PoloTimes Nov16

Volume 21 • Issue 10 • November 2016 • £6.50

ARGENTINE ACTION Tortugas Open Report & Triple Crown Guide IN OR OUT? Arena Polo Focus CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Present Ideas for Everyone PLUS: Thai Polo Equestrian Excellence & French Open

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Contents

Contacts

What’s inside... November 2016

Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

Group Editor in Chief

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas so you don’t gift ideas for all the family this We have picked some of our favourite by the fire rather than sipping sloe gin and lounging have to... instead enjoy your evenings trudging around the high street!

For Her

Harry Rocks Constellation Collection, £165 www.harryrocks.com

Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk

Andrea, pure Swiss Cotton Jersey Glove, £70 www.corneliajames.com £24.99 Bronze Greek Horse Necklace, www.britishmuseumshoponline.org

Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

www.thebrooke.org Rose Gold polo mallet Bangle, £45 www.rjpolo.com Suede Lined Kneepads With Velcro Fastening, £96 www.satsfaction.com

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Polo Times, November 2016

One Nacho Figueras presents Wild

by Jessica Whitman, £7.99 www.nachofigueraspresents.com

Polo Reporter & Researcher

Comment

Principal Design James Morgan

Additional Design Tony Ruddy

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors:

Stephen Biddlecombe, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Martin Perez, Kate Scurfield, Helen van Tuyll BSC (Hons) BVSc MRCVS, David Woodd

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 2016 and Database Right 2016 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

Cover photograph: Adolfo Cambiaso riding one of the six Cuartetera clones he played and won the Final of the Tortugas Open. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com/Eduardo Grunberg 4

Polo Times, November 2016

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Polo Times, November 2016

from £245 Spanish Riding Boot Classic, www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

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Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery katie@polotimes.co.uk

four The Polo Magazine gift subscription, .com issues from £30 www.thepolomagazine 01452 730770

Train a vet, provide comprehensive local training for a government or to set animal healthcare provider up a veterinary practice, £50

Advertising Sales Richard Hine richard@polotimes.co.uk

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brown leather with Bandera Rico Zipped Purse in Havana blue suede lining, £119 www.pampeano.co.uk

£60 Personalised Moët, Blanc 75cl, from Selfridges London uk.moet.com

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Editorial

Glory, Players: A Game of Grit and

by E. H. Humphreys, £9.27 www.amazon.co.uk ©Brooke/Freya Dowson

Mount! Jilly Cooper, £14.99 www.waterstones.com

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Feature

Christmas Gift Guide

Feature

All the Latest News HPA News FIP Update Your Views: Letters Big Picture

Features 18 31 36

40

Cover Story: Christmas Gift Guide Cover Story: Arena Polo Focus Cover Story: Equestrian Excellence: Thai Polo & Equestrian Centre Cover Story: Argentine Focus: Sidelines The Triple Crown 68 Gossip: Don’t be the Last

to Know Reports 70 Sidelines: Social Pages 44 Cover Story: Tortugas Open 48 Open de France 2016, Chantilly Polo Directory:

74 What’s On in November?

Club Focus 78 Polo Times Marketplace 50 Your Club News from Home

and Abroad Final bell: 80 Passions: Fred Mannix Jnr

48

Women’s Polo 54

A Round-Up of Women’s Polo

Youth Polo 58

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Military Polo 60

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Knowledge 61

62

64 66

Pony Power: Polo Times Best Playing Pony Series Vet Insight: Poor Performance and Sacroiliac Pain Bit Focus: A Custom Fit Fitness for Polo: Winter Fitness

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from the Publisher

Cría Yatay & La Irenita Confirmed For Palermo

THE LAST TWO games of the Torneo Clasificatorio 90 Años AAP were played on Monday 10 October at Palermo between Cría Yatay and Chapaleufú on Ground 1, whilst La Rosas and La Irenita played on Ground 2. The games produced the final two teams for the tournament to qualify for a place in the Hurlingham and Argentine Open tournaments.

La Irenita had a free-flowing and fast game with a successful result defeating Las Rosas 13-8, despite a rocky start as Joaquín Pittaluga scored the goal Brazilian Joao Paulo Ganon racked up a couple of quick goals that secured Cría Yatay’s place in the Hurlingham and Argentine in the first few minutes. Matías MacDonough and Juan Ruiz Guiñazú drove the play on in their favour for the rest of the game Opens to finish with a five goal advantage to their team La Irenita.

Cría Yatay qualified for the Hurlingham and Argentine Open on points and goal differences over the course of the tournament despite losing to Chapaleufú. In their game on Ground 1, it was Joaquin Pittaluga who won the day for Cría Yatay. He scored a 60 yard penalty in the closing minutes to close the gap in the scores to take their qualification.

Eduardo Heguy’s Chapaleufú team had a tough ride, they needed to win with a margin of two goals, which despite all their efforts they failed to produce finishing the game 12-11.

The Hurlingham Open began on Tuesday 18 October and the Finals are scheduled for Saturday 5 November. To read more about the Triple Crown teams turn to our guide to Argentine focus on page 40.

Torneo Clasificatorio 90 Años AAP teams: La Irenita (29): Juan Ruiz Guiñazú (7), Juan M. Zavaleta (7), Matías MacDonough (8) & Clemente Zavaleta (7) (substituted by Guillermo Willington (7) in the seventh chukka) Las Rosas (28): Franco Gai (6), Manuel Crespo (7), Marcos Di Paola (8) & Joao Paulo Ganon (7) Chukka scores: 1-2, 4-4, 7-4, 8-4, 10-5, 11-7, 13-8 to La Irenita Chapaleufú (31): Alberto Heguy (7), Guillermo Terrera (8), Eduardo Heguy (8) & Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (8) (substituted by Francisco Elizalde (7) in the sixth chukka) Cría Yatay (29): Lucas James (7), Cristian Laprida (8), Joaquín Pittaluga (7) & Ignacio Laprida (7) Chukka scores: 2-0, 4-1, 6-3, 7-6, 8-7, 10-9, 12-11 to Chapaleufú

HPA End of Season Handicap Changes

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

THE END OF season handicap changes have now been published, following the end of season handicap meeting, the changes are subject to ratification by the Stewards on 25 October, and once done so they will come into effect on 1 January 2017. Juan Martín Nero now rejoins the other 10 goalers who play in the UK circuit after playing the 2016 season as a 9 goaler. He joins existing 10 goal players rated in the UK, Adolfo Cambiaso, Pablo MacDonough, David Stirling and brothers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres. It has also been no surprise that La Indiana’s star player Julian de Lusarreta has been raised from 6 to 7, but notably non of the other La Indiana players, who are all a handicap higher outside of the UK, appear on the list. To see all the changes turn to HPA News on page 12.

Juan Martín Nero goes back to 10 goals

Nick Hine, Publisher 6

Polo Times, November 2016

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

It has certainly been a tumultuous four weeks, with Hurricane Matthew leaving a path of destruction in its wake, the Trump versus Clinton debate, the arrival of ‘killer clowns’ on UK soil and of course not to forget the start of the Argentine season. In the lead-up to The Triple Crown, Lia Salvo made history by becoming the first woman to win The Jockey Club Open, which she achieved alongside the familiar faces of Cambiaso, MacDonough and Nero – a mighty accolade and a reminder of the achievements of women’s polo across the globe. Meanwhile, in The Tortugas Open, La Dolfina and Ellerstina once again battled it out with La Dolfina securing the first stage of The Triple Crown. In light of this, we bring you an Argentine feature, focusing on all aspects of The Triple Crown.

With the winter nights drawing in, daylight hours shortening and the tendrils of winter beginning to creep in, it can only mean one thing – arena season. Although some prefer to escape to the warmer climes of the southern hemisphere, there are some plucky players who brave it out, don their thermals and revel in all the arena season has to offer. So with this in mind, in this issue, we get to grips with the ins and outs of the arena season, looking at the benefits to both yourself and your ponies.

As the countdown to Christmas begins with the flurry of mince pies emerging on supermarket shelves far and wide, we couldn’t help but join in with the festive feeling, bringing you our Christmas Gift Guide. With everything from jewellery to gin, cufflinks to croquet sets, there really is something for everyone!

If the idea of another cold Christmas sends chills down your spine, then turn to our Thai Polo & Equestrian feature, where we look at all the polo and equestrian club has to offer, from the famous Chukka Bar and swimming pools, to polo fields and stables.

Alongside these spotlight features are all of our regular pages, covering every feasible aspect of polo from women’s, youth and military to understanding poor performance and Sacroiliac pain, and of course not forgetting our sideline pages jam-packed with end of season parties. So sit back, relax and enjoy your polo fix.

News

www.polotimes.co.uk

News Historic Jockey Club Open Final

The Brooke, Guatemala

SEVEN GOALER NIC Roldan has been, this year, more often associated with La Indiana in the UK’s high goal circuit, however he is also an ambassador to Brooke USA, the American fundraising arm of The Brooke. The eagle-eyed of you may have spotted Brooke’s pint-sized ponies with fundraising jackets at The Jaeger-Le Coultre Gold Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club earlier this year.

Brooke is a global animal welfare charity helping working horses, donkeys and mules, by working with owners, communities, governments and international organisations to make lasting improvements to animal welfare.

Their work in Guatemala began in 2006, working alongside local partner ESAP and this year seven goaler Nic Roldan visited Guatemala to get a full picture of the issues and challenges faced, plus where the money raised is spent.

If you missed the mini ponies at Cowdray then fear not, as you can continue to support the work of Brooke by caring for an old brick kiln donkey for £35 or train a vet for £50, plus other great gift ideas. To read more about the amazing work done by The Brooke visit thebrooke.org

Photograph by Matias Callejo

ON SATURDAY 24 September La Dolfina-El Paso Polo Ranch took on the mighty La Aguada for the 52nd Jockey Club Open title. This year was an historic Final as Lía Salvo became the first female player to win the Final of the Jockey Club Open.

The first four chukkas saw both La Dolfina-El Paso Polo Ranch, winners of the Jockey Club Open 2016 teams struggle to gain a substantial advantage. The scoreboard flitted between marginal one goal leads and even scores, as both teams played the attack but failed to maintain the lead. This meant that by the end of the fourth chukka, the score read 10-10. However, the fifth chukka saw La Dolfina-El Paso Polo Ranch begin to edge ahead, with a goal from MacDonough and a penalty from Cambiaso ending the chukka with a two goal advantage in their favour. La Aguada failed to find the goalmouth and La Dolfina-El Paso Polo Ranch’s lead continued to increase, with the final whistle ringing out to a score of 16-12. Cambiaso was named Most Valuable Player and was awarded with the Miguel Pando trophy, and La Dolfina mare Cora, played

by Cambiaso, was named Best Playing Pony. Lía Salvo was also awarded the Jockey Club Open trophy and a picture of Alejandro Moy for being the first female player to win the title.

Jockey Club Open Final teams: La Dolfina-El Paso (32): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Lía Salvo (2), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10) La Aguada (36): Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8), Guillermo Caset (10), Miguel Novillo Astrada (9) & Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9)

THE ASSOCIATION OF Polo Schools and Pony Hirers held their Annual General Meeting for all members and prospective members at Guards’ Clubhouse on Monday 3 October. The day included an outline of the 2015/6 progress with a rise in membership numbers and plans for the forthcoming year. The morning also included a short talk about first aid from Medi-K, lorry legislation and also free worm egg counts from partner Westgate Labs were handed out to members. The public consultation results from DEFRA are also now available on the DEFRA website. To read the review of the response to proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Act, which encompasses Riding Establishment Licences please visit the DEFRA website. If you would like to know more about the APSPH then please visit apsph-polo.org.uk

Photograph by Enrique Urdaneta

APSPH AGM

Nic Roldan visited Guatemala to understand the challenges faced by The Brooke

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News A Lucky Escape from Hurricane Matthew

The British Beach Polo Championships 2017 FOR THOSE OF you who visited The British Beach Polo Championships in July, the organisers would like to thank you for your support and hope that you’ll agree that the changes to the layout made it their most successful to date. Following the event they would love to hear your suggestions on how they can improve even more so please send an email with your thoughts to sm@sandpolo.com Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the British Beach Polo Championships and the dates have been set for Friday 7 July – Saturday 8 July 2017. Shortly they will be releasing a limited number of discounted tickets.

2017 Victor Ludorum and High Goal Schedule Released

THE UK WINTER season may not have even begun yet, but the dates for the Victor Ludorum tournaments, the 22+ goal tournaments and the Junior HPA and Pony Club Championships have been announced for 2017. The first of the high goal tournaments is The Prince of Wales Trophy at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club with the Semi Finals pencilled in for 16 – 17 May before the Final on 20 May. The Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter Finals start on 10 June with the Semi Finals on 14 June and the Final on 18 June. The Gold Cup begins just a week later with the Valiente, winners of The Prince of Wales Trophy 2016 Quarter Finals on 15 – 16 July, Semi Finals on 19 July and the Final on Sunday 23 July. Junior HPA and the Pony Club Championships are in the diary from 9 – 13 August. All the Victor Ludorum tournament classifications and qualifying matches remain unchanged from 2016, but with new dates announced. To see the complete list turn to our What’s On pages.

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Photograph by Lucy Wilson

2016 winners Charley Wooldridge, Roy Prisk and Jamie Morrison

THE US TRUST Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington Florida was played, in a changed format following disruption from Hurricane Matthew. The Club had postponed the tournament as the deadly Category 4 storm was making its way towards the East Coast of America after complete devastation of Haiti. With weather experts struggling to predict the true path of the storm, for the safety of members and players the Club issued a statement saying that they would re-evaluate the situation. The tournament was condensed into a one-day, round-robin format based on net goals.

In the round robin games, Flexjet defeated Newport (Guille Aguero, Jesse Bray, JJ Celis & Gene Goldstein), 5-3, and Newport edged ahead of U.S. Trust, 4-3½. U.S. Trust (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Jared Shelton & Nic Roldan) defeated Flexjet (Carlitos Gracida, Jason Crowder, Juan Bollini & Glenn Straub), 5½-3 in the third and final game of the day. Jared Sheldon won the Most Valuable Player Award and Piaget, a 10-yearold grey thoroughbred mare played by Sheldon, and owned by Halo Polo, was named Best Playing Pony.

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Polo Times, November 2016

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News Liphook Anatomy and Physiology of Laminitis and Colic Talk

Sunny Spanish Beach Polo

A HORSE THROUGH the looking glass themed talk by Liphook Equine Hospital will be held on Tuesday 15 November at Midhurst Rother College. Ever wondered what happens inside a horse when he has colic? Or what is actually going on in a pony’s foot when he has laminitis? Liphook Equine Hospital’s talk will offer a peep through the looking glass at the anatomy and physiology of these two conditions in an educational evening with some of the hospital’s vets including Professor Andy Durham, Dr Suzy Hall and Dr Victoria South. To reserve a place, please call the hospital reception team on 01428 723594.

HOTEL MARITIME CLUB Sotogrande were crowned winners of the 3rd Tarifa Beach Polo World Cup 2016 held on the Playa de Los Lances in Tarifa, Spain, organised by Isabel de Borbón from 18 – 19 September. The winning team trumped Balm Lawyers, who took second place, Scapa, third place and Credit Suisse, in fourth place, to claim the trophy. Captain for the winning was Guillermo Steta, who is the current President of the Mexico Polo Federation.

He had travelled to Tarifa expressly for this tournament, and to recognise this huge effort to participate in the tournament, Isabel de Borbón presented a medal of The Angel of Independence by appointment of the ambassador for the Mexico Polo Federation in Spain.

The prize-giving table was well laden with goodies from glasswear to polo mallets, all supplied by local sponsors.

Date for Copa El Remanso Announced

EL REMANSO POLO Club, which is situated near Lobos in Argentina have announced the date for this year’s Copa El Remanso. The tournament welcomes teams with a handicap of between 17-20 goals and will take place between October 25 – 6 November. To see more dates from Argentina please turn to our What’s On pages. To enter or for more information please email info@elremansopolo.com

THE HPA ARENA committee have announced a new series of tournaments for the 201617 UK arena season. The Victor Ludorum series in the summer incorporates five different handicap levels that are very popular for a number of teams from 18 to 6 goal at a range of different clubs around the country. The new arena series is aimed at teams between 5 and 8 goals to encourage players to visit more clubs and arenas this winter. Six of the busiest arena clubs have now confirmed their inclusion in the series, with the first tournament to be held at Westcroft Park Polo Club for the HPA National Club Championships. Druids Lodge, the Ormerod family run Club, will be the second in the fixtures list and home of the Arena Gold Cup, The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club will be the third location at the end of January. The All England Polo Club Hickstead, also the location for the Bryan Morrison International Test Match, which is tipped to be between England and the Commonwealth next March, follows fourth in the series. The home of SUPA University Arena Nationals and the Midlands Polo Festival and one of just a handful of covered arenas, Rugby Polo Club will host the penultimate fixture. The newly HPA affiliated Emsworth Polo Club and home to Simon Arber’s Four Quarters teams have yet to confirm their dates but they will also host a tournament for the series. For more information about the UK arena season turn to our feature on page 31.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph courtesy of Marie-Noelle Communications

New Arena Victor Ludorum

The pink shirts of Hotel Maritime Club dash across the sand

Polo Times, November 2016

9

News

Licorum Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel OFFERING A SPECIFIC

ONE OF THE most well-known faces at Guards Polo Club for the past 20 years, the popular pony line Steward and time keeper William Olive, died in September after a short illness. Known to all in the pony lines as “Billy Boy, he first joined Guards Polo Club as a pony line Steward in 1994 and for the next two decades he ensured games started on time, lorries were parked perfectly – fitting the boxes in the pony lines on a big day is always a work of art – and that the rules of the pony lines were followed to a “T”. Billy was regarded with affection by many people in the polo community and this was reflected in his funeral service, which was packed with patrons, players and Polo Managers past and present.

He developed a great knowledge of the game – remembering matches and results that players had long forgotten – despite having no connection with the sport until he first started work at Guards Polo Club in 1994. In fact, Billy was born in London in 1943 and spent all of his adult life as a postal worker. He started out as a telegram boy in 1958, but by the time he took early retirement in 1993, Billy was an area manager with some 200 office counters under his control.

So with time on his hands, Billy saw an advert in the local paper for Stewards at Guards Polo Club. From the moment he first walked into the Club he remained an invaluable member of the Polo Office team until ill health forced his retirement earlier this year. The work at Guards Polo Club also fitted in perfectly with his other role – Father Christmas in Santa’s Grotto. Bill was a perfect lookalike for Santa and so was a regular fixture in some of the biggest grottos in the UK. He was also the proud owner of an Equity card, allowing him to make theatre and TV appearances too.

Bill is survived by his wife Pam and her daughters and family and Guards Polo Club looks forward to welcoming them all to Smith’s Lawn in the coming seasons.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS begin for the 15th Licorum Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel, and organiser Tito Gaudenzi announced Licorum Bank as the new title sponsor and expansion plans for the 2017 edition of the tournament. The programme of the Licorum Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2017 starts with a parade of the teams on Thursday 12 January in front of Hotel zur Tenne in the very heart of Kitzbühel. From Friday 13 January to Sunday 15 January the games are scheduled for the mornings at the Münichauer Wiese in Reith near Kitzbühel.

EXPERIENCE

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Capital of Polo to Host Lipogems Veterinary Demonstration

Photograph by Revolution Sports

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

William “Billy Boy” Olive 1943 – 2016

Photograph by Martin ffrench Blake

LEADING UK LIPOGEMS vet Murray Shotter will be flying out to Argentina with the company’s CEO Martin ffrench Blake to present the latest revelation Mariano Aguerre in action for Ellerstina in the 2013 in veterinary treatments from Lipocast Biotech UK. Argentine Open Murray is working with one of Argentina’s leading vets Marcello Sperati alongside Marcos Araya, who have arranged for four polo ponies from a variety of top players to be treated at the training day, which will ty Centre, La is the brands first Located hotel in a prime po take place in Pilar during the last week oftour November.

Lipogems is galloping around the globe with new vice, for both leisure and business in guests, the UK. Leading vets from both polo and racing along with THE BOARDS OF Directors of the Offering st vets being trained the world’s top players, the veterinary university and leading surgeons have174 been invited to attend Museum of Polo and Hall of Fameefficient and out.

