian Bennett Publisher’s note: Thank you for your letter! You are indeed right – Polo Advertiser was the precursor to Polo Times as we know it now. We are so glad you are still enjoying your subscription 20 years on!

Supermarket deliveries around polo hotspots have a rush on chicken burgers, Coca-Cola and mayonnaise as South American grooms descend in locust-like droves.

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17

Comment Chukka chat with Lila Pearson

T

his was my first time attending The FIP World Cup and I must say it was an amazing experience. The spectacle itself was incredible, with local spectators loyally supporting their home team and creating more of a football match atmosphere than an afternoon at polo. I doubt there is anywhere else in the world that could’ve accommodated and put on the show that the Chileans did. However, there were a couple of points surrounding the tournament, which weren’t executed so well.

I had spent a week in Argentina pre-Championships, visiting old friends, but also supporting the English team of Will Emerson, Peter Webb, Jack Hyde and my son George who were preparing for Chile.

They were at ‘boot camp’ at El Remanso, playing practices with James Beim as well as chukkas at the Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada and at La Quinta with Luke Tomlinson who was very helpful offering advice to the Chile-bound team. After a week of preparation, we all met at the

airport with a ton of luggage including three saddles for each player.

All the teams were based at the Radisson Petra Hotel, with their entourages of which, ours was by far the smallest! The opposing sides boasted coaches, physiotherapists, extra player – the works, which made our set-up look a little lack lustre. In hindsight, this highlighted one of the issues of preparation and support that was lacking in our team. The US side had spent several weeks training in Florida, playing the 18 goal as a complete team with the USPA providing a considerable investment – the English side hadn’t had such an opportunity and later, it showed.

On the Saturday, the teams were allocated their horses, where we discovered one of ours was in fact lame! We were led to understand that teams were assigned their pool of ponies and they would have to ‘make do’; I think this is clearly a matter, which needs addressing. Most of the teams were of course in the same predicament of playing unknown horses, but it does pose a problem when you’re already

down a pony before you’ve even tacked up!

The English team had a strong practice against the Brazilians on the Sunday before the tournament began and I think this shook up the teams; I don’t believe they were expecting the English side to be as good and were left feeling under-prepared.

And then of course the weather came, all of 10 millimetres (!) and the tournament was postponed – which may have suited the Chilean organisation particularly.

This postponement left a real bone of contention within the English camp, as our players were not allowed near their horses for practices or an opportunity to stick and ball from Sunday, the first practice, to Friday when the tournament resumed.

This also continued throughout the tournament where we were not allowed to practice between games. We ended up clandestinely trying ponies just

so our players could ride, but we did hear that the other teams were allowed and this did seem unsporting. It resulted in the team starting slowly, with the horses heavy in their first match.

England suffered mixed fortunes in the tournament and it was very evident that it was going to be a Chile versus USA Final. It was clear that the home team was expected on the pitch – and then later to win – but the American team deserved their position there as they were an incredibly well-drilled, well-presented side.

The Polo Club San Cristobal is probably the most beautiful setting in the world with a wonderful Clubhouse and the Chileans could not have been more friendly and hospitable.

However, I think we have a lot to learn from the experience and I would love to have a little say in what I think would be a fairer way of running The World Cup in the future.

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Polo Times, May 2015

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Umpire’s corner

Comment

All For One And One For All?

P

olo is truly a global game, and as such, it is somewhat of a surprise to most people to find that there are four different sets of rules, those of the HPA, USPA, AAP and FIP respectively.

I recently spent time in Argentina, umpiring at all levels, from 12 Goal club polo to the Opens at Hurlingham and Palermo. To be honest, there are not a great many disparities, but those that there are can make a huge difference to how the game is played and enjoyed by all.

Right Of Way Or Line Of Ball?

It is here that we find one of the fundamental differences between how the game is played in Argentina and the UK. Here in England the Right of Way (ROW) is king, and in Argentina it is the Line of the Ball (LOB). In my experience the AAP version is a much more logical way to play the game.

We all remember being taught not to “Cross the Line” when we first started playing, and we hear “My Line” more frequently than we probably should, but I have never heard anyone say “My Right of Way” or “Don’t cross my Right of Way”.

To me the LOB is a clear and distinct fact (well most of the time!), whereas the ROW

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is a non-tangible notion, which is open to misinterpretation by both players and officials alike. For the cognoscenti, look at rules 32 and 33 in the Blue Book. To me it is a minefield.

The way the game is played in reality is at great variance to the way it is supposed to be!

Don’t get me wrong, the ROW is incredibly important, and it would only take a few tweaks to get it right, but going against 60-70 years of tradition can be a hard challenge. I would like to see the LOB used as the main frame of reference here in the UK. For me it is simpler, safer and better.

Welfare The HPA’s stance on the welfare of ponies is second to none.

Without the ponies there is no sport, so to ensure the safety of what most players claim is 75% of the game is both rational and humane. Argentina, and many other countries beside, could do well to implement and enforce the welfare controls that the HPA uses, which would certainly gain my respect.

Penalties Please, please, please can we unify all the 30s, 40s, 60s and safety/corner penalties.

Seriously, how hard can it be to get a consensus on

Photograph by Tony Ramirez www.imagesofpolo.com

As part of an on-going series of umpire comments, Peter Wright – the first non-Argentine to be invited by the Argentine Association Polo (AAP) to umpire in the Triple Crown at Palermo and HPA Professional umpire – looks at the disparities in polo rules across the globe.

Peter Wright in action umpiring during the Final of The Argentine Open, played at Palermo at the end of 2104

them? 30s and 40s defended or undefended really make no significant difference.

Undefended penalties are pretty boring, requiring less skill from the attacking team and none from the defenders, yet do not result in ponies or players being struck from close quarters in the act of saving a goal. Welfare versus skill and excitement? A double edged sword perhaps, however not something that an accord can’t be reached on I hope.

The signs are good that The Big Three are coming together.

I believe the USPA are hoping to base all of their 20+ Goal polo in line with the AAP field rules and the HPA are working hard to rework their rules in line with the 21st century. We have never been closer to unifying

our rules, nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to do.

No More Apples The loss of Julian Appleby to the UK High Goal season is a serious blow. Julian is without doubt one of the most proficient umpires in the world today.

Having been officiating in Palm Beach for the last couple of high goal seasons, the USPA have offered him a contract to stay on in the U.S. In the professional era, money talks, and is something the HPA may need to address in the near future if it wants to retain its present talent, or indeed, recruit new faces. I will miss umpiring alongside him in the Queen’s and Gold Cups, but wish him and Trudie all the best in this bold venture.

Polo Times, May 2015

21

Feature

Interview with Guards Polo Manager, Antony Fanshawe

Great Expectations Antony Fanshawe, the newly appointed Polo Manager at Guards Polo Club talks to Polo Times.

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Polo Times, May 2015

www.polotimes.co.uk

W

ith 2015 their 60th year of polo, Guards Polo Club have entrusted the role of Polo Manager to Antony Fanshawe, a man with an impressive equine pedigee to match the credentials of this important Club. Horses are in his blood, with his grandfather winning Bronze for three-day eventing at the 1936 Olympics and his father an esteemed Master of Foxhounds.

His older brother James is a well known Group One-winning trainer based in Newmarket.

Starting off playing and grooming for the Vesteys with their Stowell Park/ Foxcote teams as well as the Tomlinsons in Gloucestershire, ‘Ant’ rose through the ranks to play the high goal for the first time in 1990 and continued for an impressive eight seasons at the 22 goal top level.

Ant started out with John Manconi’s Alfa Romeo and Alcatel teams before moving to Prince Abdullah’s Royal Pahang and a 1994 win of The Alfred Dunhill Trophy – the subsidiary to The Queen’s Cup. 1995 saw a move back to Alcatel and Labegorce with late stage games in the The Prince Of Wales, The Queen’s Cup and The Gold Cup. In 1996 a run with Dubai was rewarded with a place in the Semi Finals of The Gold Cup and a handicap raise to 5 goals.

A broken hand brought an end to his high goal career, but every cloud has a silver lining and Ant focused on producing high quality ponies, working closely with Bautista Heguy and also making horses for Hector Barrantes, who used to supply horses to Carlos Gracida and Gonzalo Pieres Snr. when they were playing The Open. He also kept a hand on the polo silverware with wins in the Guards’ Duke of Wellington Trophy, the French Gold Cup in Deauville and The Copa Presidente on the hallowed grounds of Palermo. More recently his love for horses continued in helping Bautista Heguy with his 600-strong young horse operation.

It’s quite a polo journey spanning 26 years and so we were keen to find out more as he embarks on his first season as Guards Polo Club Manager.

How did you hear about the position at Guards?

“It was actually Pete Webb and Will Emerson who suggested I should apply for the role at Guards, so I contacted Neil [Hobday] and was then called in for an interview.

Apparently it was a bit of a ‘Marmite’ scenario, but thankfully more of them seemed to ‘like’ me than ‘hate’, so I got the job… and here I am!”

When was your first day?

“I came in February to get a feel of what was going on, but now it’s a bit different; it’s insanely busy. I’ve never sat in an office before, so everything is very new to me.”

What do you think it is about your personality that made you attractive for this role?

“I think I can do anything that’s required of me in this role, and that’s it! I don’t mean that physically, but I’ve been around polo people all my life and I feel part of that community

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and if I can’t do it, then who can? I’m sure it’s not rocket science, it’s about being polite, working hard, listening to what people have to say… and then persuading them your way is the best! I think if you ask any Polo Manager what the job description is, they will say there are a million things that you have to be, so let’s see – hopefully I’ll tell you in 10 years time.”

Do you think having played the high goal yourself it will help you to be more sympathetic to the players and patrons?

“Time will tell, but after 30 years of being involved with polo I hope I can understand the different perspectives. It’s a completely different role being a Polo Manager, you’re not a patron, nor a player, but of course you are trying to help both get better value for their money and time. It’s important to acknowledge what everybody brings to the sport, whether patron or professional. The patron puts in a great deal: He is willing to give the important commodity of his spare time, which is undoubtedly very scarce. He could be on a yacht in the South of France, but no, he’s playing polo. Of course the player commits his life and livelihood to playing polo and I have huge admiration for those people. I certainly don’t respect players or patrons who come to the sport and don’t commit themselves and expect to be taken as seriously as those that show real dedication. Personally, I don’t have time for that at all.”

What changes have you seen over the years?

“These days you need to be more of a sportsman than a horseman – if you look at all these players now, obviously the horses are still very important, but it seems to me that they worry more about their fitness than they do about their horsemanship. For me it has always been a horse sport, and I think now it has slightly moved away from that and become a technical sport, a horse is almost part of the equipment, albeit a very important part; but it’s not as essential as it was 20 years ago. The connection between the man and the horse has changed a lot and for me that’s something we need to address – the advantage in the game at the moment goes to the strong guy, not necessarily the horseman.”

Do you want to make some immediate changes at Guards?

“I definitely don’t want to blast my way in. I played at this Club 30 years ago, and I’ve played at this Club for the past three or four seasons, I know what the problems and strengths are. The issues are people Polo Times, May 2015

23

Feature

Interview with Guards Polo Manager, Antony Fanshawe

arriving late, umpires not doing a good enough job – the classic polo problems. As for the bigger picture, there are a few things I’d like to change –­ Guards is very popular with players and as a result the fields do get played hard. The bottom line is the Club needs more fields, but in England expansion is very difficult, it’s hard to make things bigger because land is a very expensive commodity. I think that players should also remember that the Club has already carried out extensive improvements to the Club’s grounds over the past five years. It has spent a fortune on improving grounds one and two at Smith’s Lawn as well as the two at Coworth Park, often enabling the Club to play matches when others are having to cancel.”

needs saying. If you play here three times a week for six months, then for your £6,000 membership it’s a good package.”

I feel part of that community and if I can’t do it, then who can?

How would you improve International Day? “I’d love to see a team go out that has spontaneity and showcase great sport. At the moment England puts out a team where everybody is covering their spot, it’s too professional. The point is that they should try to entertain. Let’s put out teams that get the crowd going – if you want 20,000 people to come and watch, then you have to entertain them.”

As a popular Club pressure on grounds is always difficult, how will you handle that?

“My priorities are protecting the fields for the high goal because a) it’s a huge amount of money for this Club and b) the top players only play on fields of the highest standard, they simply won’t take their horses to play on fields that they consider to be anything less, and so we have to accommodate them. If we are going to provide that high goal service then we need high goal fields. Last season Guards hosted 650 games across all handicap levels and naturally that put stress on the fields. Of course people say, ‘the fields aren’t good enough,’ but then those same people complain when they can’t play the day after it has rained. It’s a difficult one and an issue that will be a challenge for me to manage for the full membership.”

Tell us about the new grounds at Flemish Farm.

“They are hopefully going to be in work by the end of April. I stick and balled on what is called the Cavalry Ground, and it’s pretty close to being ready. We’ve done a lot of work on the Castle Ground this week, and weather permitting that should be ready for action in a few weeks time.”

How does the Club offer value for money?

“The rates here are cheap in my opinion.

If you play polo at the best polo Club in Argentina for a month that costs you $5,000 – and that’s not even playing in any tournaments, or for any players – that’s just for chukkas. Our fees are great value, and that 24

Polo Times, May 2015

Obviously there is a lot of talk about The International at the moment, what is the position?

“Well, personally I don’t have a position. It’s between the Board and management team here at Guards and the HPA, and I hope they all get on and we are able to make International Day the great event that it used to be. My view on the event is that it needs a shake up, not from a sponsorship point of view, but from a polo perspective ­– it should be entertaining to watch. In my opinion not as many polo people come to watch The International anymore and that’s a shame.”

How will you increase appeal to polo aficionados and the general public?

“Increasing attendance is quite difficult because obviously we’re not in the middle of London.

It’s not a pop-in situation like Palermo where you can be in your flat in Buenos Aires, and say ‘Oh, Palermo’s on today, let’s go.’ Of course, The Queen’s Cup is very popular with all polo players because we all love battles, but The International used to be hugely popular with celebrities, the non-playing public and the polo crowd too. It is an exhibition event where you can entertain and be entertained and I feel International Day is the key to getting the crowds in the stands.”

How will Guards help young players?

“In my opinion an individual shouldn’t be more important if they’re young, or if they have been a member for 20 years – it’s a Club and everyone has equal rights, and that is something I am very keen to put across. But the reality is that we need young players, and we are in a unique position of being able to help them because we now have a donation from John Collin’s organisation Talacrest. It amounts to £15,000 per year for 10 years for the young UK players at Guards. It’s exciting because if you were a 1 goal player and 19 years old, it would also be worth joining Guards in order to have a chance to get that money. Obviously you

would have to pay for membership, but surely it’s worth a risk? £15,000 is a lot of money, especially to a young player looking to start his or her career.”

Is there a specific aspect to the job that you’re looking forward to?

“There’s nothing that I’m thinking, ‘I can’t wait to tackle that’. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone, and I’m also anticipating the end of the season and having the satisfaction of having done a great job.

I’m really interested to see how I perform.

There are no negative thoughts about the role in my head at the moment.”

Is there anything that has surprised you yet?

“What has surprised me is how much interest and attention the role has generated. I think the best thing so far has been how kind and helpful the [Guards] office has been to me.”

Are there any day-to-day challenges that you’ve prepared yourself to expect?

“After 30 years in the sport I’ve seen some outrageous behaviour, and I’m sure I’m going to see some more. In my role as Polo Manager I hope that I’m man enough to deal with it well for the Club and not react myself. I also hope my family can adapt to the situation, as I’m not going to see much of them, and that’s the main negative for me.

Without the support of my wife Georgie, I really would be in trouble. Having said that…perhaps she is happy to get rid of me!

But I’m safe in the knowledge that the dogs are definitely missing me.” www.polotimes.co.uk

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Feature

Insurance matters

Are you adequately insured?

Nick Hine, Publisher of Polo Times shines a spotlight on the insurance inadequacies in the polo market.

Through our own overseas travel with Polo Times and The Polo Magazine over the Winter months, I was concerned to learn from talking to a number of players, both amateur and professional across all levels of polo, that currently, the majority are either inadequately insured, or worse still, are not insured at all.

We all know that polo is amongst one of the most adrenaline-fuelled team sports that there is to play – and for most of us, that’s why we do it. In addition, those that play polo, accept the reasonable risks associated with doing so, yet again, most do not even have basic Personal Accident cover.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com

A personal recommendation: As part of our publishing titles, I am heavily involved in Motorsport and so, already familiar with Lockton through their involvement with leading car clubs for owners of Aston Martin, Ferrari

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Polo Times, May 2015

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What Lockton can offer at a glance For the polo professionals and amateurs: Lockton have experience in providing simple cover of Accidental Death and Permanent Total Disablement including:• Accidental Death Sum Insured • Catastrophic Cover resulting in Paraplegia/Quadriplegia • Worldwide Travel insurance for Players • Third party liability cover for polo ponies Specifically for polo professionals: • Permanent Total Disablement following an Accident and/or Sickness from usual occupation as a Professional Polo Player

and Porsche, I knew that Lockton had a substantial portfolio of professional sport people who purchase a range of protection products cover for career threatening injuries including: • Jockeys • Ice hockey players • Golfers • Footballers • American footballers • Motorsport drivers So as a company, Lockton are familiar with high risk sports and are geared to cater for this sector. Why is polo so under insured?

It is an area that needs addressing for everybody’s financial safety in my opinion.

Excessive risks of being uninsured and exposed: When compared to let’s say the Motorsport market, in which all drivers are insured,the excessive risks that playing polo without insurance, is, in my mind, more akin to driving the wrong way around an F1 track – an accident waiting to happen.

Career threatening injury cover: All players, whether professional or amateur, need career threatening injury cover and accidental death cover, regardless of whether they play polo solely in the UK or all over the world, yet the majority of players that I spoke with did not have either.

The HPA’s Third Party Insurance Cover for Polo Ponies: As reported in last month’s Polo Times, (page 73) Third party liability cover for your ponies is available as part of your Membership with the HPA. However there are restrictions: you are covered if you are up to and including two goals in handicap and own 10 or less ponies that are either registered or passported in your name with the HPA; however, if you are 3 goals

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and above, then you are not covered.

Likewise, if the ponies are registered in a different name or business name then you are excluded from this cover. Ponies used for commercial use, for example ponies that are hired for reward or gain or used in conjunction with hire and reward are also excluded. So be aware that ponies used by players who charge fees, (or even get reward in kind – so diesel paid etc), are also excluded. If you offset your polo costs against your business (as marketing costs etc) you may also not be covered by the HPA member’s scheme.

In cases of exclusion, it is the player’s responsibility to ensure that he, or she has adequate insurance cover. In summary, players of 3 goals and above, (essentially the professionals), or amateurs with 10 ponies or more, do not have automatic Third party liability cover provided under their HPA subscription. In their particular case, speaking to Lockton about the Polo Insurance Scheme could be a gamechanger.

Playing abroad: Of those polo players (both professionals and amateurs) that we spoke with, the the reality is that most did not have Worldwide Travel insurance; instead, they were relying on basic holiday insurance, which in the event of an accident, would very likely specifically exclude polo as an insured activity.

Get covered: The lack of insurance for players both amateur, patron or professional, at home and abroad at all levels from -8 to 40 goal really concerns me. I’d recommend that you get a quote from the Polo Insurance Scheme by contacting Lockton. +44 (0)20 7933 2108 michael.owen@uk.lockton.com

Michael Owen Senior Vice President, Lockton Sport

With the polo season starting, it’s that time when as polo players it’s worth pondering: Are you adequately insured and do you have the correct coverage?

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It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s equally unwise to pay too little. With insurance, there’s nothing that can’t be made a little worse, in order to sell it a little more cheaply. Low price has resulted in lack of choice, small print to trip you up and a mountain of complaints.

The Polo Insurance Scheme may cost a little more than the cheapest – although far less than you might think – but our specialist cover and service is praised as exceptional.

Other covers As well as career threatening and personal accident cover, Lockton are also able to offer comprehensive home and motor insurance policies for all Polo players.

Rather than simply renewing with your current insurer, why not get a quote from the Polo Insurance Scheme by contacting Lockton. +44 (0)20 7933 2108 michael.owen@uk.lockton.com

Polo Times, May 2015

27

Feature

Chris Hyde, 10 goals

‘The Prof’ is top of the class HPA names Chris Hyde as first British 10 goal arena player ahead of end of season handicap changes.

C

hris ‘The Prof ’ Hyde has long been one of the most talented and respected arena players.

With 2014/15 winter victories including International Test Matches, snow polo tournaments and prestigious trophies closer to home, it may come as no surprise that the HPA awarded Hyde the 10 goal status he so richly deserved.

28

Polo Times, May 2015

Playing off 9 goals for the past seven consecutive seasons, he has helped teams such as Simon Holley’s Ocho Rios and Jonathan Munro Ford’s Black Eagles to arena victories. Hyde stands out amongst many professionals as he forges long-term relationships with patrons, often playing with them for several seasons as opposed to the sport’s often-changeable team line-ups. His

proven track record undoubtedly assists with a patron looking to succeed in the arena.

He has won The Arena Gold Cup at The Berkshire (the most coveted arena trophy in the world) seven times and his name appears on the engraving more than any other player. As Captain of the England team, he has helped his teammates to victories in both the UK and the US and celebrated

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Chris Hyde, 10 goals

Feature

Chris Hyde’s Arena Gold Cup Roll of Honour 1997: Won with Chopendoz 1998: Won with Ashfronts 1999: Won with Ashfronts 2004: Won with Stellar Performance 2008: Won with Asprey London 2014: Won with Black Eagles 2015: Won with Black Eagles

“Chris is without doubt the best arena player in Europe. He was very close to being a 10 last year, but this year he seemed to raise his game just to make a point! It is a remarkable achievement and one he should be extremely proud of. It is fitting that Chris should be the first British person to achieve this accolade.”

John Bunn, Chairman of The All England Polo Club, Hickstead “Chris’ handicap increase to 10 is 100 per cent based on his performance this season – he is 10 goals in the arena all day, every day. He won The Gold Cup – where I played against him and found he was on a whole other standard of playing – The Test Match at Hickstead and he was outstanding in St. Moritz; across the board, the Committee felt that he deserved the change in handicap.

Apart from the Final of The Arena Nationals, he has remained undefeated in the 2014/15 season and everybody felt he should be recognised for that.”

