The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts • SUMMER 2017 £5
The new PQ Horsemanship Prize – and how to win it!
Season Highlights Plus: Style & Travel
Star Quality: Foyle’s War heroine Honeysuckle Weeks gives polo a go
www.astonmartin.com/DB11
Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Aston Martin DB9 GT: Urban 13.4 (21.1): Extra-urban 28.8 (9.8): Combined 20.2 (14.0). CO2 emissions 325g/km The mpg/fuel economy figures quoted are sourced from official regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. They are for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your real driving experience, which may vary depending on factors including road conditions, weather, vehicle load, and driving style. Vehicle shown for illustrational purposes only.
New York - Porto Montenegro
www.misahara.com
EDITORIAL The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts
The times they are a-changing (Let’s make sure it’s for the better!)
S
o many matches, so many polo
to watch, with a closer result than the preceding match.
lorries on the road, so little time!
Horses are, as ever, a hot topic. Well-heeled players and
The UK season has flown by and
teams bring scores of expensive horses to each game (at
August is here. We’ve had much
every level), and it is very hard to compete against such
discussion and rumblings over
deep pockets. Even the Argentines are talking about
visas, handicaps and so on, and
reducing horse numbers at the highest level, and it is time
not much communication from the HPA. (If you don’t
the discussion was had here. In other horse sports money
tell people what you are doing, they’ll assume you aren’t
does help, but a talented horse/rider combination can
doing anything…)
make it to the top through graft and sheer ability (and
a little bit of luck). In polo this is becoming less and less
Then came a shock proposal over secondary high
goal handicaps for people playing in Victor Ludorum
achievable, and it’s a trend that needs to be reversed.
tournaments. The details are still fermenting, but the aim is to make players more competitive. Rule changes also abound in Argentina - no more throw-ins over the boards, shortened chukkas, blocking and so forth. There are interesting times ahead.
Ladies polo had a boost with an international vs the
POLO Quarterly
INTERNATIONAL
USA played after the Coronation Cup. The game was great
Aurora Eastwood
Editor-in-chief: Aurora Eastwood (aurora@pqinternational.com) Executive editor: Chris Rosamond (chris@pqinternational.com) Advertising sales: Catherine Reed (ads@pqinternational.com) Editorial enquiries +44 (0)1962 888569 Advertising enquiries +44 (0)7813 793207 Graphic design: Jo Evernden (www.joevernden.com) Polo Quarterly International is published by: Blue Pony Media, South Wonston Farm, SO21 3HL, UK Follow PQ at: www.facebook.com/pqinternational Thank you: for supporting PQ magazine!
Summer 2017 • PQ
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POLO QUARTERLY INTERNATIONAL
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kit bag Watercooling for ponies
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PQ style Bags of it. (And a hat.)
PQ PQ Gallery Polo pictures Four of our favourite images – just as big as we can make them! 08
PQ style kit bag Sporting goodies for ponies and people 16 Style & Accessories Looking the part is easy... 18 PQ Promo Gorgeous jewels for gorgeous girls 20
PQ FEATURES PQ HORSEMANSHIP PRIZE Our new ‘thing’. We’re very proud! 22
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prize winner Juan Martin Nero