This hotel offers stylish and with Hotel LaTour 4PS V4.indd 34-35 the day of live practical demonstrations on the Lipogems procedure and discussions. with state in Florida has announced that the dicated conference floor contemporary of the bedro Nominating Committee has made its The procedures are a new technique for harvesting and administering regenerative cells 24 Hour GYM. selection of individuals who will join the into damaged tissues. Whilst stem cell therapies have been around for a while, they have exceptional group of men, women and in traditional applications, not had great results and the costs had remained high. The use horses in the Museum’s Hall of Fame for of filtered adipose tissue in the Lipogems technique has revolutionised the recovery time, 2017. Mariano Aguerre, John ‘Jackie’ potency of viable cells and therefore overall success and recovery of the ponies treated. wist on a great British tradition immerse yourself Murphy, Leverett S. Miller, George Lipogems sees a 95% success rate. Lipogems were also featured in our August 2016 issue perience that is Marco Pierre White’ s first ‘English equine athletes Chicken and of Polo Times, visit www.polotimes.co.uk to order a back issue. ng restaurant concept has its origins Miller inand18th century Nebraska Sunset are all to be inducted. ses were created for businessmen to conduct their The Awards, Gala and Induction of cooked meats washed down with fine wines and Ceremony will take place at the Museum m also available. of Polo in Florida on Friday 17 February 2017. If you would like to join in the ve a 10% discount off your stay and a free glass celebration to welcome these legendary THE 8 GOAL England team consisting of George Shelton (1), Alec Banner-Eve (2) and Mr White's English Chophouse. individuals to the Polo Hall of Fame, you Kaveh Atrak (1), with the last player to be confirmed, will play against other international may purchase seats for the dinner up to a teams for The 10th Manipur Polo International Tournament in November 2016 at the historic week in advance. Reservations are $250 polo ground. Manipur, North East India, is the birthplace of the modern game of polo and Hotel LaTour 4PS V4.indd 34 each (tax deductible portion $125). To the Manipuri breed of small ponies are descended from those used by polo players from the gham B5 5JT order tickets email polomuseum@att.net British Army in the first polo matches in 1859.

USA Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

England Team Announced for Manipur

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10 Polo Times, November 2016 @Hotel_LaTour

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OFFERING A SPECIFIC

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HPA News handicap -4-0 goals and the maximum individual handicap of 1 goal. Hipwood will be for players under 14 with the team handicap -8- -5 and the maximum individual handicap of 0 goal.

All ages are taken as at 1 January 2017.

Further information is available on the HPA website under Development.

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Arena Dates HPA National Tournaments There will be two HPA National Championship Tournaments held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club this winter and an additional tournament to the series at Westcroft Park Polo Club. The HPA Christmas National Club Championships (4-6 & 13-15 goal) from 12 – 27 November.

The HPA National Club Championships (5-8 goal) from 2 – 11 December. The HPA New Year National Club Championships (1-3 & 10-12) from 4 – 22 January. The Arena Gold Cup will run from 10 – 25 February 2016.

For more dates for your diary please turn to What’s On page 74.

Meeting Dates Council Arena mid-season handicap

Development News Overseas Training The Development Committee has selected the following to attend a training course with Buster Mackenzie in South Africa from 13 – 23 December: Wilbur Millard, Marcus Speed, Ed Walker, Connor Kay, Aleksander Horvat and Louis Heard.

Pony Welfare The HPA Welfare Committee would like to remind all members that they have a responsibility year round for the welfare of their horses. Please ensure they receive the necessary care this winter and if you have any concerns for pony welfare or queries relating to welfare please contact the HPA.

The British Junior Polo Championships The Tournament Committee has now agreed that next summer Buckmaster will be for players under 19-years-old with the team handicap of 0-3 goals. Rocksavage will be for players under 17 with the team

Coaching Qualifications The following had their Coaching Qualifications ratified during the 2016 season: Coach: Ross Ainsley Club Instructor: Christopher Milton, John Martin, Juan Araya

Thursday 17 November Monday 14 December

STOP PRESS

Cavalry and Guards Club, London Sunningdale

As Polo Times was about to go to press David Woodd contacted us to update our readers on the latest news regarding the Home Office’s recent decision regarding visas.

During this last season, compliance officers from the Office for UK Visa and Immigration visited 15 sponsors. We were aware of the visits and that the Home Office is keen to reduce numbers coming here. I had to go to the UKVI in Sheffield on 7 Oct and was informed that of those nonEEA nationals here on visas, the approximate split was 90% grooms and 10% players and that they did not believe that all of those were either internationally established at the highest level or developing the sport at the highest level in the UK. They said that this was borne out for grooms who by the compliance visits where non-EEA grooms were being used by ancillary businesses associated with polo rather than for the benefit of the game. They conducted 15 such visits this season and currently all those 15 licenses have been suspended. In addition, the HPA has been suspended from issuing any endorsements until the new criteria have been agreed. This will be hugely detrimental to the sport here in England and for our own players. It raises many questions as to who qualifies for what and what is meant by what!

BACKGROUND • Tier 2 (Sportsperson): for players and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level in the UK • Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting): is for players and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and/or whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level in the UK • Both Tier 2 and Tier 5 endorsements are subject to the post not being able to be filled by a suitable settled worker (EEA national).

INTENDED HOME OFFICE CHANGES • The Highest Level – Is classified as High and Medium goal polo.

• A Sponsor – Will only be available to teams playing at the highest level (as above).

• Polo Players – 5 goals and above, playing in teams at the highest level (as above).

• Grooms – Grooms travelling with non-EEA players in teams playing at the highest level (as above).

CURRENT POSITION – THE HOME OFFICE HAVE STOPPED THE HPA FROM ENDORSING ANY APPLICATIONS UNTIL NEW CRITERIA ARE AGREED.

NEXT STEPS • HPA will consult the PPA (Professional Players Association) and other employer bodies within the sport.

• HPA will take legal advice.

• It is clear that the intended changes are detrimental to the sport, to pony welfare, safety of players, and the national and local economy.

• English players will be disadvantaged here and overseas, and the production of English polo ponies will be severely reduced.

The HPA will consolidate a robust challenge to these intended changes.

This news came in as Polo Times was going to press, so we had no opportunity to gather a response from the polo community. If you have a comment, opinion or suggestion regarding this news, please do get in touch with Polo Times at letters@polotimes.co.uk

12

Polo Times, November 2016

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HPA News HPA End of Season Handicaps 2016 Handicap changes were agreed at the End of Season Handicap Meetings 2016. The changes are subject to ratification by the Stewards’ meeting on 25 October, the new handicaps will be effective from 1 January 2017.

First Name Miguel Rodrigo Juan Eduardo Nicolas Frederick Juan Marcos Alberto Jack James Michel Juan Julian Alejo Satnam Dirk Juan Cruz Chris Tom Henry Andrew Oliver Edward Isidro Ross Santiago Alfonso Garvy Joevy Federico Derreck Sebastian Gaston Michael Greg Lorenzo Fabio Juan Cruz Martin Roddy Buatista Jose Martine Juan Cruz Nicolas Miguel Tim Juan Jose Tomas Benjamin John Tommy Edmund Bhawani Pedro Federico Manuel Fergus Byron Dillon Jack Nick Crispin Edward Cruz Jack Charlie James Ariel Sergio Tariq Christian Jim Oliver Robert Corentin James Will Johnathan Martin George Ed James Joshua

Surname Novillo Astrada de Andrade Nero Novillo Astrada Pieres Mannix Merlos Di Paola Heguy Baillieu Beim del Carril Britos De Lusarreta de Tarenco Stirling Dhillon Gould Guevara Hyde Morley Brett Hine Hipwood Hitchman Strada Ainsley Moyano Pieres Beh Beh Boudou Bratley Dawnay Devrient Howe Keyte Larumbe Lavinia Merlos Roman Williams Bello Leal Araya Martelli Ruiz Guinazu Ayala Bown de Alba Elliot Malasomma Martin Morgan Parsons Singh Ferrero Gonzalez Bergez Marchi Prentice Watson Bacon Berner Clague Matthews Morris-Lowe Novillo Astrada Taylor Walton Wayland Lugo Martins De Oliveira Albwardy Badenhop Gilmore Jones Jornayvaz (Jr) Mahe Nicholson Spencer Willen Young Amor Batchelor Beresford Cork

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Past Handicap (9) 9 9 9 9 (8) (8) (8) (7) Restricted 7 7 7 (6) 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 (4) (4) (4) (4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 (3) Restricted (3) Restricted (3) (3) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (1) Restricted (1) Restricted (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 1 1 1 1

New Handicap NR 8 10 8 8 8 8 7 NR 6 6 6 6 7 7 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 6 4 3 4 3 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 3 NR (2) Restricted 3 4 4 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 1 3 3 1 3 CF 1 3 1 (2) Restricted (2) Restricted 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 2

First Name Ollie Patrick Aidan Kian Stephen Hazel Cody Terence Edward Tomas Segundo Thomas Henry M Guy Thomas Algy Padmanabh Archie David Gerardo Maximilliano Janie Helie Philippa Rory Howard Sherri-Lyn Kevin Delwar Vinod Robin Emma Robert Santiago Edward Tamiur Saif Manuel Jessie Jason Alejandro Eric Andrew David Rosendo Lance Joe Emma Jayne Lucy Robert Charles Alexander Marcus Tariq Tom Nicolas Max Julian Thor Greg India Will Cameron Guy Lottie Dominic Oscar James Tom William Clive Nicolas Jamie Britt Lisa Hugo Marcos Alex Luke Luca Alexandra Clare Michael

Surname Cork Ephson Farrell Hall Hutchinson Jackson Jones Lent Magor Marin-Moreno Merlos Meyrick Porter Richardson Schwarzenbach Severn Sim Singh Smyth-Osbourne Stone Altamirano Fernandez Amero de Pourtales Denison-Davies Ferguson Guy-Harding Hensman James Kang Kumar Lourvanji McCarthy Morrison Moyano Jnr Nicholson Noon Noon Novillo Astrada Ollivier Ollivier Penafiel Snr Popp Speight Spragg Torreguitar Weaver Arber Boers Bowman Brockett Cooney Cooper Cork Dag Khan Dalton-Morgan de Poligny Dear Frost Gilje Greening Hall Hopkins Houston Hume Lamacraft Lodge Luard McCarthy Parry-Jones Penfold Reid Samaran Scott Shaw Spiers Taylor Vivian de la Pedrosa Webb Wiles Zindel Anderson Ashby Ball

Past Handicap 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (0) Restricted (0) Restricted (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (-1) (-1) (-1)

New Handicap 2 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 2 2 NR 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 2 0 (1) Restricted (2) Restricted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 1 1 -1 -1 0

Polo Times, November 2016

13

HPA News First Name David Lucas Deborah Tom James Robert Liam Antonia Shane Charlotte Jayna Lulu Lucia Tom Alex Jade Deborah Clifton Stephanie Livi Eric Emanuel Thomas Ben Christian Johnny Florence Nicola Andrey Holly Rhianne Christian Alexei Anthony Leonard Segundo Jo Ivan George Amelie Craig Nick Ray Lorna James Henry Shirley Sarah Jonathan George Jonathan Will Daisy Cruz Ned Milly Michael Azeez Freddie Charles Elio George Luke Charlie Susie Patrick Kevin Montgomery Charlie Katie Jonathan Dayna Max Elodie Skye Jane Scott Andrew Mark Pippa Emily Alya Jack Ehab Cathra Huzaima Sumaya Flemming Patrick

14

Surname Benest Bertola Boorman Boyce Crossley de By Du Preez Paterson Fichtner Finemore Harris Henderson Hutley Mander Morrison Pilato Pinkney Stead Yeo Young Alderman Appen Arber Barlow Barnes Barnes Beck-Brown Berner Bonito-Oliva Borodin Butler Byrne Calvert-Ansari Camplin Cunningham Darritchon Davies de Poligny Deverall Draper Dyball Farnhill Fine Fleming Frankum Fuller Gallon Grant Hadley-Piggin Hankinson Hare Harper Hatfield Heguy Hine Hine Irlam Jaafar Jodrell Knott Leoni Sceti Marsden Norris Peagram Richards Robinson Shaw Swain-Grainger Tighe Vickery Vickery Waechter Weatherby Avarguez Gilmore Ingleby Pryor Reid Rose Vincent Wilson Al Awlaqi Aldridge Allam Al-Rifai Al-Rifai Al-Rifai Anderson Anson

Polo Times, November 2016

Past Handicap (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) Restricted (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2

New Handicap -1 -1 -1 (-1) Restricted 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

First Name John Richard Johannes Charlie Jonty Frankie Nick Dean Adrian Giles Josh Charles Hubert Toby Leo Bradley Pippa Michael Oli Elli Mhairi Charlotte Lizzie Carl Nick George Honor Christabel Brina Alexander Harry Perdy Alfie Santos Harry Lucy Tom Matt Alina Sam Ben Andrew Caroline Hammad Oliver Anna Stefan Kate Peter Benjamin Amy Jade Natasha Roland Gearoid Philip Nereda Olympia Michael Nigel Rayahan Tripurdaman Richard Marcus Emma Ida Vadim Edward Hassan Roxana Alexander Victoria James Alex David Robert Moses Olly Louis Andrew Matthew Jamie Matthew Franco Emily Rupert Alexander Charles

Surname Bagley Baker Banner Barker Barlow Barlow Barraclough Bassett Beasley Boothman Boyd Broadbent-Combe Buiatti Call Dettori Dommett Dwan Edwards Fanshawe Gilje Gould Hankinson Harris Hartwell Hewson Horswell Horswell Horvat Horvat Hull Humfrey Hyde Iriarte Irlam Jacobsen Jodrell Jones Kastner Lawrence Lawrence Lawson Mair Malik Melvill Menshenina Mieczkowska Miezckowska Munnoch Newbery Nizolek Nunn Oakshett Oakshett O’Connor Owen Parry-Joyner Paus Popp Prescott Sherlala Singh Speaight Speed Talbot-Rice Thore Turcanu Tyrrell Usman Valea Welham Williams-Gray Wilson Wood Barlow Cameron Fiddian Green Gardner Heard Kendall-Weaver Kenna Kirkham Limond Mancini Price Warre Watton Wright

Past Handicap -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 S S S S S S S S S S S S S S

New Handicap -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

End of list www.polotimes.co.uk

FIP News

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

Photography courtesy of FIP

The 91st FIP Ambassadors Cup in Rome

The 91st FIP Ambassadors Cup was held at the beautiful Roma Polo Club in the Eternal City, Rome. Organised by Daniel Garcia, who also captained the winning team La Ginevra, the Roma Polo Club is proud of their record of hosting the largest number of Ambassador Tournaments in the past few years. Special social events were held to celebrate the 91st

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Lawyers Polo at Santa Maria Polo Club

FIP Ambassador’s Cup: two amazing dinners, one organised by the captains of the teams Puccio Natale and Stefano Giansanti and the other by the president of Roma Polo Club, Cataldo D’Andria.

At the Executive Committee Meeting held recently in Berlin during the FIP European Championships, approval and support was given to the Zone Director, Piero Dillier’s proposal that the Federation should consider running the first FIP Ladies European Championship. It was Piero’s idea that it could run at Chantilly Polo Club concurrently with the playoffs for the 14 Goal FIP World Polo Championships in April/ May 2017. It is hoped that we will be able to encourage entries from England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain to this inaugural event, which recognises the tremendous growth of ladies’ polo within our sport.

Congratulations to the three FIP Ambassadors who played in the recent Lawyers Polo event, which was held at Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande.

It was good to see Farouk Younis, Piero Dillier and Guillermo (Billy) Steta the President of the Mexican Polo Federation all enjoying the event.

Finally, my update would not be complete without a report on the World Polo Championships being staged in Australia in October 2017 at the Sydney Polo Club who are working in close conjunction with the Australian Polo Federation and Destination New South Wales, a State Government initiative. FIP have now signed the Heads of Agreement with Sydney Polo Club and they will all be working closely with Peter Prendiville, the FIP Zone D Director, and the FIP Office in Buenos Aires to ensure the event will be an occasion to remember. I recall attending the last World Championships held in Melbourne in 2001 and if that was anything to go by this will be an event well worth putting in your diary.

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Jan Cavalli wears the classic Principe pampeano polo belt and carries the new Caballero travel bag from pampeano, which features butter-soft leather, luxurious pale-blue suede lining and hand-woven pampa diamonds pampeano is available from John Lewis and online at www.pampeano.co.uk

Feature

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas We have picked some of our favourite gift ideas for all the family this Christmas so you don’t have to... instead enjoy your evenings sipping sloe gin and lounging by the fire rather than trudging around the high street!

For Her

Andrea, pure Swiss Cotton Jersey Glove, £70 www.corneliajames.com

©Brooke/Freya Dowson

Bronze Greek Horse Necklace, £24.99 www.britishmuseumshoponline.org

Mount! Jilly Cooper, £14.99 www.waterstones.com Personalised Moët, Blanc 75cl, £60 from Selfridges London uk.moet.com

Train a vet, provide comprehensive training for a government or local animal healthcare provider to set up a veterinary practice, £50 www.thebrooke.org

Suede Lined Kneepads With Velcro Fastening, £96 www.satsfaction.com

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Polo Times, November 2016

Nacho Figueras presents Wild One

by Jessica Whitman, £7.99 www.nachofigueraspresents.com

Spanish Riding Boot Classic, from £245 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

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Gift Guide Harry Rocks Constellation Collection, £165 www.harryrocks.com

Players: A Game of Grit and Glory,

by E. H. Humphreys, £9.27 www.amazon.co.uk Rico Zipped Purse in Havana brown leather with Bandera blue suede lining, £119 www.pampeano.co.uk The Polo Magazin e

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Feature

Christmas Gift Guide

For Him

Garmence Christmas Box Set, available in denominations of £50, £100 & £150 www.garmence.com Raise Your Game, £20 www.quillerpublishing.com

Crossed polo mallet cufflinks, £35 www.rjpolo.com

Dundas London, £110 linen (cornflower), £88 brushed cotton (blackwatch) www.dundaslondon.com

IGO Adventures, N60 The Norwegian Challenge 2017 (11 – 19 March 2017), from £4,750pp www.igoadventures.com/n60

Stephens Polo Knee Guards, Havana Italian leather knee guards with HKT/Gel technology for impact absorption, £175.50 (inc VAT) www.worldwidetack.com Texan Style Polo Boots, £425.00 www.satsfaction.com

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Christmas Gift Guide

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Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon, from £18 www.uiglodge.co.uk Estribos Pony Club Belt, £46 www.estribos.co.uk

Caballero Travel Bag in black leather with Bandera Blue suede lining, £745 www.pampeano.co.uk

Lovel Jacket from the St.James Capsule, £581.40 www.lamartina.com

La Martina Men’s Classic Polo Whites, £119 www.lamartina.com or in store at 23 Jermyn Street, London

British Polo Gin Botanical & London Dry, £37 www.britishpologin.co.uk

La Martina Men’s Gloves, £45 www.lamartina.com

www.polotimes.co.uk

Wood Mallets 4 player Garden Croquet set, £229 (Exc VAT) + P&P www.woodmallets.com

Polo Times, November 2016

21

Feature

Christmas Gift Guide

For Everyone

Winora Radius e-bike This compact e-bike is perfectly suited to polo, from stick and balling in the garden to putting it on the lorry to ride around at matches. £1995.00 www.ecycleuk.com Car & Day & Martin’s Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Barrier, 500ml £16.75 www.cardaymartin.co.uk

TITAN High Impact Sport Air Boots (set of 4), with proven thermo-regulating abilities, ultra lightweight, and cushioned, £125 www.thehusk.co.uk

Rowell Spurs and Straps, £34 www.satsfaction.com

Polo caricatures, signed digital copy printed to fit 42cmx30cm mount, £POA www.katesart.com or paintbrush@katesart.com

Cielo lurcher dog collar in Havana brown leather with two shades of blue and grey stitching, £39 www.pampeano.co.uk

Cocoon Style Luxury Beds, £98.99 www.teddymaximus.com

Pernaton Gel Forte, ideal for warming up or for relief following exercise, £11.95 www.pernaton.co.uk

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Christmas Gift Guide

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Award winning artisan Welsh cheese, handmade using traditional methods and the finest raw milk.

Prices from £4-£9 www.teificheese.co.uk

The Age of the Horse, £20 www.atlantic-books.co.uk

Stallion Sculpture, cold cast bronze, £135 www.britishmuseumshoponline.org

Sloe Gin, limited Christmas release of 150 bottles, £39.95 www.britishpologin.co.uk

Bespoke animal portraits drawn from photographs, from £140(A4)-£450(A1) for a head/neck coloured pencil drawing. www.eilammc.com

Stirrup Keyring, £7.50 www.rjpolo.com

Stephens Polo Boots, men’s long riding boots in brown Havana leather, made to measure also available, from £650 www.worldwidetack.com

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times gift subscription, 11 issues from £65 www.polotimes.co.uk/01452 730770

Gel-Eze Super Wither ‘Octopus’ Pad, Highly recommended for high withered ponies, £45.46 www.worldwidetack.com

Polo Times, November 2016

23

Comment

Your Views

Letter of the month The writer of letter of the month wins a bottle of British Polo Gin @britishpologin 18 years and over only

Letters

Write to the editor in the following ways: w letters@polotimes.co.uk wL etters, Polo Times, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane,

Bishops Norton, Glos GL2 9LN

Dear Sir, In response to Mark Robson’s letter (Polo Times September 2016) re polo at the Olympics. Note, I’m a glass half full kind of person...