Sebastian Dawnay, HPA Arena Handicap Committee member & 7 goal arena player “I think it’s great for Chris, that he has been put up to 10. He has consistently been the best arena player in the UK for years, but this season he played the best I have ever seen him play. The Committee was not left with any other option but to put him to 10 – he was simply better than everyone else.

Even at Hickstead without his best pony, Zena, against a very well-organised and mounted Irish team, he was outstanding.”

Simon ‘Skinny’ MacDonald, RCBPC Polo Manager & HPA Arena Handicap Committee member a win only this season when he, Jamie Le Hardy and Jonny Good defeated Ireland 1813 for The Bryan Morrison Trophy.

Hyde, riding into the history books as the world’s first British arena 10 goaler, told Polo Times’ “I’m over the moon about going to 10 goals! It’s a great achievement for me and I’m so glad to have reached it. I can’t wait to play next season with new challenges.”

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“Chris is extraordinarily talented in terms of his prowess in the arena and his reading of the game. It’s a combination of things which make him a stand-out player with one of them being his ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the team and work accordingly to produce the results.

We have a couple of plans already in the

pipeline for the 2015/16 arena season where Black Eagles will be hoping to do as well, if not better, as this winter. I am absolutely delighted about this news of a well-deserved and long overdue rise to 10 goals, which makes Chris one of the best arena players in the world.”

Jonathan Munro Ford, Black Eagles patron “Chris was absolutely phenomenal this year. Over the last few seasons, he has been brilliant, but this winter he really showcased his consistency, his level of play and his Captaincy. As we know, it is the whole package of excellence, which you need to be a 10 goal player. I think Chris now has that.”

Michael Amoore, Chairman of the Arena Polo Committee & General Manager of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club “Reaching 10 goals is a fantastic achievement by Chris. I saw him play at The International at Hickstead and he was a strong Captain who led by example and enabled his teammates to raise their own level of play. To make 10 goals, you have to be head and shoulders above the competition and Chris has certainly achieved that. Well done.”

Oliver Hughes, Deputy Chief Executive of the HPA “Chris is in a class of his own when he’s in the arena and fully deserves his 10 goal rating. He is cool under pressure, understands the arena so well and he knows the right time to try for two-pointers or when to play it safe. This was my first real arena season so for me to play with Chris was a great experience.”

Phil Seller, 4 goal arena player & teammate for the 2015 HPA New Year National 12 goal

Polo Times, May 2015

29

Feature

It is safer to travel without string attached to the side of your lorry and advisable to carry your own water on board. This lorry shows blue water barrels for transporting water under the chassis at the back of the truck saving space inside the container

What is WATO? Following on from Polo Times’ look into licensing in the April issue, Lucy Wilson continues to get to grips with the plethora of certification needed for taking your ponies to polo in a truck or a trailer. With so many different aspects to transport legislation, this issue will focus on The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Horses) Certificate or otherwise known as WATO.

T

his particular piece of legislation came into force back in January 2007, but as the authorities are taking a closer look at the equine industry, it has come to the foreground as an area to be focused on by DVSA. Many may not be aware of all the different certifications and relevancy of who needs what to drive ponies to polo, so in this issue we are concentrating on WATO. Commercial transporters of livestock have been under the radar of DEFRA and DVSA for sometime now, but the smaller transporters and business in the equine and more specifically the polo community, have been slipping through their nets. Now

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the authorities are hot on our tails, players that travel to polo need to be in the know for the day they do get stopped by a traffic officer. WATO is a commercial certificate, but the grounds of the testing syllabus really do form part of a good practice set up for anyone, commercial or hobby based players, to know what the best conditions are for your ponies to travel in and how to avoid not only welfare issues for your four-legged friends but also any serious accidents whilst travelling to polo.

WATO takes the form of two certificates, one for drivers and another for attendants (grooms that accompany the driver), in addition there are separate certificates

depending on the length of the journey.

For journeys over eight hours, an Advanced Certificate in Equine Transport is required.

Certificates must travel with the driver and the lorry, so if you are using a transport company they should be able to produce the Certificate when they arrive to collect your ponies.

Who needs a certificate?

• If you are transporting ponies for hire or reward • If you are transporting someone else’s ponies for payment • Transporting ponies for sale, to an abattoir for slaughter or transporting ponies as part of your business Polo Times, May 2015

31

Feature

Learning to love licensing

Lorries’ ramps, partitions and general structure vary greatly but any fixtures and fittings must be safe for the ponies and checked before loading

Who is exempt?

• Transporting ponies that are not being used in connection with an economic activity. This includes individuals driving their own horses less than 65km or under eight hours • Farmers moving their own ponies in their own vehicles for seasonal grazing between fields for a distance less than 50km from their main farm • Transporting a pony to or from a veterinary clinic under the instruction of a vet • A hobby breeder, where the income does not exceed the expenditure of the breeding activity How to obtain a certificate Firstly you need to find a company that offers the assessments and certificates and are authorised by DEFRA. There are three units that make up the assessment: Units 1 and 2 are compulsory for both the Attendants and the Drivers Certificates and Unit 3 must be passed for the WATO Certificate of Competence for Drivers.

Once passed, the Certificate is valid for the lifetime of the EU Regulation and can often be done in one day. Those drivers looking to take Unit 3 must have a valid driving

32

Polo Times, May 2015

licence relevant to the lorry or trailer before they can receive their Certificate. If you are in the process of obtaining your LGV or HGV licence for example you can still take part in the assessment, but you won’t get your certificate without your valid driving licence.

Unit 1 Risk Assessments: Taking into consideration where the ponies will be loaded and unloaded. Other people in the surrounding area that might be at risk should something go wrong. Is the vehicle fit for purpose and fully operational? Do the horses and the grooms or even the driver have the correct protection for the journey (this includes everything from partitions to correct footwear)?

Planning the route: Demonstrate that you are aware of the need to plan a route with current maps. Knowledge of organisations to contact for information about weather conditions and traffic congestion.

Contingency plans in case of emergencies and accidents. Knowledge of places to stop on long journeys where ponies can be unloaded and kept safely and securely.

Organisations responsible for matters of law and documentation: Knowledge of DEFRA, Local Authority Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers, Animal Health, Trading Standards and the Police.

Powers of Enforcement Officers: Knowledge of what the above organisations can do and are responsible for with reference to Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, Welfare of Animals Act 2006. The main point being they have the power to prevent a journey starting or continuing.

Chain of Responsibility for Pony Welfare before, during and after transport: Before: consignor, owner or keeper. During: driver and attending groom. After: consignee, owner or keeper.

General Knowledge of animal health and welfare before, during and after travelling: An extensive list of points include handling methods in loading and unloading, stocking densities and spacing of partitions, temperatures, making sure the vehicle is correctly fitted out to carry ponies in a safe manner that complies with relevant legislation.

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Learning to love licensing

Feature

Tail protection is a requirement, however leg protection is not

Unit 2 Preparing ponies for transport: The fitness to travel for each pony should be checked before loading, ponies must be travelled wearing a minimum of a head-collar and lead rope and tail protection (bandage or protective guard).

Pre-loading procedures part 1: Checking you have the correct documentation and that the vehicle used is correctly marked as transporting ponies/horses and that they comply with legal requirements.

Pre-loading procedures part 2: Interior and exterior checks to be carried out for the ramps, doors, floor, sides, roof, partition and drainage.

Space requirements inside the container: Minimum floor space for each horse should be 1.75 square meters and for ponies 144cms, no less than 1 square meter.

Equipment to be carried on a journey: Buckets, water, feed and containers suitable for administering feed and hay.

Loading and unloading procedures: You must be aware of what spaces and locations are safe to load and unload ponies.

For example it must be away from any vulnerable people (the elderly or children), visibility and lighting for the groom/ driver and the ponies when loading and unloading in dim weather or in the early or late hours of the day.

UNIT 3 – Takes the form of a practical driving test Checking the vehicle over: The paperwork (Tax, MoT, insurance etc), the lights (indicators, breaks, full beams, reverse etc), www.polotimes.co.uk

Unloading and loading ponies safely are covered in Unit 1 and Unit 2 of WATO Certificates of Competence

tyres, fuel and other liquid levels and if towing a trailer, checking that the number plates match.

courses offered by The British Driving Agency, who are DEFRA approved, range from £55 to £70.

Driving the vehicle: This section also includes an assessment of route planning and contingency for having to change routes, preparing the vehicle for loading and after loading before setting off. Driving with the safety and welfare of the ponies in mind, taking care to avoid sudden or sharp braking. Also being aware of external noises and vibrations caused by passing traffic that may cause distress to the ponies.

Who are top two authorities involved?

DEFRA –The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are the government department that is responsible for protecting the environment, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities within the UK.

How much will it cost?

Costs are not huge and the certificates and

DVSA – Driver Standards Agency. Last April the DSA and VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) joined forces to form the DVSA. However, you will still see VOSA marked vehicles on the roads.

Polo Times, May 2015

33

Feature

Learning to love licensing

Myth busting

with Araminta Winn Araminta Winn recently spoke at the HPA Welfare meeting about WATO and is part of the British Driving Society, which is one of just a handful of DEFRA approved training and testing establishments for WATO. 1. My horsebox has partitions for four therefore can I carry four?

You must be aware of the unladen weight so you know how much weight you may carry, that’s the total weight of horses, people, water, food tack etc.

2. Does the plating certificate tells me how much the lorry weighs unladen?

No – It gives you a total maximum weight, and axle weights, but you need to take the lorry to a weigh-bridge and have it weighed empty.

3. Do all ponies and horses need to wear leg bandages or boots for protection?

No – The horse must wear a headcollar, be tied securely and have tail protection, such as a tail bandage, tail protector or extra padding to prevent the tail being rubbed. Leg protection, however, is not a legal requirement.

4. Is it only new lorries and trailers that come under the legislation?

No, all lorries and trailers must be fit for purpose, road worthy, and loaded within the weight allowances, new build lorries after 2008 should be built to new legislation.

5. Is WATO only applicable for hauliers and horse transport companies?

Any person who works within the equine industry and transports horses for whatever reason should have a WATO certificate including grooms, riders, trainers, instructors and transport drivers.

String tied to the side of your truck can get tangled in objects that you pass or even with a cyclist passing you

6. Do only HGV professional hauliers lorries need fans to keep the horses cool?

All new builds (2008) should have a minimum of two fans run off auxiliary batteries, remember once the lorry is stationary there is no air flow through the lorry so it heats up.

7. Is it bad for horses to eat and drink during travelling?

No, horses should have access to water on a regular basis. Hydration is extremely important, food should be carried should you have a delay. Horses need regular feeding and watering in order to remain healthy and well.

8. Should horses should be rugged and bandaged whilst travelling?

Depending on the weather, temperature, fitness and whether clipped or not will determine whether or not you rug and bandage, you will need to monitor your horse on a regular basis to see if they are warm or cold, more horses suffer from being too hot than too cold.

9. Is it alright to tie my pony’s haynet on the rear ramp, whilst travelling?

Absolutely not! Apart from the fact the hay will be covered in fumes and oil debris off the road, these nets could fall off and cause a serious accident for which you could be held responsible.

10. We tie all our ponies onto string both inside and outside the lorry, which is the safest option?

To tie to string is not secure, and should the horse pull back and snap the string you then have a rope dangling loose on the floor, which has been know to cause animals to tip up and over in a panic after stepping on the rope.

String left tied on the outside of the lorry is also a problem when travelling; it can get entangled in other road users, get caught up on things and cause accidents. It is interesting to note that in many other countries now, there is no tying up on the outside of lorries at all.

For further information: The Government www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-of-animals-during-transport DEFRA Email: animalwelafre@defra.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0207 2385 907

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Polo Times, May 2015

British Driving Society Araminta Winn Email: aramintawinn@btinternet.com Tel: 0777 1900 100 www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk/information/wato.htm

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UK high goal form guide

Feature Feature

The 2015 high goal form guide

Tilda Woodd reports

The Queen’s and Gold Cups together are what attracts the most talented individuals in polo to the UK for the summer, with most patrons organising their teams months in advance in order to have as good a chance as possible at conquering the English 22 goal.

Although there is no doubt that this year’s competition will be as tough as ever, there is one noticeable difference when looking back at previous years; the number of team entries has dropped significantly. Since 2009, the total number of high goal teams has remained consistent, always in the range of 18-22 sides. Even mid-Credit crunch, every season both Guards and Cowdray have greeted new teams to the high goal game and although some more established teams have also taken a step back, the consistency had always remained. Although this coming season the English polo community once again welcomes new sides, patrons, and organisations, at the time of Polo Times going to press, there are just 11 teams in contention for each title.

However, in keeping with the Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s saying, “It is quality rather than quantity that matters,” there is no reason why this season should not be as exciting as any other. Not only will we see last year’s champions, Zacara and Dubai, return in order to defend their 2014 titles but,

excitingly, we also welcome Somerton, La Indiana, King Power 2 and RH Polo to 22 goal competition for the first time.

From a native perspective, this season also looks set to be one of the most successful to date with regard to the number of English players involved. Eight of the total 14 teams feature at least one Englishman, with teenagers Tom Brodie and Jack Hyde featuring on the respective Dubai and Zacara line-ups – a huge positive for English polo. Somerton are fielding a line-up of four young Englishmen, showing real support for the home country, whilst Michael Bickford’s La Indiana has signed up James Beim and James Harper.

Therefore, although at first glance this season does appear to look a little different, and in many ways it is hugely disappointing that the number of entries has taken such a hit, come the moment when it’s time for The Queen’s Cup to kick off, we can certainly still expect to enjoy polo of the very best quality.

Key: Form is based on success in the last five Queen’s and Gold Cups.

X = failed to make Quarter Finals - = did not play that tournament

DUBAI DUBAI Polo Team

Rashid Albwardy 2 Team Handicap 22 Form 43271 Diego Cavanagh 8 Adolfo Cambiaso 10 Manager Martin Valent Tom Brodie 2 Never a side to be ignored. There were fears when they finished seventh in last year’s Queen’s Cup, but they bounced back to lift The Gold Cup. Yet another solid line-up for them. It must be noted that Adolfo has recently been suffering from injuries but yet even that hasn’t stopped him from winning the Triple Crown, and more recently the US Open.

EL REMANSO

George Hanbury 3 Team Handicap 22 Form 2245X Charlie Hanbury 4 Manager Brett Badham Ollie Cudmore 5 Coach Eduardo Heguy Pelon Stirling 10 A regular on the English high goal circuit. In the past El Remanso have reached the Final of both The Queen’s and Gold Cups, but haven’t quite managed to lift either. Their 2015 format sees Uruguayan, and Triple Crown winner, Pelon Stirling head a team of three young Englishmen. One to follow for a home supporter. www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, May 2015

37

Feature

UK high goal form guide

HB POLO

1

KING POWER

1

KING POWER 2

1

LA INDIANA

1

Ludovic Pailloncy 1 Team Handicap 20 Form –XXXX Cubi Toccalino 8 Magoo Laprida 8 Manager Sebastian Pailloncy Sebastian Pailloncy 3 Third attempt at full UK high goal season. To date HB Polo have failed to feature in the Quarter Finals but yet in Sotogrande last summer they showed good form. However, they are entering with a 20 goal line-up, so this season is sure to be a challenge.

RH POLO

i

LA INDIANA

RH

1

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Polo Times, May 2015

Top Srivaddhanaprabha 1 Team Handicap 22 Form - - - -2 Hugo Lewis 1 Manager Pete McCormack Gonzalito Pieres 10 Facundo Pieres 10 King Power return for the second taste of UK high goal polo. Last year they made their debut in The Gold Cup, successfully reaching the Final. This year they have come back, and in a big way. With a new set-up, and an intense winter training programme, and of course two 10 goalers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see big results come from this side

Ton Srivaddhanaprabha 0 Team Handicap 22 Form Guide ----Ale Muzzio 7 Temi Wellington 7 Manager Pete McCormack Marcos di Paola 8 First time we have been introduced to a second King Power side. However, their other team arrived with a bang, so perhaps we should expect the same from this line-up, which features Top’s brother, Ton.

Michael Bickford 1 Team Handicap 22 Form - - - - James Beim 7 John Paul Clarkin 8 Manager: Louise Thomas James Harper 6 Trainer: Martin Perez 2015 sees La Indiana make their debut in The Gold Cup, for which Bickford has been preparing with an intensive training programme. Last year Bickford and Beim achieved 22 goal success together in The Prince of Wales Trophy at Royal Berkshire, and they are returning to defend their title this season.

Beim and Harper reached the Semi Finals of The Gold Cup last season with Halcyon Gallery when they defeated the mighty Zacara in the Quarter Finals.

Ben Soleimani 0 Team Handicap 21 Form - - - - Francisco Elizalde 7 Nico Pieres 9 Santi von Wernich 5 First time we see RH Polo taking on a full UK season although they are not a complete stranger to 22 goal as last year they took part in the Bronze, Silver and Gold Cups in Sotogrande. Ben and Santi have been preparing together when they played the Argentine Polo Tour at Palermo back in March.

SALKELD

Nick Clarke 1 Team Handicap 22 Form 7XX- Juan Gris Zavalata 7 Joaquin Pittaluga 7 Manager Jamie Peel Luke Tomlinson 7 Salked took a break from high goal polo last year, but now they’re back. Their highlight came in the 2013 Gold Cup, when they claimed seventh place. A new line-up, although Zavaleta and Tomlinson did lift the 2009 Queen’s Cup together.

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1

UK high goal form guide

Feature

SIFANI

Hilali Nordeen 0 Team Handicap 21 Form - - - X Max Charlton 7 Agustin Merlos 8 Malcolm Borwick 6 Sifani made their high goal debut in last year’s Queen’s Cup. They failed to reach the Quarter Finals with their 2014 line-up, but this year it is all change and no doubt they will be hoping to achieve more success this time around. Max and Malcolm proved that they work well together in last year’s 18 goal. Nordeen will be hoping to see the same successful partnership one level up.

SOMERTON

Matt Perry 5 Team Handicap 22 Form - - - - Ed Hitchman 5 Jack Richardson 6 Manager Earl of Tyrone Earl of Tyrone 6 Coach James Beim Somerton make their debut into high goal polo. Always great to see four Englishmen take on the 22 goal together. Although in the past this hasn’t always proved to be the winning formula, this team has the added advantage that they all have high goal experience. Most notably, Perry was part of the winning Zacara team in both 2013 and 2014.

1

TALANDRACAS

1

Edouard Carmignac 0 Team Handicap 22 Form X532X Zac Hagedoorn 4 Polito Pieres 9 Manager/Coach Sapo Caset 9 Santiago Gaztambide Talandracas return once again. Although they failed to qualify for the Quarter Final stages of The Gold Cup, they did reach the Queen’s Cup Final last season, only to lose to Zacara. A team shake up this year, with Hagedoorn and Caset joining the line-up for the first time

THAI POLO

H T I A PO LO

Harald Link 0 Team Handicap 22 Form X-X-X Tomas Garcia Del Rio 7 Matias Torres Zavaleta 7 Manager Andrew Hine Nic Roldan 8 Thai Polo are yet to take part in The Queen’s Cup; instead they save themselves for The Gold Cup. To date, they have failed to make much of an impact but the game is simply a pleasure for Harald Link.

He plays because he enjoys the game and loves the horses, and that is an approach that should be admired. Matias has been playing in Dubai throughout the winter, and has been achieving a significant amount of success so perhaps he will bring it across the water with him.

UAE

UAE POLO TEAM

Z ZACARA

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HH Sheikha Maitha 0 Team Handicap 22 Form -7535 Lucas Monteverde 8 Pablo MacDonough 10 Manager Eileen Felix Santi Stirling 4 HH Sheikha Maitha has shown faith in her two professionals, retaining both Monteverde and MacDonough for another season. Last year, an injury to Monteverde saw the team have to undergo significant changes, yet despite that they still managed to remain as one of the most consistent line-ups in the competition. This year, a stable line-up may be all the need to triumph.

ZACARA

Jack Hyde 2 Team Handicap 22 Form 61116 Lyndon Lea 1 Juan Martin Nero 10 Manager Robert Thame Rodrigo Andrade 9 Coach Andrew Hine Zacara have undergone a complete re-brand. No longer does this side feature former stalwart Facundo Pieres, instead they welcome Juan Martin Nero, who as one of the best backs in polo mean Zacara remain in favourable position

Polo Times, May 2015

39

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Lechlade 5 miles, Cirencester 17 miles Full size polo field  5 large loose boxes in dutch barn and 2 additional stables adjoining  paddocks with and without field shelter  horse walker (5 ponies)  20 x 40 floodlit all weather school · stick & ball areas  enclosed wooden horse on a trailer  200 acres off-road riding plus quiet road hacking approx an hour round trip  possible groom accommodation negotiable  rug washing and drying facilities  hay/haylage/straw available on site  parking for lorry/lorries on site Ideal for a patron or professional, nearby to Inglesham, Kirtlington and Cirencester Polo Clubs.

Tel: 01367 860 207 or 07702 200 979. Email: asthallfarm@btinternet.com

Photographs by Beaufort Polo Club

Feature

Matt Evetts in action at Beaufort Polo Club for Strategic who are looking to take the 2015 series

6 goal success story Another tournament is added to the series for 2015 as the teams from 2014 prepare for the season

T

he lowest goal of the Victor Ludorum is seeing growth and support from a number of teams around the country, as another prominent 6 goal tournament is added to the fixtures list. The 2015 series sees the addition of the Roehampton Cup at Ham Polo Club after the successful addition of the Assam Cup at Rutland Polo Club in the 2013 season, just one year after the introduction of the 6 goal series. The 18, 15, 12 and 8 goal series were all well established by this time but the lowest goal to date has flourished in a very short space of time. Both the 12 and 15 goal series are comprised of six tournaments within the season and the six goal series is now on a par with the addition of the Roehampton Cup. The eight goal series, as with most of the Victor Ludorum, is made up of the most prestigious and sought after cups in the season; in 2012, before the inception of the 6 goal series, The Budgett Everett Trophy, The Junior County Cup and The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse were all part of the 8 goal.