32 Welfare Keep ’em rollin’!
PQ Panel: Horsemanship Who to look up to... 24 PQ Interview A chat with Juan Martin Nero – PQ’s first Horsemanship Prize winner 26 PONY WELFARE What’s hot in the world of pony husbandry 32 SYDNEY World POLO Champs A look at what’s cooking down-under 36
PQ FEATURES ALL THE PROS Cowdray hosts an APPL exhibition 38 Have-a-go Hero Honeysuckle Weeks tries out at Ham Polo Club 40
40
HAve-A-Go! Honeysuckle Weeks at HPC
PQ GOES TO SEA, SEA, SEA To see what a Sea-Doo can do, do, do... 46
46
PW TRAVEL Cowarth and Cornwall – jet-setters, ain’t we! 48
SEA-Doo PQ’s ‘Lara Croft’ in action
Zara Tindall Profiling the career of one of the greats 54
PQ Cars VOlvo XC90 Avast, landlubbers. Taking to the high road in the latest Swedish land yacht 58 BMW 5-Series estate A great all-rounder, just like us. 60
On the pitch season highlights Words, pics and results 62
PQ PROPERTY Studs for sale A trio of successful establishments on offer 92
PQ tailgate And the LAST word goes to... Cirencester manager Tim Keyte 98 Cover image: Starring for England Nina Clarkin by www.imagesofpolo.com
50
Travel Keeping it real in Cornwall
54 Zara Tindall A career at the top
GALLERY
Cedar trees and ten goal players All eight players fill this shot taken during the final of the Warwickshire Cup at Cirencester Park. The riders are backed by the centuries-old cedar trees that flank the historic Ivy Lodge ground. Photo: Sarah Farnsworth
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PQ • Summer 2017
Summer 2017 • PQ
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PQ • Summer 2017
GALLERY
Determination Pidus ut alictur,in od eostiae the downpour pelesse Max Charlton Illuptati is mosam clashes vendel sticks id quat with quate peMannix Freddie seque eum in the vit Coronation plaborerit vellupt Cup - which iorepelibus England experis wentsion to tendunt, win rather volest, convincingly. sunt, nitius am ese dolor sitaest omnimus aercil et mi, www.imagesofpolo.com quam facernatia ditaes que consed et, te quunt, seditatibus niminullic
Summer 2017 • PQ
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GALLERY
The two best British ladies Nina Clarkin, 10 goals, is hotly pursued by Hazel Jackson, 8, as they contest the final of the Ladies International at Cirencester Park at the end of July. www.benhastiephotography.com
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PQ • Summer 2017
Summer 2017 • PQ
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GALLERY
Two of the tallest men in polo Luke Tomlinson, the ex England captain and all round gentleman, does battle with the even-taller NZ player JP Clarkin in the (soggy) Coronation Cup. www.imagesofpolo.com
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Summer 2017 • PQ
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P Q k itb a g
Instinct Polo Helmet Phew - another addition to the safer helmet lineup in time for the rule change on Jan 1st. This very high-tech helmet uses a unique aluminium honeycomb crumple zone to absorb shocks and is also modular, so you can swap peaks (which also crush in the event of impact), colours and all sorts at a whim. There are optional titanium temple guards and faceguards too. It is CE marked and kitemarked to PAS015 and has managed to retain the traditional look that so many of you love. It’s also very comfortable indeed. Price from around £450 www.instinctpolo.com
Sneaky sunnies, bracing boots and wetted whistles... Airtrax Eventing Boots Air Trax Eventing Boots are an innovative new design featuring perforated microfibre
Sunnycam glasses
leather, and maximum shock protection with
Want to re-live every shot you played,
a polycarbonate strike guard system. The
first hand? Don’t want to wear a
perforated leather makes the boots highly
helmet cam? Look no further, for the
breathable, ensuring your horse’s legs don’t
SunnyCam glasses record in HD, have
overheat in action. Constructed inside with
a 16GB internal memory and look
Kevlar and 3D sports performance mesh
really cool. The frame is shatterproof
these boots offer superior strength and
and so are the lenses - they are rated
protection. £56.99 and £60.99 (front/hind)
to FDA 21CFR 801.410 certified
www.premierequine.co.uk