On one hand I agree, polo, and the Cresta Run, are the last two remaining bastions of true amateur sport with little sponsorship and no prize money and so therefore encapsulate the spirit of the Olympics.

I fear though that since equestrian sports in general are under serious threat of being culled from the Olympic programme in general (and note, the equestrian sports currently represented require only one horse, one groom etc), it’s hardly likely that polo will be given serious consideration.

Polo should look to join the World Equestrian Games programme which is also on a four year cycle, and, as important as it is to dream big, I doubt that polo, in its truest and purest and therefore only real form (four on four with the best ponies and players possible) will ever really be considered as a viable Olympic sport in our modern age.

My glass will always remain half full because of the opportunities in general sport provides at all levels.

Kind Regards, Carina Evans

Quick Question The 2017 Victor Ludorum dates have been announced, as reported on in this issue, what changes are there for the qualifying tournaments listed for 2017?

A: Turn to page 74 to check your answer.

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For more information or to book a test ride please visit the website www.ecycleuk.com or telephone 01453 299171 email sales@ecycleuk.com

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24

Polo Times, November 2016

10 John Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2HA Opening Times: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 - 5:30 Going green, doesn’t just mean your own foot or pedal power.

Electric bicycles are for many the transport of the future.

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@WorldSeriesPolo All’s well in Wellington!

Safe to mount your #polo ponies for a leisurely posthurricane ride down the back streets.

@NicRoldan Day 1 of @TheBrooke trip: Sacatepequez to Zacapa, beautiful to see the relationship between boy and donkey

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@uspoloassociation The Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame has just announced their 2017 inductees. Find out who made the list by following the link in our bio!

Juan Lamarca #polomuseum #polopony

@hampoloclub End of season party 2016…

Fancy dress chukka… hunting party with fox and hounds #hampoloclub #hampolo #polotimes #endofseasonparty #fancydress #horseandhound #hunting #polo #richmond #london

@NicRoldan for those of you in check out last nights episode of #HowTheOtherHalfLives, where I chatted with @ EamonnHolmes my5.tv

Polo Times, November 2016

25

Property Focus Sales & Rental

I

am pleased to report that over the past month agents have reported that the market has continued to thrive with premium properties selling rapidly. The current market does indicate that despite concerns in the media of economic uncertainty, top quality equestrian, country and town properties all over the country are still very much in demand.

As with the classic car, wine and art market, house hunters are prepared to pay a premium for a quality and sound investment.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have advertised properties since the launch of the Property Section earlier in the year.

If you would like to advertise your property please do get in touch via your agent or personally, for a private and discreet conversation.

Tel: 01452 730 770/07969 456 214 Email: richard@polotimes.co.uk

For Rent Upp Hall, Braughing, Hertfordshire Detached cottage with stables, menage and grazing land £2250pcm

We are pleased to offer this three bedroom cottage in a rural location on the outskirts of the village of Braughing and part of the stunning Upp Hall Estate. The house is offered unfurnished and with the benefit of replacement windows.

The grounds include: • 8 stables • Menage facility • 5-10 acres of grazing land (flexible) • Tack Room • Feed Store • Purpose built muck heap • Direct off-road hacking • Post and rail fencing • Available now

Please contact Jac Hicks for more information: jac@russellpp.co.uk or 01279 501500

The most valuable thing you own is time; How will you spend it?

Golf, Polo, Tennis, Luxury Villa Sales and Rentals Family Owned and Operated with 385 years of Barbadian Heritage.

Country Club opening mid 2016.

For further information contact Linda Williams at linda@apeshillclub.com or call (246) 432-4500

the

28

Big

Polo Times, November 2016

picture

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NovemberNovemberX Polo on the Plains NovemberNovemberNovemberX The Hackett Army team recently went on their second tour to Mongolia and photographer Sam Churchill was their official delegate w NovemberNovemberNovember for recording the events as the Hackett Army Polo team worked alongside the Mongolian Army to select and train ponies as well as give lessons before playing for the IM Power Trophy. This is just one of many shots from their travels across the base of the Steppe to play, train and work with the Mongolian Army and their famous ponies. To read more about the tour, turn to Military Polo on page 60. A more extensive feature of the images will also be in the Winter issue of The Polo Magazine. To see more of Sam’s pictures visit samchurchillphotography.co.uk w Photograph by Sam Churchill

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Polo Times, November 2016

29

THE HOME & HEART OF ARENA POLO

Principal Photography by Gillian Hughes

The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club invites you to play in the: NOVEMBER

JANUARY

Sat 5th - 6th

Weekend Tournaments

4-6 / 7-10

Sat 12th - 27th

HPA National Club Championships

1-3 / 10-12

Supported by The Hurlingham Polo Association

Tues 6th - 22nd

HPA New Year National Club Championships 4-6 / 13-15 Supported by The Hurlingham Polo Association

Sat 28th - 29th

Ladies Tournament

0-4

Tue 31st - 5th Feb

Winter VL Tournament

5-8

DECEMBER Sat 3rd - 4th

Weekend Tournamnet

0-4

FEBRUARY

Sat 3rd - 10th

The Paul Castle High Goal Challenge

12 - 15

Sat 4th - 5th

FCT Invitational Challenge Trophy

12 - 15

Sat 17th - 18th

The Chairman’s Trophy

4-6

Sat 11th - 12th

Weekend Tournament

0-4

Sat 17th - 18th

Arena Challenge Trophy

7 - 10

Tues 7th - 12th

The Olin Trophy

7 - 10

Sat 30th - Mon 2nd Jan The Richmond Trophy

4-6

Tues 13th - 19th

The Katie Tunn Trophy

4-6

Sat 30th - Mon 2nd Jan The Metropolitan Trophy

10 - 12

Tues 13th - 25th

The Arena Gold Cup

13 -15

Find out more about the social events across the Winter season at: w. poloclub.uk f. facebook.com/rcbpc t. twitter.com/rcbpoloclub 01344 890060

Arena Polo Focus

Feature

RICHARD BLAKE THOMAS (5) Richard started learning at Epsom Polo Club under John Horswell way back in the midnineties, he worked there for two years when he was about 17-yearsold. 16 years on and he now runs Westcroft Park Polo Club, is still going strong and loving the arena game.

SEBASTIAN DAWNAY (7)

Playing polo in the arena could improve your outdoor game regardless of your handicap

A

s the nights draw in the summer polo season seems like a distant dream, but it needn’t be a cold-turkey situation if you are prepared to don a few thermal layers. For many years, arena polo has been the best training ground for schools and universities, but why shouldn’t it be as popular as its summer sister for mainstream patrons and professionals? Yes it’s cold, dark and it

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rains quite a bit, but then the first couple of months of the past summer seasons have been just as dark and dank. The potential for improving your game, keeping your horses going and maintaining your fitness at its peak is perhaps worth a winter sport investment for any polo player, professional, patron or amateur. Lucy Wilson chats to four players, patrons and professionals alike, who are also members of the Arena Committees.

Photograph courtesy United States Polo Association

In or Out? Lucy Bowman clears the ball for SUPA Britain in the 2015 Youth Townsend Cup in America

Sebastian first took to the arena back in 1998 when he worked for John Collins and his Talacrest young horse programme alongside Jonny Good and Chris Hyde. He then went on to play and win the Arena Gold Cup in 1998, after having won the outdoor Gold Cup at Cowdray in 1996 and joins a small elite group, which includes Michael Amoore who have won both. He had a break from arena for a while but went back to play at Ash Farm after a call from the late Paul Sweeney in 2005 a year before he joined the HPA Arena Committeein 2006.

SIMON ARBER (1) Simon started playing arena at the same time as he started riding and playing field polo back in 2006. As a novice rider he found it was a safer environment in which to learn. Simon owns Emsworth Polo Club, which affiliated to the HPA in 2015 and runs all year round.

His team Four Quarters is a regular on both the arena and grass circuits with success in both.

RICHARD, THE EARL OF TYRONE (8) Richard had been playing practices for about seven years in the arena, but his first competition in the arena was in the 2015-16 winter season with Simon Arber, who invited him to play on his team and they won the 12 goal HPA National Club Championships and the Arena Gold Cup.

Polo Times, November 2016

31

Feature

Arena Polo Focus

Riding for Polo – Does Arena Polo Help?

Photograph courtesy of Sebastian Dawnay

Anything that keeps you in the saddle consistently is going to see you improve regardless of your handicap. Professional players Sebastian Dawnay and Richard Blake Thomas echoed each other’s answers when asked about the advantages of arena polo for improvement of skills. Dawnay said, “100% yes, both my riding and my short game improved. I also found that I would become stale playing grass polo as I moved from summer to summer around the globe.

Arena changed the game for me, it was like going from tennis to squash.” Blake Thomas commented, “Of course, the arena game is everything that happens outdoors, but intensified. Stick work, play making, riding skills and decision making all happen in such a short space of time, when you get outdoors you feel like you have so much space and time, from every perspective and aspect of the game.” Seasoned arena patron and Emsworth Polo Club owner Simon Arber, who is a new name on the Arena Committee this year said, “Patrons can improve their game, particularly their riding by playing in the arena. It’s also cheaper (and colder) than going to Argentina.” To use a quote from Winston Churchill, “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle,” even if it is under floodlights in the depths of December.

A throw back to the 1998 Gold Cup, Ashfronts won with a line-up of Caspar West (substituting for Paul Sweeney who had broken his fingers), Sebastian Dawnay, Chris Hyde and Paul Sweeney

Fitness – Forget the Gym Who needs to go and slog it out in a spin class with a room full of sweaty post-work people when you could jump on a pony and play some chukkas? The Earl of Tyrone, who took up competitive arena polo in the 2015/16 winter season told us, “It’s a great

Indoor arena polo landed on our shores back in the early 80s courtesy of the late Bryan Morrison, whom we affectionately remember as the Godfather of arena polo for his endeavours to bring this new sport to the winter months of the UK. It is fair to say that it is a very different sport to our favourite summer pastime, other than there being some people on ponies hitting a ball with a mallet, the resemblance ends there. The rules, the number of players, the kind of pony you need to play, even umpires are all different. Having said all that, the skill needed is in some ways much greater. The game, due to being played in an enclosed space, requires superquick reactions, a forthright mind-set to plan your plays, snooker-like angle reading skills for ball vs wall shots and no fear of wearing thermal base-layers.

The arena has also become an excellent location for starting players off in the game, the enclosed space, soft surface and low cancellation rates for games and lessons is a perfect environment for those new to the sport to get to grips with steering a polo pony around and hitting the ball. Coaches have an easier time as well, lessons go a bit smoother when your students are all within earshot, and you don’t have to worry about that over keen chap who has been for three lessons and reckons he can gallop the length of the pitch unsupervised.

The youth market has flourished over the last few decades with scores of super-keen students taking up the sport, adding to the popularity of the arena game, especially as the winter season falls during two out of the three academic terms for students.

It may also surprise you to know that a number of the changes made in the summer season rules have been well tried and tested in the arena first. The Sin Bin, first made its appearance in the HPA Green Book for the Arena Rules before it became part of the summer rules with great success. Having spoken to Sebastian Dawnay who has been on the Arena Committee and Arena Rules Committee for many years, his passion for progress, in both sports, was more than evident when he discussed the development of the concept of positive and negative play ethos that has been the most progressive tool for umpires and players in the arena.

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Polo Times, November 2016

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Indoor to Outdoor – Why Play Arena Polo?

The Arena Gold Cup is one of the most sought after trophies in the arena fixtures list

www.polotimes.co.uk

Arena Polo Focus

Feature

New Arena Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal Series Dates

Photograph by Lucy Wilson

l Westcroft Park – National Club Championship (Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal): 2 – 11 December l Druids Lodge – Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal: 24 – 29 January l RCBPC – Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal: January 31 – 5 February l AEPC, Hickstead – Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal: 8 – 12 February l Rugby – Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal: 21 – 26 February l Emsworth – Victor Ludorum 5-8 Goal: TBC

Ed Banner-Eve stealing the ball from Charlotte Sweeney during the 2015 edition of the Paul Sweeney Memorial Trophy in 2015

Ball Skills – Short Plays Rule Richard, the Earl of Tyrone highlights, “You learn to have a lot more strength in the saddle and it also helps hugely with your close ball control.” The intensity of the game in a small space and the speed at which it can be played means that not only do all three members of the team need to contribute to play, but everybody has less time to decide what shot they need. The need for short plays will only hone hand-eye co-ordination and stand players in better stead for accuracy on the field in the summer. The improvements in umpiring and the emphasis on positive and negative play, alongside the introduction of continuous play over the last few years has also made the game flow a lot better. Some had commented the game had become dull, when players found that dribbling the ball round the outside of the arena always lead to a goal. Hit and run, is the way forward now and you need to be able to use all the shots, nearside and offside so there is no escaping a tricky shot – perfect for patrons who want to work on their nearside-forehand before the summer.

way to keep fit and improve your skills for the summer.” The intensity of the game will really hone your fitness if you keep up the game in the winter, so by the time you make it back out on the grass you will be well ahead those who opted to stay at home all weekend. Nothing beats chukkas and games, as a workout for polo, replicating it in the gym, pool or exercise classes are impossible.

You are also less likely to be prone to injuries come the summer by maintaining your riding and polo fitness. Blake Thomas pointed out, “It also makes that warm fire and a pint on a Saturday evening in front of the rugby feel very well deserved.” A few points to consider to prevent any injuries; arena balls can be hard work so make sure you have a good selection of sticks that will work for you and your hitting technique to avoid any repetitive strain injuries. Another key area that is aided by improved fitness for Arber is, “It keeps you riding fit, it improves your riding and increases your confidence due to the www.polotimes.co.uk

frequency of contact and the close nature of the sport.”

The Arena Polo Pony – Different Ponies?

Arber makes a very good point about ponies in the arena, “The public are up close and personal when you play arena. Many of them have an equestrian background, plenty don’t.

Overly aggressive play is magnified, and lack of care for the horse’s welfare in some of the plays is there for all to see. I love the full-on nature of arena, it’s a real adrenalin fix, but the horse’s safety should always be given priority. It didn’t choose to be there, I did.” The pony power needed for the arena is the most important point to consider for this winter pastime. Many players find that it is great for their older ponies, they keep them in and moving which is always a plus for the older generation of ponies who might struggle to keep condition. The consistency of playing on an all-weather surface produces

a full list of November arena dates For and key winter dates please turn to page 74.

Arena Polo Committee: Michael Amoore (Chairman), Simon Arber, John Bunn, Phil Baker, Sebastian Dawnay, Marcus Hancock, Francis Matthews, Jamie Morrison & Giles Ormerod Arena Rules Committee: Marcus Hancock (Chairman), Michael Amoore, Simon Arber, Tim Bown, Sebastian Dawnay, Nacho Gonzalez, Francis Matthews, Roddy Matthews, Giles Ormerod & Howard Smith Arena International Committee: Michael Amoore (Chairman), Richard Blake Thomas, John Bunn, Marcus Hancock & Giles Ormerod Arena Handicap Committee: Marcus Hancock (Chairman), Michael Amoore, Simon Arber, Tim Bown, Sebastian Dawnay, Simon McDonald & Giles Ormerod

Polo Times, November 2016

33

Arena Polo Focus

fewer issues than soft-to-hard-to-wet summer grounds. Some professionals also find it an excellent environment to work youngsters, an enclosed space is always better for the introduction of tack, sticks and balls, but it also means you can get the riding basics nailed ready for their first chukkas in the summer. Having said this, if you plan to play in St Moritz or pop along the M40 to Dallas Burston Polo Club’s 2.4 acre arena you might need to reconsider which ponies you keep in for the winter. Blake Thomas adds that you need, “Ponies with big fur coats! For competitive polo it is the handier horses you need of course particularly in the smaller arenas like Berkshire, Emsworth and Druids Lodge, but with the big arenas it is a great way to bring on green horses, they learn really quickly especially in traffic. All the horses I breed come through the arena. Other players like Roddy Matthews and Olly Hipwood use the arena for youngsters too.”

Photograph courtesy of Dallas Burston Polo Club

Feature

You might need to rethink your pony power if you are playing in the Dallas Burston Super Arena

understand. “There is always some young chap who is six stone, soaking wet and is like smoke when you try to mark him.” Of course it’s hard to know who to watch until the team entries start to roll in, but Blake Thomas highlighted a couple of the top professionals that we might see in the team lists this winter, “Simon Arber had great success last year, and I presume will look to

It’s not everyone’s favourite subject but lets face it, polo is not a poor man’s sport but sometimes the vet/farrier/feed/team entry/bar bill can make you wince a bit and hope your other half doesn’t want to help with the tax return. The other plus side of arena polo, is that it can be considerably cheaper than grass polo. Granted you will need to rent boxes and the shavings and haylage bill will go up, but you won’t need as many ponies. Team entries are typically much less, memberships and even your HPA membership are also less. On the other upside, all-weather arenas mean fewer cancellations so you definitely get more bang for your buck. On the flipside, professionals such as Richard, the Earl of Tyrone who are used to playing scores of games in the summer can find that it can be tight in the winter, he said, “I find it less affordable because there are fewer tournaments and less polo you can play to earn money.” He did offer a suggested solution to the problem for professionals wanting to make a transition to all year round UK polo saying that, “We need a better schedule with more polo at different clubs, so teams have more options of where to play.”

Who To Look Out for This Winter?

There have been a few additions to the schedule this year to include an additional HPA National Club Championship at Westcroft Park, with a different handicap bracket so it will be interesting to see who will enter teams for this. Arber was a little more general about his comment on a player to watch which is a sentiment many will 34

Polo Times, November 2016

Photograph by Huw Beavan

Money – For Richer or Poorer?

do so again. Individuals? Well, Richard, the Earl of Tyrone was impressive last season and will be a force to be reckoned with, Jack Richardson did well, together they played a great style of polo in the arena, and don’t forget Chris Hyde on 10, has the ability to win a game all on his own. Max Charlton may make an appearance or two, which will be great to see.”

The covered arena at Rugby Polo Club, showcasing their viewing gallery and overlooking eating area

Spectators – Freezing or Fun? Some clubs in the UK winter fixtures list have nailed the spectator experience with warm cosy viewing galleries and a sofa or two to relax on whilst the polo unfolds in front of you. Rugby Polo Club probably wins the top prize with its viewing galleries, which overlook all three of their arenas, complete with bars and cafes to grab a hot toddy and a toasty or two. Dallas Burston Polo Club isn’t far behind with its spectator facilities and Ash Farm’s cosy indoor and covered viewing area complete with roaring log fire is hard to beat. Westcroft Park has upped its game with their new Clubhouse and a few other clubs have a Clubhouse on the side of their arena. If you can face the chilly air it is the best way to watch polo, you can see everything that goes on, hear everything and even smell the ponies as they zoom down the boards on the way to goal.

A packed stand at the Arena Gold Cup is hard to beat for a sense of enjoyment. Arber agrees, “Those patrons entering some of the bigger tournaments get to play in front of bigger, more engaged crowds”. As much as players are calling for an overhaul to the arena fixtures schedule and both patrons and professionals are keen for more to take up the game and travel from club to club, the spectators also need a little consideration. An investment in an arena-side Clubhouse will go a long way to revolutionise the social side of the game and encourage more patrons to consider it as an option for the winter. www.polotimes.co.uk

Rule Changes for 2016/17 Season

Photograph by Gillian Hughes Photography

RULE 3 – TEAMS, PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES Upper Tournament Level and Individual Handicap Levels have changed to include tournaments up to 3 goals. c. iii) Handicaps Upper Tournament Level Individual Handicap Level 3 -1 to 3 6 -1 to 6 8 -1 to 8 10 -1 to 10 12 0 to 10 15 1 to 10 RULE 9 – PENALTIES Major changes have been made to 7 and 8.

Penalty 7.a In situations of dangerous or persistent fouls a player may be sent to the Sin Bin for 60 seconds. The Sin Bin will be used in conjunction with a penalty hit, which can only be taken once the player has left the arena. The Sin Bin shall be for 60 seconds of play and shall then continue until the whistle is blown for a foul or the ball is hit out of play. A player returning in the same chukka must return on the same horse unless their team exercises the option under Rule 17 j. ii) – Interruption of Play - Changing Ponies. A player returning in another chukka is entitled to change horse prior to returning to the field of play. b. The Umpire may remove a player from the remainder of the chukka in addition to any other penalty in cases of a deliberate or dangerous foul, or conduct prejudicial to the game.

Penalty 8. The Umpire may remove a player from the remainder of the game in addition to any other penalty in cases of a deliberate or dangerous foul, or conduct prejudicial to the game.