These tournaments formed the basis of the 6 goal series in 2013 along with the Kingscote Cup at Cirencester. The 8 goal series then dropped from seven tournaments to five, www.polotimes.co.uk

2015 dates for the series Rutland Polo Club, The Assam Cup (11 – 21 June) Contact: Thom Collie polomanager@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk Cheshire Polo Club, The Junior County Cup (June 29 – 5 July) Contact: Sheryl Rollinson info@cheshirepoloclub.com Beaufort Polo Club, The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup (7 – 18 July) Contact: Casper West enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk Kirtlington Park Polo Club, Budgett Everett Trophy (July 28 – 9 August) Contact: Pete Fewster pete@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk Ham Polo Club, Roehampton Cup (11 – 23 August) Contact: Will Healy office@hampoloclub.com Cirencester Park Polo Club, Kingscote Cup (25 August – 5 September) Contact: Tim Keyte info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk For a complete list of all the Victor Ludorum series dates turn to our What’s On pages at the back of the magazine.

The Winchford Bowl at Beaufort Polo Club was also added at this point. The summer polo circuits had seen a drop and change in the demand for 8 goal, mostly due to the economy. Patrons were looking for lower costs and splitting teams or picking up players with smaller fees or doubling up with another patron meant the 6 goal began to flourish.

The latest addition to the series, the Roehampton Cup at Ham Polo Club, is also a former 8 goal tournament but is now a 6 goal. According to Ham Polo Club, the trophy dates back to 1902 when it was played for at Roehampton Polo Club.

The trophy boasts a host of historical polo names.

Polo Times, May 2015

41

Feature

6 goal Victor Ludorum series Budgett Everett Trophy Kirtlington

Placings in the 2014 Series First – Rigby & Rigby Second – Strategic Third – Snakebite

2014 Facts and figures Cheshire Polo Club The K&L Freight National 6 goal (Junior County Cup) Seven teams 1 – 6 July 2014 Won by Chester Polo (6) Jamie Thomas (-1) Jonny Coddington (3) Michael Henderson (4) Richard Thomas (0)

(6) (-1) (1) (4) (2)

Kirtlington Park Polo Club Budgett Everett Trophy 5 – 17 August 2014 Eleven teams Won by Rigby & Rigby Jenny Rigby Jake Rigby Matias Amaya Grant Collett

(5) (-2) (-1) (5) (3)

Cirencester Park Polo Club Kingscote Cup August 21 – 6 September 2014 Twelve teams Won by Rigby & Rigby Jenny Rigby (-2) Jake Rigby (-1) Matias Amaya (5) Grant Collett (3) Rutland Polo Club Assam Cup Ten teams 17 – 22 June 2014 Won by Strategic Peter O’Rorke Archie Smyth-Osbourne Nick Pepper Matt Evetts

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Polo Times, May 2015

(6) (-1) (1) (4) (2)

Assam Cup

Kingscote Cup

Rutland

Cirencester

Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Beaufort

x

x

CANI

x

x

Print on Demand

x

x

Rigby & Rigby

x

Strategic

x

x

Snakebite

x

x

Silvertown Properties

x

x

x x x

x x

x x

“Last year we took the spirit of the VL tournaments very seriously, forming a team to play together throughout the season, for good or ill. I was so lucky to have three of the best young English players on the team, and though we were pipped to the post by Rigby and Rigby, it was such a great series of matches. We took an end of season picture and in all honesty these were the same people on and off the pitch from May to September. This year, another club (Ham) has converted an historic trophy into the sequence with the Roehampton Cup, following the footsteps of Rutland with the Assam. It is always a thrill to compete for these wonderful old trophies that carry the names of friends and teammates from so many years. I think when you combine the character of these tournaments with the idea and intention of a Victor Ludorum award, it really raises the level of polo sportsmanship.”

Peter O’Rorke, patron for Strategic, placed second in the 2014 series.

Photography by Beaufort Polo Club

Beaufort Polo Club Eduardo Rojas Lanusse May 24 – 7 June 2014 Eight teams Won by Strategic Peter O’Rorke Archie Smyth-Osbourne Nick Pepper Matt Evetts

Junior County Cup Cheshire

Strategic won at Beaufort in the 2014 Eduardo Rojas Lanusse

‘Our team last year had a unique bond, we all got on really well on and off the field that defiantly contributed to us all having a lot of fun and enjoying the polo we were playing. I hope we can recreate that again this year. Our team structure remains the same at the core as 2014, with Nick Pepper and myself, but handicap changes have meant we cannot keep the same line up. We’re experimenting with new ideas and practices here at Inglesham on our new, boarded ground.

It will be interesting to see what teams enter the VL sequence with a commitment to playing all or most of the tournaments. Ultimately those are the teams we will come up against over and over and so our team structure needs to be adapted to that.

At this level it is always four man polo and teams are also well mounted. I think we’ll be competitive but everyone of these matches is important and goes towards the end result.’

Matt Evetts, 3 goal professional player for Strategic.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

Chester Polo won the 2014 Junior County Cup pictured here with runners up Stobart Polo

“We are delighted to be able to offer £10,000 prize money for this tournament. I am sure it will help us to attract the very best teams from around the country and it is a real boost for polo in Cheshire.”

Richard Thomas, Cheshire Polo Club Chairman, host to the Junior County Cup tournament in the series.

‘Snakebite will be playing four of the six tournaments. We won’t be going to Rutland or Cheshire. Our focus this season will be the VL 12s but as a team we love the 6 goal level and since we won the VL six goal in its inaugural year in 2012 the competition has been getting increasingly competitive year on year. We are thrilled that the Roehampton at Ham has joined the 2015 VL series and are very much looking forward to playing there. Our line up this season is Maximilian Kirchhoff 0, Terence Lent 1, Jack Berner 2 & David Ashby 3.’

David Ashby, 3 goal professional player for Snakebite.

“Last year was only the second year that there had been a 6 goal Victor Ludorum level and already the standard of the teams and the polo has improved markedly, I can only see it improving again. There were ten teams last year, including 6 goal Victor Ludorum regulars from the season; Rigby & Rigby, Snakebite, Strategic and Print on Demand. Strategic beat CANI/3 Oceans in a very one sided Final and Davidsons Homes beat Rigby & Rigby in the Subsidiary Final.”

Thom Collie, Rutland Polo Club Polo Manager, host to The Assam Cup tournament in the series.

Photography by Rutland Polo Club

“As always the Eduardo Rojas Lanusse is a very important tournament to the Club as its namesake was wonderfully connected to the Club as he played with the Chairman Claire Tomlinson’s father Arthur Lucas for many years. It has developed into one of the most populated tournaments at the Club and has created some of the most competitive 6 goal polo in the country. In previous years it has been scheduled slightly earlier in the season, however this year it will probably encourage even more entries as it finds itself now being played halfway through July at the height of the season. The tournament never seems to disappoint and one of its most important facets is the encouragement of so many visiting teams, which gives Beaufort a chance to entertain and hopefully encourage people back even more often.”

Casper West, Beaufort Polo Club Polo Manager, host to the Eduardo Rojas Lanusse tournament in the series.

Photography by Cheshire Polo Club

6 goal Victor Ludorum series

CANI/3 Oceans with The Assam Cup winners Strategic

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Polo Times, May 2015

43

Feature

6 goal Victor Ludorum series

Photography by Amanda Deadman

“Taking part in the Victor Ludorum is a great way to judge the progress of your team as you work together across the season. It gives the team something to aim for in the season. It’s a shame we won’t be doing the 6 goal this year but Jake is doing his exams so his season won’t start until late. Strategic were the real contenders in 2014 and we didn’t manage to beat them. Peter O’Rorke actually came to the match that would decide who took the title and he even wished us luck, he is a great guy. If we won then it was good for us, which we did, but if we lost Matias in action in the Budgett Everett Trophy for the game Strategic would have taken the Rigby & Rigby series.”

Matias Amaya, 5 goal professional and player on the Rigby & Rigby teams, winner of the 2014 6 goal Victor Ludorum.

“Snakebite will be playing four of the six tournaments. We won’t be going to Rutland or Cheshire. Our focus this season will be the VL 12s but as a team we love the 6 goal level and since we won the VL six goal in its inaugural year in 2012 the competition has been getting increasingly competitive year on year. We are thrilled that the Roehampton at Ham has joined the 2015 VL series and are very much looking forward to playing there. Our line up this season is Maximilian Kirchhoff (0), Terence Lent (1), Jack Berner (2) and myself.”

David Ashby, 3 goal professional player for Snakebite

“We expect the 2015 Budgett Everett 6 goal Victor Ludorum to be as competitive as it has been in the past.

With a great selection of teams from across the country, as well as four to five ‘home’ teams, we should end up with lots of teams all playing at a very high level. Teams are put into leagues, with the top teams going into Semis for the Finals, and the bottom teams playing to reach the Subsidiary Finals. It really is a great tournament. Fingers crossed that the weather co-operates!”

Pete Fewster, Kirtlington Park Polo Club Polo Manager, host to The Budgett Everett tournament of the series.

Photography by Amanda Deadman

“Our team last year had a unique bond, we all got on really well both on and off the field, which definitely contributed to us all having a lot of fun and enjoying the polo we were playing. I hope we can recreate that again this year. Our team structure remains the same at the core as 2014, with Nick Pepper and myself, but handicap changes have meant we couldn’t keep the same line up. We’re experimenting with new ideas and practices here at Inglesham on our new, boarded ground.

It will be interesting to see what teams enter the VL sequence with a commitment to playing all or most of the tournaments. Ultimately those are the teams we will come up against over and over and so our team structure needs to be adapted to that. At this level it is always four man polo and teams are also well mounted. I think we’ll be competitive but every one of these matches is important and goes towards the end result.”

Matt Evetts, 3 goal professional player for Strategic

In 2014, both Kirtlington and Rutland had four out of the five core teams in the series play in their tournaments, with Kirtlington having the best line-up of teams for their draw that continued through the series with only five other team taking part in the tournament. Cirencester saw the least number of teams in the series with just Rigby & Rigby and Snakebite in the Kingscote Cup alongside ten other teams in the draw.

In 2014, looking at the major team players in the series there were six main teams in the running for the title (as shown in the table below) and their participation in the series. Strategic, despite only entering three out of the five tournaments, managed to take second place in the series behind Rigby & Rigby who played in all five. The points system for the series may be complex, but it does reward the performance of the teams in all their tournaments. Snakebite were the only other team to take part in all five tournaments but failed to make to get ahead of Strategic to take third place.

Both Peter O’Rorke, and his Strategic team, are planning to take the six goal by storm this summer and look set to be in the best position for taking the 2015 title. Rivals, Rigby & Rigby have confirmed with Polo Times that they will not be defending their title this summer as Jake Rigby will be sitting his GCSE exams and will start his season late, Jenny Rigby has her sights set on playing 8 goal, whilst Steve Rigby is taking on the 18 goal Victor Ludorum series with Matias Amaya, James Beim and Tomas Ruiz Guinazu. Cheshire Polo Club have also announced that they will be offering a cash prize of £10,000 for the winners which will be sure to draw in the teams for 2015.

Rigby & Rigby won the 2014 series and plan to defend their title this year

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Polo Times, May 2015

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Polo Under the Stars, Barbados

Polo Under the Stars

Apes Hill Polo Club was the venue for the first ever floodlit game to be played in Barbados. An idea that could revolutionise polo by extending play into the cool of the evening. Polo Times were pitch-side to witness a little bit of Bajan history in the making.

Richenda Hine reports from Barbados

www.polotimes.co.uk

L

et’s face it, England may have many things going for it, but the problem of playing polo in too much heat is an occurrence that most view as a rare luxury and a bit of a welcome novelty. In

Reports

Barbados it is a different story altogether as the 2.30pm first slot of afternoon play is unpopular because of the searing heat and sometimes clinging humidity. Team this with short evenings (the night closes in fast with darkness hitting around just 6pm) and the options for enjoyable polo in the afternoon are somewhat limited.

To combat this, Karen Kranenburg and the team at Apes Hill Polo Club came up with the innovative idea of playing polo under floodlights. Karen had experienced this at the Ghantoot Polo & Riding Club in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and also three ‘Twilight Polo’ events in the UK. As Karen explains, “The quirk of polo at night seemed to really catch the psyche of the spectators, as it had that atmosphere of part sporting event, part social gathering, and a very sexy one at that – the polo was a perfect backdrop.” Cue a good excuse for the great and the good of Barbados to enjoy a night of partying set to a backdrop of polo. What could be better?

Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams is the owner and founder of the superb Apes Hill – one of the premier polo and golf Clubs in the Caribbean – and his company, Williams Construction was a natural partner to facilitate

Polo Times, May 2015

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Reports

Polo Under the Stars, Barbados

the huge floodlights needed, as Karen explains, “With their construction connection, it seemed like a match made in heaven.”

With the seed of a thought planted, it was Camilla Williams, Sales and Marketing Executive of Apes Hill Club, who set to work to get the show on the road, alongside Sean Knight, Oliver Williams, and Sara and Jamie Dickson’s team at the vast horse yard at Apes Hill. Camilla explained the process exclusively to Polo Times, “When we agreed to go ahead with the idea of polo under floodlights my uncle Teddy said that if it all went well he would get all the praise, but if it went wrong it would be all my fault! So the pressure was on!”

Luckily the supply of the lights was not an issue as Camilla explains, “Our cousin, Stuart Williams, runs Williams Equipment, so I asked, ‘Please can I get 25 lights?’ And he said ‘Sure!’, so that was sorted. The important thing was to have a trial run to figure out what we needed and to check that the horses would be ok with the lights – which they were. I was expecting the generators to be a lot louder, but when you’re in the centre of the field playing, the noise is much quieter.”

So, on Saturday 28 March, as darkness descended, 22 raised floodlights bathed the Sir Charles Williams in action

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Polo Times, May 2015

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Under the Stars, Barbados

Reports

Guest were treated to a starlit display

Waterhall polo ground in light as the first 3 goal match got underway with the 82-year-old Sir Charles playing for Apes Hill with his usual gusto to score the first goal. It was very much a family affair with Sir Charles’ oldest son Stephen fronting up the opposition in the form of Williams Construction ably abetted by his wife Linda who gave a remarkable performance with only one year of playing experience. A close match ensued with a draw at the end of the fourth chukka.

To the excitement of the 700 guests, (but in particular the ladies in the beautiful VIP area who had a close-up view), BRIT-Award winning trio Blake sang a number of our favourites before singing a rendition of the Bajan National Anthem to kick off the second match of the evening. This was a 10 goal game between Digicel and Virgin Atlantic which saw Oli Taylor score in the dying seconds of the last chukka to equalise the scores at four apiece after a tight game.

Guest DJ Camilo Franco of SPACE Ibiza had flown in especially from Spain to work his

Digicel & Virgin Atlantic shining bright at the presentation.

www.polotimes.co.uk

magic on the decks and this, teamed with rivers of Moët & Chandon flowing well into the early hours, meant that the hottest ticket in Barbados was not a disappointment, despite some unseasonal rain showers during the evening.

When the sun sets in Barbados, what to do post-beach bake is limited to drinks or dinner (albeit in some of the best restaurants and bars in the Caribbean). For local residents, the corporate market and tourists, it seems the Apes Hill team have hit on a winning formula for Polo Under the Stars to become a regular fixture to benefit not just the polo crowd, but Barbados as a whole. So will it be happening again? With a huge grin Camilla told Polo Times, “We are looking into building higher lights – more like you would get in a sporting stadium. Currently the portable floodlights only raise to 30 feet, which means there can be issues with shadows, whereas if we can get them 80 feet up then we can properly floodlit the field. We would then be able to play polo at night regularly which is an exciting concept that would open up polo massively here in Barbados.”

If anyone can make it happen in Barbados the Williams family team at Apes Hill certainly can. May this 2015 inaugural Polo Under the Stars be the start of something big.

Polo Under the Stars Teams 3 goal Williams Equipment: Stephen Williams (1), Philip Atwell (0), Adam Deane (2) & Richard Deane (0) Apes Hill Blue: Sir Charles Williams (0) Adam Deane (2) Philip Atwell (1) Damian Luke (1) Result: 4-4 10 goal Digicel: Jeff Evelyn (2), Oliver Taylor (4), Jamie Dickson (3) & Oliver Williams (1) Virgin Atlantic: Teddy Williams (3), Danny Atwell (3), Richard Gooding (2) & Marc Atwell (2) Result: 4-4 Umpires for both matches: Jamie Le Hardy and Gaston Devrient

Williams Construction & Apes Hill called it a draw in the first match of the evening

Polo Times, May 2015

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Reports

10th edition of FIP World Championships, Chile

Hot Chile Triumph FIP World Polo Championships

Tony Emerson reports from Chile

T

he San Christobal Polo Club in Santiago de Chile hosted the 10th edition of the FIP World Polo Championships in March and April, where six international teams (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Pakistan, USA and England) battled it out to take the title.

It was a particularly significant event for the USA who played their first Final in the Championships since 1989. The England team of George Pearson, Jack Hyde, Will Emerson and Pete Webb, reached the third place playoffs, where they were knocked out by Brazil 14-12.

The England squad in Chile also included Anthony Fanshawe, as Team Manager, and substitute players Ollie Cudmore and Jack Mesquita.

England’s Matches A thunderstorm at 8 a.m. on the first scheduled day led to an instant decision by the hosts to postpone all matches for three days. As the storm had only deposited five millimetres of rain the extra expense, boredom and inconvenience to the visiting teams was not appreciated, particularly as they were only allowed one session’s stick and ball practice during those three days.

ENGLAND vs CHILE (5 Chukkas) A long, nationalistic opening ceremony preceded the match and gave concern that it might not be completed before dark.

When finally allowed to play, England started slowly and Chile escaped too often in the first half to clock up a 5-2 lead. But then Webb scored from two solo runs and Chile’s discipline frayed. Dangerous riding in their own goalmouth cost them two more goals, and though superior pony power kept Chile on the scoreboard, the fifth chukka ended 9-9.

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Polo Times, May 2015

The umpires’ decisions had favoured England hitherto, but a strange 60-yard penalty was awarded to Chile in the extra chukka, and Vercellino converted it. England had missed a thirty and a forty yard penalty, otherwise the result might have been different.

ENGLAND vs PAKISTAN (5 Chukkas) In this match, Emerson struck form, scoring eight goals against a team that did not know how to stop his short game without fouling.

Pakistan did retaliate with some classic long hitting, but this was a one-sided contest with England winning 13-6.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, May 2015

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Reports

10th edition of FIP World Championships, Chile

ENGLAND vs BRAZIL (Third Place Playoff 6 Chukkas) After the familiar slow start, Emerson hit form again and a deficit of 1-4 became a lead of 8-5 at half time. But in the next two chukkas only Hyde played to his potential and nine goals were leaked as England collapsed.

A face saving last chukka resulted in a Brazilian win by 14 goals to 12.

THE ENGLISH TEAM 1. GEORGE PEARSON (Handicap 2). In that he was allocated the weakest ponies, he could not play to his potential. But he did score in every match, and if he had not come back into mid field so often he would have given himself more opportunities.

2. JACK HYDE (Handicap 2). Until the second half of the match against USA he did not do the job of a number two in mid field and was inaccurate in front of goal. Then it seemed to click into place and against Brazil he was our most valuable player.

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Polo Times, May 2015

Photography by Felipe PoGa

ENGLAND vs USA (Semi Final 6 Chukkas) This match started off as a nightmare for England. They were slow to react and turn their ponies in defence, they made errors on their short game in attack and found themselves 7-1 down after two chukkas.

The USA were not going to let that lead slip, and England never closed the gap, though the later chukkas were much more even.

The final score was 15-9.

The England team (L-R) Pete Webb, Will Emerson, Jack Hyde and George Pearson with FIP Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

3. WILL EMERSON (Handicap 5). Brilliant, controlled and accurate for long periods, but inconsistent at key moments. When he had a bad chukka or was marked out of the game the whole team collapsed.

4. PETE WEBB (Handicap 5). Though he had first choice of ponies, he could not get on with many of them, and this badly affected his defence. In attack his ball control was efficient, but his conversion of penalties was not what he would have liked.

www.polotimes.co.uk

10th edition of FIP World Championships, Chile

The Other Teams ARGENTINA 1. Pablo Avalos (2) 2. Marcos Panelo (4) 3. Bautista Bayugar (4) 4. Salvador Jauretche (4). As defending champions their elimination in the group stages was a shock. They were a group of very talented young players, but did not gel as a team and committed some silly fouls. Both their defeats were by one goal and against USA they were unlucky.

PAKISTAN 1. Ahmed Ali Tiwana (4) 2. Bilal Haye (2) 3.

Muhammad Khakwani (4) 4. Raja Samiullah (4) They were fortunate to be there, since visa problems prevented Australia, South Africa and New Zealand from competing in the qualifiers in China. Moreover, the four players selected had never competed as a team together. A poor showing against England was followed by an excellent game against Chile, in which they had learnt a lot from their defeat and forced the home team into an extra chukka.

BRAZIL 1. Eduardo Parisi (2) 2. Gustavo Garcia (4) 3. Joao Novaes (4) 4. Gabriel Villela Rosas (4).

In their league they deserved to beat Argentina and fought back from a 5-1 deficit against USA to 7-7 before conceding two late goals.

Against Chile in the Semi Final, the first half of the match was of a high standard and Novaes excelled in his accuracy.

www.polotimes.co.uk

By half time they were 8-5 ahead. Then the level of both teams plummeted as backhands were missed and simple field goals went wide.

Helped by a series of penalty goals, Chile clawed back to win 11-10.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1. Remy Muller (2) 2. Jesse Bray (5) 3. Felipe Viana (4) 4. Patrick Uretz (3).

This was a professionally prepared and trained team (they had spent weeks in a boot camp) and in Jesse Bray they had the best player in the tournament. They were well organised and their attitude was very sporting whether in victory or defeat. They achieved the most dramatic escape of the tournament when one goal down with seven seconds on the clock against Argentina, Viana had a spot hit by the boards from the halfway line, after one tap he lofted the ball through the posts and earned his team an extra chukka in which he scored the winning goal.

CHILE 1. Mario Silva (2). 2. Ignacio Vial (4).

3. Felipe Vercellino (4). 4 Jose Pereira (4).

Given the magnificent effort of the Chileans in organising the tournament, very few would begrudge the home team running out winners.

But they were phenomenally lucky, winning three of their four matches by sudden death in an extra chukka, and being the beneficiaries of several key umpiring decisions. Vercellino was an excellent penalty taker, and this contributed to his being named player of the tournament.