(Impact Resistance Test). £149 www.sunnycam.com
Film your matches from the hot seat, protect delicate 16
PQ • Summer 2017
Royal Salute 30 Year Old Flask Edition This little set-up from Royal Salute will set whisky connoisseurs’ whiskers twitching. Polo’s favourite purveyor of fine spirits has created a 30 Year Old Flask Edition to help you enjoy a precious drop of rare, rich and silky smooth nectar on the move. The luxuriant 30 Year Old blend – we speak from delighted experience – offers everything from notes of pear and caramel toffee, to hints of crème brûlée, butterscotch, liquorice and ginger. It’s called the Flask Edition as it comes with a collectible porcelain flagon and accessories by designer Afroditi Krassa. The flask is a lovely thing to slip into the kitbag, but believe us, you won’t want to pass it around… £600 www.harrods.com Cold water boots Also from Premier Equine, these very useful cold boots are easy to carry around and are ideal at polo - chuck some ice cubes in the bucket of water for an even better cooling effect. Ideally you need a pair for each pony as they should be left on for 15-20 mins or so. £35.99 www.premierequine.co.uk
Orscana temperature and movement monitor Are your horses too hot? Too cold? Have you arrived only to find they were sweaty, unsettled or unhappy during transport? Well, wonder no more, because now you can KNOW. Simply attach Orscana’s small circular sensor into the lining of your rug in one of the special pouches provided. Quickly download the application to ProtechMasta
your smartphone, pairing the app to your sensor, and
Using the same infrared technology used in the Protechmasta rug and leg wraps, this
data is recorded straight away. £90 www.arioneo.com
deviceis perfect for relieving tension in the poll area and behind the ears for those horses
or from www.petworthequestrian.co.uk
that carry it there (as so many do). The price? A bargainous £22.50 www.masta.co.uk
pony legs, and toast your famous victories in style... Summer 2017 • PQ
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PQ Style
There are more options for keeping the summer sun off one’s
Want a bag that’s irresistible to touch? Childeric saddlery have
face than just a baseball cap or Panama hat - try the Alderburgh
created this one in beautifully buttery soft leather, available in over
Fedora £59 from www.hicksandbrown.com
25 colours. £914 from www.childericsaddles.co.uk
Bags of style – from titfer to tootsies
Make like a flower and blossom in this stunning liberty print shirt (£69.95) from the Oxford Shirt Company www.oxfordshirt.co.uk
PQ has you covered from top-to-toe with our 18
PQ • Summer Spring 2017 2017
The trouble with being out and about is having to carry STUFF. Here’s a fabulous bag to handle all you can throw at – or into – it. The Hurlingham Tote in Tan, £335. Available at www. fairfaxandfavor.com
Some lucky polo players also get to shoot, and here is a fabulous gilet that won’t look out of place away from the moor. Farlows Dartmoor Tweed Shooting Vest, £395. Available at www.farlows.co.uk
For a weekend break away to play polo (or a getaway from polo, depending on how you feel at this stage in the season), take this lovely Cadogan Travel Bag, £585, also from Fairfax & Favor.
Good shoes are an absolute must - being well shod is of paramount importance for man and beast. From Harry’s of London come these timeless and elegant Edward Loafers at £425. Available in taupe, cognac and navy. www.harrysoflondon.com
super selection of stylish and seasonal goodies... Summer 2017 • PQ
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PQ Promo
Stars of the Show Josie Goodbody curates a stellar display of sparkly stuff...
W
ith the last of the major tournaments over, the star players of the English polo season are off to hotter climes – the Riviera and the States, and those heading to the latter will arrive in time for a total solar eclipse. On August 21 the sun will disappear behind the moon rendering a thin path through North America, from Oregon to South Carolina, completely dark for a few minutes. So if you want to sparkle in the twilight, or indeed sunlight… then any of these beautiful celestial pieces will help you do just that.