The definition of Precedence and the Right of Way have been re-written in Rules 11 & 12

The Arena Gold Cup in 2016 at The Royal County of Berkshire with Richard, the Earl of Tyrone in action

Photograph by Peter James Photography

RULE 11 – PRECEDENCE The line of the ball (LOB) is the reference for deciding precedence as between players and is taken as the extended path along which the ball has travelled or is travelling. This includes when it has been kicked by a pony or has hit a player’s or umpire’s pony or any other impediment on the field of play.

If a player has a free hit but misses the ball, the LOB is taken as that direction in which the player was riding.

2014 SUPA and USA Test Match teams at Rugby Polo Club

The Future of Arena Polo?

More players, more team entries and more tournaments are key to the growth of arena polo. There have been rumours that a Victor Ludorum series might become part of a regular arena fixtures list with some of the more affluent clubs offering up a tournament or two in the winter months to encourage teams to travel. We shall have to watch this space. In the meantime, the youth sector continues to grow steadily with the SUPA National Arena Championships at Rugby Polo Club in February 2016 recording a staggering 157 teams, an almost unsustainable figure for pony providers and facilities, but it is encouraging that youngsters are getting involved. Fingers crossed that they continue to be part of polo either as a future patron or even if they choose to work in polo at a Club or for a yard, as after Pony Club it’s probably the only route in at a young age. Whilst it’s important to remember polo is an expensive sport, we all know ponies eat £50 notes on a weekly basis, so they need to be fed, but at the grass roots level perhaps some attention to affordability needs to be considered. www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

a.

b.

c.

d.

e. f.

g.

RULE 12 – RIGHT OF WAY Two players riding on the exact LOB and simultaneously making a play on each other, whether following or meeting, have precedence over all other players.

A player on the exact LOB with the ball on his off side, whether following or meeting, has precedence over any other players, except when meeting two players as above.

Any player riding in the same direction as the ball is travelling or has travelled has precedence over any player or players riding from the opposite direction unless they are in accordance with b above.

When no player is on the exact LOB and two or more players ride in the same general direction, whether following or meeting, the player riding at the lesser angle to the LOB has precedence.

If the players are at equal angles, the player that has the LOB on his off side has precedence.

No player will be considered to have precedence because he was the last to hit the ball.

Nearside Play. Subject to Rule 12.j. a player shall not be entitled to play the ball on his nearside if he endangers another player who would otherwise have been able to make or attempt to make a legitimate play.

Crossing. No player shall cross another player who has precedence except at such a distance that there is not the slightest risk of collision or danger to any player.

j. ii)

RULE 17 – INTERRUPTION OF PLAY A team that has conceded a goal may call for a pony change before the ball is played.

All players may change and the subsequent restart will be from the spot where the ball stopped. Each team may only call this once per chukka. Play will be continuous upon restart.

Polo Times, November 2016

35

Feature

Photography by Dominic James

Polo is played from November to April from low goal to 14 goal

Equestrian Excellence Lucy Wilson explains how Thai Polo & Equestrian Club is more than just a holiday destination and Pony Club Polo sponsor

S

ince opening in 2003 the driving power for polo in Thailand has been an unstoppable machine for progress, not only in the Asian polo world but also for equestrian sports as a whole.

Thai Polo & Equestrian Club, is the result of many years of dedication and investment from co-owners Harald Link and Nunthinee Tanner, and means far more to the global polo circuit than a holiday destination or a sponsor of Pony Club polo in the UK. The 800 acre estate is a paradise of all things ponies, but with an understated air of luxury. Excellence, perfection and an attention to detail, rarely seen at such a huge operation, are displayed in a very practical and modest fashion. Everything you need and want is there, without it being flashy, as so many resorts can be. But behind the scenes of the idyllic blue waters in the pitch-

36

Polo Times, November 2016

side pool and possibly the flattest, smoothest polo grounds you will ever experience, is a team of people striving for equestrian excellence. Link and Tanner have continued to add feathers to the estate’s cap, the latest being a fully equipped equine hospital.

If you are looking for a holiday destination, this is a must-do on your polo travel list, even if you don’t fancy playing polo all the time, the local culture, golf, dressage and other equestrian options, let alone the shopping is enough to lure you to the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. The Club is, however more than just a club, at the core of the establishment is the heartbeat of progress. You may well have seen the easily identifiable orange logo on Pony Club players’ whites, at private events such as the Tiffany & Co Royal Day at Watership Down or even the Dream

Team selected by guests at the annual Polo Awards. The team itself has played in many a prestigious trophy in both the UK and Argentina. Link and Tanner’s vision with the Club allows a huge amount of support and patronage which as we all know is very much needed at every level.

The team have also begun a breeding programme of sorts within the Club, which Rege Ludwig, who runs his International Polo School from the estate and is a Polo Times columnist, has been in charge of alongside General Manager Santiago Bachman. It is perhaps one of the most intriguing ventures of the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club story so far. A doubleedged project aimed at breeding with native Thai ponies and teaching Thai players and riders how to break-in, train and develop polo ponies.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Thai Polo & Equestrian Centre

Feature

Key Polo Dates A New Concept – Breeding Ponies to Train Players The Native Thai pony is steeped in history dating back to origins in Mongolian stock, they played a part in many a battle in the 18th Centuary for King Taksin and again during both World Wars. Crossbreeding between, Australian, New Zealand and British breeds has been a useful way of adding stamina. Pure native Thai ponies are now mainly located in the northern parts of Thailand.

Photograph by Watkongdin Team

Rege Ludwig explains to us how and why the programme has worked, “The Thai horses that we trained to play polo are the offspring from the cross of a Thai pony mare to a Thoroughbred Stallion, or Quarter Horse, or Appaloosa, or Paint breed. The Thai horses range in size from 14.2 to 15.1hh. When we bought them they would have been two to four-years-old, unbroken to ride or handle.

21 ponies bought from wherever we could find them in Thailand and we have retained and trained 18 of them to play polo. The purpose was to teach the young Thai players how to properly train and play polo horses. King Taksin rode Native Thai ponies The Thai horses are playing well enough to be suitable for export as horses that can play up to 12 goal polo now. Those remaining horses do not have enough playing experience to sell them as made polo horses. In the beginning they were not easy to break or train, but as the Thai players became more experienced, the Thai horses became easier to break and train. Some of them can and do play the 10 goal level of polo equal to or better than many of the other polo horses leased out to play tournament level polo at the Club.

“What is great is that the young Thai players have perceived and learned to train the horses they will be playing. Last season (2015-2016) in their first tournament season the Thai horses were played by the Thai players in up to 10 goal level tournament games. In three different tournaments, three of the young Thai players won MVP playing the Thai horses they helped train. As I mentioned earlier, the Thai Training Program was conceived and conducted to have the Thai young players be able to train the horses they will be playing. Up to this point, five years from the initiation of the Thai Training Program, the results have been far beyond encouraging. My goal with the Thai Training Program is to make Thailand independent within the world of polo.”

The Thai grooms with Om, assistant to Nunthinee and Harald, with Polo Times’ Lucy Wilson who had the chance to try out a couple of the Thai cross-bred ponies whilst visiting Thai Polo & Equestrian earlier this year

www.polotimes.co.uk

2016 First Chukka Cup: 11– 13 November Copa Republica Argentina (2-4): 2 –4 December La Posta Cup (5-8): 15 – 18 December Thailand Equestrian Federation Cup (8-10): 27 – 31 December* 2017 Thai Polo Open (12-14): 4 – 14 January FIP World Cup Zone D Playoffs (10-14): January 24 – 4 February Chinese New Year Cup (8-10): 10 – 11 February* B. Grimm Thai Polo Masters (8-10): 17 – 19 February* Queen’s Cup Pink Polo: 23 – 25 February Stephen Chimfunshi Cup (5-8): 8 – 12 March Beach Polo: March 31 – 1 April Beginners Cup: 14 –16 April *These three 10 goal tournaments make up the Thai Polo League

The winners, Thai Polo from the 2016 edition of the Queen’s Cup Pink Polo, Hazel Jackson and Lia Salvo, joined by Princess Jeanette zu Fuerstenberg and Isabel Beyer von Morgenstern

Key Equestrian Dates Show Jumping FEI World Cup Jumping SEA League (CSI*) #1: 1 – 2 October 2016 FEI World Cup Jumping SEA League (CSI*) #2: 28 – 30 October 2016 FEI World Cup Jumping SEA League (CSI*) #3 (Final): 23 – 25 December 2016 Eventing B.Grimm Derby Show Jumping & CCI* Eventing 2016: 28 – 30 October 2016 Dressage Euro CDI* Dressage 2016: 23 – 25 December 2016

All equestrian disciplines form part of the Club at a National and International level

Polo Times, November 2016

37

Feature

Thai Polo & Equestrian Centre

A Who’s Who at Thai Polo

STUDIO BOX OUT

Harald Link – Co-owner Nunthinee Tanner – Co-owner Santiago Bachman – General Manager

PIC: 20141128-Dominic-JamesThaiPoloArgentina-5G3A9219.jpg CAPTION:

Surapol Phuttapitak – General Manager Col.Fuangvich Aniruth-deva (Sam) – Vice President of Thailand Equestrian Federation & Thai Polo’s Equestrian Manager

STUDIO BOX OUT

Nara Ketusingha (Om) – Assistant

PIC: 20141214-Dominic-James-QueensCup-DJ140943.jpg CAPTIONS:

Manuel Cereceda – Polo Manager

Facilities PIC: 20131207-Thai-Pink-Polo-Day-2bAG3A0049.jpg

Co-owners, Harald Link and Nunthinee Tanner

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Derby Show-Jumping Arena Indoor and outdoor Dressage arena Cross-Country Course 80kms of endurance tracks Barrel Racing arena Equine Hospital Stabling and paddocks for 300 horses Onsite accommodation including the traditional Thai house Rege Ludwig’s International Polo School Three full-sized polo fields Club House, lifestyle and kit shop Salt-water swimming pool Two stick and ball fields The famous Chukka Bar

How to get there The closest airport to the Club is Suvarnabhumi Airport. The main International airport to Bangkok is Don Mueang International Airport. Flights can cost as little at £400 return and include airlines such as Emirates and Etihad.

How to book your visit Ponies and people are both equally well catered for at the Club

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Polo Times, November 2016

Visit www.thai-polo-club.com to contact the Club for bookings and event schedules www.polotimes.co.uk

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UK: Tally Ho Farm Ltd, Crouch Lane, Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 4RZ. www.tallyhofarm.co.uk Available at: Mainland Europe: PERFORMANCE POLO, +41-76-382-5512 info@performance-polo.com www.performance-polo.com

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UK: Tally Ho Farm Ltd, Crouch Lane, Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 4RZ. www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

Mainland Europe: PERFORMANCE POLO, +41-76-382-5512 info@performance-polo.com www.performance-polo.com

Reports

Triple Crown Guide

Triple Crown Guide Katie Vickery reports from Argentina

T

With The Tortugas Open over and The Hurlingham Open underway here is your guide to who’s who, how they are doing and which players to keep an eye on

In Association with

he high goal season in Argentina is unlike any other high goal season around the world. At 40 goals, the pace is quicker, the horses stronger and the players tougher. It is truly the Clash of the Titans as the best players in the world go head to head in their own country for the most prestigious and sought after titles of the international polo circuit. 10 goaler takes on 10 goaler and there’s no one playing below 7 goals. With only one non-South American

How it works

Six teams qualify directly from last year’s tournaments to play The Tortugas Open and the whole Triple Crown. This year’s lineup was Washington, El Paraíso, Ellerstina Johor, La Aguada Las Monjitas, Alegría and La Dolfina Sancor Seguros. Only these six teams have the chance to win the prestigious Triple Crown as they

will be competing against each other in all three Opens.

While these six teams battled it out in The Tortugas Open, four more teams were doing their utmost to qualify and play in the last two remaining spots available in The Hurlingham Open and The Argentine Open. This year’s Classification Tournament was a very close run thing, with three

Abierto del Tortugas Country Club (The Tortugas Open) For a full review of the Tortugas Open, the Final of which took place on Sunday 16 October, turn to page 44 Where: Tortugas Country Club When: September 27 – 16 October What: Open Ranking: World Polo Tour (WPT) Championship Cup WPT Points: Winner: 100 Finalist: 50 Semi Finalist: 0 Player: 25

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Polo Times, November 2016

player in the tournament (Canadian Fred Mannix) it is an incredible display of polo, passion and pony power. The best polo in the world takes place out in the province of Buenos Aires and the season is made up of three tournaments: The Tortugas Open, The Hurlingham Open and the most prestigious of the three, The Argentine Open. From late September to mid-December it is high goal tension, drama and excitement every weekend.

teams competing to the bitter end for those two enviable spots. Las Rosas lost their chance early on with losses to Chapaleufú and Cría Yatay and the two winners plus La Irenita were closely matched.

With Cría Yatay, La Irenita and Chapaleafú all having won two matches and lost one, it came down to goal difference and despite a win

by Chapaleufú over Cría Yatay by

123rd Abierto del Hurlingham Club HSBC (The Hurlingham Open) The Hurlingham Club, the birthplace of Argentine polo, hosts the second most important tournament in the high goal calendar, The Hurlingham Open. This forms the second leg of the Triple Crown, as well as being a prestigious title in its own right. The Final will take place on Saturday 5 November.

Where: Hurlingham Club When: October 18 – 5 November What: Open Ranking: World Polo Tour Championship Cup WPT Points: Winner: 200 Finalist: 100 Semi Finalist: 70 Player: 50 The Zones: Zone A: La Dolfina, La Aguada Las Monjitas, Cría Yatay and El Paraíso Zone B: Ellerstina, Alegría, Washington and La Irenita

one goal on Monday 10 October, it was not enough to secure them a place. La Irenita and Cría Yatay, new teams to the Triple Crown, take their places amongst the greats of polo while Chapaleufú, the team made up of the Heguy brothers, stalwarts of the Argentine high goal season, will not be joining the line-up for the first time in many years.

123rd Campeonato Argentino Abierto HSBC (The Argentine Open) As the most sought after title of the Argentine season and the clincher for The Triple Crown, everything leads up to the long awaited Final of the 123rd Argentine Open Championship, played on the sacred fields of Palermo. This year the Final will be played on Saturday 10 December.

Where: Palermo, Buenos Aires When: November 10 – 10 December What: Open Ranking: Grand Slam WPT Points: Winner: 300 Finalist: 150 Semi Finalist: 100 Player: 70

www.polotimes.co.uk

Triple Crown Guide

Reports

The Qualifying Teams LA IRENITA

La Irenita have been very successful in recent years playing the prestigious Camara de Diputados Cup, one of the most exciting tournaments out in Argentina for those not playing in the Triple Crown. With consecutive wins in 2013 and 2014, they have certainly proved their worth as a team and it will be exciting to see how they perform on an even more competitive level. The young, talented players are joined by the more experienced and solid Matias MacDonough, brother to La Dolfina rival Pablo MacDonough, and should make for an exciting team to watch.

CRÍA YATAY

The young team put together by Nacho Figueras (Cría Yatay is his breeding programme out in Argentina) combines several very talented players, including the Laprida brothers and the quick and tough Joaquin Pittaluga (a stalwart of the UK season). Despite their relative inexperience in the Triple Crown, this is an exciting team with oodles of talent and potential. If they can boost their horsepower, there is no stopping them from competing with the big boys at the highest level.

Juan Ruiz Guiñazú 7

Guillermo Terrera 8

Juan Gris Zavaleta 7

Christian “Magoo” Laprida 8

Clemente Zavaleta 7

Joaquin Pittaluga 7

Matias MacDonough 8

Ignacio “Iñaki” Laprida 7

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30

One to Watch The young Clemente Zavaleta was raised to 7 goals after a fantastic year in 2014 where he won the US Open alongside his Alegría teammates, since then it has just been up for “Corchito”. Now lending his talent to La Irenita, with whom he has had much success during the Argentine high goal season, he is an exciting, up-and-coming player whose strength on the man makes him a worthy and indefatigable teammate.

One to Watch Joaquin Pittaluga seems to be everywhere on the field at once, working extra hard as much in defense as in attack for his team. He is extremely talented on the ball, often turning circles around his opponents before sending huge shots up to his teammates. A solid penalty hitter, he is deadly accurate and his cool head will be key when the pressure mounts up.

The Original Big Six LA DOLFINA SANCOR SEGUROS

Having made history in 2015 with a record breaking third consecutive Argentine Triple Crown title, La Dolfina are back this year with the same indomitable line up. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?

With master of polo Adolfo Cambiaso at number one and the solid defensive skills of Juan Martín Nero at back, La Dolfina is quite rightly the favourite to win once again. One of the best teams in the world to watch, it is easy to see how they have had such success. Incredible combined horsepower (Adolfo Cambiaso played six La Cuartetera clones in the Final of The Tortugas Open) combined with a four-man strong team of hugely talented players has led to 36 consecutive wins, 10 consecutive titles and an incredible success rate of only three losses out of 55 matches played together. With The Tortugas Open in the bag, can they make it a Quadruple Triple?

ELLERSTINA JOHOR

Ellerstina are the second favourites of the Argentine high goal season.

Made up of a powerful Pieres foursome, it is Ellerstina who have been giving La Dolfina a run for their money in recent years. The talented family team have it all to make it to the top if they can just pip those pesky La Dolfina boys to the post. Playing beautifully together as a family, they anticipate, pass and work well together to achieve a very clean and symbiotic game. This is the second year that they have remained with the same line-up, cousin Polito Pieres having joined them in 2015 from Alegría. So far in The Tortugas Open, they had an easy win over Washington while they had to fight slightly harder to defeat a determined Alegría side. A loss in The Tortugas Open Final means they have to work even harder as a team, as many see them as the only threat to La Dolfina winning a fourth Triple Crown.

Facundo Pieres 10

Adolfo Cambiaso

10

David “Pelón” Stirling

10

Pablo MacDonough

10

Juan Martin Nero

10

Nicolás Pieres 9

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One to Watch Juan Martín Nero is known to be one of the top backs in the world and joining forces with La Dolfina’s impressive line-up gives him the chance to shine even more brightly. Almost impenetrable as a number four, Nero is a formidable opponent for any player to come up against, with years of experience, a strong string of horses and a huge backhand, he earns his title every match and is an undeniable asset to the La Dolfina side. Always there to block, backhand and save those last second goals Nero is an accurate, precise and disciplined player to watch. www.polotimes.co.uk

Pablo “Polito” Pieres 10

Gonzalito Pieres 10

One to Watch Often the unsung hero of the powerful Pieres duo, Gonzalito Pieres should not be underestimated. Worth every bit of his 10 goals, Gonzalito is a solid play maker and an impressive horseman. Not often in the limelight, he works tirelessly at number 3 to run the team, directing operations from mid-field with his accurate passing and on point backhands.

Polo Times, November 2016

41

Reports

Triple Crown Guide

ALEGRÍA

Alegría, whose shock arrival to The Argentine Open Final in 2013 converted them into the most exciting team in recent years and the only team likely to be able to challenge the top two teams of Ellerstina and La Dolfina. This year, combining the two newest 10 goalers, Hilario Ulloa and Guillermo Caset, they will prove once again to be a force to be reckoned with. The Tortugas Open saw a tough win over Washington and a close defeat against Ellerstina, promising good form for the remaining two tournaments.

Hilario Ulloa 10

LA AGUADA LAS MONJITAS

In 2003, La Aguada became the fourth team in history to win the elusive Triple Crown and was the first team to do so as an all brother line-up (in 2003 they played with brother Javier who sadly passed away in 2014). This year, La Aguada are back with an all Novillo Astrada team (youngest brother Alejandro joining the team), the four brothers come together to take on Argentina’s top tournaments.

Working together seamlessly as a family unit, the team show an organisation that will help them in the challenges of the season, although it was not enough to help them defeat the formidable La Dolfina in The Tortugas Open.

Lucas Monteverde 9

Guillermo “Sapo” Caset 10

Fred Mannix 8

37 One to Watch Although falling between the category of patron and professional, Fred Mannix certainly plays his part for the team. Giving 100% every time, Mannix has proven himself to be a key member of the Alegría line-up. Working hard at back he is a backhand executing machine and a solid defensive player.

WASHINGTON

Washington came out all guns blazing last year when they were the new kids on the block, surprising everyone with their powerful plays and their quick teamwork. This year, under the weight of people’s expectations, they are back to prove their merit. Always playing to their fullest until the last second, they are a great team to watch.

Due to injury in practice, Tomás Garcia del Rio is taking Ezequiel Ferrarrio’s place in the team.

Diego Cavanagh 8

Tomás Garcia Del Rio 8

Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8

Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 9

33 One to Watch Alfredo Cappella Barabucci highlighted as “One to Watch” in last year’s Polo Times Argentine High Goal Guide, Alfredo Cappella does not disappoint, leading this young and exciting team from the back with his impressive power and quick thinking.