Reports

The Final Eight thousand spectators flocked to the San Cristobal Polo Club to watch the home team take on the USA, and if they were after excitement they were not disappointed.

Both teams started nervously. In the first chukka, USA dominated, but three goal scoring chances went wide, and only a dribble by Uretz gave the visitors a lead.

In the second, the only scores were from thirty yard penalties, putting USA 3-1 in the lead.

The standard picked up in the third.

Bray received an accurate pass from Viana and scored on the nearside, then an under-the-neck shot by Uretz increased the American lead to 5-1. At this point the USA’s luck with the umpiring ran out.

Three sixty-yard penalties and one 5B were awarded against them, all of which resulted in Chilean goals.

Starting level in the fifth chukka, controlled field goals by Bray and Viana re-established the American lead, but the whistle intervened again and they conceded goals from two forty yard penalties and one thirty yard. It was as well for the spectacle that Chile’s equalising goal at the end of the sixth chukka was thanks to an excellent run

by Vercellino.

At 11-all, an extra chukka had to be played. The USA won the throw-in and took the ball to ten yards from the Chilean goal. Then they were judged to have fouled. The ball was brought back to the centre, Pereira did a huge hit, which Silva intercepted before it went wide and just got the ball through the American goal.

Polo Times, May 2015

53

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Reports

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2015 US Open Polo Championship

Third Time’s a Charm

A hook by Orchard Hill’s Polito Pieres breaks Adolfo Cambiaso’s stick during The U.S. Open Final

Valiente wins The U.S. Open, 11-9 over Orchard Hill

Gary Hulton reports

T

he 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship got off to a roaring start with the favourites, Orchard Hill going up against Valiente, who came very close to a win last year only to lose in overtime. Neither team has ever won The Open, but this was Bob Jornayvaz’s third attempt in the Final and the pressure was on. www.polotimes.co.uk

Orchard Hill came out strong in the first chukka with the powerful Pieres cousins; Polito scoring the first goal and Facundo following up with the second. Valiente’s Alejo Taranco then converted a Penalty 3, bringing the initial period of play to a 3-1 end in favour of Orchard Hill.

Chukka number two was choppy with stop and start play, a buried ball and Polito taking a spill. With 5:50 remaining on the clock, Taranco converted another Penalty 3 making it 3-2 with Valiente trailing by one.

Orchard Hill was then awarded a Penalty 5 that Facundo tapped in, but it hit the

back end of a horse causing a collision, one of the four umpire-triggers. The umpires convened to view the replay and no foul was called. Next it was Ferrario’s turn to take a fall although no one was injured in either tumble.

Play resumed with a series of Penalty 6 safeties, none of which were converted.

In light of that decision, thanks must go out to the USPA and Chukker TV for the coverage and replays. This year the teams had the option to make a challenge to an umpire call, one per half per team. The umpires were also given four triggers to review conditions that may be difficult to ascertain: 1) A collision or a horse or player down, 2) Whether a goal is scored or not, 3) Unsportsmanlike-like conduct, 4) Whether it’s a safety or not. Undoubtedly a valuable resource to the umpires on the pitch.

More penalties were awarded in chukka three with Facundo converting a Penalty 4 giving Orchard Hill a two-goal lead, 4-2.

Then Valiente came alive only for Cambiaso to be fouled at the goalmouth resulting in a Penalty 1 in favour of Valiente and thus reducing Orchard Hill’s lead to one goal, 4-3. Taranco converted a Penalty 2 to tie Polo Times, May 2015

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Reports

2015

US Open Polo Championship

the score 4-4 for the first time in the match.

Facundo answered with a nice run, scoring with a neck shot at the north end of the field and recapturing the lead, 5-4. With 33 seconds left on the clock, Orchard Hill were awarded another safety, but couldn’t convert.

The fourth chukka marked a change in the momentum of the game with Valiente coming on strong, having perked up in the third chukka after a granted Penalty 1. As the pace picked up, Ferrario fouled Cambiaso at the boards and Valiente were awarded a Penalty 5 from the centerline.

Play of the Day Cambiaso taps the ball in from the center, first to the left, as his teammates mark their opponents. Jornayvaz keeps Polito at bay, while Cambiaso, zigzags, and sets up his position. Terrera and Taranco stay glued to their men, drawing them away from the play. Cambiaso smashes the ball high in the air from 100-yards out, soaring it over the heads of everyone for a spectacular goal.

This play keenly demonstrates how tightly together the team is working on defense, creating opportunities that turn into goals.

Jornayvaz was pulling more than his weight by keeping Polito off the play, freeing Cambiaso to score, tying up the game 5-5 (fig 1).

111th US Open Polo Championship

111th US Open Polo Championship

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Play of the Day

Play of the Day ORCHARD HILL 1

Steve Van Andel

2

E. Ferrario

VALIENTE Bob Jornayvaz

1

Alejo Taranco

2

3

Polito Pieres

Guillermo Terrera

3

4

Facundo Pieres

Adolfo Cambiaso

4

Orchard Hill line of ball

Valiente line of ball

1

4 1

3

3 2

2

4

Cambiaso (V4) taps in UaS Penalty field, heads toward the leY. 111th Open 5 Pfrom olo mCid-­‐ hampionship Jornayvaz (V1), Taranco (V2) and Terrera (V3) ride off their men.

111th US Open Polo Championship Ride Off

Play of the Day

Play of the Day

By Gary Hulton

1

1

Cambiaso (V4) turns back toward the center as Polito (OH3) tries to out-­‐fox Jornayvaz.

Jornayvaz keeps Polito (V1) off the play. Taranco (v2) and Terrera (V3) s\ck to their men.

4

1

1

Cambiaso (V4) fires a shot from 100 yards out high over the top of everyone tying up the score 5 – 5 in the 4th chukker.

Jornayvaz (V1), Taranco (V2) and Terrera (V3) effec\vely neutralize their opponents.

Valiente found their foo\ng and kept moving forward toward the win.

Fig 1 Play of the day

the ball and sent it to the boards to end the penultimate chukka of full-time play.

Chukka number six started with a throw-in due to offsetting fouls. With 4:36 remaining on the clock, Facundo sent a bomb from 130-yards down the field to score, giving Orchard Hill a two-goal breathing space of 9-7 over their opposition. As the clock read 2:31, Facundo fouled Terrera at the goalmouth for another Penalty 1 in favour of Valiente who readily converted, 9-8. An on-fire Terrera, proving his 8

goal-worth, then scored straight from the throw-in tying the game 9-9 for Valiente with 1:55 left to play. Following the throwin from mid-field, Cambiaso took the ball, passed it back to Taranco, and then quickly recaptured it again before heading towards goal. Polito swings hard to hook and prevent the inevitable, breaking off Cambiaso’s mallet head in the process. Not to be deflected, Cambiaso continued to pursue the play with a broken stick, with Taranco coming up from behind to take the ball. A foul was then

The success of this ‘play of the day’ tactic fueled Valiente’s confidence and the game started to really heat up. With his teammates clearing the way, Cambiaso scored two more unanswered goals to end the fourth chukka at 7-5, with Valiente leading by two goals for the first time in the game. Orchard Hill attempted to come back with Polito on a breakaway run down the field. Cambiaso followed him in hot pursuit, causing Polito to send the ball over the backline ending the fourth chukka with Orchard Hill coming up empty.

Polito, having been denied at the end of the previous chukka, came to the rescue in the fifth for Orchard Hill with a great run down the centre of the field, bringing the score within one goal difference, 6-7. With 2:43 left in the period, Facundo converted a Penalty 3 tying up the game 7-7. Valiente was then down to three men on the field as Cambiaso headed off to change horses and Polito took full advantage. Staging a successful run the length of the field, he gave the lead back to Orchard Hill with a score of 8-7 over Valiente. Polito lost the chance to widen the gap as Terrera stole Valiente raise the 2015 U.S. Open trophy; Adolfo Cambiaso, Guillermo Terrera, Alejo Taranco & Bob Jornayvaz.

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Polo Times, May 2015

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2015 US Open Polo Championship

blown by the umpires against Orchard Hill’s Polito right in front of the goal, and a Penalty 2 was awarded. Coolly and calmly Taranco converted and put Valiente’s scoreline up to 10-9 with time running out. The ball was replaced at the centre with Cambiaso leaping on the ball, tapping it away from the melee and spiriting it down field. Lining up, he slammed the shot through the posts to secure the win for Valiente in the final seconds of the game, 11-9.

Adolfo Cambiaso led the scoring for Valiente with six goals (one on penalty); Alejo Taranco secured four with two on penalties and teammate Guillermo Terrera with a single goal. Facundo Pieres added five goals (three on penalty) to Orchard Hill’s tally whilst his cousin, Polito scored four goals. Aleje Taranco received the MVP award for his efforts, whilst Facundo Pieres’ Frenchita was named Best Playing Pony of the Final. Adolfo Cambiaso’s mare, Romana was honored with The Willis Hartman Trophy for the BPP of the Championship tournament whilst the stallion, Boeing played

by Cambiaso and owned by Jornayvaz was named the Argentine Best Playing Pony.

Player Comments Alejo Taranco Gary Hulton: How do you feel about the win today?

AT: Great! This is my first time winning The Open. We started off so-so, but basically getting into a rhythm in the game, trying to be consistent, then we were getting better, but there were injuries in the team. We played with Sapo [Caset] and started to get some confidence so when Adolfo came back, we were ready.

GH: There was a big difference between the first and second half; what did you do at halftime to make a change?

AT: We were playing defense very well in the first half, but did not have very much of the ball and we had two or three situations that cost a lot to get through to the other goal.

Then we had a very good fourth chukka so we came back as a strong team. Then we had another a very good chukka in the sixth.

That’s part of the game – you don’t win you don’t lose until the last period.

Guille Terrera GH: Tell us about the win today.

GT: We were not having a very good season at the beginning. But in the past three weeks, we have had some good games so I am very grateful for the team. Things were not going the way we wanted, but we were pushing forward all together.

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Reports

Game Recap with Pelon Stirling “The game was amazing, probably not the favourite team won, because I guess Orchard Hill were the favourites on paper. That’s why you have to play the Finals because in the Final, anything can happen. Valiente had an outstanding game. Orchard Hill had an amazing season, but its tough to lose The U.S. Open because it seems like you haven’t done well, like you haven’t done a lot, but I think they had a great season. Valiente were outstanding especially since they were coming along so-so.

Adolfo was amazing the way he transformed himself in these games. They all worked really, really hard.

“I’m extremely happy for my cousin, Alejo, as we do everything together so I’m very happy for him. And for Terrera also; I played a lot with Guille and we’re great friends, he’s a great guy and he deserves this and much more, so I’m really happy for them and also for Bob Jornayvaz.

He puts everything into the sport and this kind of sums it up for him. Bob worked hard so he deserves the win; he puts a lot into the sport and makes a big effort. I think he played an awesome game, marking and giving it his all.”

“I thought in the first half that there were a lot of fouls and not many open plays, not many goals, but the second half came out very tight and nice. In these games, you always win in the last chukka, in the last second, so I think it was a big change in the way that Penalty 1 in the third chukka turned the game around.”

GH: Was there anything you did differently to correct that in preparation for the Final?

GT: No we did the same, but in the beginning of the season we were not having that little bit of luck that you need.

Bob Jornayvaz GH: This is your third trip to the Finals in a row. How did you make it through this time?

BJ: I think the organisation brought us here; it’s the back stage crew. If you could see what goes on with the barn and the horses, it’s truly what got us here today. Adolfo kept us working and persevering through the injuries and when we got here today we looked in the mirror and said we can all play one more game. When we were down, Adolfo is the one that got us up and kept talking before the chukkas and going into the sixth. The guy is amazing, just amazing! I wish I could take credit for building the organisation, but it’s Adolfo Cambiaso.

GH: How does it feel to be the winner?

BJ: It’s a huge monkey off our back! Two years ago we had just a real complicated game. Last year, losing in over time was tough, we made some mistakes and Adolfo got hurt so this year I think we were the real underdogs. We didn’t do real well in the beginning, but we just kept working at it. We never gave up, just kept working.

It really was the unexpected. You know we got handicapped really hard last year. It’s been a tough year injury-wise. Everyone has had different injuries and we’re all playing sort of hurt so to be able to play through it like that is good. I think once again the organisation showed that we’ve been building it and building it and showed up here today.

We had a great year last year, came up one game short so this really is sweet. It means a lot to the whole team. Means a lot to everybody. It means a lot to me to win it. I’m really proud.

GH: You did an amazing job of keeping Polito at bay.

BJ: Today I worked really hard to block Polito so I spent a lot of time on him and trying to create a gap for my teammates to get through. Polito is playing amazingly well and so when he and Facundo connect, they’re tough so you have to break that chain. So we focused really hard on how you keep them from getting together.

GH: This was Terrera’s first time playing here and first time with the team.

BJ: He just did a great job. It took us a long time as a team to really click. That’s the hard thing about polo, you know when I was talking about handicap changes you don’t know how people are going to play and respond. It takes a long time to understand.

You have to remember he is playing a lot of our horses, horses he has never played before so there are just a lot of different factors that go into it. I mean it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Winning The U.S. Open is hard – it’s really hard.

Adolfo Cambiaso GH: After three years of trying, you have finally won The U.S. Open with Valiente.

How do you feel about that?

AC: I think Valiente deserves it. Bob has a great organisation – he deserves it. He believes in me, he believes in what we create together so I’m happy. Very happy!

Polo Times, May 2015

57

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picture MayMayMayX

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Picturesque ponies Early morning sets at the beginning of April at El Remanso’s Manor Farm near Cowdray. Taken from horseback by Ciara De La Cour whilst exercising Ali Paterson’s ponies. Ciara was riding Aiken George, leading Plum, Nevada, Rob and Trevor. In front of Ciara are Pelon Piloto’s horses and groom; whilst George Hanbury’s ponies are on the inside track to the right of the image. wP hotograph by Ciara De La Cour

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Polo Times, May 2015

59

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

QUICK CLUB STATISTICS Chairman: Joe O’Connell Polo Manager: Siobhan Herbst Size of Arena: 100 x 50m Number of members: 25 Founded: In 1993, but records show that polo was being played 20 years before During the grass season, the Club will host the Friends and Family Tournament in May, 4 goal Stolen Spurs in June and Ireland’s highest and only 6 goal tournament in July which is played over five chukkas. This year will be the 17th year of The International Ladies Tournament. The majority of Irish players have honed their skills in the arena, the Royal College of Surgeons regularly use the Club and the facilities and the students are affiliated members. In 2014, Polo Wicklow was officially recognised as the National Training Centre for Polo in Ireland by Horse Sport Ireland.

During the winter season, on a monthly basis Polo Wicklow holds International Tournaments, teams from Spain, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany and for 22 consecutive years a USA team from Yale/Rhode Island, arrive to challenge the Club members. The ‘craic agus caeol’ provided in Wicklow is famous in all these countries! Turn to the Youth section of Polo Times for a report on the 2015 SUPA Tri Nations Tournament.

New Polo Manager at the Ibiza Polo Club THE CLUB, LOCATED near San Lorenzo in Ibiza towards the north of the island, has newly appointed Alex Hancock as their Polo Manager for the forthcoming season.

Formerly a member of Kirtlington Park Polo Club, Alex has moved out to take up the reins in Ibiza, which has grass pitches and an arena, allowing their members to play all year round. Hancock plans to host one major tournament a month with smaller events throughout the year.

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Polo Times, May 2015

America win in Ireland

THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT rolled into Ireland on Thursday 9 April to play in Polo Wicklow’s last International Tournament of the winter season for the 22nd consecutive year. Players from Connecticut and New York made up the USA team, with chef d’equipe Eileen Flint at the helm. Jimmy de Angelis, Liz Brayboy and newcomer Robert Burk played against three Polo Wicklow teams. Friday’s team of Sean Reynolds, James Connolly and Dennis Connolly found themselves very quickly three goals down in the first chukka against this powerful USA combination, but the Polo Wickow players fought back. However the USA squeezed a America took three straight wins at Wicklow win by scoring as the final hooter sounded.

Sean Reynolds, Robert Patton and Freddie Darmanin represented the home Club on Saturday 11 April. They too had a cautious start, allowing five goals to quickly slip past them. Despite some crafty Irish team play they had to concede victory to the much stronger USA team, 11-6.

Hopes rested with the Sunday team of Siobhan Herbst, James Connolly and Caroline Keeling wearing the Irish shirts to avoid a clean sweep from the visiting team. Taken totally by surprise, the Irish circled the American team like turbo powered crows and before the first chukka was over hammered in four goals. Chukka two was fast, open and non-stop. The USA team urged each other on but the Irish held them back and added to their score with some spectacular play from Siobhan and James. By the third chukka Ireland were in total control, leading by two goals going into the final chukka but a couple of infringements and a disputed 2-point goal disturbed the rhythm of both teams. The USA took advantage and pushed into the lead by one goal, making them the overall winners. The Cup which was last won by a USA team 10 years previously was finally presented to Eileen Flint at the end of a fantastic week of polo.

Photography by Wicklow Polo

Club Close Up Polo Wicklow, Ireland

Hong Kong Polo Team play in Singapore THE INAUGURAL MATCH of The Hong Kong Polo Team Tour held at the Singapore Polo Club on 21-22 March ended in a win for Hong Kong with a final score of 7-6. The score was deduced from two games played over the course of the weekend culminating in an aggregate score. On the first day, Hong Kong scored all their goals for the weekend, leaving Singapore trailing with just three Hong Kong Polo Team ready for action goals on the scoreboard. The second day saw the Singapore team pick up to score a further three goals, but it wasn’t enough to beat Hong Kong’s earlier goal tally. The next outing for the Hong Kong Polo Team will be at the Korea Polo and Country Club in May. Photography by HK Polo Team

Club Focus

Hong Kong Patrick Furlong Jonathan Gabler Lynly Fong Rapahael le Masne/ Richard Cameron

2 1 0 0

Singapore Juan Martin Gary Tiernan Lawrence Khong Yeo Kuo Lee/ Anna Lowndes

2 1 0 0

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Spring season closes in Sotogrande Photography by Mar Gomez

SAPPHIRE-BAYSWATER DEFEATED Los Dragones 10-9 in the Final of the 8 goal XIII Conde de Guaqui Memorial at Santa Maria Polo Club on Sunday 12 April. Richard Fagan’s Silex won the Subsidiary Final after beating Scapa-John Smith, 9 goals to 7. The tournament is played in Sapphire-Bayswater with Javier Goyeneche, the son of the memory of the Count of Guaqui and Count of Guaqui at Santa Maria Polo Club Marquess of Artasona, who was a great rider and supporter of all equestrian sports, and marks the end of the spring season at Sotogrande’s premier polo Club.

The April Low Goal Tournament Final was also played for, with the Moroccan Royal Guard team claiming the win after a faultless week of polo, where the team did not lose a game.

Sapphire-Bayswater Pablo Mora J. Cepero Tommy Fernandez Llorente Luis Isola

1 0 6 1

Los Dragones Andrew Nulty Hernan Pieres Diogo Gallego M. Iturrioz

0 3 4 1

EFG, ‘THE PRIVATE bank for polo’, have just completed a tour of Barbados with a South American team featuring players from Chile: Sam Driver (0), Peru: Gonzalo Siles (4) and Argentina: Francisco Guinazu (4) playing alongside EFG’s Robert Mehm (1). Matches were played against Barbados players for Platinum Motors at both Apes Hill and Lion Castle Polo Clubs.

The Final was played at Apes Hill on Saturday 4 April with a victory to EFG, meaning the tally for the tour was in EFG’s favour with three wins to the visitors, versus one to the home side.

Photography by Apes Hill Polo Club

EFG Barbados Tour

Play during the EFG Polo Tour in Barbados

New Polo School in Cowdray

COWDRAY PARK POLO Club is taking polo back to its grass roots this year, and plans have already come to fruition with the opening of the Cowdray Park Polo Academy. The Academy is to be based out of Madams Farm and will be headed up by Alan Kent and HPA instructor Guy Verdon. Also at Cowdray, the St. Regis International Cup kicks off the UK international season, with England facing The Americas at Cowdray Park on Saturday 16 May. Entry is £15 per adult, under 12s go free, complimentary parking, and entry is also free for HPA Members with their car stickers. Contact the Cowdray Park Polo Club office on 01730 813257.

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International rained off in Australia

THE POLO INTERNATIONAL between Australia and New Zealand was cancelled due to on-going storm conditions, which had left the pitch at Windsor Polo Club flooded.

Australia were scheduled to play New Zealand on Saturday 4 April before the weather forced event organisers to cancel the match due to safety concerns for both players and ponies.

Australia Alec White Jack Archibald Rob Archibald Glen Gilmore

5 5 6 7

New Zealand Kit Brooks Craig Wilson Tom Hunt Sam Hopkinson

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Calling all goal judges CALLING ANYONE LOOKING for some weekend work! Druids Lodge Polo Club are looking for goal judges for the season ahead. Anyone of any age is suitable so long as they can run around behind the goal and wave a flag! The Club will provide full training and the necessary safety kit and £10 per match. The Club has also set up its very own Facebook group specifically for organising goal judges.

Special sponsor in the wings for Dallas Burston THE CLUB OPENED their grounds for chukkas with Members enjoying a weekend of sunshine and polo on Saturday 18 April, just as the rumours started that a special sponsor may be on board for The Ladies Tournament. Pencilled in for later in the season on the weekend 12-13 September, details are yet to be released. Summer Membership and livery are still available at the Warwickshire based Club.

Polo Times, May 2015

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Inaugural 10 goal tournament held at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

Rugby Polo Club to feature on CBBC TV

ON WEDNESDAY 15 April, Rugby Polo Club played an exhibition match, which was filmed by the BBC for the Young Vets programme on the CBBC channel. The game was between Rugby Polo Club against Environmental Energies. The Club are still waiting to hear when the game will be aired.

The same two teams also played in another exhibition match on Saturday 18 April, the night before the Segway Polo event on the Sunday. Segway-action started at noon between teams that had travelled from as far as Barbados, Germany, Holland, Finland, Spain and Sweden to play at Rugby College!