1. Jaeger-LeCoultre RENDEZ-
2. Chanel COMÈTE STAR
VOUS MOON WATCH 18KT
NECKLACE IN BLACK
3. Dior ROSE DES VENTS
4a. Van Cleef & Arpels - AUTOUR
4b. Van Cleef & Arpels - DANS
5. Alexia Jordan GOLD
RING IN 18K GOLD,
DE LA LUNE CLIP – LAPIS-
LES ETOILES EARRINGS
SHOOTING STAR EARRING
TURQUOISE & DIAMONDS
LAZULI AND DIAMONDS
– WHITE AND YELLOW
IN 18K ROSE GOLD £225
£2,650.00 www.dior.com
SET IN WHITE GOLD £POA
DIAMONDS SET IN WHITE
www.alexiajordan.com
www.vancleefarpels.com
GOLD £POA
WHITE GOLD, DIAMOND
CERAMIC, 18K WHITE
AND MOTHER OF PEARL
GOLD & DIAMONDS £5,000
ON A SATIN STRAP £34,800
www.chanel.com
www.jaeger-lecoultre.com
www.vancleefarpels.com
6. Venyx by Eugenie Niarchos
7. Moda Operandi WITH
8. Tiffany ELSA PERETTI
9 Cartier DRIVE DE CARTIER
RA HOOPS 18K YELLOW
LOVE DARLING BRACELET -
BRACELET IN STERLING
MOON PHASES MEN’S
GOLD WITH 66 DIAMONDS
DIAMOND PAVE MOON
SILVER WITH A CABOCHON
WATCH IN PINK GOLD
www.venyxworld.com
18K GOLD AND DIAMOND
RAINBOW MOONSTONE
WITH LEATHER STRAP.
CORD BRACELET
AND TWO ROUND
£17,800 www.cartier.co.uk
$600 www.modaoperandi.com
BRILLIANT DIAMONDS $750 www.tiffany.com
10. Amy Burton THE
11. Bentley & Skinner ART DECO
12. A. Lange & Sohne LITTLE
13. Moussaieff WHITE
CASSIOPEIA RING IN
CIRCULAR DIAMOND-SET
LANGE 1 MOONPHASE
GOLD BANGLE WITH SRI
PLATINUM SET WITH
SUNRISE BROOCH £12,750
£31,600 www.alange-soehne.com
LANKAN STAR SAPPHIRE
4.07CT OLD EMERALD
www.bentley-skinner.co.uk
OF 79.54CTS AND 57.85CTS
CUT DIAMOND £POA
OF SAPPHIRE BRIOLETTES
www.hancocks-london.co.uk
www.moussaieff.co.uk
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PQ • Summer 2017
Photography: Tom Reynolds
P Q M e a ns P r i z e s
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PQ • Summer 2017
Because it’s all about the horses, isn’t it?
P
olo hasn’t always been known for high standards of horsemanship, but there are many fantastic riders out there who don’t necessarily get rewarded for it. Sympathetic riders will finish a chukka on a less-stressed horse, and will know if it can be pushed or if there is no petrol left. They will get the best out of an average pony, a tune out of a bad one, and absolutely poetry from a good one. We felt it was time to reward really exceptional riding, and that’s why we’re so proud of the new PQ Horsemanship Prizes we’ve rolled out this season. We chose highly regarded chief umpire and former pro Robert Graham as our first judge, and the first award was at Cirencester Park in the final of the 22 goal Warwickshire Cup. ‘It’s a wonderful idea,’ says Robert. ‘It is really important to reward quiet and sympathetic riding.’
We teamed up with Husk for prizes, while winners also got a Sigg aluminium water bottle, and of course an annual subscription to PQ Magazine. Polo Manager Tim Keyte at Cirencester helped to launch the new prize. ‘We are extremely pleased to recognise the skill and dedication that go into producing ponies and riding them well on the field,’ he says. ‘Welfare and horsemanship are very high priorities at Cirencester and I think it’s great we have a new way to recognise and award excellence in horsemanship.’ At the time of going to press the new PQ Horsemanship Prize has been won by three players in three different tournaments at Cirencester, two of whom were 10 goalers in their respective fields – Juan Martin Nero and Nina Clarkin. We aim to get the initiative taken up by other clubs in future, so let us know if you’re interested. Here’s to the horse! Aurora.