Not only does Cappella have an extraordinarily powerful hit, easily sending the ball half the length of the field in either direction in one shot, he is also an impenetrable defense resource, making life difficult for any aspiring attacker to get through.

9

Miguel Novillo Astrada

9

Ignacio Novillo Astrada

9

35 One to Watch Playing alongside his brothers, Ignacio Novillo Astrada is exceptionally solid and the perfect complement to his more attacking orientated brothers. A quiet player, Ignacio fouls very rarely, playing a clean game, but controlling effectively from the back.

EL PARAÍSO

El Paraíso is a brand new team to the Argentine high goal, bringing together the Toccalino brothers alongside the experienced high goal players Ignacio Heguy and Agustín Merlos. With years of Argentine Opens between them, if this new team can gel and find their rhythm, they should be able to improve on their Tortugas Open performance which saw them beaten in the first match by one goal by La Aguada and then somewhat destroyed by the La Dolfina foursome. Certainly not lacking in talent, their performance will depend entirely on teamwork and their ability to unite as a foursome.

Facundo Sola 8

Eduardo Novillo Astrada

Agustín “Tincho” Merlos 9

Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino 9

Ignacio “Nachi” Heguy 9

Santiago Toccalino 8

35 One to Watch After a stellar performance in the UK high goal season with La Indiana, Agustín “Tincho” Merlos is on course for a great season out in Argentina with this brand new team. Well-mounted on homebred ponies, Tincho is a deadly accurate forward and a record breaking goal scorer. He is not a newbie on the high goal scene and his years of experience make him not only a great player to watch, but also one to keep an eye on throughout the season. the full match report For on the Tortugas Open please turn to page 44.

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Polo Times, November 2016

www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

The Tortugas Open, Argentina

The Tortugas Open Final teams:

44

ELLERSTINA

39

Facundo Piers

(10)

Gonzalito Pieres

(10)

Pablo Pieres

(10)

Nicolas Pieres

(9)

Polo Times, November 2016

1992

Founded:

Triple Crown Wins 1994 & 2010

SIX

Consecutive Tortugas Open wins 2007-2012

12 Tortugus Open titles www.polotimes.co.uk

The Tortugas Open, Argentina

Reports

La Dolfina Dominate

Ellerstina fail to break the winning streak

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Photography by © www.imagesofpolo.com/Eduardo Grunberg

he 10 goal quartet of La Dolfina once again triumphed against Ellerstina to take the first title of the Argentine Triple Crown, winning the Copa Emilio de Anchorena for The Tortugas Open for the fourth consecutive year. Ellerstina hold a considerable number of Tortugas titles, racking up an impressive 12 wins, consecutively from 2007-2012, but since then La Dolfina have dominated the podium with successive wins.

The progression throughout the tournament was predictable, and echoed the ease in which the top few teams in the UK high goal season made it to the Final. Social media was a flutter with nosuprises-there comments as the Pieres family and Cambiaso’s crew were announced as the Final line-up. La Dolfina had smashed through the preliminary rounds winning with huge goal gaps, in their first game they walked away with a ten goal lead against new team on the block El Paraíso, before they repeated their performance against the Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada Las Monjitas who got away with a seven goal difference loss. Ellerstina’s progress was less dramatic against Alegría but they shot past Washington with an 11 goal lead like a hound on a hunt. The predictability of the wins is only just excusable by the quality of the polo played. The second tournament in The Triple Crown, The Hurlingham Open will include all the teams featured in the Tortugas with the added extras of La Irenita and Cría Yatay who gained the spots in the draw from their performance in the Torneo Clasificatorio 90 Años AAP. More teams and more games will mean more chances for

LA DOLFINA Adolfo Cambiaso (10)

40

changes, but looking at the performance of both teams over the opening of the high goal season in Argentina, it looks like the trend of a La Dolfina/ Ellerstina Final will continue.

The Final was a match to remember as the eight polo players played an open game. The final score of 18-12 was only made up of seven penalty goals, with the remainder coming from the field with no more than 15 minutes of play between goals, evidence that the change in approach to play and umpiring is opening up the game at this level. Ellerstina opened the scoring in the first few seconds of the game thanks to Pablo Pieres, but Adolfo Cambiaso answered the challenge with not one, but two consecutive goals followed by Pablo MacDonough, to end the first chukka in the lead for La Dolfina. Brothers Gonzalito and Facundo tied the game in the second chukka with a goal each before Facundo sent home a 30 yard penalty.

Cambiaso tied the second chukka scores with just seven seconds left before the second bell.

As the chukkas progressed the wind in the Ellerstina sales seemed to ebb, the Pieres team peaked at half-time having scored 10 goals, only managing a further two in the second half. La Dolfina relentlessly ploughed on. The impassable wall of defence from Juan Martín Nero and Cambiaso’s attacking drive and cloned pony power proved too much for the Pieres family on this occasion. Facundo was their highest scoring player for the team with six goals, but Pablo seemed to be behind the bit only managing one goal. There may well be some serious conversations back at Ellerstina HQ ahead of The Hurlingham Open games.

2000

Founded:

David Stirling (10) Pablo MacDonough (10) Juan Martin Nero (10)

www.polotimes.co.uk

Triple Crown Wins 2013, 2014 & 2015

36

Consecutive Triple Crown game wins since 2012

12 Tortugus Open titles

Polo Times, November 2016

45

Reports

The Tortugas Open, Argentina

Chukka scores: 3-1, 4-4, 8-6, 11-10, 14-11, 16-11, 18-12 to La Dolfina FINI

RT

27 16

S TA

SE

PT

SH

OCT

Best Playing Pony: Cuartetera BO6 Top Goal Scorer: Adolfo Cambiaso

Umpires: Gastón Dorignac & Juan José Díaz Alberdi

MVP

Adolfo Cambiaso

Where: Buenos Aires

6 Teams

1st Triple Crown Tournament

9

10 Goalers took part in the tournament

Third man: Marcelo López Vargas

The results of the qualification games Tuesday 27 September: Zone A – La Aguada Las Monjitas defeated El Paraiso, 11-10 Tuesday 27 September: Zone B – Alegría defeated Washington, 12-11 Saturday 1 October: Zone A – La Dolfina defeated El Paraiso, 15-5 Monday 3 October: Zone B – Ellerstina defeated Washington, 16-5 Saturday 8 October: Zone A – La Dolfina defeated La Aguada Las Monjitas, 12-5 Sunday 9 October: Zone B – Ellerstina defeated Alegría, 11-9 To read more about each of the teams playing in The Triple Crown turn to our Argentine Triple Crown Guide on page 40.

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Polo Times, November 2016

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photography courtesy of Chantilly Polo Club

Reports

The French Open Paprec, Chantilly Polo Club

Mighty Marquard

Teamwork in front of the Chantilly Clubhouse

French Open Finale Two Years Running

Lucy Wilson reports from Chantilly

Marquard Media celebrate their win

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Polo Times, November 2016

O

n the impeccable ground of Chantilly Polo Club, in the shadow of the famous castle and grounds of Chateau Chantilly, the 2016 edition of the Open de France was played out under stormy skies. The game was fast-paced and a little furious in places as Tommy Rinderknecht’s Swiss team Marquard Media, the 2015 champions had to fight to

retain their title. Mochi Chic gave them a run for their money, but what made it a great game to watch was that both teams were evenly matched on player skill-sets and pony power. Martin Aguerre is Mariano Aguerre’s nephew, nine time winner of The Argentine Open with four different teams. Martin works with his Uncle, valuing horses from his breeding stables and imports some to France occasionally. These imports really made the difference in the Final at Chantilly, with Martin commenting after the game, “This victory is the result of the investment of my team in these horses, in numbers and quality, it means we never ever had to double them.”

Continental European polo can often be seen as a poor man’s cousin to the UK scene but all the games, even the tiny kids on the Shetlands, showed that they are serious about their polo. Chantilly also attracts top brands such as Richard Mille, a worldwide luxury watch maker, who are the official timekeeper for the Club. There was no denying the quality of the ponies that www.polotimes.co.uk

The French Open Paprec, Chantilly Polo Club

zoomed up and down the boards awaiting mid-chukka changes and the ground held up pretty well considering the sun-raindrizzle conditions throughout the games.

Martin Aguerre, for Marquard Media, was well paired against Dario Musso, for Mochi Chic. Both 7 goalers had a chance to make some pretty impressive plays. Musso even managed an early goal with a huge hit from the centre line, which started to go wide, and somehow out of nowhere he appeared to hit, not just a cut-shot, but a backhand cut-shot into goal.

The score-line favour fluctuated from team to team throughout the five chukkas.

Mochi Chic were in the lead 2-1 at the end of the first chukka, but by the end of the second chukka it was 3-3. Aguerre scored early in the third to take the lead 4-3 and by half-time hard work from both sides brought the score to 7-4 in favour of Marquard Media to whom it seemed there would be an easy win. After treading in and a deluge of rain, which sent spectators scattering for shelter inside the Richard Mille enclosure, the game began again and Mochi Chic took advantage of the change in conditions to score a few more goals to close the gap 7-6. The fifth chukka was close, with still one goal in it for the first few minutes, but Marquard Media and Martin steamed ahead to take the win with a final score of 10-7. Fittingly Aguerre was named Most Valuable Player and his nine-year-old bay mare Machitos Garganta

took Best Playing Pony, which was bred in Argentina by Mariano Aguerre.

Chantilly Polo Club put on a colourful day with plenty to entertain from parades of racing, riding, driving horses, as well as a parade of all the ponies playing in the tournament. The children’s game, was a highlight, with some very competitive play from the youngsters on some rather stubborn ponies. Even seeing them cantering up and down the boards, and around the pony lines to warm-up was a joy to watch. The Club was a hive of activity with many other games being played in different tournaments all throughout the day, including the Subsidiary Final of the Open de France Paprec which featured the British team EFG Aravali, Karan Thapar, Max Charlton, Ed Banner-Eve and Jaime Huidobro, who had travelled across the Channel. They’d had a mixed time in the initial rounds, where they had come up against both teams that made the Final and lost, however in the Subsidiary Final they won against SaintMesme with a score 6-5.

Open de France Paprec Final teams: Marquard Media (16): Tommy Rinderknecht (0), Martin Aguerre (7), Martin Joaquin (4) & Jota Chavanne (5) Mochi Chic (16): Alexandre Sztarkman (1), Pierre-Henry Ngoumou (5), Dario Musso (7) & Nacho Kennedy (3) Result: Marquard Media defeated Mochi Chic, 10-7 Marquard Media chukka scores: 1-2, 3-3, 7-4, 8-7 & 10-7

Martin Aguerre, Most Valuable Player and owner of Machitos Garganta, Best Playing Pony

Best Playing Pony Machitos Garganta

www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

Marquard Media with the trophy

Who scored what?

Marquard Media Tommy Rinderknecht: 1 goal Jota Chavanne: 1 goal Martin Aguerre Jr: 7 goals, 2 as penalties Martin Joaquin: 1 goals Mochi Chic Nacho Kennedy: 1 goal Pierre-Henri Ngoumou: 4 goals, all penalties Dario Musso: 2 goals Alexandre Sztarkman: 0 goals For more action from the sidelines turn to page 70.

“It always feels good to win, but it was an important game, we did not have a good season, we had a lot of bad luck and this is the most important tournament, and we were really focused on it and finally we did it. They are a very good team so you are always worried.

But we were confident, we had a really good game, and the horses did really well, which I think made a big difference.

Machitos Garganta is amazing, she came from my Uncle Mariano, she is nine-years-old, she stays here in France, unless I have a very important high goal tournament then I will take her because she is really good, but if I don’t have a high level tournament I will keep her here as she is a top mare. She has speed and everything but her best quality is her heart.”

Polo Times, November 2016

49

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

ENTRY FORMS FOR the HPA Christmas National Club Championships at the Berkshire Club are now available.

HPA National Club Championships 1-3 Goal and 10-12 Goal will be held from 12 – 27 November. Contact the Club for further information.

Roy Prisk and Edward Morris-Lowe battle for the ball in the 2015/16 15 Goal HPA Christmas National Club Championships. Would you like to take part this year in the tournament?

Photograph courtesy of Singapore Polo Club

International at Westcroft Park Before the game the players paraded with two BMWs on the pitch

BMW White take Singapore’s Gold Cup THE SINGAPORE POLO Club Gold Cup, held on 24 September, provided some thrills and luckily no spills. The BMW White team of Carlos Pando, Tom de Bruin, Sanni Khan and Ali Reda applied pressure from the get go, as with the big hitting John Paul Clarkin on the other side, ably supported by Shane Boyd, Giles Twist and Sattar Khan, the team could not in any way shape or form be allowed to get ahead. The first chukka was an extremely defensive one, with both teams marking well, and the breakout goal that all players hope to score under these circumstances proving extremely elusive, bringing the chukka to a close at 0-0. By the start of the second chukka both teams had eased into more offensive roles, but the BMW White team just had the edge over the BMW Green team finishing the chukka at 2-1. The seven minutes of the third chukka delivered more than both teams had dared hope for. The showpiece goal of this chukka was Tom de Bruin’s goal from almost halfway down the field, a straight hit into goal, showing everyone what being 7 goals is all about. With pressure such as this, the BMW Green team pulled out all the stops in the last chukka, but time was not on their side, although they almost made up the deficit with Shane Boyd, John Paul Clarkin and Giles Twist all working together to bring the score to 5-4. But the BMW White team just had the edge, and the clock in their favour, before a rejuvenated BMW Green team could recover any further; a truly valiant effort from all involved.

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WESTCROFT PARK POLO Club are holding a Winter Polo Festival, which will run through December. The Festival will kick off with the 5-8 goal HPA National Club Championships, also part of the new Winter Victor Ludorum League from the 2 –11 December. Running from the 9 – 18 December will be the Bolebrook Bowl, Westcroft Park’s 15 goal tournament (the Punchbowl Trophy is quite something we hear). The Club is also playing host to England’s first International Test Match of the season on Saturday 17 December.

In addition, there will also be the Westcroft Park Pro-am Club League and chukkas will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays with challenge games on the weekends.

Spooky Chukkas at Rugby THE MIDLANDS BASED Club will be holding what they have billed as Spooky Chukkas followed by a Hallowe’en Party on 28 October. Pumpkin carving, spooky cocktails, freaky food and loads of games are in store for guests and ghouls. There may well be some frightening polo pictures to follow.

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Photograph by Gillian Hughes

Enter Now at RCBPC

Chukkas to Start at Hertfordshire

Samsung International 12 Goal

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Award Winners at Kirtlington KIRTLINGTON HELD THEIR annual end of season knees up in the Clubhouse on Saturday 17 September, which included a range of awards from the 2016 season.

Congratulations to the following winners: Most Successful Team of the Year – Farrar & Co. Best String – Charlie Peagram Best Umpire – Martin Roman Best Playing Pony – John Martin’s Vision Best Groom – Ariel Arriola Young Player Award – George Deverall Best Fall – Pumpkin Best Amateur – Roger Brown Biggest Bar Tab – Mandita Fontanarrosa Best Pro – David Ashby Most Shoes Lost this Season – Hector Worsley

Photograph courtesy of KPPC

Marvin Gichohi reports from Nairobi Polo Club on the Samsung International 12 Goal Tournament: The weekend of 17 – 18 September saw a fast paced game played in front of excited fans at the newly rebuilt Nairobi Polo Club, Samsung defeated Royal Salute 5½-5 to win the 2016 Samsung International 12 Goal Tournament. The teams started off at a quick pace, scoring two goals each in the first chukka. Royal Salute then scored two goals reducing the Samsung advantage to only a fraction with scores at 4-4 at the end of the second chukka. The third chukka saw amazing defensive plays by both teams and the scores remained unchanged. Following an intense fourth chukka, as both teams failed to score from penalties awarded, Davy Evans re-opened the scoring for Royal Salute. However, their imminent victory was snatched by Buster Mackenzie who scored moments before the final bell was rung to secure victory for Samsung.

The tournament saw 8 teams entered: 4 teams played for the 12 Goal International with each team having one international player. The other 4 teams competed for the OMT Bowl that was won by the Space and Style team beating Tack Rack 4-3.

Samsung International 12 Goal Final teams: Samsung (10): Buster Mackenzie (5) Henry Limb (2) Mbugua Ngugi (2) and Philou Salle (1) Royal Salute (12): Davy Evans (5) James Murray (4) Tiva Gross (2) and Joss Craig (1)

TGS, Blackhound and La Vie En Rose with their prizes in December 2015

Most Successful Team of the Year – Farrar & Co. with the Lousada Trophy

HPC, The London Polo Club Sunday 25 September saw E3 Light take on Jacaranda in the Final of the Billy Walsh tournament. Following the first chukka, E3 Light were light years ahead with a score of 6-1, and by half-time their lead had extended to 10-2. However, Jacaranda weren’t willing to give up and clawed back four goals to end the match with a final score of 10-6. The Subsidiary Final for the Kingfisher Cup saw a much closer game between Avengers and Hugs & Co, with Avengers emerging triumphant by half a goal.

Photograph by Robert Piper Photography Ltd

Photograph courtesy of Marvin Gichohi

Samsung, winners of the Samsung International 12 Goal

HERTFORDSHIRE POLO CLUB will begin their winter arena season at the end of October with chukkas scheduled on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October. Chukka fees for the 2016/17 season will be £10 per chukka for members and non members and Club membership will be £150 not including HPA fees.

Club Focus

Photograph courtesy of Hertfordshire Polo Club

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Finalists for The Billy Walsh Trophy, E3 Light & Jacaranda

Polo Times, November 2016

51

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

The 2016 Autumn Cup had 9 entries with Emma McCarthy’s Emlor C and Shane Finemore’s Gardenvale making it to the Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club. The Final proved to be an entertaining match with few whistles and strong play, which saw plenty of runs to goal and a continuous flurry of attack from both teams.

However, it was Gardenvale who managed to hold onto the lead and win the Autumn Cup with a score of 6-5. Shane Finemore accepted the Autumn Cup from Clare Milford-Haven, Matt Perry was awarded The Polo Magazine prize for Most Valuable Player, his horse Vasca Irlandes also received the Polo Times Best Playing Pony Award – to read more about Vasca Irlandes please turn to our Pony Power pages.

Photograph courtesy of La Aguada

Gardenvale Success

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Gardenvale, winners of the Autumn Cup 2016

La Aguada Las Monjitas line-up with their team shirts

La Aguada Las Monjitas Launch

ON FRIDAY 23 September the new team line-up for La Aguada Las Monjitas entry in the Triple Crown in Argentina was launched at La Aguada Polo Club, in Open Door, Argentina.

The day included transport from Buenos Airies direct to the Novillo Astrada family’s home where the launch took place.

The launch included handy hashtags to follow the team with #AllAboutPolo #LaNuevaAguada #FamilyIsBack to follow them on social media use @LaAguadaPolo on Twitter and @LaAguada_Polo on Instagram.

Polo & Country Fair Combined Photograph courtesy of Polo Club Midden

The participating teams at the presentation of prizes

THE THIRD POLO & Country Fair was played in Holland on the weekend 17 – 18 September with four teams and four very exciting matches determined in the last minute by golden goals and half points.

After a very rainy edition of the tournament in 2015, this year was blessed with perfect weather conditions. Players from Holland, Germany and Argentina took part and Ignacio Fernandez Llorente was umpire for the games with a difference – his headgear included a GoPro camera. Next to the polo field at the Country Fair, the visitors had some additional entertainment with a wooden horse, rides for children, birds, cars and watches. Main sponsor Rabobank was 52

Polo Times, November 2016

very happy to win the title trophy this year.

The team of Nederland.FM lost the Final for the second year in a row. Nederland.FM consisted mainly of the members of the Dutch delegation for the European Championship.

However, their Captain Jim Souren unfortunately had to back down because of breaking his collar bone and gave his position to a beginner player. Rabobank was quite lucky to get through the first day and everybody, including the Rabobank players, expected Nederland.FM to win. However, polo has to be played and the Rabobank Team were more successful in converting all their penalties due to the steady hand of Armand van Eeken. Star player of

Nederland.FM, Aki van Andel did everything he could but was unlucky with some shots.

The score was tight until the last minute and after some missed penalties and goals on both sides, Rabobank scored in the last minute which led them to the victory of the Polo & Country Fair 2016. In the Subsidiary Final Land Rover defeated Coveba.