Photography by Gonzalo Etcheverry

RASHID AND MOHAMMED Bin Drai led their self-named team to victory in the very first Dubai Cup Polo Tournament at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on Friday 10 April. Joined by Argentine professionals, Nico Petracchi and Raul Laplacette, the team defeated HH Sheikha Maitha’s UAE, by 10½ goals to 6. As a lower handicapped team, Bin Drai received a half goal advantage, but very Bin Drai, winners of the inaugural Dubai Cup Polo Tournament much appeared to be the dominating side as they consistently kept ahead of UAE’s challenge.

Dubai Cup Finalists Bin Drai Rashid Bin Drai Mohammed Bin Drai Nico Petracchi Raul Laplacette

0 0 3 6

UAE HH Sheikha Maitha Amr Zedan Facundo Fernandez Llorent Nacho Acuna

Rugby Polo Club Phil Baker Jeremy Pidgeon Amy Harper

Environmental Energies Karl Ude Martinez 2 Jamie Potter 3 James Glew 1

0 0 5 5

Polo from dusk until dawn in Yorkshire

Moor Hall Farm IN CELEBRATION OF an amazing arena season for Moor Hall Farm, the Club (managed by Alec Banner-Eve and his family) loaded up their ponies and headed for the beach. Club members enjoyed a fresh sea breeze as they ended their arena season with a canter along the sands. The ponies enjoyed a leg stretch in the open ready for the start of the grass season.

Dawn chukkas for the brave in Yorkshire

IT’S BEEN YET another brilliant winter at Vale of York Polo Club (VYPC). With ponies partaking in Beach Polo, Arena Polo and hunting to give them a varied mix of work in preparation for the long summer season. VYPC elected to start the summer in style by playing their first match of the season at dawn on 1 April, where Dickenson Wood Dickenson Wood Pollards Coffee beat Pollards Coffee 4½ to 3.

Linda Baughan -2 Simon Bower -2 The Club members also played sunset Russ Baughan -2 Hannah Gertsen -1 chukkas on the same day to celebrate Paul Piddington 1 R McAlister-Martin -1 Diana Dickenson’s 103rd Birthday.

Lisa Piddington -1

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Polo Times, May 2015

Photography by Alec Banner-Eve

Photography by VYPC

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Sun, sea and sand

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International

Women’s Polo

Polo Times looks at women’s polo around the world, who’s playing where and what the latest news is. From America to Europe with a stop off in Argentina, we have it covered.

Argentina

Women take to Palermo

THE AUTUMN IN Argentina has been a busy one for the growing population of women players in the country. No longer are the fields at Palermo just reserved for the 10 goal likes of Martin Neros and Heguys gentlemen. Polo Times rounds up the main ladies tournaments from Cañuelas to Buenos Aires.

El Paso surpass Praying for a win teams at Palermo at ‘La Catedral del Polo’

Handicap Finalists La Mora (winners) Guillermina Suffern Jeanine Hugo Steph Haverhals Annabel McNaught-Davis

Centauros La Espadana Candelaria Fernandez Araujo (3) Milagros Fernandez Araujo (3) Ines Arteta (0) Carolina Arteta (1)

The Pilara Autumn Mix Cup Finalists El Paso Polo Ranch (winners) A Ferreira/ C. Haufele (1) Clara Cassino (5) Lia Salvo (9) Bautista Arrastua (3)

La Mora, winners of the handicap section of ‘Torneo de Polo Femenino’

FOR MANY OF the lady players in the sixth Argentine Polo Association ‘Torneo de Polo Femenino’, it was their second time playing at Palermo in a week, with the Final following the Pilara tournament the week before. Naturally it didn’t detract from the excitement of playing again on the hallowed grounds. Seven teams, ranging from 7 to 12 goals, participated in the tournament with the force-to-be-reckoned with El Paso Polo Rancy facing Centauros La Maroma in The Open Final. Once again, 9 goaler Lia Salvo guided her teammates to a brutal win over the opposition, lifting the trophy with an 8-1 scoreline to their name. Under the handicap section, La Mora featuring the British contingent of Annabel MacNaught-Davis and Steph Haverhals, just overcame Centauros La Espadana, 5-4½.

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(0) (3) (3) (6)

Photography by Samanta Perrusi

Centauros La Maroma Susana Mantilla (0) Delfina Balzano (3) Fatima Balzano (3) Clara Cassino (5)

Photography by Annabel McNaught Davis

Open Finalists El Paso Polo Ranch (winners) Milagro Sanchez (0) Maria Joaquina Pla (1) Sofia Lorenzo (0) Lia Salvo (9)

A MIXED MEN’S and women’s tournament was held at Pilara Polo Club at the beginning of April. With teams ranging from 12 to 18 goals, the sides also featured one male player who was unable to score, paired with three lady players. After league matches, El Paso Polo Ranch faced off against La Dolfina/ NIPAS in a Final played on the incredible grounds at Palermo – a momentous occasion for any player.

As a 14 goal team, La Dolfina received an advantage over the 18 goal El Paso Polo Ranch side and managed to El Paso Polo Ranch’s Lia Salvo plays in the Final at Palermo retain close quarters to their opposition. British 3 goaler, Steph Haverhals had teamed up with Paola Martinez and working closely with their number one, Annita van der Hoeven, they kept pace with El Paso Polo Ranch throughout the match. The resident male player Gonzalo Bernal played a shut-down defence game from the back position, which made it difficult for El Paso to make real in-roads to the game. However, the polo gods were on El Paso’s side as Lia Salvo, who at 9 goals is the highest rated lady player in Argentina, led the team to a victory of 7 to 6½. The La Martina Ambassador was also later named MVP as well as claiming the Best Playing Pony prize for Kasasha. Claudia Tosta Junqueira of the La Mora/ Kalunga team was awarded a prize for fair play.

In the Subsidiary Final, La Herradura/ Speed defeated La Mora/ Kalunga 6-4½.

La Dolfina/ NIPAS Annita van der Hoeven (1) Steph Haverhals (3) Paola Martinez (7) Gonzalo Bernal (3) Polo Times, May 2015

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Women’s Polo

International

Martinez at El Metejon

Rei do Caviar, winners of El Metejon Autumn Ladies Cup

Best Playing Pony went to Paola Martinez’s Rallita

THE TOURNAMENT FOR The Ladies Autumn Cup kick-started with an opening cocktail party at La Martina’s flagship store, welcoming the six teams entered. Players included England’s Annabel McNaughtDavis, Steph Haverhals and Tamara Gibbons, as well as some of Argentina’s brightest female stars including Mumy Bellande, Mery Gene and Paola Martinez.

News Snippets

GET CROSSFIT – FREE SESSION! ENGLAND LADIES TEAM member, Claire Brougham has opened a CrossFit facility in Weybridge – take a closer look at www.crossfitlockedup.com Along with her love of polo, she is an avid fitness fanatic and so CrossFit, the high intensity workout, ticked many boxes. All levels of fitness are welcome, so make the most of your polo season by being in the best shape you possibly can. Excitingly, Claire is offering a free session to all Polo Times subscribers! To take advantage of this offer, get in touch with the Polo Times team on 01452 730770 or by emailing lucy@polotimes.co.uk

Played at El Metejon Polo Club in Cañuelas, qualifying matches took place on the Club’s immaculate grounds throughout Thursday and Saturday, with Rei do Caviar and La Martina fighting off the opposition to make their way to Sunday’s Final.

Whilst spectators enjoyed the autumn sunshine and cold drinks from the Clubhouse, the two teams took to the pitch to decide the winner of the 2015 Autumn Cup. As the slightly lower handicapped team on 9 goals, La Martina received a half goal advantage over the 10 goal Rei do Caviar side. The latter quickly displayed their prowess with chief goal scorer Paola Martinez dominating the play. Proving her 7 goal worth, Martinez helped her team take the lead and retain it throughout the match to claim victory over La Martina, 6 goals to 1½. Unsurprisingly, Martinez was named MVP whilst her pony Rallita took the Best Playing Pony honours.

LADIES POLO CUP MARBELLA ON SUNDAY 14 June, Chantilly Polo Club in France will host The Ladies Marbella-Paris Polo Cup in aid of charity, P’tits Cracks. Two teams featuring players from all over Europe will compete in the exhibition match. Head to www.poloclubchantilly.com for further information.

El Metejon Autumn Ladies Cup Finalists Rei Do Caviar (winners) Carla Esposito (0) Annita van der Hoeven (1) Mercedes Prario (2) Paola Martinez (7)

LIA SALVO LA MARTINA AMBASSADOR, consistent winner of ladies polo in Argentina and holder of a 9 goal ladies handicap, Lia Salvo is unsurprisingly often featured in International and polo press – but there’s always something new to find out. Read her interview on her polo, life and the future of women’s polo in the summer edition of our sister publication, The Polo Magazine. Published at The Polo Awards at Guards Polo Club, make sure you don’t miss this interview by subscribing either online: www.thepolomagazine.com or by calling the office: 01452 730770.

La Martina Gui Suffern (0) Julie Bernand (0) Steph Haverhals (3) Annabel McNaught-Davis (6)

SPAIN

Victory for the blues

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Polo Times, May 2015

overcome the Blue team. Finishing the weekend’s polo as eventual victors, the Blue quartet proved the toughest competition, winning both games and lifting the trophy for The Ladies Cup. Blue team captain, Viktoria Wolfrum was named Most Valuable Player.

Alongside the polo, the tournament organisers had put together a busy social programme too, including a shopping trip to nearby city, Girona. Post-polo there was an asado followed by a Sevillana dance class by renowned Flamenco teacher, Andrea Jimenez who later went on to perform with their group, Flamencarte.

Photography by Claudia Quintana

AMPURDAN POLO CLUB in Figueras, Spain hosted the first ladies tournament of the European season on the 18 and 19 April, welcoming female players from France, the UK, South Africa and Germany. The event, hosted by the Club for the past three years, featured three teams playing a round-robin style tournament. Originally planned as a solely women’s tournament, last minute cancellations meant the Campos brothers (siblings to tournament organiser and player, Eva Campos), had to step in to make up the teams. April Kent from the UK played a strong game for her Pink team as they went on to beat the Green side, but couldn’t

Team Blue, winners of the Ampurdan Polo Club’s ladies tournament.

www.polotimes.co.uk

International

Women’s Polo

USA

WCT on world stage

Photography by WCT

Mother Chukkers, winners of the 12-16 goal section

THE TENTH WOMEN’S Championship Tournament 16 goal section was won by the Mother Chukkers team in a tense Final against Diowave Laser Systems at Grand Champions Polo Club, Florida.

Originally founded by world-renowned lady player Sunny Hale in 2005, the WCT’s aim is to promote women’s polo around the world by recognizing supporting clubs and competitions and organising WCT Qualifiers from the US, to Malaysia, Europe and Canada. Now celebrating a decade with a well-attended Final at Marc and Melissa Ganzi’s polo Club, it seems Sunny’s original aims are being met.

Qualifying teams made it to Wellington, Florida, for the launch event of The WCT Finals and Women’s Polo Week on Wednesday 1 April at the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame. The eight competing teams were introduced, matches were drawn and players were fully kitted out with their official La Martina shirts before the real work started the following day.

In the 8-11 goal section, Code4Armour overcame All A/C Storage whilst Koncordia Group beat the Hair by Nikki side thus assuring their places in the Final on Saturday.

In the upper 12-16 goal level, Diowave Laser Systems featuring 7 goaler Tiffany Busch, decisively beat Catena USA to make their way to the Championship. In the last match of the opening day, the cheekily named Mother Chukkers defeated Bridgemill. www.polotimes.co.uk

Saturday’s Finals Day began with a one o’clock game to determine the 12-16 goal champions. A strong 16 goal line-up featuring 5 goaler Julie Steiner and 6 goaler Courtney Asdourian took to the pitch in the Mother Chukker shirts and faced off against the Diowave Laser System, also a 16 goal side. In an exciting opener to the WCT day, Mother Chukkers defeated their opposition for their position on the winner’s podium.

This match was then followed by the WCT Junior Invitational, featuring two young teams coached by Sunny Hale herself and 2 goal, high goal patron, Gillian Johnston. The two teams included names from some of the greatest polo families including Adolfo Cambiaso’s daughter, Mia, and Julio Arellano’s daughter, Hope. After fast-paced chukkas showcasing the future of women’s polo, Sunny Hale’s Sapphires beat the Diamonds side.

The day concluded with The WCT Finals Championship Match (8-11 goals) featuring Code4Armour versus the Koncordia Group. Eventual winners, Code4Armour included an even line-up comprising three 3 goal players, paired with the 2 goaler Scarlet Davenport and duly fought off 4 goalers, Belinda Brody and Kimberly Von Stade in the Koncordia Group side.

The WCT organisation will now head across the Atlantic, where tournaments are scheduled here in the UK at Beaufort and Cirencester Park Polo Clubs for the forthcoming summer season. Watch this space.

The 12-16 goal Finalists Mother Chukkers (winners) Stephanie Preston Julia Steiner Courtney Asdourian Jessica Reimann

(2) (5) (6) (3)

Diowave Laser Systems Alison Patricelli Jennifer Williams Tiffany Busch Cecilia Cochran

(1) (3) (7) (5)

The 8-11 goal Finalists Code4Armour (winners) Jennifer Williams Melanja Jones Cristina Fernandez Scarlet Davenport

(3) (3) (3) (2)

Koncordia Group Lisa Scott Laura Wilson Belinda Brody Kimberly Von Stade

(0) (3) (4) (4)

Dates for the Diary UK WOMEN’S SUMMER tournament dates – best dust off your kneepads and get core-training: Ranksboro: 2nd Annual Midlands Ladies Polo Championship 13 – 14 June

(Multiple sections): Vaux Park: Ladies Tournament (Open): 13 – 14 June Blueys: Ladies Sugar Bowl Tournament (-4 -0): 20 – 21 June Edgeworth: Ladies Tournament (Open): 1 July Ascot: National Women’s Tournament (Multiple sections): 4 – 5 July Sussex: Ladies Trophy (-6 - -2): 11 –12 July Cowdray: British Ladies Open (Open): 13 – 18 July Cirencester: The International Ladies (Open): 21 – 26 July Beaufort: The Beaufort Ladies Tournament (0-4): Jul 25 – 2 August Epsom: Ladies Tournament (-4 -0): 1 – 2 August Ranelagh: Ranelagh Farm Ladies (0-2): 1 – 2 August White Rose: Ladies Tournament (-6 - -2): 1 – 2 August RCBPC: Polo Festival Ladies (Open): Jul 28 – 9 August Wicklow: International Ladies Invitational Tournament (-4-0): 15 – 16 August Heathfield: Tie Polo (Ladies Tournament) (Open): 22 – 23 August Tidworth: La Chamiza Ladies Tournament (Open): 22 – 23 August Dundee: Ladies Cup (0-4): 29 – 30 August Kirtlington: Thorneloe Ladies Tournament (Open): 31 August DBPC: Ladies Tournament (Open): 12 – 13 September West Wycombe: Ladies Mixed (Open): 19 – 20 September Polo Times, May 2015

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Women’s Polo

International

5 minutes with…

Annabel McNaught-Davis NOT MANY PLAYERS, male or female can makes ends meet just by playing professional polo, which is why so many diversify into other aspects of the sport and outside business.

1 goaler, Annabel McNaught-Davis is a prime example of how a passion for polo has developed into her playing at Palermo and being approached by 7 goal, Camara-winning players to train their ponies. Spending as much time as she can in Argentina where she regularly plays 15 goal practices, Annabel splits her time between her farm in Los Cardales in close proximity to La Zeta, the Ellerstina Embryo Centre and playing polo out of Fifield Polo Club in Berkshire. She talks to Charley Larcombe about juggling playing and a new-found career as owner of hotel, La Sortija as well as her thoughts on some of the pressing issues in polo.

How did you become involved in polo?

Fourteen years ago, I had no idea what ‘polo’ was. None of my family have any background in equestrianism, but I, for some reason, have always just loved horses. Having requested to be sent to boarding school aged nine, I started regular riding lessons. Through sheer luck at the age of 13, I ended up helping out at Ham Polo Club with the Healy family. My first polo lesson at the end of that summer changed my life. I immediately started a polo team at school and through the Blake-Thomas family began to play Pony Club with the OSB, cycling and taking my stick bag on the train wherever necessary!

Having finished a successful academic school career, and despite being pressured into going to a top University, I decided my heart was in polo and aged 17 went to work for Marianela Castagnola in Cañuelas and the Talamoni family in Entre Rios, Argentina. Two years later instead of accepting a ‘logical’ starter flat from my family, I decided to buy a base in Argentina in order to build a career there. I remember signing the deeds and realising that I didn’t even actually know how to get to the farm! In seven years, I now have a string of homemade ponies, my own breeding set-up, a successful hotel business and am rated within the top 20 female players in the world.

How do you see women’s polo benefitting from the UK introduction of women’s handicaps?

Argentina has had ladies handicaps in place now for five years and it has massively helped differentiate between the lower goal players.

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In the entire membership of the HPA the reality is that the variation between the lower goal players within their handicaps is huge.

The ladies’ handicap system addresses this.

Something, which will be unique to England is the review of women’s handicaps after the first tournament a member plays in, which is an improvement on the system in Argentina as outside ‘ringers’ have a massive effect on tournaments here.

What do you think female players have to do to compete against men in polo?

I really believe that polo is 80 per cent about ponies and preparation. In the years I have had my organisation in Argentina I have ridden hundreds of ponies and have slowly improved my string and consequently seen my handicap improve. Working with the Pittaluga family has helped me massively as they have given me access to what are essentially high goal ponies – which is the level of horse needed now to be competitive as a girl here in Argentina.

I really believe that ponies and your personal infrastructure are what win you the match before you get there. My groom, Jose Alberto Cardoso has been with me for six years and I have put a massive amount into creating a professional set up with him. I also work hard on my fitness at the gym, running and through Pilates – both the ponies and players are athletes and the more you put in the more you get out. Ladies’ polo here in Argentina now has teams with personal trainers and girls bringing nine serious ponies to matches. In my opinion England is behind in this aspect.

For me, the next step within women’s polo is to also create proper seasons as with the men’s high goal – at the moment there is no communication nor structure between the International tournaments. Creating this will not only improve women’s polo, but also give more exposure to the players. I truly believe that a lot of medium and high goal teams are missing out on some talented teammates!

How does women’s polo in the UK compare to Argentina?

The standard of polo, pitches and ponies is lower in England, due to many factors, but mainly regarding the climate and relative cost. Argentine male players dominate the top rankings, yet English lady players actually constitute the majority of the top 20 female

players in the world – so despite the conditions in England, there is a lot of talent.

English girls are tougher in general and The Pony Club does a great job of starting players at a young age. I decided to base myself in Argentina as I could never afford to breed or make ponies in England, nor play polo to anywhere near the level that I have access to here. I play for numerous patrons here throughout both seasons in tournaments, which are coordinated to allow lady players to make a living. This is something England is seriously lacking – any continuity between Ladies’ Tournaments – not to mention access to the better pitches in the country.

Which issue has recently piqued your interest?

As recently highlighted in an online article, the HPA is almost entirely constituted by males – which is pretty unbelievable considering general ‘gender equality’ throughout every professional organisation worldwide. I have always felt the HPA have not really cared about lady players or their polo. I was rejected for an HPA scholarship at the age of 17 because my pony wouldn’t back up and I wasn’t from a polo background.

I am pretty sure none of the successful applicants from my year are even actually playing polo any more. I was also not allowed to play in the last trial for the England Ladies Match in America as the HPA deemed that I hardly played in England – yet I am now rated within the top 10 of all 800 lady players. Last summer I contacted the HPA by phone to enquire about the lack of Ladies’ Test Matches and ask who was available to discuss this matter. Their reply was that I should contact the IWPA. Although the Grace family has done a massive amount with the IWPA in previous years, the reality is that the organisation is not helping ladies’ polo as it should and the whole system needs reviewing and updating. I personally would be more than happy to help update and restructure ladies’ polo within the HPA – something I believe Nina Clarkin is now trying to do with the introduction of ladies’ handicaps – but there is much more to be done.

Should anyone wish to discuss anything with me please feel free to email me – annabelmcnd@gmail.com www.polotimes.co.uk

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Youth SUPA Tri-Nations Tournament

he hot topic of the moment is sponsorship for England polo and youth polo. Some issues might be resolved by the time you read this, but at the very least we have all had a sharp reminder of how reliant we are on sponsorship.

Sponsorship comes in different flavours: money (cheques and discounts), time and goods; and it is, of course, entirely discretionary. So we all have to be mindful of our obligations to deliver the individual benefits to any of our sponsors and to make sure that we keep them happy.

By association, removal of sponsorship only highlights the underlying cost of our sport and therefore, all the more reason to be grateful to our existing sponsors, prize-givers and volunteers (who are effectively sponsors).

If the worst happens to us this year, the Pony Club’s approach will be to learn the lessons and move on as fast as we can. We will look to split the sponsorship into smaller chunks so that the loss of one sponsor is not such a hard blow, but we have to be careful that one sponsor does not end up blocking a more valuable and appropriate one. We will aim to match multi-year deals for provision of facilities to the term of the sponsorship. We will have to cut the overheads and match the sponsorship more closely to the provision of facilities and safety. If, by any chance, on reading this you are in a position to give sponsorship or have an idea, the Pony Club intends to solicit sponsorship for individual divisions. This will also allow sponsors to target different age ranges, which could very well be of interest.

If you are interested, or have a contact, please do get in touch with me: polochairman@pcuk.org. There are many opportunities available including: prizes, banners on shirts, advertising in programmes, banners, the year book, website and social media.

Just a reminder, certain types of goods are unsuitable for sponsorship of youth organisations. I hope you don’t need me to remind you what these are! But relevant ideas are clothing (by age), educational facilities and resources, non-alcoholic drinks, fitness and other sporting goods and facilities, as well as luxury items.

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Polo Times, May 2015

Photography by Polo Wicklow

T

Charles Whittington Pony Club Chairman

Ireland hold off stiff competition to lift the trophy for first time in Wicklow The 2015 SUPA Tri-Nations Polo Tournament took place on 18 – 19 March, in the sunny surroundings of Polo Wicklow, Ireland. The chukkas showcased some beautiful polo, great hitting power and superb riding skills from all the university students. The play was fast, open and culminated in a win for Ireland’s Siobhan Herbst, Michael Connolly, Daniel Mac Manus and Ailbhe Houlihan. It was the first time the Irish have won the title in the competition’s seven-year history.