Prizes for the PQ Horsemanship Prize include Husk boots, thermo-regulating rugs and saddle cloths
T h e P Q Pa n e l
Heroes of horsemanship As we introduce the new PQ Horsemanship Prize, we asked the PQ Panel for their riding stars on the field, both now and in yesteryear…
Al a n Kent (Former 8 goaler, now 2) ‘Players now have to be better horsemen. It goes with being better players, and what they are asking of the horses. Juan Carlos Herriot was a very neat horseman back in the day. Both Gracias were excellent riders. Gonzalo Tanoira, Memo Gracida, Owen Rinehart and Tommy Wayman are all examples of 10 goal players who made their own horses - they were all exceptional horsemen as they rode horses all day every day. Nowadays the top players have people to make their horses for them, so are they such good horsemen?’
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PQ • Summer 2017
Luke T omlinson (Former 8 goaler, now 6) ‘Good riding is so important for manoeuvrability and getting round the field but also for conserving energy and keeping the horses moving correctly to try to limit lameness and so on. In terms of who stood out - the Gracidas were very, very good. Ross Ainsley is exceptional – it’s not always the highest handicapped players who are very good horsemen. Marcos and Bautista Heguy, Agustin Merlos also stand out. ‘Obviously I am biased but my mother Claire was an incredibly good rider, compared to men or women, and so is Nina Clarkin today. A lot of the ladies are very good jockeys.’
H a zel J a c k son 2 goals (8 goals ladies) ‘I think Hilario Ulloa is brilliant; he gets a lot out of a horse and has the ability to push them to the max. I also really rate Lottie Lamacraft. She rides young horses and gets a lot out of them – and she has really quiet hands. She plays young ones in the top end ladies polo, and it doesn’t affect her game at all.’
T im Keyte (Former 5 goaler, now 2) ‘Horsemanship is the most important part of polo. Without ponies it is not polo, without good ponies it is not fun and without good horsemanship there are no good ponies. ‘The best ever rider and trainer of polo ponies would have to be Tony Devich, but now there are many good trainers but not many outstanding horsemen.’
Summer 2017 • PQ
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Photography: Imges of Polo
P Q p r i z e W I n n ER
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PQ • Summer 2017
Juan Martin Nero Meet the first winner of PQ’s new Horsemanship Prize
I
t’s never just about playing ability. Being a good horseman (or woman) is a vital part to any player’s skill on the field. After proudly presenting 10 goal player Juan Martin Nero our first ever PQ Horsemanship Prize, we spoke to him about his passion for riding and horses.
W h en did you sta rt riding?
Ho w m any ha ve you got? (Laughs). It’s manageable! But I would say I have selected about 15 five-year-olds, 20 four-year-olds and maybe 15-17 three-year-olds.
Who do you admire the most for starting young horses? Polito Ulloa. I love the way he does it, every horse I sent him had turned out really well - he starts them off very well indeed.
I think I was about six years old. Before that I was too afraid! I rode with my father and a groom called Toto Sanchez.
W h y is being a good rider so importa nt? It’s a huge advantage! You can get more from the horse, your string will last longer. Also, a good rider will be able to get the best out of a difficult horse, whereas a bad rider will play even worse on a bad horse.
Juan Martin always looks effortless aboard a pony
Ho w do you start your young h orses? I have a programme and we increase the work as the horse matures. They are lightly started at 2½, then turned away and brought back at 3½, when they will start some light stick and ball. They then go out again for a couple of months and come back at 4 and start their first chukkas. I am very involved - this year more than ever. I’ve been playing some of the 4- and 5-year-olds, fine-tuning them and seeing what I have at home. Normally at this time of year (June) I am playing abroad, so it’s been fun. It’s good to see them sometimes!