Polo & Country Fair Final teams: Rabobank (3): Brenda de Boer (0), Armand van Eeken (0), Maarten Hulsman (0) & Juan Medina (3) Nederland.FM (4): Aki van Andel (2), Maurice van Druten (1), Manuel Diaz de Vivar (2), Tajana Bersma (-1) www.polotimes.co.uk

Caracas Polo Lift Venezuela’s Copa de Oro

FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS of high-paced 20 goal polo, played at the Caracas Polo Club, Tucacas in Venezuela, the Agualinda Gold Cup came to an end. Saturday’s programme featured three matches, with the results deciding the final positions of the six participating teams. First to take to the field were Las Aguilas and Samanes II, with both sides playing for fifth place and it was Samanes II who came out on top to win the match 7-5. The next contest was between Rancho Temprano and Samanes I for third place, and after a close and hard-fought match, Rancho Temprano claimed bronze place with a score of 11 goals to 10. The third and final match saw Caracas Polo and Sebucan fighting it out for the grand Agualinda Gold Cup. Both teams showed determination from the beginning, but Caracas Polo were able to attain a slight advantage over their opposition before the last chukka but unfortunately for Sebucan, Caracas Polo managed to hold onto their advantage, winning the match 11-9.

Charity at Ham AS HPC, THE London Polo Club’s 90th Anniversary year draws to a close, the Club held their annual Player’s Black Tie Awards Dinner on Saturday 17 October. The Club’s Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers had invited Sarah Caroline Tallents, the founder and driving force behind the charity Polo Pastures to say a few words about her organisation. An opportunity was given for anyone wishing to make a contribution on the evening to do so in support of Polo Pastures’ vital work. A most worthwhile charitable cause, founded in 2015 as a retirement home for polo ponies that have come to the end of their playing career, who find and then vet good homes to ensure a peaceful retirement after the rigours of their lives in polo. To see more from the evening turn to Sidelines. To find out more about Polo Pastures visit polopastures.com

Club Focus

Photograph by Rayahan Sherlala

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Nancy Krause Shooting

Raucous Rugby RUGBY POLO CLUB are a little different, of course they hold the end of season party and hand out some awards for their Club members efforts on, and off, the field. However, the Toft Triathlon is the pinnacle of their celebrations of the season, this year held on 1 October.

The annual tournament incorporates shooting, polo and go-karting – just because they can!

Team Kangaroos left the other competitors eating dust as they sped past everyone to take the trophy, only 12 months to wait for it again Rugby people! The evening get together for the end of season ball was well attended by members, friends, Onley equine vet contingency and the local rivals, Offchurch Bury Polo Club as well. But were they celebrating the end of the summer, or the start of the winter season…

Photography courtesy of Stewarton Polo Club

New Arena in Scotland

The arena construction is well underway

THE WINTER SEASON officially began on 1 October at Stewarton Polo Club in Scotland. The arena is almost completed and is expected to be ready for the start of the arena season. The new build will be surfaced with sand and Clopf fibre. Lessons will take place every day except for Mondays and Sundays. Chukkas will take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, plus Sunday lunchtimes. The Club are also planning to build stables this year and offering both polo and non-polo liveries.

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Polo Times, November 2016

53

Women’s Polo

International

We catch up on all the action from ladies’ polo around the UK All handicaps are HPA women’s handicaps unless stated otherwise

British Ladies Storm France

Lucy Wilson reports from the Open de France Feminin Finale

I

n the Open de France Feminin, after three rounds of games in the lead up to the Final on Sunday 18 September at Chantilly Polo Club, three of the four teams tied on points resulting in a penalty shootout for the Finals spots. The line-up for the Final included Apes Hill Polo Clubs’ Camilla Williams and her dream team facing Maryland, with its own formidable ladies.

The game was open and fast from the start with both of the teams’ top pros hitting some huge shots keeping play fast from the offset.

Gabriella Turk and Caroline Anier alongside Hurtwood Park local Bryony Taylor and South Wonston’s Heloise Wilson-Smith couldn’t stem the constant threat of attack and goals as solid play from Huntington Apes Hill nudged them towards their goal each time they made progress.

The lowest scoring game of the day with a final score of 4-2 didn’t quite live-up to the standard of play. There were just a few more attempts at goal that went wide rather than a stilted game, which was greatly enjoyed

by the flood of guests who had arrived for the Final of the mixed French Open.

Emma Boers, backed up by the forward play of the Fox and Taylor pairing made a few fantastic runs to goal, whilst Williams never let the side down when the attacks came from their well-balanced opposition.

Meanwhile, La Hermanitas, featuring Brits Charlene Goudkuil and Hazel Jackson, just faced Cosmopolo in the Subsidiary Final.

Although the action suffered, not from a lack of skill, but with Jackson being the only

Emma Boers and Bryony Taylor fight for the ball

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Polo Times, November 2016

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International

Women’s Polo

Open de France Feminin Final teams: Huntington Apes Hill (16): Emma Boers (4), Lucy Taylor (5), Camilla Williams (0) & Tamara Fox (7) Maryland (15): Caroline Anier (6), Bryony Taylor (4), Héloise Lorentzen (4) & Gabriella Turk (1)

Photography courtesy of Chantilly Polo Club

big hitter on the field the play was often stifled by shorter shots and scrappy pile-ups.

The result was a whitewash game against the four German girls meaning at least the British ladies didn’t come home empty handed.

However, overall the tournament was a great example of women’s polo and even better to see so many British based lady players do so well on the continent to take the top three positions in the final rankings.

Huntington Apes Hill win the Open de France Feminin

Central Coast Success

Between 23 – 25 September, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club hosted players from around the USA for the 2016 WCT 9-12 Goal Ladies’ Tournament. The Final saw defending champions, Central Coast Polo Club, featuring Jillian Tietje (2), Megan Judge (3), Jennifer Alexy (4) & Danielle Travis (3) take on Plank Company, Hanna Heitzig (0), Gabby Questel (2), Dayelle Fargey (7) & Kendall Plank (3). Although Plank Company appeared to be in control of the match, in the fourth and final chukka, Central Coast managed to draw the scores and secure a fifth chukka. Once again, despite Plank Company dominating the play, they were unable to convert their possession into goals, and Plank Company’s two missed shots resulted in a penalty shootout. Danielle Travis triumphed in the round of penalties and ensured Central Coast Polo Club retained the title for yet another year. For her efforts, Danielle Travis was named Most Valuable Player and Dayelle Fargey’s Ebony was awarded Best Playing Pony.

Historic Win

2016 was a significant year for The Jockey Club Open, as Lia Salvo became the first female player to win the Final of the prelude to The Triple Crown. Lia formed part for La Dolfina El Paso Polo Ranch, which also featured Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Pablo MacDonough (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10), who defeated La Aguada 16-12 in the Final on Saturday 24 September.

Although Salvo is the first woman to win The Jockey Club Open, other notable female successes include, Sunny Hale who won the US Open in 2000 with Team Outback, Gillian Johnston who also won The US Open in 2002 with Coca-Cola, Marianela Castagnola who won the Copa República Argentina in 1992 with La Dolfina and Camila Rossi who won the Torneo Intercolegial por la Copa Santa Paula in 2010.

Poland Polo

The last week of September saw women’s polo on a sunny and warm day of glory with the closing of the season Ladies’ Polo Weekend in Żurawno Polo Club. White Chicas, Marianna Olbrych (-1), Maggie Winiarczyk (-2), Joanna Toafil (-2) & Karolina Czarniecka (-2), took on Blue Bellas, Anna Maria Czekaj (-1), Maria Odrowąż-Petrykowska (-2), Kasia Zalasińska (-2) & Anna Maria Wiosna (-3), with the friendly match culminating in a 2-2 draw.

Action from Ladies’ Polo Weekend at Żurawno Polo Club

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Polo Times, November 2016

55

Women’s Polo

International

Inaugural Tennant Cup

Photograph courtesy of Cambridge Polo Club

The Tartan Lassies line-up before the Tennant Cup

The ladies at Cambridge Polo Club played the first Tennant Cup tournament of what will become an annual event, kindly donated

by Ed and Zoe Tennant. The inaugural event saw Tartan Lassies, Zoe Tennant (-1), Jane MacDougall (-1), Sue Knott (-2) & Kate Procter (-2) take on Flower Power, Debs Boorman (-1), Jacqui Morris-Lowe (-1), Julia Shaw (-2) & Sarah Dampier/Penelope Dampier (S). It was Tartan Lassies who convincingly defeated Flower Power 6-3 on a late summer evening, with Ed Tennant and his daughters presenting the cup and rosettes.

It is hoped by the Club that 2017 will see more teams enter as the event gathers momentum.

Turtle Power Triumph

Photograph by Armand Ali

Turtle Power, winners of the 5th Malaysian Ladies Polo Championship

The Malaysian Ladies Polo Championship started in 2012 and is recognised by WCT, which means that the winners of the Malaysian Ladies Polo Championship (MLPC) are eligible to play in the WCT Finals, played annually in the USA. This year the 5th edition of MLPC was held in aid of the PRIDE Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness, and formed part of the Royal Malaysian Association’s 2016 Festival of Polo. Three familiar UK ladies, Emma Boers, Sarah Wiseman and Abigail Slater, lined-up alongside women’s 9 goaler Sunny Hale and other international ladies to compete for the title. The three teams competed against each other throughout the weekend, with Turtle Power emerging

triumphant in first place, La Familia Windhorse in second place and Las Entangadas in third place. Devorah Bottreau was awarded the Fair Play Award, whilst six-year-old mare Bailarina, played by Sunny Hale was named Best Playing Pony.

Malaysian Ladies Polo Championship teams: 1st Turtle Power (14): Haseena Sharis Osman (0), Abigail Slater (3), Sarah Wiseman (7) & Billie Macart (4) 2nd La Familia Windhorse (13): Datin Nurul Husna (0), Lim Siu Tin (1), Jennifer Too (3) & Sunny Hale (9) 3rd Las Entangadas (10): Deborah Bottreau (0), Isabelle Larenaudie (3), Shalida Hasan (2) & Emma Boers (5)

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youthful Comeback

Four teams competed in the first Kids Polo Cup at Buksza Polo Club

Polish Polo

Youth polo has grown hugely in Poland over the last two years and this was reflected in the interest for the first ever Kids Polo Cup at the Buksza Polo Club played on the first weekend of October. The warmth of the early autumn sunshine encouraged the twenty young polo players to give their best performances yet for an audience of enthusiastic parents and supporters. Four teams of five players each took turns in a total of 12 chukkas, with the Blue Berries taking home the winning cup.

Kids Polo Cup teams: Blue Berries: Michal Tsiantos, Nadia Olbrych, Zuzanna Bilik, Milena Walenta & Lachlan Sinclair Green Ghosts: Marianna Olbrych, Jakub Kubicki, Albert Kuhl, Mikayla Harari & Michal Klodas Orange Juice: Jakub Czekaj, Julia Wypychowska, Klara Winiarczyk, Natasha, Buckley & Misia Nowakowska Yellow YOLOS: Maja Olbrych, Iga Parkot, Julka Morkowska, Kacper Stefaniak & Karen Reshef

Argentine Youth Tuesday 11 October was a busy day for Argentine Youth polo.

It saw the end of the Intercollegial Tournament with the Copa Santa Paula Final. This year, 13 teams between 0-11 goals were grouped into four sections. In the Final, St. Catherine’s Moorlands A faced Las Cañuelas at Palermo. Las Cañuelas began with a 2½ goal lead due to handicap differences, which despite the best efforts of St. Catherine’s Moorlands A, ultimately resulted in a marginal victory in favour of Las Cañuelas with a score of 6-6½.

Also played that day was the Final of the Campeonato Argentino Abierto Juvenil (Argentine Junior Open Championship), between Tortugas E.N. and La Mancha.

Following a strong start from Tortugas E.N., La Mancha fought back doggedly, however it wasn’t enough to defeat the previous Champions and Tortugas E.N. ran out the winners by just one goal, with a final score of 10-9.

Copa Santa Paula Final teams: Las Cañuelas (8): Camilo Castagnola (2), Felipe Dabas (1), Ignacio Velasco Gallo (1) & Bartolomé Castagnola (4) St. Catherine’s Moorlands A (11): Tomás Marín Moreno (2), Manuel Calafell (4), Mariano González (3) & Tomás Pasman (2) Campeonato Argentino Abierto Juvenil Final teams: Tortugas E.N. (21): Juan M. Zubía (5), Isidro Strada (5), Segundo Bocchino (6) & Jerónimo del Carril (5) La Mancha (22): Juan Zubiaurre (5), Lucas Díaz Alberdi (5),

Action from the Kids Polo Cup

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Polo Times, November 2016

Photograph by Matias Callejo/AAP

Druids Lodge The draw for the Druids Lodge University Super League has been announced. The League is now in its third year and will see five teams compete in a series of matches from Saturday 12 November 2016 to Saturday 18 March 2017. The matches will be played over three chukkas, with all teams playing the other four teams in the league, being awarded points for wins, loses and draws. Once all teams have played each other, the four teams with the most points will go through to play on the Finals day. The teams are currently as follows: Harvard Alumni (5): Janie Amero (1), Danielle Lussi (1) & Jonathan Willen (3) Bristol (7): Henry Fuller (1), Thor Gilje (2) & Robin Ormerod (4) Exeter (7): Lucy Sleeman (1), Seb Hancock (3) & Charlie Holley (3) London (8): Arthur Cole-Fontayn (1), George Cadogan (1) & Harold Hodges (6) Royal Agricultural University (9): Tom Wood (2), Ollie Severn (3) & Heinrich Dumrath (4)

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Congratulations to Northwood, a young team with an average age of under 21-yearsold, who cleared up at the end of the UK season in the Berkshire area.

What the team lacked in age they made up for in talent, horsepower and teamwork, and highlight the bright Northwood, winners of The Cottington Cup future of British youth polo. Remarkably, despite an injury earlier in the season, Milly Hine made a mid-season comeback with 16 unbeaten matches – and all in time to start the new school term!

Las Cañuelas, winners of the Copa Santa Paula

Tortugas E.N. raise the Campeonato Argentino Abierto Juvenil Cup for the third year

For a full list of Youth Dates, please turn to our What’s On pages.

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All Aspects of Youth Polo

Freshers’ Frenzy

Rock the Polo ON THE EVENING of 12 November, the Royal Holloway Polo Club will be hosting their annual Rock the Polo Event at Ash Farm Polo Club in Surrey. This year, the event will support the Racehorse Rescue Centre, which aids the rehabilitation of retired racehorses in order for them to live the rest of their lives in comfort.

The line-up for the exhibition match includes two of their alumni Oliver Edwards and James Mann together with Edward Morris Lowe, Charlie Wooldridge, Georgia Sweeney plus 10 goaler Chris Hyde has also been generous in supporting the cause.

Photograph by Jessie Beach-Thomas

As the UK summer season draws to a close, university students across the UK are dusting off their boots and warming up for a full winter of arena matches. Oxford University Polo Club had 603 new signs ups this year, which is a new record for OUPC, and have a jam-packed schedule, with 0-4 goal at Rugby on 29 -30 October, swiftly followed by matches versus ULU and St Andrews. Meanwhile, Newcastle University Polo Club saw a surge in popularity this year, with even more sign ups than ever before. With plenty of fresh faces they hope to build on their success from last season, not only recruiting new members to the sport but also moving their existing players through the levels. They kicked off their year with a taster session at White Rose Polo Club which included students who may never have sat on a horse before, let alone picked up a mallet, take to the saddle in non competitive chukkas.

To find out more about the new team and individual handicap levels for The British Junior Polo Championships 2017, please turn to HPA news on page 12.

Youth

Royal Holloway’s Polo Committee & Players at the 2015 event

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Polo Times, November 2016

59

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Final Flight

Fg Off Georgie Harwood tells us about the last tournament of the RAF polo season, “On Saturday 17 September the RAF Polo Association’s End Of Season tournament was held at White Waltham Polo Club. The End of Season is traditionally a chance for some of the new players who have joined RAF Polo during the year to play, sometimes their first, competitive match, with Flt Lt John Sweet and Sgt Ben Scott on their debut this year.

“RAF Spitfires were up against the RAF Hurricane and the first chukka started well with some great defending from both sides, however as the first seven minutes came to a close the Spitfires managed to squeeze one past the Hurricanes. As ever in internal matches, things intensified as competitiveness

grew and the ponies thundered around the field. Goals from the Hurricanes evened the score at 2-2 in the third chukka, however in the end it was the Spitfires who came out on top with a 3-2 lead to take the title.

“Presentations followed, along with a lovely glass of finest British Polo Gin kindly supplied by Sir Henry and Lady Antonia Riley. Along with the coveted trophy, cast from the joystick of a Chinook, the season’s Most Valuable Player award was given to Off Cdt Jon Perry, and the Most Improved Player to Fg Off Georgie Harwood. After some intense play all were ready for the asado that awaited. We would like to pass on our special thanks to our supporters for the day and to the White Waltham Polo Club for their hard work and putting on an enjoyable afternoon.”

Photograph by Sam Churchill

Army Polo Tour to Mongolia

The Hackett Army team and their ponies in between training

Lt Col Simon Ledger, Director APOLOA and tour leader, led Lt Arthgur Soames, Capt Hugh Richardson, Capt Robert Freeman-Kerr and Army polo coach Gaston Devrient on the second Army Polo tour to Mongolia supported

by IM Power and the British Embassy, which took place between 12 – 19 September.

Lt Col Simon Ledger reports on the tour, “The aim of the tour was to conduct the second coaching course for the Mongolian Army polo group as well as play for the IM Power Trophy. The first four days was a polo coaching course overseen by Gaston Devrient with the team members as instructors. This took place at Kentii, some seven hours drive across country from the Capital Ulaan Baatar.

The days were split into sessions with pony schooling in the mornings and then in the afternoons, stick work, stick and ball as well as slow chukkas. Rules, tactics and mini stick exercises were woven into the course. This included a unique session when a herd of 150 Mongolian ponies were paraded for selection to 60

Polo Times, November 2016

be schooled as polo ponies. All were no more that 12.1hh and were captured by the use of a lassoo on the end of a long pole. Gaston Devrient then chose 10 for further work before he put these ponies through their paces to select a group of six. After a few excitements and bruises the team then started proper work on them the next day and by the end of the last morning all were moving on the correct leg and totally at ease with sticks and balls, a wonderful demonstration by Gaston cemented what further work was required. All this via an interpreter as none of the students spoke English.

“The group then moved close to Ulaan Baatar to the Khaan Polo Club in the most wonderful setting in a valley surrounded by steep hills and woods. Slightly alarming were the fierce dogs on guard outside the Clubhouse where we stayed, their job was to ward off the wolves in the hills around us!

The ground was somewhat uneven with a few rather large stones dotted about, but after

Photograph by March Lynch

Military

Both teams with Sir Henry and Lady Antonia Riley raising a British Polo Gin and tonic

End Of Season Tournament teams: RAF Spitfires: Flt Lt Andy Waldron (-1), Flt Lt Ellie Hoogewerf (-1), Flt Lt John Sweet (S) & Cpl Gemma Turner-Wright (-2) RAF Hurricane: Sqn Ldr Ed Whitechurch (0), Fg Off Georgie Harwood (-2), Sgt Mark Sizzey (-2) & Sgt Ben Scott (-2)

an early morning to put in the boards and remove a few of the larger rocks, all was set for the IM Power Trophy first played for and won by the Army team at Guards Polo Club in July 2015. A large crowd began to gather, bouncing over the terrain in a wide collection of 4X4s to get to the area of play. Various Government Ministers arrived, hosted by the British Ambassador and about 250 guests then lined the ground with a commentary in English and Mongolian by myself and an interpreter. Mongolian National TV recorded the whole event. The match did not start well with Arthur Soames being dumped, luckily avoiding the rocks, and the Mongolian Army opposition – our students during the week – really got stuck in. It took the Army team some time to settle and at half-time it was 3-1. The game then sped up considerably and the Army team began to click on the tiny ponies with some good passes and team play. The score in the end was 8-3 in the British Army’s favour. Prizes were presented jointly by the British Ambassador, Catherine Arnold, and the Mongolian Defence Minister assisted by our sponsor, Gordon Dickie, of IM Power. An English tea followed in the traditional way, followed by a British Embassy reception and a rather late and raucous night.

The setting of Mongolia as the most unique country was a one-off experience.

The countryside is so vast and the people so resilient in their way of life and proud of their historical links to Ghengis Khan and the history of polo; which started as a means of developing riding skills, they played a version which involved large numbers of horsemen on either side and often played with human heads or sheeps heads as balls luckily times have moved on.” www.polotimes.co.uk

Pony Power

Photograph by Tara Smith

We got to know Belle, who won Polo Times Best Playing Pony at Guards Polo Club for her performance in the Chairman’s Cup Final

Bellemere “Belle” Age: Eight-years-old Colour: Bay

Height: 15.2hh Sex:Mare Owner: Andrew Hine

What is her breeding? Belle is an American TB by Ad Valorem (USA), out of Five Lakes (USA).