Upon arrival on St Patrick’s Day, the visiting teams of Lucy Bowman, Christopher Pritchard and Nick Winterton for England and Scotland’s Joshua Charlton-Briggs, Katerina Kay and Adam Dove were shown a warm Irish welcome. Festivities began with The All Ireland Hurling Championship in Dublin’s Croke Park, it was an evening of Irish culture in the famous Temple Bar late into the night.

Unhindered by the previous evening’s activities and a revitalising brunch in the scenic Tinakilly Country House & Hotel, the teams took to the arena. Scotland took on England in the first chukka of the day with some superb play, including a nearside backhand goal from Pritchard, which aided England’s 7-2 result. Ireland then took on England who failed to make a mark on the scoreboard, leaving Ireland to win 6-0. The final chukka of the first day started well for Ireland, who were now on a winning streak.

Scotland managed two goals, but the chukka ended with a final score of 8-2.

On Wednesday the play continued to impress spectators as the chukkas intensified, with players deftly manoeuvring the ball and the visiting teams struggling to take the lead.

Scotland looked like they had the chukka against England sewn up as they surged ahead with five goals from Kay, CharltonBriggs and James Connolly (a last minute replacement for Dove). However, England came back from a five-goal deficit to tie with their rivals halfway through the chukka.

Winterton led the goal scoring and England claimed a further eight goals to make a 13- 5 lead they maintained until the final whistle.

Ireland played Scotland next with Aiblhe Houlihan replacing an injured Mac Manus.

Kay scored the first goal as shot after shot was countered by amazing ride-offs and defensive saves from Houlihan, whilst her Irish teammates found the posts. Scotland struggled to find an answer to the Irish attack with a final score of 12-5.

The play was at fever pitch in the final chukka of the tournament, as England looked set on conquering the Irish. Both defences tightened up in the chukka with one attack after another as the teams were denied the opportunity to score. Connolly’s goal put Ireland in front, but Bowman continued to press England forward.

Another very exciting chukka with great play all round resulted in a 9-3 win for Ireland securing their spot as The 2015 SUPA TriNations Tournament Champions.

Daniel Mac Manus spoke to Polo Times, “A special thanks must go out to SUPA, Polo Wicklow, the Herbst Family, SUPA Ireland, the incredibly beautiful Tinakilly Country House & Hotel in Wicklow, the Team Ireland sponsors, Dr. Tom Branigan, Dr. Jack Woods, Dr. Fiona Seager, Dr. Greg Gaughran, Dr. Robbie Woods, Ruth O’Brien and all the supporters. Last but not least, to the members of Ireland’s only active university polo club – The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Polo Club, who were unable to attend due to their final medicine exams. We wish them all the very best in their future careers!”

All participating teams with SUPA’s Phil Baker

Oxford and Cambridge Varsity forecast With a season of Varsity polo ahead of us, Polo Times caught up with members of the Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

In the Light Blue corner, Varsity thoughts began for Cambridge University Polo Club’s top players soon after the end of The SUPA Winter Nationals, providing a new incentive to see out the end of the arena season. This year, CUPC are likely to see a university grassroots squad making its way towards the Varsity Match, with many players having been introduced to polo and trained over their student years by CUPC. Polo Times spoke to CUPC Club Captain, Evie Hampson about her thoughts on the Light Blue plans, “Our focus will be on building a team, as well as developing individual skills.

Training will consist of Challenge Matches with alumni, other university clubs and local teams, alongside weekly lessons and tactics talks. This should prepare our Light Blue team to take on the Dark Side come June www.polotimes.co.uk

Youth for The 117th Varsity Polo Match.”

Their opposition, Oxford University Polo Club President, Elizabeth Hamilton, also spoke to Polo Times, “We are very excited for the term ahead and particularly for our varsity match against Cambridge. We hope to field a strong team this year to give the ‘Tabs’ a run for their money. Our Club has grown in strength across the levels this year and hopefully all of David Ashby and Tom Meyrick’s coaching efforts will be reflected in this summer’s tournaments.”

Inglesham Polo Club

Looking ahead at the SUPA Summer Season with Charles Betz, SUPA Trustee and Steward

Photography by CUPC

Without belabouring the success of the arena season for all the participating Member Institutions (Junior, Senior, Ladies and University players), we must mention the success of SUPA-Ireland who annually host The Tri-Nations Tournament and were successful in prying away the trophy from three-timewinners SUPA-England.

On the international front, the Polistas-sponsored SUPA-Britain squad prevailed against the reigning USA University All-Stars at the annual warmup match preceding The USA Townsend Trophy, which was retained by the Yanks as reported in the April issue of Polo Times.

We are also particularly excited about and pleased to support the rebirth of an ancient rivalry, hosted by Liverpool University against Manchester University to contest for a cup originally played for in 1885. Chester Racecourse Polo Club has kindly agreed to provide the venue for what we plan to be included as an annual SUPA Fixture and a SUPA Sanctioned Event.

Cambridge University Varsity team at the 2014 Jack Wills Varsity Match at Guards

Inglesham Polo Club played host to a Varsity tournament between Bath Spa (Harriet Clulee, Naomi Copperwait and Ella Landsman) and Winchester University (Ollie Thornton, Becky Bradley and Emily Little) at the end of March. After an exciting tie with the scores reading 2-all, the Novice section game was decided on penalties. Winchester managed one penalty, but so did Bath Spa. Both teams went to a second round of penalties, which saw Lisa Smith save the day with a winning penalty for Bath Spa. In the Beginner section Winchester’s team defeated their opposition.

Lisa Smith scored the winning goal for Bath Spa Novice team

Druids Lodge Super League won by London Druids Lodge hosted the Finals of their first ever Super League on Saturday 22 March. The spectators were treated to a www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by Druids Lodge

Photography by Bath Spa

very exciting game, as the scores at the end of each chukka were extremely close throughout. The Final was played between Druids Combined (Jon Perry (1), Marc de Vos (1) and Robin Ormerod (3)) and London (Kristina Karalieva (-1), Peter Elser (2) and Harold Hodges (5)) with the latter winning the game, 18-17.

Druids Lodge Super League winners London

Summer sponsors for 2015 are RJ Polo and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, who alongside the HPA, provide foundation funding for our inclusive programme of polo, and Polistas who support SUPA with our international programme.

With the thaw of April, we approach our first summer National tournament with the Junior Schools encamped at Longdole on the 17 May for a day of sheer delight as our youngest talents take the field.

Sarah Styler has grown this section and the event over the past three years and we look forward to catching a glimpse of our newest crop of emerging players.

On 27 May we will hold the annual SUPA trials for places in our domestic and international SUPA representative matches. All member institutions may nominate a male and female contestant, from whom SUPA will identify players for its 2015/16 representative matches at Kirtlington Park Polo Club, the RCBPC, Home Nations Tournament in Cheshire and, further afield, The Polistas International Test Match in Ghana in December and The Tri-Nations in Dublin in the following March.

None of the above happens without the stewards, volunteers and the support of our current member players and the growing alumni population. Join us and enjoy another summer of polo.

New Zealand Schools Team head to Florida The Polo Training Foundation (PTF) had the pleasure of hosting the New Zealand Schools team in early April as part of the PTF Junior Polo Exchange Program.

Ranging in age from 15 to 17-years-old and from -1 to 1 goal, Sam Martin, Jimmy Downes, Dean Fullerton, Will Appleby and Adam Haworth participated in the exchange. The teenagers had been playing polo for at least two years and represented three polo clubs from New Zealand: Christchurch, Rangitikei and Waipara.

While the players were in Florida, they played in several matches against other junior polo teams both at Grand Champions Polo Club and Vero Beach Polo Club. They also took advantage of the high goal season in Wellington to watch several matches of The U.S. Open at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Since 1967, the Polo Training Foundation has been committed to excellence and supporting polo training Polo Times, May 2015

71

Youth

Photography by Jennifer McLeavy

The New Zealand team after their game at Grand Champions Polo Club

The ninth FIP Polo Youth Camp at Hamburg Polo Club The ninth FIP Polo Youth Camp will be held at Hamburg from the 14 – 17 May at Hamburg Polo Club. The youth camp was founded in 2006 by Thomas Winter and

workshops on veterinary medicine, a first aid-course and special polo fitness training sessions.

Photography by Hamburg Polo Club

at all levels, by providing funds for the development of current and future generations of players and umpires. The Foundation’s many programs include beginner clinics designed to teach young people the principles of polo and international player exchanges, such as the invitation extended to New Zealand.

Youth Dates for the Diary

The 2014 camp was a huge success

started with just a small group of children.

This year, the Club expects more than 30 from all parts of Germany and Switzerland.

The camp is aimed at children that would like to learn to play polo, but they also cater for more advanced young polo players who would like to improve their game.

Thomas, Tim Ward, Heinrich Dumrath and Christopher Winter are the main coaches of the camp and the Club has up to 60 ponies available for the four days of fun.

The timetable includes a variety of topics including: horsemanship, history of polo, equipment, riding for polo, ball skills, rules, strategy, chukkas and a mini tournament at the end of the camp. Also included are

Heathfield – La Golondrina Cup (Under 18) (Open): 9 – 10 May New Forest – Manaz Khan Cup: NFPC vs. Millfield School (Open): 16 May Longdole – Junior Schools Tournament: 17 May Rugby – SUPA Team Britain Trials (Senior Schools): 26 May Beaufort – Prep Schools and Colts Tournament: 31 May Christ Church College – AGM and Annual Dinner: 8 May Kirtlington – Oxford University Polo Club Cuppers: 23 May Guards – Varsity & Old Blues Varsity: 7 June Cambridge County – Varsity B: 21 June

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Polo Times, May 2015

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Pony running reports

Knowledge

PONY running reports As a new season begins, the team at Polo Times has selected a new mini herd of ponies to follow around the country for the summer. Seven ponies from all different levels of polo have begun their fitness for the start of summer and we take a look at how each owner has launched their fitness programmes and what polo they will be playing this year, from Pony Club to ladies polo as well as a school pony. Our selection covers all corners of the work a polo pony can do. Lucy Taylor’s Hollywood has been preparing to take on 8 goal with an all-ladies team, whilst Zac Beim and Carlotta will be heading off to Pony Club shortly. Polo Times’ Brutus has yet to begin his career, as he will be broken-in this season. Bruno is on holiday after a busy arena season, but will be back in action for Stowe School boys’ polo at Kirtlington Park Polo School, whilst Rocky Racoon is still doing sets in preparation for chukkas soon. Exquisite has been giving James Harper a rodeo ride and costing his grooms a fortune in treats whilst Ollie Cudmore’s Fortune makes another appearance after we followed her in 2014.

BRUTUS Age: 2½ Height: 14.2hh (hopefully still growing!)

Sex: Gelding Name of owner: A future of the Polo Times ‘office’ polo string Type: Thoroughbred x Argentine Breeding: El Remanso Argentine mare X Diesel (Edgeworth) Base: Bishops Norton, Gloucestershire Level of polo expected: No chukkas as this will be his first year of being backed Brutus is the product of a tendon injury – his mother, Doctura was lame and the general consensus, particularly from John P Smail, was that she would benefit from some time off polo, plus the gradual extra weight of a pregnancy would help to recover the tendon. At the time, JP Smail, based at Edgeworth, had a lovely black Thoroughbred stallion named Diesel. When we took Brutus’ mother to meet Diesel, he was out at grass with 12 other mares and it was all very natural.

Brutus was born in May 2012, somewhat unexpectedly as we were unsure as to his due date because of the ‘freestyle covering’. We left him to be gelded until late to increase his chances against all the dominant mares in polo. As a result he has a very positive attitude to life and has been handled extensively as part of a small yard.

In May, life will change for Brutus as he will be based with Ali Paterson to be backed and begin to learn the tools of his polo trade.

Brutus as a baby in 2012. He will be starting school this season so watch this space

*PUBLISHER’S NOTE This ongoing feature is aimed at following the training programmes, the amount of polo played, and any additional costs incurred on top of the usual livery or field rental costs.

Livery can be hugely expensive, but keeping ponies at home or at grass in a rented field can be vastly different in price. By excluding the cost of livery, which can vary greatly across the UK and internationally, the feature focuses more on the costs such as shoeing, vet bills or chiropractor appointments. Likewise we track the number of miles travelled from an interest point of view, but do not enter in to discussion about costs of diesel, trucks, drivers etc. We hope you find the included facts and figures enlightening. www.polotimes.co.uk

April Overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 Number of miles travelled: 0 (Brutus has yet to even set foot in a lorry as he is a homebred) This month’s cost breakdown: £20 trim (no shoes needed yet), £14 worming Total cost this month: £34

Polo Times, May 2015

73

Knowledge

Pony

running reports

HOLLYWOOD Age: 12 Height: 15.3hh Sex: Gelding Name of owner: Lucy Taylor Type: NZ Thoroughbred by Woodbury Lad Base: Cirencester Level of polo expected: -2 to 12 At the moment we are preparing for what we hope will be a busy season of polo, including the 8 goal with the all-ladies Appetized team. Hollywood will be playing -2 up through the levels to 12 goal with my fiancee, Jonny [Coddington] and, if I get any downtime, I may play some higher goal.

So far, Hollywood is out on sets – 15 minutes walking, 30 minutes trotting, 15 minutes walking – and I single him or stick and ball. As I type we haven’t started chukkas yet, but they do begin at Cirencester at the end of April so we’ll be ready for then. Diet-wise, he doesn’t have any special supplements so he is just on Alfa A oil, mix and beat from HJ Lea Oakes.

I’m looking forward to playing him this summer because even though he pretends to be scared of everything, he is in fact totally fearless. He hasn’t won any best playing pony prizes in the past – everyone looks out for my greys – but I have high hopes for him!

April overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 – Start on 25 April Number of miles travelled: 135 Cost this month: £60 set shoes, £10 wormer, £25 flu/tetanus jabs Total cost: £95

CARLOTTA Age: 15 years Height: 15hh Sex: Mare Breed: Argentine polo pony Name of owner: Simon England, Zac Beim playing Base: Longhill, Cirencester Level of polo expected: Pony Club: Hipwood, Surtees, SUPA, 2 & 4 goal Carlotta came into work in mid-March. After three weeks of roadwork we started canter sets and then stick and ball sessions.

She has had four steady chukkas this month and is looking well, ready for The Tyro 2 goal with Alison Clark’s Los Chinos.

Zac is very lucky to be playing his second season with Carlotta this year. She was bought

by Simon [England] about five years ago and, since he retired the Flying Pigs team, she has made the transition from perfect patron pony to awesome junior steed with flying colours.

She is a dream to play, fast, agile, intelligent and has a lovely soft mouth.

However, at home, she characterises the ‘Moody Mare’ to a tee! Often grumpy and cantankerous, she really is only interested in getting on with the job and can’t understand the constant need for brushing and fussing, a real tomboy of a horse!

She is a ‘good doer’ getting a scoop of Baileys Polo Pony cubes a day and ad-lib haylage. We work closely with Lorna Edgar at Baileys to get the right feed into the horses.

All ponies on the Beim yard have access to water and haylage 24/7; it’s surprising to see how little haylage they actually eat in a day when it is not restricted.

Zac is really looking forward to playing her, and with Simon’s daughter, Izzy also a proficient player, Carlotta will have a busy summer ahead!

BRUNO Age: 17 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Gelding Breeding: Cebruno (An Argentine native breed) Name of owner: Melissa Wadley Base: Kirtlington Park Polo School Level of polo expected: From beginners to winners!

Having played the arena season and provided lots of lessons, Bruno has been on holiday from the end of March and will be until the beginning of May. He will then come in with his field mates and be vaccinated, wormed, visit the dentist and have shoes on – the usual pre-season preparations.

As you can see from his picture he is enjoying his holiday very much and I think he looks rather well for this time of year.

Luckily, he is somewhat of a ‘good doer’ so it’s more a case of keeping him trim, rather than feeding him up. He is hugely popular with everyone who comes for lessons with me. He is a special favourite for the Stowe School boys as he has just as much fun as they do when it comes to chukkas.

April Overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 Number of miles travelled: 30 miles to holiday grazing This month’s cost breakdown: £0 (as Bruno is yet to come back form his holiday) Total cost this month: £0

April Overview: Number of chukkas played: 4 Number of miles travelled: 40 This month’s cost breakdown: Shoeing £70 Total cost this month: £70 74

Polo Times, May 2015

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ROCKY RACOON

Pony running reports

EXQUISITE

Age: 7 Height: 15.3hh Sex: Gelding Name of owner: Polo Times ‘office’ polo string Type: Irish Thoroughbred Breeding: My Native Gesture X Presenting Base: Bishops Norton, Gloucestershire Level of polo expected: Low goal to medium goal

Age: 13 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Name of owner: James Harper Type: From Ellerston Australia out of a mare called Beauty by Norman Pentaquad Base: Cowdray Level of polo expected: 8-22 goal

Rocky has spent the winter away from his usual base, and has instead been enjoying some non-polo style pampering at Rosemary King’s (Horse of the Year Show Working Hunter judge) yard in Gloucestershire. He has wintered really well – he tends to be one of the more rangy types, but he has come in looking great. Over the course of the winter he enjoyed twice-a-day feeds and free access to hay, as well as the run of a 20-acre paddock with just one other pony.

He has just been brought back into work, which is a little later than usual. We have delayed the start of the ponies’ fitness regime, as their first tournament is going to be slightly later this year. Currently, he is being walked everyday and now that he is shedding his winter fluff and has been shod, he is being hacked out – which mainly includes hill work.

Compared to the other ponies who were wintered on flatter ground and smaller paddocks than Rocky’s 20-acre palatial grounds, he appears to have a much higher level of base fitness, which will hopefully bode well for the summer.

As 2015 will be Rocky’s second season playing fully, and he progressed well throughout last year, we are hoping that he will continue to show promise and move up the ranks of the string. Only time will tell if he hasn’t forgotten all that he has learnt so far!

She is the only horse to buck me off so far this season! She is very quick at getting you off if she is in the wrong mood. When you have got that out of her system (which unfortunately she thinks about a lot), she is like a kids pony and very easy to ride.

When I first went to Australia, I played her in my first tournament and she bucked me off at a flat-out gallop. For some reason that’s when I really started to like her! Charlie Hanbury bought her the following year and brought her over to England. He played her for three years and then I finally got my hands on her. I never really trust her, but I love playing her so much that it’s worth all the hassle around her!

Charlie took embryos from her and is breeding from her at El Remanso in Argentina. He said they have a few nice ones and so far so good!

April Overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 Number of miles travelled: 18 miles (brought back to Polo Times HQ from his wintering paddock) This month’s cost breakdown: £60 shoeing, £14 worming Total cost this month: £74 www.polotimes.co.uk

April overview: Number of chukkas played: 5 chukkas so far Number of miles travelled: 40 miles Cost this month: Two sets of shoes £150, teeth and back got done at the start of April £100. Also she has probably cost Sophie, my groom, about £20 in treats as Sophie has the need to give all my horses treats through the day and a new pair of pants!

Total cost: £270

Knowledge

FORTUNE Age: 10 Height: 15.2hh Sex: Mare Name of owner: Ollie Cudmore Type: New Zealand thoroughbred Base: Based at Manor Farm, Cowdray Level of polo expected: High goal

Fortune has wintered well after the Polo Times readers last saw her in the September edition of the magazine. Last year I brought her over from New Zealand at the start of the season; she had a few days’ break and was then sent to Anningsley Park where I was based with HH Sheikha Maitha’s UAE team. Having played the high goal last summer, I have high hopes for her in this year’s tournaments with El Remanso.

We have now been gradually getting her fit throughout April for the season ahead and she is looking very well. She has been schooled a few times – reminding her of last year’s work – and seems to be fairly full of herself at the moment! It must be the spring grass! Chukkas will start this week for her at Cowdray. When these get going, we will up her feed as well as getting her in good shape for the start of The Queen’s Cup on the 26 May.

April overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 miles travelled Number of miles travelled: 0 chukkas played Cost this month: Vaccinations £25 and shoeing £70 Total cost: £95

Polo Times, May 2015

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Knowledge

Routine Dental Examination and Treatment R

egular dental care and treatment is an essential part of thorough horse management and care and should be regularly undertaken every six to twelve months. It is there to ensure the comfort of your horse when eating and being ridden, it has commonly become the responsibility of paraprofessionals (equine dentists). These paraprofessionals are usually very competent at providing routine examinations and

treatment. Although some care should be taken when selecting a dentist and I would recommend a BAEDT (BEVA Accredited Equine Dental Technician).

Horses that require any further more advanced treatment, for example molar extractions, will need veterinary attention in order to carry out this work. Also dentists aren’t legally allowed to sedate horses and therefore, should sedation be required, a veterinary surgeon will need to be present.

James Evans BVetMed MRCVS James qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, where he then became part of the Equine Referral Hospital team as one of the Junior Clinical Training Scholars. He has worked at Shotter & Byers Equine Veterinary Services since 2013. He presented research at the International Congress on Equine Locomotion in Stromsholm, Sweden and has also been published in the Equine Veterinary Journal. His main interests are in Sports horse medicine and dentistry.

Routine Examination A full examination of the horse is required and should include a history of the horse’s eating habits, behaviour when ridden, examination of the eyes, nostrils, along with facial and mandibular symmetry.

Horses that are suffering from oral pain often show characteristic behaviours 5

Equipment Most vets should be equipped with a basic kit to allow them to carry out a full and complete examination of the mouth and teeth. This should include a variety of specific rasps to remove enamel overgrowths, a good quality gag, dosing syringe, head torch (or other suitable light source), dental mirror and dental pick.

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1. Long handled straight blade. 2. Long handled curved blade. 3. A Dearson, a mechanised rasping equipment set. 4. Bucket of rasps and associated kit 5. The gag, which is used to hold the mouth open during treatment. 6. Short handled down turned blade.

7. The orange gun pictured is a dosing syringe, which is used to flush out the horse’s mouth

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Knowledge

including ‘quidding’ (dropping formed, partially chewed feed balls), only chewing on one side or packing feed into its cheeks.

Once this has been carried out the incisors should be visualised for any abnormalities before the gag is placed.

Then, once the gag is in place, the molars can be assessed using the light source and mirrors, along with hands to detect any abnormalities or overgrowths.