Balance and harmony is everything
Summer 2017 • PQ
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SUBSCRIPTION
OFFER Do you share PQ’s passion for polo? Read the original and still the best-loved polo magazine for: • Best original content • Interviews and analysis • Top sporting action • Fabulous photography • The polo lifestyle Subscribe now and show your true polo colours! Visit our online shop at www.poloquarterlymagazine.com
S ubscription P rices Four issues
UK AdDRESSES price £28 EuropeAn ADDRESSES price £38 Rest of the World price £58
Reserve your copies of Polo Quarterly now at www.poloquarterlymagazine.com 28
PQ • Summer 2017
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, Near Aylesbury Bicester 12 miles, Waddesdon 2 miles, Kirtlington 18 miles
A versatile equestrian complex with 237 acres • Farmhouse with 2 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 2 bedroom annex• Staff accommodation • 35 boxes and 58 temporary boxes • Outdoor arena (90m x 45m) • Indoor arena (54m x 20m) • Level paddocks and pasture • About 91 acres. Price Guide: Offers in excess of £3.5m • Lot 2 - 146.42 acres of paddocks and pasture. Price Guide: Offers in excess of £1m As a whole - Offers in excess of £4.5 million Further land and farmhouse available by separate negotiation
+44(0)1672 521155
gfwc@windsorclive.co.uk
+44(0)1865 404443
edmund.smith@carterjonas.co.uk
NORTH WILTSHIRE, Cotswolds Chippenham 4.5 miles, M4 (J17) 6 miles, Westonbirt 11 miles
An attractive stud farm with potential for a polo yard • 4 bedroom stud cottage • 48 stables, office, vets room • 2 horse walkers • Lunge ring • All weather turn out areas • Post and rail paddocks About 85.94 acres Price Guide £2 million (Pretty 3 bedroom house adjacent to the stud available separately)
+44(0)1672 521155
gfwc@windsorclive.co.uk
+44(0) 1225 747271
kit.harding@carterjonas.co.uk
P Q P O NIE S
Keep your horses on the road Simple changes and an open mind can keep your ponies sound, happy and fit.
Playing in air-cooled boots instead of bandages stops tendons overheating
Jacuzzi boots from Horse Health are a great therapy tool
T
here’s a lot to horse management. Whilst some old techniques and ideas still abound, some with more credibility and efficacy than others, there’s a lot more science, technology and understanding out there these days. Soundness, happiness, comfort, biomechanics should be at the front of all our minds, so here’s a look at some products and techniques that should help to keep our ponies on form.
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T endons, tendons, tendons The Achilles heel (pardon the pun) of the horse world, and polo in particular. Tendon injuries are pretty common in polo. Strains and injury from blunt force trauma (a bash to the leg) are common. But did you know that heat alone can cause death to the tendon cells, massively increasing the chances of a strain or sprain? Eventers have been wise to this for a while, using air cooled boots for years. They are also hot on cooling the legs down after exercise with cold water and ice boots. Polo is slow on the uptake here. It’s still a common sight to see ponies standing in fleece bandages for hours, and washing legs off in cold water is not yet standard practice. It is time to bin your fleece bandages; Air cooled boots for playing are the way forward, from Husk High Impact Boots to Premier Equine’s Air Trax air cooled boots which feature unique polycarbonate strike guards for all-round protection. After playing, use iced water to wash the legs down, or use specially designed ice or cool boots. Premier Equine make the excellent cold water boots that can be used on multiple ponies. They are also very useful post-injury.
W ha t NOT to do Don’t use fleece bandages... If you must, put them on last minute, and take them off first. And don’t use clay. Lots of people use clay postmatch. Clay does not cool legs - it actually has the opposite effect, creating an insulating air-proof barrier and heating up the leg. Don’t believe the vet who told us? Layer it onto your arm and see. The heating effect is even worse if the leg is covered in cling film or paper, and then bandaged up.
Cold water boots from Premier Equine cool tendons down
G et t he good stuff inside t h em Nutrition is vital; the days of just oats and chaff are long gone. There are lots of bespoke feed companies out there these days, and you can be spoilt for choice. But what about when ponies are turned out, or on a base diet of oats, or need a little extra boost? Paddock Power is a brand new balancer in a tub of the highest quality. It comes in paddock sized tubs, stable sized tubs or powder. It has soya oil, added protein and fibre as well as the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals so is almost a complete feed in itself. It is no ordinary lick! The contents of the tubs are very solid so the horses can’t gorge.