We spoke to Matt Perry about his mare Vasca Irlandes, who won Polo Times Best Playing Pony in The Autumn Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Vasca Irlandes

Age: Eight-years-old Colour: Bay Height: 15hh Sex: Mare Owner: Matt Perry

What is her breeding? She was bred out of a mare called Ramona and a Stallion www.polotimes.co.uk

called Vasco Chamuyo. They both played the Argentine Open with Ruso Heguy.

Tell us about her background? I bought her from Ruso Heguy’s in Argentina where she had mainly been playing chukkas and had done one or two tournaments with myself. I flew her to England at the start of last year where she played everything with me up until August when I turned her out.

Knowledge

Tell us about her background? I bought her from Milo Watson as a three-year-old off the track in York and retrained her for polo. This is her second season playing competitive match polo.

Has she won any other awards? No – This is her first!

What are her strengths? She is a fast and powerful mare, very sharp, with great acceleration and will never lose a ride-off.

How has she gone this season?

Better and better.

What are your plans for her future?

I am hoping that she will play high goal polo.

Does she have any special quirks? She likes her own space!

Describe her in three words? Fast, powerful, robust.

What are her strengths? She has a great mouth, is amazing in the short game and recuperates well each time she plays, so she can always give her all next time out. She has a great head on her which I think is key in a polo pony.

How has she gone this season? This year she played virtually every game with me and was one of my most solid horses throughout the season.

What are your plans for her future? At the moment the plan for her future is to help me become as good as I can get and hopefully she can get a chance to prove herself in the higher level polo, as I believe she is now ready for it.

Does she have any special quirks? Her main quirk is that when she does go out she is impossible to catch again! (Typical Argentine horse that smells freedom!) Other than that she is very easy in every other aspect and was my girlfriend’s favourite horse to play as a five-year-old when she persuaded me it was a good idea to get her!

Describe her in three words? Chilled, agile, reliable.

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Knowledge

Helen van Tuyll BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS Helen is the Director of VT Vets founded in 2015, and has been based from Kirtlington since February 2016, having previously worked in Lexington, Kentucky, New Zealand and the Cotswolds. Having been brought up only five miles from Kirtlington, she was enticed to come back to the area by Charlie Budgett setting up Kirtlington Park Stud. Helen is Joint Master of the South Dorset, sidesaddle enthusiast and owner of Bia, the Hanoverian Sausage dog.

Poor Performance and Sacroiliac Pain Anatomy – where and what is the sacroiliac joint?

The sacroiliac joint is situated in the upper region of the hindquarters where the spine joins the ilial wing of the pelvis. The joint forms the attachment between the pelvis and the spine and along with its related muscles and ligaments is responsible for the transfer of propulsive forces from the hind limbs to the skeleton. Unlike other more visible joints in the horse’s body, this joint has minimal movement.

Clinical Signs – what to look for?

The difficulty in diagnosing sacroiliac pain is mainly due to a wide variety of clinical signs displayed by different horses, and the

inaccessibility of the joint and ligaments, making them hard to visualise. The most commonly seen clinical signs are pain and exaggerated response to pressure over the tuber sacrale (jumpers bump) which can also be visibly more prominent in horses suffering from this condition. Reduced thoracolumbar (back) flexion and a mild to moderate hind limb lameness can often be noted. When ridden, the horse’s canter is often worse than the trot and the horses carrying themselves croup high with limited flexion through their hind legs. When stood behind these horses when they are trotted up in hand, they can be seen to have a plaiting gait behind. These signs can all be more evident when the horse is ridden.

Photography courtesy of Rachel McGarian

History – how do injuries occur?

Sacroiliac injuries can be acute or chronic and involve the soft tissue and bony structures of the joint (osteoarthritis). It is most commonly seen in performance horses, which, when working, carry more of their weight in their hind limbs, but it can also be seen after a direct trauma, such as slipping or falling in the paddock, rearing over backwards or being hung over a gate.

Sacroiliac pain can manifest as hind limb lameness or simply poor performance, with an unwillingness for these horses to engage their hindquarters. Pain in this region can be primary or secondary to another cause of hind limb lameness, often hind limb high suspensory pain.

Figure 1. Helen medicating the right side of the Sacroiliac region

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Knowledge

Diagnosis – how to confirm the injury?

The sacroiliac area can be blocked with local anaesthetic to see if there is an improvement in the horse’s way of going.

This is not without risk, as the anaesthetic drug can disperse into the sciatic nerve and can result in the horse losing function in its back legs for a few hours and an end to the examination. The sacroiliac joint can also be examined by ultrasound per rectum and transcutaneous to look for any abnormalities in the soft tissue structures and calcifications within the ligament.

Another technique is to Bone Scan (Nuclear Scintigraphy) the pelvic area. A labelled radioactive isotope is injected intravenously into the horse. A few hours later a gamma camera is used to image the skeleton. The scan will pick up areas of increased bone metabolism as the isotope attaches itself in greater amounts to areas where the bone is currently remodelling itself. Detection of marked left-right asymmetry of radioactive uptake of the sacroiliac joint and tuber sacrale is used to confirm the diagnosis.

However, these images can be difficult to interpret, but can be used to support the diagnosis.

Figure 2

Figure 3

This table shows the most commonly seen clinical signs of horses with Sacroiliac pain

Treatment – what next?

Treatment with cortisone and other antiinflammatory drugs into the area around the joint can be highly successful. Combined with physiotherapy and a short period (two weeks) of specialised work, many of these horses return to their previous level of performance. Improvements due to this treatment are usually seen quite quickly, within the region of seven to 10 days, and further improvements can be seen after a follow-up injection four to six weeks later. Additional supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, sodium hyaluronate, tiludronate and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan can also improve clinical signs in the case of osteoarthritis.

Shockwave therapy can also be used to good effect.

Clinical Signs

Percentage

Canter stiff and stilted, worse than trot

81%

Poor contact with the bit

65%

Poor hind limb impulsion

54%

Reluctance to go forward

46%

Limited flexibility of thoracolumbar region

44%

Increased tension and pain on palpation of back muscle

40%

Roach back

28%

Helen van Tuyll BSc (Hons) BVSc

Bucked at canter

27%

Kicked out behind

22%

Plaited behind

21%

Reluctance to be shod behind

14%

Bucked at trot

14%

Tuber sacrale higher than withers

9%

MRCVS VT Vets Park Farm Akeman Street Kirtlington Oxfordshire OX5 3JQ Tel: +44 (0) 7931 541 114 Email: clinic@vtvets.com

A.Barstoe and S. Dyson. Clinical features and diagnosis of sacroiliac joint region pain in 296 horses 2004-2014. EVE (2015) 27 (12) 637-647

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Bits

For horses and ponies with unusual mouth conformation, or with an especially smaller-sized mouth, custom bit design could be the answer to tricky bitting issues, says Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd

A Custom Fit Off-the-shelf sizes in bits such as this Polo Pelham are available from 115mm

As discussed in recent issues, while polo ponies do tend to have relatively compact heads and average-sized tongues, there are lots of players with horses that have crossed over from another discipline, perhaps a small Warmblood-type, a former racehorse or an Arab-cross; and they may face conformational challenges within the mouth.

Warmbloods for example tend to have larger tongues, while Arab crosses often have a lower upper palate.

Whatever the breed or lineage, there are also conformational mouth issues that crop up with no obvious cause, in terms of dental issues or breed influences. They include particularly thick, thin, narrow or wide tongues, as well as wide or narrow jaws; high, low or fleshy palates (e.g. the roof of mouth), as well as long lips, and overshot or undershot jaws. And of course, it is not uncommon to see several of these issues occurring at once.

Bits such as this off-the-shelf Barrie include twisted sections – but customisation could see a twist on just one side, but not the other

If your trainer and or vet agrees that your horse or pony has an unusual mouth conformation, then the revolutionary ‘design your own bit’ service on offer from Bombers Equestrian Equipment could be of interest to you. The service means that players can choose whatever mouth piece, cheek piece and bit size they require, and customise each bit with personal instruction.

It could be the size (width) of the mouthpiece; although the bits are available on special order in standard non-bespoke sizes not held in stock in the UK from 115mm, for ponies. What is perhaps more

common is for the custom-made element to be required for the bit’s shape and function; for example, some players like a twist on one side, but not the other, perhaps if they have a strong pony that leans on one rein.

To obtain a bespoke Bombers Bit, simply email info@equineman.com and upon receiving the email, Bombers Bit will respond with a quote and estimated turnaround time for production and delivery (usually up to two months). Their most popular polo bits are the Pelhams, 3-Rings and Big Ring Gags, and a multitude of mouthpiece designs is available to suit your needs.

Bombers Bits also include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions.

Bombers Bits are made from blue sweet iron - the metal oxidises easily, creating a warm, sweet taste in the horse’s mouth. This encourages the horse to salivate. Visit www.worldwidetack.com. Submit your bitting questions to info@equineman.com to enter a prize draw to win a voucher towards the Bombers Bit of your choice.

TRISTAR

Manufacturers of Quality Horseboxes

For our current stock please visit our new & updated website

www.tristarhorsesboxes.co.uk Tel: 01570 422250 Email: sales@tristarhorseboxes.co.uk 64

Polo Times, November 2016

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La Quinta Argentine Polo at its Best!

Your time at La Quinta can be intense and structured, or not – it’s your choice! There is limited accommodation at the Club. Otherwise we can help you find a place to stay locally (house or hotel) or you may like to stay in a Hotel downtown Buenos Aires. Guide price for 1 week: US$3,000 (excluding accommodation). Longer/shorter stays possible.

Price depends on length of stay and on any personal requests.

Luke and Mark Tomlinson are offering the opportunity for players to play at their club in Pilar, Argentina (45 minutes from BA).

A typical week’s stay would include: • • • •

Between 4 & 6 practices of a good standard on suitable ponies Stick and Ball whenever A couple of lessons with Luke or Mark (if wanted!)

An indoor arena and a polo field that dries out very quickly after rain - enjoy riding whatever the weather

You may have your own ponies or even ponies to try and are in need of a base to play and practice from. We can offer this too. Whatever your polo needs in Argentina are please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Early December 2016 Copa Cuatro Tacos – 12-goal tournament with an emphasis on enjoying fun polo on great fields

marcotomo@hotmail.com

www.laquintapoloclub.com.ar

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ĂŶĞ ŵĂůůĞƚƐ ĂůƐŽ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŽ ŽƌĚĞƌ 'ƌĞĂƚ ƐŚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƌĂƚĞƐ ĚŽŽƌ ƚŽ ĚŽŽƌ

• Manege Construction • Pony Lines & Wash-Down Areas • Lunge Rings & Exercise Tracks • Equestrian & Stock Fencing • Roads & Tracks • Hard Standings & Concrete Slabs • Special Projects for more information please contact: tel: 01483 894 888 • mob: 07836 356714 • fax: 01483 892 497 email: jeremy@jcfc.co.uk web: www.jcfc.o.uk

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Šwww.imagesofpolo.com

Knowledge

Fitness Focus

Prof. MartĂ­n Perez is an Argentine-born physical coach for polo players, who works with professionals and patrons throughout the polo community from high to low goal. In 2014, he founded the company Fitness for Polo, with the aim of bringing the advantages of polo specific training to a wider audience

How to Keep Players Going Through the Winter We talk to leading physical coach for polo players and founder of Fitness for Polo, MartĂ­n Perez about how to keep fit over the winter season

Autumn is in full swing and while half of us have donned woolly socks and thermal skins in order to battle through the frosty arena season, many of us have left it up to the ponies to fight the elements, while we snuggle up next to the fire, hibernating until spring time tempts us out once more into the saddle.

So, whichever path has been chosen, how can players make sure that they stay on track, avoiding injuries and staying fit over the winter?

For those playing the arena season With players rushing from match to match, tournament to tournament and even season to season, the life of a polo player of any age or handicap can be hugely intense. Polo is a dynamic and dangerous sport and people often underestimate the physicality of the game and the demands which it places on the body. When people think of polo, they think of seven minute chukkas. Quick, explosive bursts of exercise. However, for those following the international polo circuit, or playing throughout the winter in the arena, the sport is more of a marathon than a sprint. There is little time to rest and recuperate between tournaments and this comes with its own set of problems.

The same basic fitness ideals apply for the arena season as for the summer season, however there are certain aspects that must be kept in mind when playing in the winter: 1) Warmth Staying warm (although it might seem impossible on a frosty January afternoon) is vital for your muscles. Cold muscles have a higher risk of injury, so wearing base layers such as lycra skins and thermals under your playing gear is a great way to make sure you keep them toasty.

This is a great stretching routine for after matches or practice sessions

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Polo Times, November 2016

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Photograph by Gillian Hughes

On cold winter days, staying warm with base layers is vital to reduce muscle injury

2) Hydration On the other hand, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it’s cold your body won’t sweat. Staying hydrated is just as important in cold weather as in hot to avoid dehydration and a reduced performance. Keep a bottle of water or a sports drink handy for between each chukka.

3) Recovery Recovery sessions are important at any time of year, but in the winter when it is even harder to control your body temperature it is especially important to concentrate on recovery. Dramatic changes in temperature can cause injuries and muscular problems so it is important to try and regulate your warming up or cooling down after a match and to focus on stretching properly.

Fitness Focus

For those taking a break over the winter When spring time comes you will spend hours getting your ponies fit, slowly and painstakingly over the course of a few months, but it very rarely occurs to us to treat ourselves with the same kind of discipline. Playing constantly throughout the year will keep a base level of fitness, but for those who take the winter months as a break from polo, here are some of the best things that you can do to stop yourself from losing strength, flexibility and fitness levels.

Injuries can occur from overuse of muscles, tiredness or a failure to prepare properly. Good preparation is key to surviving the season (or seasons), so the winter can be a great chance to make the most of time off and to get ready for next year meaning that you can come back faster, stronger and more prepared for the season ahead.

1) Rest Although this sounds contradictory to the theory behind fitness it is one of the most important elements. Just like you give your ponies time to rest and recuperate over the winter, use the time well to catch up on sleep (no more early morning sets), take a little time off from exercise (to let muscles recover) and make the most of the time off to allow any niggling injuries incurred over the season to fully heal.

2) Keep yourself ticking over So rest is important, but don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. It is very important to keep a base level of fitness in order to make your life easier come spring time and to keep your body moving over the off season. Give yourself a week or two off and then get back into training. Use the time off to

Knowledge

build strength and focus on key polo areas such as the core and legs.

3) Focus on flexibility The winter is a great time to start pushing your flexibility levels. Use the months off to do a five minute stretching session per day or practice some yoga. Just a little bit a day can make a big difference and you will really feel the benefits.

Available at fitnessforpolo.com these two guides are full of exercises to keep you strong and healthy for polo and can be a used throughout the winter to keep up base fitness levels

For some great tips, exercises, stretching and flexibility routines, plus more extensive exercise guides to help you win in the winter go to fitnessforpolo.com

Located in the heart of the New Zealand Polo Scene we offer Polo for beginners and experienced players alike, together with an unforgettable Kiwi holiday experience.

Chukkas, matches and tournaments at the famous Waimai Club plus farm chukkas trekking and beach rides. Holidays tailored to suite your requirements.

Reduced rates for early bookings, Groups, Schools and Universities.

Check us out at www.newzealandpoloholidays.co.nz or call Ken Pitts – NZ +64 7 825 4535, Matt Pitts – UK 07721919465 or Toby Pitts – UK 07514433033 email – amberwood.nzph@gmail.com

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Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from £2.99 plus p&p Visit www.Katesart.com or txt/tel 07887 678421 or email: enquiries@Katesart.com image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007

Polo Times, November 2016

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Sidelines

Gossip

IN MEMORY OF VICTORIA Ricky Cooper got in touch to tell us about his latest fundraiser in memorium for Victoria ElsburyLegg, “On 25 September I ran the Loch Ness Marathon in addition to a marathon I completed a few weeks before at the Olympic Velodrome – this is in order to raise funds for Victoria’s two favourite charities, Mind and FORME.” To contribute please visit victoria.elsburylegg. muchloved.com

OVER 18 The first of the top tottie trilogy from Nacho Figueras was spotted in a well-known bookstore at Birmingham Airport this month whilst Polo Times were en route to Paris for the French Open. Plus, the next book in the trilogy, Wild One, has just arrived in the Polo Times office hot off the press!

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

Photograph by Sophie Kyriazi

BRIDLE PARTY Edward Morris-Lowe and Georgie Le Seelleur French were married in the company of friends and family, with a strong polo contingency on Saturday 8 October in Cambridgeshire. The wedding party continued back at Morris-Lowe headquarters, Haggis Farm, now known as Cambridge Polo Club, by all accounts it was a pretty good knees-up.

Photograph courtesy of Singapore Polo Club

ON FIRE Singapore Polo Club recently held an open day for local families to come and enjoy all the Club has to offer. The day included all sorts of activities including pony rides on ponies decorated with brightly coloured paint. Polo player Greg Parkhurst also displayed his tent pegging skills on one of his polo ponies, but with a heated extra!

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Polo Times, November 2016

HAPPY HAZEL Leading British UK women’s player, Hazel Jackson has announced her engagement to Ivan Goana. Ivan popped the question whilst the duo were holidaying in Menorca.

Congratulations!

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Naomi Schroeder

Dan Deville

Brad Biddle, Peter Wright & Steven Evans

Lucy Taylor, Tamara Fox, Camilla Williams and Emma Boers

Open de France Paprec; Chantilly Polo Club; Sunday 18 September

French Fun

Martin Aguerre & Benoit Perrier

Cristina Eastwood, Sean & Heloise Wilson-Smith, Samantha & Bryony Taylor & Aaron Beecroft

The junior players watching the action with their tiny steeds

Jaime Huidobro & Karan Thapar

The top titled tournament in Chantilly was well attended

by Brits in both the mixed and ladies’ editions of the tournament and the Finals day was a truely French fanfare, complete with hunting horns serenading the presentations, with polo played all day long including juniors on super-cute Sheltands. Parades of horses and ponies from all equestrian disciplines and pursuits added a colourful edge to the day as guests enjoyed a luncheon in the Clubhouse. The prize tables overflowed with goodies from multiple sponsors including official timekeeper for the Club Richard Mille. The Brits may have packed for Riviera style sweltering heat, but ended up with downpours and drizzle more akin to the English summer, but it didn’t dampen their spirits as the day progressed. To read more about who won what, turn to our Reports and Women’s Polo pages.

Hazel Jackson & Ed Banner-Eve

Photography by Eva Polo Photo & Polo Times Charlene Guidkuil & Adam Cutler

Max Charlton & Sophie Brogen

Louis Jarrige, Brieuc Rigaux, Wahib Geagea, Lavinia Fabre, Noémie Eisenchteter, Ernesto Trotz & Patrick Eisenchteter

Ponies for La Hermanitas

Christmas Gift Why not treat yourself or a friend to Polo Times?

Call our friendly subscriptions team: 01452 730 770 or visit www.polotimes.co.uk

The French Open Trophy

Vintage cars and champagne at the ready

Volume 21 • Issue 10 • November 2016 • £6.50 www.polotimes. co.uk

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www.polotimes.co.uk 2016 10 • November Volume 21 • Issue

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Volume 21 • Issue 10 • November 2016

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N ARGENTINE ACTIO & Triple Crown Guide Tortugas Open Report IN OR OUT? Arena Polo Focus GUIDE CHRISTMAS GIFT e Present Ideas for Everyon PLUS: Thai Polo Equestrian

Excellence & French

Open

ARGENTINE Tortugas Open ACTION Report & Triple Crown Guide IN OR OUT? Arena Polo Focus CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Present Ideas for Everyone

ARGENTINE ACT Tortugas Open RepoION rt & Triple Crown Guide IN OR OUT? Arena Polo Focus CHRISTMAS GIFT Present Ideas for EverGUIDE yone PLUS: Thai Polo

Equestrian Excellence

& French Open

PLUS: Thai Polo Eques

trian Excellence &

French Open

Alex Craig, Mr & Mrs Craig & Michelle Craig

Bruce Crawford, Hannah Oliver-Byrne, Catherine Varney, Huw Beavan, Ella Cloake & James Glew

Caron Clark, winner of the Best Dressed Award

End of Season Party; Dallas Burston Polo Club; Friday 23 September

Forties Fun Catherine Varney, Kelly Hartwell & Emma Atkin

The 1940s themed ball included ration cards and union flags, which decorated the IXL Events Centre and The Bombshell Belles took to the stage with their distinctive vintage sound. 120 guests from both polo and the local community attended to celebrate the end of one of DBPC’s busiest seasons to date and enjoyed the brand new British Polo Gin Chukka Cocktail on arrival, followed by an updated 40s themed buffet. Some fabulous costumes added to the atmosphere, and credit must go to Del Kang and Catherine Varney for opening the dancing with some particularly stylish moves!