This picture shows the inside of the mouth with the tongue at the bottom of the image

Routine Rasping Due to management changes, in order to domesticate horses and allow them to work to a highly athletic level, we now feed a much more concentrated and easily digestible diet than that of a wild horse. This means that horses spend much less time chewing in a side-to-side fashion, therefore allowing horses to develop enamel overgrowths far quicker. In addition to this, a horse’s upper jaw is set wider apart than its lower jaw which

Flushing out the mouth before examination

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Routine rasping in progress

again predisposes the horse to overgrowths on the outside of the upper teeth and inside of the lower teeth. These overgrowths are the

most commonly encountered problems and can lead to ulceration of the surrounding soft tissues causing marked discomfort.

A head torch helps put light on the matter

The horse ready for examination with the gag in place on the headstand

Polo Times, May 2015

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Knowledge

Other Abnormalities Wave mouth – undulating cheek teeth can occur because of the varied rate of eruption of the teeth with concurrent periodontal disease.

Step mouth – this commonly occurs when one tooth is removed or severely worn leading to focal overgrowths of the adjacent tooth.

Smooth mouth – mainly seen in older patients were the reserve tooth is running low and enamel points are worn smooth as is the occlusal surface, which decreases the effectiveness of the horse to chew its feed.

Diastema (gaps) – these commonly form when horses have congenital (present at birth) abnormalities in the alignment of teeth, which then become more pronounced over time and can lead to food packing between the teeth and obvious oral discomfort. Some may close as the horse ages, but some can become worse with age, when the narrower portion of the tooth becomes exposed leading to gaps occurring naturally. Some diastema can require further treatment including flushing, packing or widening which will allow trapped food to be removed more effectively.

Conclusion Dental care is a routine part of the equine veterinary surgeons work and regular

thorough dental examination, often using sedation, allows problems to be identified earlier and before they have the opportunity to become clinically significant.

J ames Evans BVetMed MRCVS Shotter & Byers Equine Veterinary Services Furzen Cottage, Furzen Lane, Walliswood Dorking RH5 5QE Tel: 01306 627706 Email: info@shotterandbyers.co.uk Or visit: www.shotterandbyers.co.uk

Case Example Recently we had a case of a mare with a one sided nasal discharge and an associated swelling over the upper jaw. Treatment with antibiotics was initiated, to which the horse responded very well. However, once the antibiotic treatment was stopped the discharge and swelling returned. The decision was then made to take x-rays and these showed infection associated with one of the upper teeth and therefore a standing oral extraction was performed and the horse has been doing very well ever since.

Packing that has been removed from the sockets over time following removal of a tooth

Here the horse is sedated and ready for an extraction in the clinic

A tooth that has been removed due to necrotic pulp

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Nutrition focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Hydration and Electrolytes dehydrated from a hangover – we need to be replenished and rehydrated!

Minerals are lost during sweating

During my pre-season visits to polo yards this spring I have discussed electrolytes several times. When do we start using them? How do we feed them? Do we feed them every day? These are just some of the questions I have been asked. As the days are getting warmer, I thought it would be worth revisiting some of the key electrolyte points to aid the recovery and performance of your ponies.

Firstly, what are electrolytes?

They are minerals lost during sweating which can lead to an imbalance in the body resulting in negative effects on organ function, muscle fatigue, lack of concentration, reduced co-ordination and slow recovery; the same as us being

How do they help performance?

Interestingly, the onset of fatigue can be reduced by 25% when electrolytes are administered before and after exercise/travel.

Studies have also shown that 10-15 litres of sweat can be lost per hour, which would contain approximately 10g of salts per litre.

How do we feed them? Very often electrolyte powders are being added to the feed, which is convenient and ideal, however I cannot stress how important it is to NOT put electrolytes in a dry feed as it increases dehydration! Most horses won’t drink water with electrolytes unless they are used to this on a regular basis, so…

• add them to a sloppy feed • add sloppy sugar beet • use beet pulp water • half a scoop of chaff and half a scoop of water before feeding For the most difficult or fussy individuals, syringe with plenty of water as you would Bute.

When do we feed them? Whatever electrolytes the horse does not utilise or need it will excrete, however there is an ideal window of opportunity that allows for the efficient use and absorption of the electrolytes:

TRISTAR

Knowledge

• Preloading – two to four hours before travelling/ playing/working hard – any sooner and the salts will be excreted as excess quantities cannot be stored • Post exercise – within 1-2 hours for maximum effect, and if the weather is very hot, the next Access to water is essential morning as well • Ensure the horse has had water and electrolytes before eating forage or feed to aid rehydration • On days off or easy days of work you do not need to feed electrolytes because the horse is not sweating I know many of you will think, how can we fit this into the day of playing polo? Well, I do know grooms that take chaff and a small feed to give after a game whilst ponies are tied to the lines or lorries – so it is not impossible!

Are there certain types of horses that need electrolytes? Those ponies that have a history of tying up will benefit hugely from careful planning of administering electrolytes as suggested above; but generally all those that sweat and in particular on those very hot, humid, summer days their water and electrolyte intake really is essential for performance and recovery.

But don’t forget, access to fresh water MUST always be available!

Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

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79

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Knowledge

Understanding the law

Lottie Goldstone, a Solicitor Advocate at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, reflects on the past year and straightens up some common misconceptions about the legal profession.

As the new polo season is well underway, it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the past year. In my profession as a Solicitor Advocate every day is different. Having had an exhilarating and adrenaline fuelled previous career as a top-level three-day event rider, I was concerned whether my thirst for excitement would be fully quenched within the legal profession. Whilst there is no shadow of a doubt that certain areas of law are more mundane than others, the work that I deal with within the firm is far from being mundane. I do a mixture of contentious and non-contentious work within the litigation department. Having obtained my Higher Rights of Audience this enables me to don a wig and gown and represent my clients in the higher courts, thereby meaning that I see cases through from start to finish and the client does not have to form a new relationship with an additional legal professional when they get to the court doors. The court work is exciting and one has to think quickly on one’s feet. I have it from a solid source (my husband) that I am very good at cross-examination and he thinks that it is perfect that I am now arguing for a living…

Within litigation, the situations and scenarios are so wide and varied that the area of law remains fascinating. This coupled with the fact that one generally feels that you are helping people to fight their corner with a view to stepping in to the other person’s corner as a result. I have always been one that despite being the youngest of three would readily kick my sister’s playground

bullies in the shins if I felt that there was any injustice towards her. Fortunately, this was treated with a jovial manner by the members of staff at the school, seeing as I was seven years younger than my sister and her relevant bullies which must have been amusing to watch, however I meant every single inch of it. Seeing the injustice done to your client and building a satisfactory case with solid evidence in order to be victorious in a case provides a definite thrill and buzz, albeit a slightly different one to cruising over enormous solid fences at 30 miles an hour on half a tonne of horse, but both are equally as satisfying. As one who gets bored incredibly quickly and requires variety and fresh challenges to maintain interest, this is a snapshot of the type of work that I have dealt with over the last four weeks: 1. Refinancing two offshore trust companies.

Advising on refinancing in light of a dispute between the beneficiaries of a company and the owners of certain UK property pledged on security for those loans.

2. A landed estate matters such as trusts, settlement deeds, tax planning.

3. Repossession of properties.

4. Recovering large sums of outstanding debt.

5. High profile and complex contractual disputes.

6. S etting aside payments made by elderly people as a result of undue influence by their trusted professional advisers.

7. Disputes in relation to higher education.

8. Healthcare issues relating to care fees planning.

9. Intellectual property breaches.

10. Contentious probate matters. Individuals that are inadequately provided for under the terms of the Will.

11. Security and defence matters.

12. Defamation of character and consequential loss.

13. Agricultural and equine cases.

So it can be seen that even with someone with a voracious appetite for variety the different types of work are fascinating.

It has been a year now that I have operated the 15 minute free advice line for all members of the HPA thereby meaning all players and associates and club members. This too has led to an interesting cross section of work with some deeply satisfying outcomes. I am pleased that I have been able to help a number of individuals and companies as it becomes increasingly apparent that one’s relationship with their solicitor is integral to a management structure and an invaluable member of the team, whether on commercial or personal matters. I certainly had the view that solicitors were the necessary evil and have since learnt that the right hand person to any successful individual or business will be their legal adviser.

I wish you all luck in the forthcoming season and look forward to seeing many of you out and about.

For more information call Lottie on 07725 240233 or email her at lgoldstone@hcrlaw.com As the recognised legal partner with the HPA, all HPA members are entitled to 15 minutes of free legal advice with Lottie and a 10% reduction in fees upon initial instruction.

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Equipment Focus: Bits

The Pelham

As part of the Polo Times bitting series, Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd. looks at the merits of the Pelham

The Polo Pelham Buster Roller, a kinder alternative for polo players offer directional, accurate aids

The Pelham is a popular choice for polo, always used with two reins and applies a variety of pressures

The Pelham bit is a blend of the Weymouth and Bradoon bits, and uses a variety of pressures. It is used with two reins; the first rein is attached to the snaffle rein, and the second rein attaches to the ring at the bottom of the shank. The greater the distance between the cheek slot and the mouthpiece, the greater the poll pressure, while the greater the length of shank, the greater the amount of leverage. The Polo Pelham utilises a heavier shank than a standard Pelham used for other riding disciplines.

There are various mouthpieces available – common Pelham mouthpieces include the Elliptical Roller (a reasonably strong mouthpiece with a central roller); bits with ports, which can help alleviate evasion through head shaking caused by a sensitive tongue and the Johan DuPlooy, an unusual bit that has a ported mouthpiece with a

Caption for Johan DuPlooy: The Johan DuPlooy, has a ported mouthpiece which helps to keep the tongue beneath the bit

central roller filling the port, which helps keep the tongue beneath the bit, and provides something for the horse to play with. The most popular bit that I recommend for polo is probably the Polo Pelham with a Buster Roller mouthpiece – one of the kinder bits available for polo players, but one that does offer directional, accurate aids.

Made from sweet iron, the Buster Roller has a central link shortened to 40mm, increasing bar and tongue pressure. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head, and the

roller will increase pressure on the tongue, tucking the chin in. Polo Pelhams commonly have a 75mm shank.

Main points of pressure: When the first rein is used, the Pelham puts slight pressure on the poll and also pressures in the internal mouth structures, depending on the mouthpiece chosen. (The Buster Roller described above predominantly creates bar and tongue pressure). The second Pelham rein introduces leverage and lip pressure.

Bombers Bits include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions; customers can design their own bespoke bit from a selection of mouth pieces, cheek pieces and widths, visit: www.bombersbits.co.uk. Call Equine Management on 01825 840 002.

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Gossip

ENGAGEMENT!

Congratulations to 3 goaler, Jonny Coddington and his long-term girlfriend, Lucy Taylor! Jonny proposed to his bride-tobe the morning before the Hutchinson-Oliver wedding in Ireland.

ENGLISH PLAYERS REPRESENTING

With high goal teams announced for the UK season, we at Polo Times are delighted to see so many English players on the roster. As well as some familiar faces such as Luke Tomlinson and the Hanbury brothers, Hugo Lewis will play for King Power whilst Jack Hyde will take to the pitch in the Zacara shirts. We look forward to seeing the summer’s results.

Sidelines

IRISH WEDDING

Beaufort Polo Club member, Saffron Hutchinson married Andy Oliver at home in Tandragee, Ireland on Saturday 18 April in front of over 400 family and friends.

BABY BOOM

Cheshire Polo Club member and 3 goaler, Ben Malasomma and his wife, Gemma have welcomed a new baby daughter called Valentina to their family. She will be a beautiful younger sister to their son, Otto.

Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk Anonymity guaranteed if you want it...

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YORKSHIRE CHRISTENING

Santiago Federico Nicolas Funes was christened on Sunday 12 April at St. Leonard’s Church in Beeford, East Yorkshire with his polo playing parents Sebastian Funes, Polo Manager at Beverley Polo Club and Emma Nicholson. Polo Times’ Club Liaison and News Manager Lucy Wilson was there to take on the role of Godmother.

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83

Jamie Morrison & the Duke of Argyll

Fitri & Jim Hay

Hugo Taylor & Colonel Simon Ledger

Harrods Green Man with a vintage Land Rover welcomes guests

British Polo Day; Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club; Friday 27 March

British Polo Day in Dubai

Nora Sahraoui

The British Polo Day team moved on from their first event of 2015 in Abu Dhabi, to the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club at the end of March. The hosts, the Habtoor family, welcomed over 700 VIPs for a day of polo and croquet in the pitch-side Harrods Garden Party.

Habtoor Polo, fresh from a successful Dubai season, overcame the British Exiles in the main match of the day for The British Polo Day Dubai Cup, before spectators went for refreshments at the Royal Salute and Gaucho bars for Scotch Whisky and Watermelon Slings.

Mr Ghazi Al Madani, the Manager of Sports Tourism for the Dubai Sports Council and Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai, Edward Hobart, presented the prizes to all successful teams and the Royal Salute MVP to Jamie Morrison. Nine-year-old, Lucas Monteverde won the Holland & Holland ‘Best Shot of the Day’ whilst HH Sheikha Maitha’s Envedia was awarded the Jaeger-LeCoultre Best Playing Pony.

Tom Hudson, Co-Founder of British Polo Day, commented, “It’s been amazing to see British Polo Day Dubai grow over the last six years. The British teams put on a great display, but our two captains HH Sheikha Maitha and Mohammed Habtoor, our host, came out on top in thrilling matches – we are already looking forward to next year.”

Gillian Lamprell

Photographs by Sam Churchill

Lina Sammon

Polo Times, 2015 British 84 Polo Day Dubai CupMay Winners, Habtoor Polo

Cavalry & Guards Camel Polo

Natalia Shustova & Michael Morsos

George Meyrick

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Marc de Panafieu & his wife Princess Alexandra Cantacuzene

Ghazi Al Madani & friend

Charlotte www.polotimes.co.uk Baer, Rufus Gordon-Dean & Roxie Nafousi

Sidelines

Karen Dougan & Pauline Tomlinson

Stewart Wilson & Chloe Smith

Sarah Blakeley & Kelly Allen

Ernie & Chris Broughton

Cheshire Start of Season Party; Nunsmere Hall; Thursday 9 April

Season start Players, social members and supporters of Cheshire Polo Club turned out in force for the annual start of season party at Nunsmere Hall in early April. As usual it was the opportunity to swap winter polo stories and discuss plans for the forthcoming Cheshire season. Bowls of chilli and a few glasses of champagne weren’t strictly in keeping with pre-chukka diets, but players still tucked in with relish – and promised that kale juices and Evian would be back on the cards the next day.

It’s an exciting summer for Cheshire with the National 6 goal now sporting a £10,000 prize fund, plenty of Club polo on offer and the welcoming of new Club Chairman, Richard Thomas.

Dee Hankey & Paul Thomason

Gillian Fairhurst & Amelia Rollinson

Ann Moore, Valerie Warr, Chrisina Burchell & Mary www.polotimes.co.uk Falkender

Paul, Yvonne, Leanne, Alex & Jenny Gater with Hazel Jackson

Photographs by Mark. R. Heath

Jagdeep Gill

Lenny Cunningham, James Fielding & Jon Tallis

Karen & Steve Grant

Martin Kidd

Geraldine & Philip Wallen

Christy McMarn-Green, Susan Welch, Caddie Earl & David O’Brien

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85

Sidelines

Barry & Tina Doble with Michelle Cooper

Stewart Lee & Anna Pavlova

Eliza Wood & Melissa Stisted

Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz with Clive & Alex Reid

Francesca Speake & Anthony Lancaster Wyat

Guards Polo Club’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations; St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle; Thursday 16 April

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Antony Leitrim & Shahzadi Naila Misha Fadhlullah

Lord Patrick Beresford & HRH Prince Philip

The backdrop of the magnificent St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle, bedecked with the shields of the Knights of the Garter, was an impressive location for Guards Polo Club to kick off its 60th anniversary celebrations. The evening’s host, HRH Prince Philip, walked through the Hall chatting to many of the nearly 400 guests, made up of Directors, players, members and sponsors. Before taking his leave he made a speech in which he referred to himself as “the last of a breed” and name-checked the initial key figures behind the creation of the Club, including the 8th Duke of Wellington, Lord Patrick Beresford, (the Club’s first Polo Manager), Col Richard Watt, Col “G” Leigh and Major Archie David.

Listening to the President were many of the Club’s current patrons including Alan Fall, Jonathan Munro Ford, Louisa Donovan, David Lewis, Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz, Simon Holland and Kassem Shafi. Not surprisingly, as the sun set over the Royal Park towards Smith’s Lawn, many conversations were focused on the coming season, which started two days later and how the Club has gone from strength to strength in the past 60 years.

Clare Jenkins, Mrs Maurcie Jenkins & Sally Baker

Photographs by Tony Ramirez/ www.imagesofpolo.com Words by Diana Butler

Will & Heidi Callon-Hine with Julia & Alan Fall

Carol & Dick Routledge

Kassem86 Shafi Polo & Times, May 2015 Natasha Noueiri Shafi

Jo Stuart, Terence & Duane Lent & Oliver Stuart

Jock Green-Armytage, John Collins & Neil Hobday

Lando Simonetti & Gachi Ferrari

Peter Jensen, Lucy Holland, www.polotimes.co.uk Petra Jensen & Simon Holland

Sidelines

Gonzalo Siles

Sarah Williams, Natasha King and Sheena Gill

Georgina Walters, Tim and Susie Hutt, Laura Hutt

Polo Under The Stars; Apes Hill Polo Club, Barbados; Saturday 28 March

Starry-eyed polo As the sun set on another day in paradise, Camilla Williams and the team at Apes Hill Polo Club hit the switch on 22 huge floodlights to bathe the Waterhall Polo Ground in light. The great and the good of Barbados, alongside Brit polo pros, enthusiasts and a large expat contingent arrived to enjoy two matches of polo and of course, THE party of the Barbados season. Much to the collective excitement of the ladies in the VIP area, the BRIT-Award winning trio Blake sang a number of our favourites before singing a rendition of the Bajan National Anthem to kick off the second match of the evening. VIP’s enjoyed a fantastic seated dinner with rivers of Moët & Chandon flowing well into the Barbados night. Meanwhile, on the other side of the grandstand, players and guests got stuck into the Banks and rum punch as Guest DJ Camilo Franco of SPACE Ibiza who had flown in especially, worked his magic on the decks into the early hours.

Richenda Hine, Aline Coquelle, Jackie and Roger Fletcher and Nick Hine

Photographs by Andre Williams www.andrewilliamsphotography.net

Chitra Prakash, Kyra Hudson, Dominique Silvera

Tina and Howard Taylor

Diego Men Dizabal, Lilias Gardner and Jonny Coddington

Carol Clark and Laura Smith

www.polotimes.co.uk The Moët & Chandon hospitality team

Bizzy and Shelly Williams

John Kent, Nathan Dickson, Kaivon Zatabri and Ben Roberts

Nikki Bayley and Holly-Jane Layson

Blake sung to the delight of the ladies in the VIP marquee

Pamela Proverbs and Synthia Millar

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87

Polo directory

Dates for your diary

What’s on in May 2015 Photograph by Tony Ramirez/Images of Polo

UK highlights – Listed in date order Burningfold – Dunsford Trophy (0-4): 21 – 24 May Edinburgh – Edinburgh Spring Trophy (0-4): 23 – 24 May Fifield – Silver Trophy (2-4): 23 – 24 May Suffolk – Graceland Trophy (-4-4): 23 – 24 May Tidworth – Cholderton Cup (0-4): 23 – 24 May Cirencester – à Brassard Trophy (0-4): 12 – 25 May Lacey Green – The Revolution Cup (2-4): 23 – 25 May Lyndon Lea of Zacara won the Royal Salute Most Outstanding High Goal Patron at The Polo Awards in 2014 Druids Lodge – Polo Art Cup (3-4): 30 – 31 May Epsom – Red Cross Trophy (0-4): 30 – 31 May Hurtwood – Jubilee Cup (0-4): 30 – 31 May Cowdray – St. Regis Test Match (Open): 16 May Kirtlington – James Budgett Trophy (0-4): 27 – 31 May Lacey Green – The Chiltern Cup (0-4): 30 – 31 May Guards – Queen Mother’s Centenary Cup (12-15): RCBPC – The Polo Managers Trophy (0-4): 1 – 17 May 27 – 31 May

Test Matches

Medium Goal

Intermediate 12 Goal

2 Goal

Coworth – Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy (8-12): April 21 – 9 May

Binfield Heath – The Coppid Cup (-2-2): 9 – 10 May Burningfold – May Cup (0-2): 7 – 10 May Cheshire – Tickled Pink Cup (0-2): 9 – 10 May Cirencester – Tyro Cup (-2-2): 2 – 10 May Druids Lodge – Aspiga Trophy (1-2): 9 – 10 May Fifield – Pico Trophy (0-2): 9 – 10 May Hurtwood – Bluebell Trophy (0-2): 9 – 10 May Rutland – The Rutland Cup (-2-2): 8 – 10 May Suffolk – Mad May Hare Tournament (-4-2): 9 – 10 May Tidworth – Queen’s Royal Hussars’ Cup (-2-2): 9 – 10 May Vaux Park – Spring Challenge (-2-2): 9 – 10 May Ascot – Waterloo Cup (-2-2): 16 – 17 May Beverley – RB 2000 Tournament (0-2): 16 – 17 May Edgeworth – Field Barn Cup (0-2): 16 – 17 May Ham – Ham House Tournament (-2-2): 16 – 17 May Hurtwood – Lola’s Trophy (0-2): 16 – 17 May Kirtlington – Ragley Cup (-2-2): 14 – 17 May Ranksboro – Ranksboro 2 Goal (0-2): 16 – 17 May Taunton – Chairman’s Cup (0-2): 16 – 17 May Tidworth – Maddison Cup (0-2): 16 – 17 May Vaux Park – Champagne Challenge (-2-2): 16 – 17 May Sussex – The Polo Shop Trophy (-2-2): 23 – 24 May White Waltham – Spring Cup (0-2): 23 – 24 May Hurtwood – Havilland Cup (-2-2): 23 – 25 May Kirtlington – The Winwick Cup (-2-2): 22 – 25 May Lacey Green – The Revolution Cup (0-2): 23 – 25 May Ranelagh – Copa La Colorada (0-2): 23 – 25 May Ascot – Vikings Trophy (0-2): 30 – 31 May Cambridge County – Hyde Pacific Tournament (-2-2): 30 – 31 May Cheshire – Dearnford Hall Trophy (0-2): 30 – 31 May Edgeworth – Edgworth Challenge (0-2): 30 – 31 May Guards – The Labrador Trophy (0-2): 16 – 31 May West Wycombe – Hell Fire Trophy (0-2): 30 – 31 May White Waltham – Coronation Cup (0-2): 30 – 31 May