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PQ Ponies
L et t hem e a t c ak e (o k , ha y) Horses are designed to eat fibre/roughage for 18 out of every 24 hours and are not designed to eat high starch, cereal based diets. Hay/haylage is therefore vital to stabled horses. Feeding hay also reduces the glycemic response (insulin spike) caused by hard feed, and denying horses hay for hours before a game is counter productive. Many studies show that not only does this hugely increase the risk of ulcers (due to the constant production of the stomach acid needed to break down fibre), but it actually reduces performance. A study cited by Bailey’s Horse Feeds found ‘that the movement of the guts, as a horse gallops, helps the diaphragm draw air into and expel air from the lungs. If the guts are empty this effect is lessened which could affect performance’. If you are worried about pot bellies, buy the best quality, early cut, soft and leafy hay/haylage you can find, as this requires less effort from the horse to digest so less fermentation and gas in the hind gut.
The ProtechMasta poll guard uses infra-red technology
Denying horses hay for hours before a game is counter productive, studies show
Keep ta bs on t hem CCTV is very helpful (and arguably essential) in yards, but how can you tell if your horse is too hot under their rug, or has started to colic (sweating up is one of the early signs). The Orscana sensor links to an app and sits inside your horse’s rug, so you can get notifications to your phone and act quickly at the first signs of trouble - if even just to take the rug off if your horse is a bit too hot!
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Keep t h ings moving
Lipogems technology is helping many ponies
All horses get a bit stiff and sore, just like human athletes. You could try the Equilibrium Massage Pads and similar devices, or the ProtechMasta Poll Guard uses infra-red technology to relieve tension. Sometimes however, you need a bit of old fashioned manipulation. Beware of ‘back people’ with no recognised training. The British Veterinary Association advises caution in this area. Real equine physiotherapists and osteopaths have to have qualified on humans (usually to degree level) before they can practice treating horses. Many people are self-styled practitioners and thus should probably be avoided unless they have proven results and are known and respected. Check qualifications. ‘Osteopath’ is a protected title and registration and can only be used by members of the General Osteopathic Council. ‘Physiotherapist’ is also a protected title - but as soon as you put ‘veterinary’, ‘equine’, ‘animal’ or any other word in front of it, it isn’t. Check with the Association of Chartered Animal Physiotherapists (www.acpat.org) and use the best person you can find; For equine (and human) osteopathy Nick Wakefield achieves great results with top racehorses and polo ponies - based in Pangbourne he can travel. Bryony Barraclough is a Masters qualified McTimoney Equine Chiropracter based in Wiltshire and will also travel. Both have played polo so have an innate understanding of what is required.
I f t h e w orst s h ould ha ppen... ...and your horse gets injured, Lipogems may be able to help. This cutting edge technology involves injecting the body’s own cells directly into the affected area - be it a tendon or joint, with spectacular results. It works by micro-fragmenting adipose tissue (tissue harvested from fat) obtained from Lipoaspirates, through a non-enzymatic, mechanical processing using the closed system and disposable device. The whole procedure from harvesting to the injection is completed in less than 40 minutes in a stable. One of the important points about this procedure is that it is quick to perform and promotes healing as early as 10 days after treatment. Horses have resumed high goal polo and 4* eventing after injuries that were deemed career-ending, following lipogems treatment. www.lipogemsequine.com
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s y d n e y po l o c l ub
XI FIP World Polo Championship 21-29th October
N
ot long to go now! The qualifiers for the XI FIP World Polo Championship have been played, with the coveted slots going to just eight nations from five continents.
Th e qu a lifiers Zone A qualifiers were held from 22nd – 30th April at Port Mayaca Polo Club with the finals at the International Polo Club, Wellington, FL hosted by USA. Qualified: USA. Zone B qualifiers were held from 22nd – 29th January 2017 at Punta del Este Polo Club hosted by Uruguay. Qualified: Argentina and Chile. Zone C qualifiers were held from 29th April – 7th May at Chantilly Polo Club hosted by France. Qualified: England and Spain. Zone D qualifiers were held from 24th January – 4th February at Thai Polo & Equestrian Centre, Pattaya hosted by Malaysia. Qualified: New Zealand and Australia (as hosts) Zone E qualifiers were played from 29th June – 6th July at Tehran, Iran. Qualified: India.