Photography by Gail Braznell, Reflected Images

Adam Walter, Maisie Robinson, Cameron Whitehouse & Richard Dale

Hilary Pinheiro & Rose Philpott

Sarah Holden, Lucy Gwillam, Kate Sullivan & Lisa Power

Hitting the dancefloor

Michael Bailey & Liz Taylor

Suzie Fearon, Charlotte Reeve & Adelina Hudson

Jane Kang & Paul Eagles

Maisie Robinson & Poppy Wilson

Suz & Major Richard Carney

Martin Hay & Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

Jose Miguel Smith

Patrick Teroerde, Lucas Fernandez & David Muñoz

Sarah Caroline Tallents

Freddie & Nastassia Ventura

Gordon Campbell

Benjie Davis & Piers Lindsay-Fynn

Rachael Davis

Hugo Davis & Charles Wood

90th Anniversary Members’ Awards Dinner; HPC, the London Polo Club; Saturday 17 September

Everyone’s a Winner The last hoorah of what has been a very special season at the London Club was fittingly fantastic with flowing wine, champagne and the latest polo beverage brought to you by British Polo Gin, the Chukka Cocktail, fuelled the 80 strong guest list. A quick chat from Chairman Nicholas ColquhounDenvers introduced the charity for the evening, Polo Pastures, which was represented by founder Sarah Tallents before Benjie Davis executed a fruitful auction. Lots were donated from the likes of King Power and Marc Beaumont with funds in excess of £3,300 rolling in. Following on, Colquhoun-Denvers dished out some awards to: the Most Improved Player which was jointly awarded to Garrie Renucci and Cuauhtemoc Velasco Aznar, Most Improved Lady Player Hannah Firman, HPA Umpire of the Year Freddie Ventura, HPC Fellowship Award to Jose Miguel Smith and finally Player of the Year, as voted by the Club’s members, went to Martin Hay

Graciela & Jose Miguel Smith with David Muñoz & María Sevilla

Patrick & Lizzi Teroerde

Freddie Ventura

Photography by Robert Piper

Robert Allton

Robert de By, Siobhan Barney & Nick Connon

Gabriella Boldizsar & Joyce Yiu

Colonel Geoffrey Godbold OBE & Rebecca Steadman

Cuauhtemoc Velasco Aznar & Hannah Firman

Tchengiz & Lucy Siddiqi

Pablo Marin & Juan Cruz Araya Martelli

Sandro Marcos

Elisabeth Halbesma

Alice Gough, Oscar Mellors, Rohan Dodd, Sarah Hardy & Caitlin Whitby

Alana Dowling, Brenna Wilson & Ali Jumabhoy

University Polo Season Launch Party; Maddox Club, London; 24 September

Winter Blues Sally Schwartz, Sarah White, Heather Winsor & Aurelia Vandamme

A university collaboration between Oxford, Cambridge and London Polo Clubs co-hosted by Natascha Hedegaard, Heather Winsor and Ben Lawrence kicked off the academic and university polo seasons in style. A Mayfair location brought together over 70 students from both the UK and USA as well as Club sponsors La Martina to enjoy a drinks reception, followed by more inter-club mingling on the dancefloor in the basement location.

Photography by Jem Bosatta

Lizzy Hamilton, Roberto Weeden-Sanz, Nicolas Hartmann, Hebe Midlemiss, Jerome Kamm & Charlie Humphreys

Sarah Hardy, Oscar Mellors & Ben Lawrence

Tissy Van Reyk, Pam Manku & Tara Smith counting the coffers

Saskia Meadows & the raffle prizes

Katie Lewis & Sara Devereux

Revellers enjoying the night at Maddox Club

Just one of the cakes on offer

Mary O’Dwyer

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning; Guards Polo Club; Friday 30 September

Let Them Eat Cake The Clubhouse doors were thrown open to everyone as part of the Macmillan cancer support charity’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event.

This is the fifth year that the Club has taken part in this national event and 2016 saw the team raise a staggering £721 in just a couple of hours.

In addition to delicious cakes and coffee, there were fabulous handbags for sale, a Guards Polo Club-themed raffle, Guards’ very own version of the Great British Bake Off and a spot the polo ball competition.

Board Directors, players, members and visitors stopped-off to sample cakes, chat with friends and take home some Club mementos. Tea, cake and handbags, what’s not to love about that on a Friday morning, and all in aid of charity!

Sean O’Dwyer & Heidi Field

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com Guards vet Holly Baird

Cake, biscuits and a sneaky bottle of wine…

A handy bag stall

Joan Noyes & Kay Knowlton

Kim Lake & Major Iain Forbes-Cockell

Polo directory

Dates for Your Diary

What’s On in November 2016 Key UK Arena Season Dates

RCBPC – HPA National Club Championships (1-3): 12 – 27 November RCBPC – HPA National Club Championships (10-12): 12 – 27 November Westcroft Park – HPA Christmas National Club Championships (5-8): 2 – 11 December Rugby – Midlands Polo Festival (4, 8 & 15): 9 – 11 December Westcroft Park – England International Test Match: 17 December RCBPC – HPA New Year National Club Championships (4-6): 6 – 22 January RCBPC – HPA New Year National Club Championships (13-15): 6 – 22 January Rugby – SUPA University Nationals (Open): 9 – 12 February RCBPC – The Arena Gold Cup (13-15): 13 – 15 February Westcroft Park – Ladies Winter Championships (0-2, 3-4, 4-6): 25 – 26 February AEPC – The Bryan Morrison International Trophy (Open): 4 March Rugby – SUPA National Senior Schools (Open): 5 March

November Club Fixtures

DBPC – The IXL Cup (8-12): 19 – 20 November RCBPC – Weekend Tournament (4-6 & 7-10): 5 – 6 November Tidworth – Bayonet Tournament (8-10): 26 – 27 November Westcroft Park – Westley Green Farm Plate (6-8): 19 – 20 November Epsom – The Churchill Cup (3-6): 12 – 13 November Rugby – The WPPG Cup (2-6): 12 – 13 November Ash Farm – Opening Arena Season Tournament (0-2 & 2-4): 12 – 13 November Epsom – St Andrews Cup (2-4): 19 – 20 November Vaux Park – Primero Challenge (0-2): 19 – 20 November Vaux Park – Novices Challenge (0-2): 26 – 27 November Tidworth – Bayonet Trophy (-2-2): 26 – 27 November DBPC – The Millstone Challenge (2): 27 November FHM – Falcon Feeds Shield (-3-0): 26 November Westcroft Park – Opening Weekend Challenges (Open): 5 – 6 November Rugby – T-Bone Challenge (Open): 7 November Westcroft Park – Westcroft Park 2016 Pro-Am League (Open): 12 – 13 November 74

Polo Times, November 2016

Vale of York – Lay-Soft Arena Challenge (Open): 16 November Ash Farm – Challenge Matches (Open): 19 – 20 November AEPC – The Hickstead Opening Season Tournament (Open): 19 – 20 November Westcroft Park – Westcroft Park 2016 Pro-Am League (Open): 26 – 27 November Ash Farm – Challenge Matches (Open): 26 – 27 November

Youth Polo

RCBPC – OUPC vs ULU: 5 – 6 November Cambridge – Winter Varsity: 19 – 20 November Druids Lodge – Varsity Match Royal Holloway vs Exeter (Open): 19 – 20 November Druids Lodge – Varsity Match Bristol vs Exeter (Open): 19 – 20 November Rugby – University Challenge (Open): 19 – 20 November Rugby/ Druids Lodge – SUPA League: 26 – 27 November

Argentina

El Remanso Polo Club – Copa El Remanso (17-20): October 25 – 6 November AAP – 123rd Campeonato Argentino Abiertos De Polo: November 10 – 10 December La Aguada – Julio Novillo Astrada Cup: 14 – 25 November La Aguada – La Aguada Cowdray Park Polo Cup: November 26 – 2 December La Aguada – La Aguada Guards Polo Cup: 3 –10 December La Aguada – La Aguada Spring Cup: 3 – 10 December

Ladies Polo

Houston – U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship (20-26): 8 – 13 November La Dolfina Polo Club, Argentina – Ladies’ International Diamond Cup (14-16): 14 – 18 November Westcroft Park – Ladies’ Winter Championships (0-2, 3-4 & 4-6): 25 – 26 February

America Grand Champions – Polo Gear Challenge: 8 – 13 November Grand Champions – National 20 Goal (16-20): 11 – 20 November Central Coast – Middle School League: 12 – 13 November Aztec – Border Circuit Arena Amateur Cup (0-3): 19 – 20 November Houston – Middle School League: 19 – 20 November Aztec – Border Circuit Constitution Cup (0): 23 – 25 November Grand Champions – 2016 International Cup (20): 26 November Grand Champions – Carlos Memorial Legends of Polo: 26 November

Singapore

Singapore – Singapore Polo Club vs Club du Domaine de Chantilly: 12 – 13 November Singapore – Grooms’ Cup & Club Tournament: 26 – 27 November

South Africa

Val de Vie – Pink Polo: 11 – 13 November Val de Vie – 4 Goal Tournament: 11 – 13 November Plett Polo – Plett Polo Kids Clinic: 2 – 4 December Plett Polo – Plett International: 29 December Oaklands – Fuimas Cup: 28 – 30 October Val de Vie – Pink Polo: 11 – 13 November Val de Vie – 4 Goal Tournament: 11 – 13 November Plett Polo – Plett Polo Kids Clinic: 2 – 4 December Plett Polo – Plett International: 29 December www.polotimes.co.uk

Dates for Your Diary

Bloodstock Sales

Tremblant – Snow Polo Tremblant International: 2 – 4 March 2017

Ascot – November Sale: 3 November Cheltenham – November Sale: 11 November Ascot – December Sale: 5 December Cheltenham – December Sale: 9 December

Social Events

Snow Polo Dates

Thailand

Thai Polo – Copa Republica Argentina (2-4): 2 – 4 December Thai Polo – La Posta Cup (5-8): 15 – 18 December Thai Polo – Thailand Equestrian Federation Cup (8-10): 27 – 31 December Thai Polo – Thai Polo Open (12-14): 4 – 14 January 2017 Thai Polo – FIP World Cup Zone D PlayOffs (10-14): January 24 – 4 February

Kitzbühel – 15th Snow Polo World Cup: 12 to 15 January 2017 Megève – The Megève Polo Masters: 19 – 22 January 2107 St Moritz – Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz 2017: 27 – 29 January 2017

Quick Question

18 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray – Duke of Sutherland: May 20 – 11 June Cirencester – Apsley Cup: June 14 – 2 July Guards – Indian Empire Shield: 4 – 22 July Cowdray – Challenge Cup: July 24 – 6 August

15 Goal Victor Ludorum

Guards – Bentley Royal Windsor: 5 – 25 June RCBPC – Eduardo Moore: June 27 – 15 July

Ellenborough Park – The Watershed RDA Group Gala Dinner: 10 November Malmaison – OUPC Christmas Dinner: 24 November Guards – The Polo Awards 2017: 30 May 2017 Editor’s Note – All dates are correct at time of going to press. Polo Times takes no responsibility for fixtures moved, cancelled or altered. Always check with the Club(s) for the most up-to-date fixtures lists.

Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page A: There are no changes, all the tournaments in each category remain the same only the dates have changed for 2017.

2017 Victor Ludorum and High Goal Dates Cowdray – Harrison Cup: 22+ Goal RCBPC – Prince of Wales: 6 – 20 May Guards – Cartier Queen’s Cup: May 23 – 18 June Cirencester – Warwickshire Cup: 20 – 25 June Cowdray – Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup: June 27 – 23 July

Polo directory

July 17 – 5 August Cirencester – County Cup: 7 – 19 August Beaufort – Arthur Lucas: August 22 – 3 September

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray – Dollar Cup: May 15 – 4 June RCBPC – John Prestwich: 5 – 17 June Beaufort – Prince of Wales: June 19 – 1 July Cirencester – The Queen Mother Trophy: 3 – 16 July Guards – Duke of Wellington: 5 – 20 August Cirencester – Cheltenham Cup: August 29 – 10 September Cowdray – Autumn League: 12 – 24 September

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester – Gerald Balding: 15 – 29 May

Guards – Archie David: June 9 – 2 August RCBPC– Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy: 5 – 23 July Cowdray – Holden White: July 24 – 6 August Beaufort – Wichenford Bowl: 14 –27 August

6 Goal Victor Ludorum

DBPC – The Stoneythorpe Cup: 15 – 28 May Beaufort – Eduardo Rojas Lanusse: 5 – 17 June Rutland – Assam Cup: June 27 – 2 July Cheshire – County Cup: 10 – 16 July Cambridge County – The Cavendish Cup: 24 – 30 July Kirtlington – Budgett Everett Trophy: 3 – 14 August HPC – Roehampton Cup: 15 – 27 August Cirencester – Kingscote Cup: August 28 – 9 September

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 (0) 1 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

All England Polo Club Hickstead*

01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepolo@icloud.com

Cambridge County Polo Club*

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Apsley End

01462 712444

peter.pollak@btopenworld.com

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Cirencester Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

0771 0558485

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

CSPA

01672 5649114

markcann@cspa.org.uk

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, November 2016

75

Polo directory

Dates for Your Diary

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

ella@ixlevents.com

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

EMAIL info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

gillian@glockhart.wanadoo.co.uk

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Eastwood

07875 743475

secretary@eastwoodpolo.co.uk

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

polo@ranelaghfarm.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Ranksboro Polo Club*

01572 723755

polojoe@hotmail.com

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbp.com

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

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

FHM Polo Club

07778 436468

fhmpolo@yahoo.co.uk

Royal Navy Polo Club

07950 328097

jockiewilson@hotmail.co.uk

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

Rutland Polo Club

07920 521285

polomanager@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Heathfield Polo Club*

07762 069 420

info@heathfieldparkpolo.co.uk

Rockett’s Castle

00353 87 2520301

rockettscastlepolo@gmail.com

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Rowley Park Polo Club*

07971 200160

carterlegeorge@hotmail.co.uk

Higham Polo Club

07788 753948

sarah@highampoloclub.com

Silver Leys Polo Club

07535 697854

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

gary@hurtwoodparkpolo.com

St. Albans Polo lub

07535 697854

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Inglesham Polo Club*

07818 508136

mattevetts@hotmail.com

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

SWF*

01962 885500

info@maywoodpolo.com

Leadenham Polo Club

01400 272885

jameshreeve@hotmail.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs@supanet.com

Little Bentley

01206 250435

fred@littlebentleypark.co.uk

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Luton Hoo

07934 882713

info@poloprive.com

Vale of York Polo Club

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

Dorset Polo Club

01202 621486

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alec@mhfpolo.co.uk

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Moyne

00353 85 1313224

moynepolo@hotmail.com

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

New Forest Polo Club

02380 811818

info@newforestpoloclub.co.uk

White Rose Polo Club

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07831 867334

robert@hellomxb.com

Wicklow Polo*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

6 irrigated polo fields.

Polo from instructional chukkas to high goal polo Lessons/stick and ball sessions in morning Club/Match chukkas or slow instructional chukkas in pm Beginners/novice packages.

www.la-esperanza.com.ar www.facebook.com/esperanzapolo

All day polo instruction from our team of coaches: MARTIN FFRENCH BLAKE - HPA COACH JOSE AND PAULO BERTOLA We take pride in making sure all our guests improve and have fun and safe polo.

Martin ffrench Blake +44 7971 401144 martin_ffrench_blake@hotmail.com

We own some 500 polo ponies. A huge selection for sale to cater for all levels.

All sold with 5 stage vet and guarantee.

World wide shipping arranged.

All inclusive package: 5 Star accommodation.

4 meals a day with beverages. Maid and chef on site.

POLO/LESSONS

76

Polo Times, November 2016

José María Bertola +54 92926 492770 josebertola@infovia.com.ar Club + 0054 2926 423802 polo@la-esperanza.com.ar CP.7540 Coronel Suárez Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina The Bertola Family warmly welcome you to come and play at LA ESPERANZA POLO CLUB. You will be looked after in true Argentine Style on the family Estancia and will live in the middle of the polo Club. Wonderful gardens and very relaxing.

Great food and wine.Excelent ponies and fields.

POLO PARADISE Taking bookings now for the 2016/17 season.

Visit our working Estancia and vineyards.

Herd cattle and sample champagne.

Ride out as a Gaucho for a day.

Full season of tournaments at LA ESPERNZA AND CORONEL SUAREZ POLO CLUB. Personalised polo packages arranged.

All levels of polo player catered from beginner to high goal pro.

www.polotimes.co.uk

For information contact Ali Howe

01488 71100

alihowe@martincollins.com

Polo directory

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Good to shoe, box, clip. Winters well and has always played sound. Full vetting welcome. Reluctant sale £8,000.

Northants. Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

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SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/horn.

Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm.

Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217

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Groom wanted for Wiltshire polo yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas etc. Reliability essential. On-site accommodation Tel: 0123 000000

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Tel: +44 (0) 1842 862 068 Fax: +44 (0) 1842 861 936 Email: info@greenheath.co.uk www.greenheath.co.uk

For Hire / Sale - New Alstrong Actus with APV Seeder. Ensure your pitch is healthy and green this year with this Alstrong Actus. Full dealer services with rental possibility. Call for further details

MAJOR TDR 16000s - Choice of almost new to ex-hire.

Prices starting at £5000 + VAT. Hire option available.

Massey Ferguson 690 tractor and a wide choice of budget tractors in stock. Ideal for ground care. Speak to our team for more details on our tractor range.

For Hire / Sale - Alstrong Aerator 840T. Heavy duty, hard wearing and just what you need for your ground. Offering new and used with rental options - speak to us today about Alstrong products.

2010 Isuzu 7.5t flatbed lorry, ideal for horse box conversion. Auto, AC, one owner from new.

Call for a price or some advice.

Charterhouse 9’ aerator & similar in stock.

For sale or contract hire. Call us to discuss pitch care with our team.

Martin Collins Gallop Master & Arena Master ready for arena season.

Nicholson PC1800 Paddock Sweepers. This paddock sweeper takes the biscuit compared to other makes of paddock cleaners, with new brushes and screen and very light use. Choice of 5 units for sale & hire.

For full listings and more equipment visit: www.greenheath.co.uk

Specialists in groundcare & used equipment supply. www.greenheath.co.uk 78

Polo Times, November 2016

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Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Fred Mannix Jnr is not only Captain of La Alegria Team who famously defeated Ellerstina to reach the 2013 Final in polo’s most prestigious tournament, The Argentine Open, but more recently we watched as he led the Commonwealth side to victory in this year’s Royal Salute Coronation Cup. Following this performance it was also announced that he is now a Global Brand Ambassador for the HPA’s Hurlingham 1875 brand.

Who were/are your favourite teammates and why?

My favourite teammates have been my mentors; Pite Merlos, Mariano Aguerre, Julio Zavaleta, Pancho Bensadon… They all formed me to be the player I am today.

They all have pieces of wisdom for me that I try to incorporate into the way I play.

Most prized possession?

My wedding ring.

Best holiday destination & activity?

Surfing in Santa Barbara with my buddy Arty Cameron.

Hardest opponent?

La Dolfina What is your biggest passion and why?

Breeding Horses – I want to produce champions that compete in Palermo in The Argentine Open. I enjoy this challenge because it is very difficult to achieve but incredibly rewarding when you do so.

What is your all time best polo memory?

Reaching the Final in the 2013 Argentine Open – it was a fantastic accomplishment.

I was able to share the day with my family who have supported me my whole life and helped me to reach this pinnacle of the sport I love.

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

Golf. My wife hates it but I love it.

Favourite film and why?

Casino or Heat because I love gangsters.

Although, I would like the bad guys to win sometimes.

Favourite song/album?

2 Pac – All eyes one me Favourite food?

Anything from Osaka!

Favourite hobby outside of polo?

Hunting birds in Northern Canada with my Father and Brother.

Favourite celebrity and why?

Michael Douglas because his hair is fantastic and he is super gangster.

80

Polo Times, November 2016

Best pony and why?

Milito (Mili X Optimum) He is a stallion with the extraordinary stamina, speed, and class to play two chukkas in The Argentine Open.

Are you passionately superstitious?

I shave before every game because it makes me feel professional.

Describe yourself in four words…

Solid, creative thinker, ruthless.

One thing, which would surprise us about you?

I am a master asadador. I challenge anyone to a BBQ – I learned from the master himself, Corcho Zavalata.

www.polotimes.co.uk

dolfina cuartetera b06 clone 2016 bpp tortugas open final bpp tortugas tournament aaccp cuartetera b06 along with five other clones of the great cuartetera made history in a decisive manner in the 2016 tortugas open final. crestview genetics: bringing life to champions of the future from champions past.

crestviewgenetics.com.ar

START YOUR SEASON EARLY AT POLO VALLEY SOTOGRANDE

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