8 Goal Beaufort – The Badmington Cup (4-8): 7 – 17 May Chester – The Coutts International (8): 22 – 23 May Guards – Committee Cup (4-8): 10 – 24 May RCBPC – 4-8 Goal Open Tournament (4-8): 19 – 24 May Ascot – Innerwick Challenge Cup (4-8): 23 – 25 May Kirtlington – Kirtlington Cup (4-8): 19 – 25 May

6 Goal DBPC – The Jordan Cup (2-6): 9 – 10 May Guards – Spring Tournament (2-6): April 18 – 10 May Binfield Heath – Margaret Duvall 6 Goal (4-6): 16 – 17 May Druids Lodge – Salisbury Cup and Coolstance Cup (4-6): 16 – 17 May Longdole – RJ Polo Tournament (2-6): 16 – 17 May Cheshire – Wirral Ladies’ Cup (4-6): 20 – 25 May Ranelagh – Copa La Colorada (4-6): 23 – 25 May Beaufort – Kernow Cup (0-6): 19 – 30 May Binfield Heath – May Tournament (4-6): 30 – 31 May Cambridge County – Hyde Pacific Tournament (2-6): 30 – 31 May Rugby – The Spring Hill Bronze (2-6): 26 – 31 May

4 Goal Beaufort – La Ema Polo Mallet (0-4): April 29 – 10 May Dundee – Spring Tournament (0-4): 9 – 10 May Edgeworth – The 4 Goal Shield (0-4): 9 – 10 May Kirtlington – Mackenzie Hill Cup (0-4): 7 – 10 May Cambridge County – Cambridge May Cup (0-4): 16 – 17 May Cheshire – Henbury Cup (0-4): 16 – 17 May Ranelagh – Founder’s Cup (2-4): 16 – 17 may Rugby – The Pytchley Trophy (0-4): 16 – 17 May 88

Polo Times, May 2015

1 Goal Rutland – The Tony Gilks Trophy (3-1): 30 – 31 May

0 Goal DBPC – The Southam Trophy (-4-0): 9 – 10 May Epsom – St George’s Cup (-4-0): 9 – 10 May Ranelagh – Copa La Reconquista (-2-0): 9 – 10 May Silver Leys – The May Cup (-2-0): 9 – 10 May Sussex – Welcome Cup (-4-0): 9 – 10 May Taunton – Committee Cup (-4-0): 9 – 10 May White Rose – President’s Cup (-4-0): 9 – 10 May White Waltham – Recoleta Memorial Cup (-2-0): 9 – 10 May Wicklow – 50/50 Tournament (0): 9 – 10 May Cambridge County – Frolic May Cup (-4-0): 16 – 17 May Rugby – The Onley Plate (-6-0): 16 – 17 May Sussex – May Cup (-4-0): 16 – 17 May Tidworth – Maddison Cup (-4-0): 16 – 17 May West Wycombe – Spring Shield (-2-0): 16 – 17 May

England raise the trophy for the 2014 St. Regis Test Match

White Waltham – Carlitos Polo Tournament (-2-0): 16 – 17 May Blueys – The Farriers Cup (-4-0): 23 – 24 May Cheshire – 1930 Wirral Polo Cup (-1-0): 23 – 24 May Eastwood – Polo Manager’s Trophy (-2-0): 23 – 24 May Edgeworth – The -2 to 0 Tournament (-2-0): 23 – 24 May Offchurch Bury – Spring Forward Cup (-4-0): 23 – 24 May Silver Leys – Blue Ribband Cup (-2-0): 23 – 24 May Taunton – Hatchmoor Vets Cup (-4-0): 23 – 24 May Wicklow – Friends and Family Tournament (-4-0): 23 – 24 May Tidworth – Almost Best of British (-2-0): 30 – 31 May Binfield Heath – May Tournament (-4-0): 30 – 31 May Epsom – The NATO Cup (-4-0): 30 – 31 May Kirtlington – The Continental Cup (-6-0): 29 – 31 May Lacey Green – The Chilterns Cup (-2-0): 30 – 31 May New Forest – Spring Tournament (-2-0): 30 – 31 May New Forest – Little Poet Cup (-2-0): 30 – 31 May Ranelagh – Copa Fin De Mayo (-2-0): 30 – 31 May Rugby – The Turnocks Roger Cup (-4-0): 30 – 31 May Sussex – The Victory Trophy (-4-0): 30 – 31 May Taunton – Weston-Super-Mare Trophy (-4-0): 30 – 31 May www.polotimes.co.uk

Dates for your diary

Save the Date Charity Events

Save the Date Social Events

Eastwood – Midsummer Charity Cup (6): 20–21 June White Waltham – Help for Heroes Combined Forces Trophy (-2-0): 13–14 June St Albans – Polo for Heroes (Open): 27 June Triskelion – Corporate Charity Polo Challenge: 4–5 July Vale of York – Bawtry Cup/Aurora Cancer Centre (Open): 5 July Tidworth – Best of British Polo (Open): 31 May Blueys – Charity Weekend (Open): 1–2 August

Guards – The 10th Polo Awards: 19 May Kirtlington – Throw In Party: 8 May PJ’s Bar and Grill – PJ’s Polo Party: 11 May DBPC – Opening Season Party: 16 May Beaufort – The Beaufort Polo Club Cocktail Party: 20 May ClubOne, Ascot – 6th Start of UK Polo Season Party: 10 May

West Wycombe – Hell Fire Trophy (-4-0): 30 – 31 May White Rose – Yeo 2 x 2 (-4-0): 30 – 31 May

Below 0 Goal Cheshire – Spinney Cup (-6 - -2): 2 – 3 May New Forest – Chaplin Cup (-6 - -2): 2 – 3 May Rugby – The Primavera Cup (-6 - -2): 2 – 3 May Sussex – Bank Holiday Challenge (-6 - -2): 2 – 3 May Taunton – Spring Tournament (-4 - -2): 2 – 3 May Tidworth – Kingsett Cup (-6 - -2): 2 – 3 May Cheshire – CPC Plate (-4 - -1): 9 – 10 May Ascot – Kitchen Grace Trophy (-4 - -2): 9 – 10 May Rutland – Twidale Cup (-6 - -2): 9 – 10 May Silver Leys – The May Cup (-6 - -2): 9 – 10 May Tidworth – Queen’s Royal Hussars’ Cup (-6 - -2): 9 – 10 May Cheshire – Wirral Salver (-6 - -2):13 – 14 May Beverley – RB 2000 Tournament (-6- -2): 15 – 16 May Cheshire – CPC Plate (-4 - -1): 16 – 17 May

Epsom – Admirals Cup (-6 - -4): 16 – 17 May New Forest – Dunlop Cup (-6 - -2): 16 – 17 May Ranksboro – Ranksboro -2 Goal (-6 - -2): 16 – 17 May West Wycombe – Spring Shield (-4 - -2): 16 – 17 May Offchurch Bury – Spring Forward Cup (-8 - -4): 23 – 24 May Silver Leys – Blue Ribband Cup (-6 - -2): 23 – 24 May Sussex – The Polo Shop Trophy (-6 - -2): 23 – 24 May Tidworth – Cholderton Cup (-6 - -2): 23 – 24 May Vaux Park – County Polo (-6 - -2): 23 – 24 May FHM – Polo Splice Tournament (-8 - -4): 30 May Tidworth – Almost Best of British (-6 - -2): 30 – 31 May New Forest – Little Poet Cup (-4 - -2): 30 – 31 May Cheshire – Farewell Cup (-4 - -1): 30 – 31 May

Open Cirencester – Cirencester 0-40 Goal Tournament (Open): April 28 – 10 May

Victor Ludorum 18 Goal

Autumn Victor Ludorum 15 Goal (new this season)

Cowdray – Duke of Sutherland’s Cup (15-18): May 17 – 7 June Cirencester – The Aspley Cup (15-18): 10 – 28 June Coworth – Indian Empire Shield (15-18): June 30 – 18 July Cowdray – Cowdray Challenge (15-18): July 22 – 2 August

Cirencester – National 15 Goal Championships (12-15): 4 – 16 August RCBPC – Autumn 15 Goal Victor Ludorum (12-15): 18 – 29 August TBC – Autumn 15 Goal Victor Ludorum (12-15): August 31 – 13 September

15 Goal Beaufort – The Arthur Lucas Cup (12-15): 9 – 24 May Guards – Royal Windsor Cup (12-15): May 27 – 21 June RCBPC – The Eduardo Moore Tournament (12-15): June 14 – 21 July Cowdray – Harrison Cup (12-15): July 20 – 2 August

12 Goal Cowdray – Dollar Cup (8-12): 11 – 25 May Beaufort – The Prince of Wales’ Cup (8-12): May 26 – 6 June RCBPC – The John Prestwich Trophy (8-12): 11 – 27 June Cirencester – The Queen Mother Trophy (8-12): June 30 – 31 July

Autumn Victor Ludorum 12 Goal (new this season) Guards – Duke of Wellington Trophy (8-12): 4 – 15 August

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Polo directory

Vale of York – Sabanasaurous Trophy (Open): 9 May Tidworth – Royal Artillery Cup (Open): 25 May Vale of York – Yorkshire Game Fair Cup (Open): 24 – 25 May Tidworth – Best of British under 15s (Open): 31 May

Combined Services Tidworth – Duke of York Cup (RN vs RAF): 31 May

Women’s Polo For ladies polo highlights turn to our Women’s Polo section for a full list of dates and for all SUPA, Pony Club and Young England dates please turn to the Youth Polo section of the magazine.

Cirencester – Cheltenham Cup (8-12): August 25 – 6 September Cowdray – Autumn League (8-12): 8 – 20 September

8 Goal Cirencester – Gerald Balding (4-8): 18 – 31 May Guards – Archie David (4-8): 4 – 28 June RCBPC – The Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy (4-8): June 30 – 18 July Cowdray – Holden White Challenge Cup (4-8): July 20 – 2 August Beaufort – Wichenford Bowl (4-8): 4 – 15 August

6 Goal Cheshire – Junior County Cup (2-6): June 29 – 5 July Beaufort – The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup (2-6): 7 – 18 July Kirtlington – Budgett Everett Trophy (2-6): July 28 – 9 August Ham – Roehampton Cup (2-6): 11 – 13 August Cirencester – Kingscote Cup (2-6): August 25 – 5 September

Polo Times, May 2015

89

Polo directory

Dates for your diary

Club contacts UK and Ireland

* denotes winter arena polo venue hTo contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 1 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alec@mhfpolo.co.uk

All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Moyne

00353 85 1313224

moynepolo@hotmail.com

Ascot Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@polo.co.uk

New Forest Polo Club

02380 811818

info@newforestpoloclub.co.uk

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

Apsley End

01462 712444

peter.pollak@btopenworld.com

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07831 867334

robert@hellomxb.com

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

0771 0558485

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

polo@ranelaghfarm.com

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Ranksboro Polo Club*

01572 723755

polojoe@hotmail.com

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepolo@icloud.com

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbp.com

Cambridge County Polo Club

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

RMAS-HQ-O&D-S03@mod.uk

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Royal Navy Polo Club

07950 328097

jockiewilson@hotmail.co.uk

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Cirencester Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Rutland Polo Club

07920 521285

polomanager@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Rockett’s Castle

00353 87 2520301

rockettscastlepolo@gmail.com

CSPA

01672 5649114

markcann@cspa.org.uk

Rowley Park Polo Club*

07971 200160

carterlegeorge@hotmail.co.uk

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

Silver Leys Polo Club

07535 697854

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

ella@dbpoloclub.com

St. Albans Polo lub

07535 697854

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

gillian@glockhart.wanadoo.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Eastwood

07875 743475

secretary@eastwoodpolo.co.uk

SWF*

01962 885500

info@maywoodpolo.com

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs@supanet.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Vale of York Polo Club

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

FHM Polo Club

07778 436468

fhmpolo@yahoo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

White Rose Polo Club

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Heathfield Polo Club*

07762 069 420

info@heathfieldparkpolo.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Wicklow Polo*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Higham Polo Club

07788 753948

sarah@highampoloclub.com

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

gary@hurtwoodparkpolo.com

Inglesham Polo Club*

07818 508136

mattevetts@hotmail.com

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Lacey Green Polo Club

07947 725305

manager@laceygreenpoloclub.com

Leadenham Polo Club

01400 272885

jameshreeve@hotmail.com

Little Bentley

01206 250435

fred@littlebentleypark.co.uk

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Luton Hoo

07934 882713

info@poloprive.com

Lychett Heath

01202 623985

office@lytchettpolo.co.uk

90

Polo Times, May 2015

Testing times...

Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page England won against South America 11½ - 8 in the St. Regis International Test Match in 2014

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Lux Levels and Spillage charts available for planning applications

Polo directory

Classifieds

Marketplace Ponies

FANTASTIC 5 HORSE NON HGV HORSEBOX FOR SALE Leyland DAF chassis,hard wood floor with granalastic,fitted with sealed drainage tubes.Full years ticket,passed last week.

Must see lorry.Absolute bargain. £4,500 ono. For more info Tel: 07920 521285, E-brownehenry@outlook.com. Rutland

Transport

HORSEBOX FOR SALE: 2003 DAF TRUCKS FAC F65.250 11 Horse, Newly Converted Sleeper Cab Water Tank £13500.00 + VAT Test Until February 2016. £13,500 + VAT Tel: 07901 857960 / 01325 332649.

PERFECT POLO SCHOOLMISTRESS AND HUNTING PONY 15.1 Experienced and easy in every way polo school mistress and hunting pony. 16 yrs so would suit lady/PC home. 5* home essential. £2,500 Tel: 07704 631836.

Rutland

EX HIGH GOAL BRAZILIAN MARE 15.2h. 13 years £15,000 Tel: 07781 156720. Cooney@guernsey.net Guards/Berkshire

HORSEBOX FOR SALE: 2005 MAN 8.155 5/6 Horse Newly Painted Test Until March 2016 £7,500 + VAT Tel: 07901 857960 / 01325 332649.

Polo Times, May 2015

Livery PART/FULL POLO LIVERY Excellent facilities to include 1 mile sand circular gallops. Private professional yard. Within 15 minutes of 3 polo clubs. Stables & Turnout available. Lorry Parking. Various packages on offer Tel: Karl 07951 023881. Warwick, Warwickshire

Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from £2.99 plus p&p

Equipment

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9 STALL VOLVO HORSEBOX – FM12 – 2002 340hp, 18 tonne. (3 horses facing forwards, 6 horses on the angle). Side and rear ramps.

Rear air suspension. Crew area cut through to cab. Good condition and in constant use, same ownership for the last 6.5 years. Tilt cab facility. Plated until February 2016. £18,000 plus VAT Tel: 01984 623624 / 07836 762188.

Email: alan.walter1@virgin.net

17 HORSE ARTIC FOR RENT OR SALE, 06 DAF85 + TANDEM TRAILER £POA. TEL: 07880 975322. mjgowers@btinternet.com. Pershore, Worcs

15.1HH BAY ARGENTINE MARE 18YRS Easy in every way suit lady/PC home. 5* home essential. £1,500 Tel: 07825 170313. Hertfordshire

TRACTOR- DAVID BROWN 885 TURF TYRES Perfect 47 HP tractor to mow stick and ball grounds and maintain paddocks. Regularly serviced. Exceptional turf tyres.

Fantastic condition. Must see. £3,700 ONO NO VAT Tel: 07920 521285 E-brownehenry@outlook.com.

Oakham

POLO RAT Registration plate on retention and ready for immediate transfer Offers Invited Tel: 07860 906032

HORSE TRUCK - 5 HORSES Excellent condition, MOT until Jan 2016, new brakes. Renault Midlum, 7500kgs. £7,500. Tel:: 07415 374370. michelle.harvey@craigmore.com Banbury, Oxfordshire

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5DR 4WD 2000 (X-REG), 4L, 136,000 miles. 12 month MoT. Chrome bull bars & running boards, blue, auto, petrol, tow-bar, black full leather interior, elec + heated + memory seats, A/C, elec windows, cruise control & power steering. Full service history. 2 previous owners. Includes boot tray. Very well looked after, been with the same polo family for 11 years and never broken down. Would be an ideal yard or groom car. £1,450 ono. Tel: 07860 906032

Visit www.Katesart.com or txt/tel 07887 678421 or email: enquiries@Katesart.com image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007

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2006 IVECO EUROCARGO 11 Horse Sleeper Cab, On Air, Hydraulic 2001 SCHMITZ SK020LTo Carry Ramp,Certifi cate from DEFRA, 40ft Articover Trailer, 17 Horses, New conHorses 12 Hours, Omissions low to versiongo fitted fans,Full water into with London.

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To view our stock visit our website www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Email: enquires@tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Tel: 01325 332 649 Mobile: 07901 857960 Fax: 01325 333554 Eddlethorpe Farm, Stockton Road, Sadberge, Darlington, Co Durham DL2 1TB ALL VEHICLES ARE PLUS VAT FINANCE AVAILABLE

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Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Robert Mehm, SVP, EFG Bank Geneva

Senior Vice President of EFG Bank Geneva, Robert Mehm has played polo all around the world, from Australia to Uganda. He talks to Polo Times about his fond memories of defeating Juan Martin Nero in Dubai, celebrating victory as World Elephant Polo Champion and how he would ideally like to meet HM The Queen after winning The Queen’s Cup at Guards.

Who would be in your dream team and why?

A pro-am team of four legendary polo greats from high goal and the Military: At back ‘Ten Goal Tommy’ Hitchcock; at 3 – ‘El Maestro’ Juan Carlos Harriott; at 2 – ‘Old Blood and Guts’ General George Patton, and at number 1 – ‘The British Bulldog’ Sir Winston Churchill.

Imagine the field strategy!

Who are your favorite teammates?

All dependable, life-long friends, from around the world, with whom I have enjoyed decades of international polo – and at their best handicaps: Roberto Gonzalez (8) Mexico; Antonio Palma (7) Brazil; Adam Snow (10) USA; Sergio Coutinho (3) Brazil; Roderick Vere Nicoll (3) USA/UK; and my brother Ted Mehm (3) USA – and of course my upcoming Junior stars, Olivia and Max Mehm.

Where do you go for a polo-free holiday?

Costa Careyes on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The Brignone family’s surreal, yet cosmopolitan, tropical paradise that’s a cocktail of Italy, Mexico, Architecture, Biology, Style, Art, Glamour, and even the Extraterrestrial – in a word: sublime.

Favorite polo venue?

Helvetia Polo Club outside Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I was a member from 1990-93.

Brazilians are the Texans of South America – everything is done on a huge scale. Helvetia is undulating, so the fields are beautifully carved into the landscape and the houses are the best of Brazilian architecture. The players, of course, are absolute fanatics, high handicapers, and with huge hearts. No wonder one doesn’t see them outside Brazil – they refuse to leave Helvetia!

One thing, which would surprise us about you?

I am a two-time World Elephant Polo Champion playing for EFG Bank with legendary Scotsman James Manclark in Nepal.

It’s Palermo for Pachyderms!

Most prized material possession?

A platinum wedding ring my wife Courtney gave me 23 years ago. I won’t play polo without it on me.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

My father Edward – eccentric, big and hilarious; a historian, entrepreneur, biologist, and polo enthusiast… but most importantly, a very patient parent. I miss him. And my mother, Margaret, an amazingly accomplished woman, who unfortunately has had to worry most of her life while watching her family play polo.

Which polo person offers the best advice?

Sandhurst Military Academy coach, teammate, and friend, Gaston Devrient. A great student of polo who knows my game inside out and he knows how to get me to optimise it.

Which is your favorite pony in your string?

Tobiana, a big, brown and white paint mare.

I bought her sight unseen. She was a beast at first, and I was about to return her to sender, then suddenly – brilliant. She has been my two chukka, bread-and-butter mare ever since.

What makes you angry?

Bad weather – The Polo Man’s nemesis… game cancelled, and the horses still need to be worked.

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Polo Times, May 2015

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Favorite film?

The 1968 Thomas Crown Affair with the mischievous-millionaire-bank-robbingpolo-playing Steve McQueen and filmed at Myopia Hunt Club near Boston. Several of my polo buddies from my father’s generation play in the movie, and the split screen cinematography is fantastic.

Favorite songs and album?

Songs: Louis Armstrong’s All the Time in the World a classic for optimists and romantics like me. Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, which offers a nice message in the lyrics I share with my children. Album: The Allman Brothers Live At Fillmore East in NYC – Southern Rock and polo go quite well together.

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

Many, but especially squash. It, like polo, is physical, strategic, and squash’s unique angle shots come in handy in polo. Ice hockey – with its constant man-marking and need for peripheral vision, has also helped my polo.

And of course, golf – it’s calm, polite, and orderly; the antithesis of polo.

Who would you most like to meet and why?

Queen Elizabeth II. She is the world’s most historical living person: longestserving British Monarch and last surviving head of state who served in the

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Second World War. Ideally I would meet her on the occasion of winning The Queen’s Cup at Guards!

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

In business – being part of EFG Bank’s global growth and subsequent listing on the Swiss stock exchange. In polo – my 36 years of active play and involvement

Describe yourself in three words?

Veni. Vidi. Vinci – although the ‘Vinci’ part is still a long work in progress…

How would you describe the sport to an outsider?

I ask newcomers to focus only on the best player on team blue for a whole chukka, and then switch to the best player on team white the next, and block out the rest.

This shows how the game flows and is played.

Otherwise, it’s chaos for the untrained spectator’s eye.

What are your aims for the EFG team?

Thanks to my colleague Keith Gapp, head of EFG’s Branding, Sponsorship, and Strategy, EFG International has established itself as the polo insider around the world. Keith’s ingenuity has created some amazing partnerships. I Captain the EFG team or act in an Ambassadorial role,

depending on the event, and as often as my schedule allows.

What is your fondest polo memory?

Defeating Juan Martin Nero and Pablo MacDonough in The Dubai Nations Cup a month after they had won The Argentine Open. (I am sure they haven’t gotten over it yet.) And many polo memories from the 25 different countries – from Australia to Uganda – where I have lived and played in my career.

Polo Times, May 2015

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