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Th e tourn a ment The organisation of this tournament is a monumental logistical undertaking, with Peter Higgins’s team featuring the highly experienced Fiona Turney. No less than 280 horses are needed – just to source so many high quality horses is a very difficult task, despite Australia being known for excellent polo ponies. The procurement team is led by Anto White and Jim Gilmore with the support of Pat MacGinley in Queensland, and no doubt their work is not quite finished! What else is on? There is more than ‘just’ polo at the tournament. Equine education seminars, a petting zoo, live music, an art exhibition, face painters, bouncy castles, market stalls, fresh food stalls, pony rides and more will keep the family and any non-polo (non-what? Ed) visitors well entertained. Where is it? The club is only 50 mins from Sydney - so PQ can guarantee you won’t get lost in the outback on the way to the game! Want to know more? For more information and to buy tickets: www.wpcsydney.com
Action from the qualifiers (above) and stunning tackroom (below)
It’s fair to say Chile had some major support!
Branded wheels for the colossal tournament at Sydney Polo Club
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Go P r os !
All Pro Polo League makes UK debut Cowdray Park hosts an exhibition game, with not a patron in sight
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Q has been very interested in the APPL from the outset. The rules are controversial but resonate with a lot of players; no pony changes (a marmite rule if there ever was one), no blocking, no end changes after a goal, only two types of penalty and a fair few other innovations. So can it catch on, and what’s it like to watch? Fast and open, as we saw at Cowdray in early July. Supported by Alan Kent’s Madams Farm, the game took place on Lawns 2 with quite a few rather confused spectators. Where are the spare ponies? There aren’t any? WHAT?!
‘It was an amazing day,’ said founder Javier Tanoira. ‘Putting together these types of exhibitions is not easy; we try to do them during the high season, and everyone has a lot of polo on. It’s hard to get players together, but everyone was willing to help out.’ ‘It’s an interesting concept. Polo needs new ideas, and to create a different format. Perhaps sponsorship of this style of polo instead of patron-led is a possible way forward,’ says Alan. ‘I’ve only seen this one game though, so I couldn’t quite get my head around the different penalties as only one got blown. I told Javier he should have blown several so we could see how they worked!’
W ha t rules do PQ li k e t h e best?
Does the ‘no playing patrons’ model make sense for polo? The whole idea is to simplify the game for spectators (and players!), open up the game and make it FUN. It was a very international affair; with British, Irish, Argentine, Chilean, Uruguayan and South African players all taking to the field. Olly Hughes from the HPA was watching and wondering what could be incorporated into mainstream polo, as was Eduardo Novillo Astrada, president of the AAP.
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We love the no pony-changing - it saves time and makes the game cheaper to play. If you can only take 5 horses to a game, it levels the playing field for all. We also love the no blocking rule. Does anyone actually like blocking? Is it remotely fun? No. No ends changed. This is such a waste of time these days, in every sense. No one plays on the side of a hill any more, and by changing ends after each chukka both teams get the benefit of any advantageous light or weather anyway.
W ha t rules did Al an Kent li k e t h e best? ‘No throw-ins.’ (When the ball goes out of play.*) ‘Not changing ends. I like the knock-ins after a goal has been scored.’ *A variation on this rule is going to be trialed in Argentina this season Will any more of these rules get incorporated into ‘normal’ polo? Watch this space... www.allpropololeague.com
Action from the APPL exhibition match at Cowdray Park
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I’m elated BY the experience, I’ve definitely been bitten by the polo bug!
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Have-a-go
hero Foyle’s War star Honeysuckle Weeks cracks polo in a morning at the Ham Polo Club academy Photography Alex P Words Chris Rosamond
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glamorous heroine galloping full tilt across the polo field, stick carried bravely aloft, a steely glint in her eye as the opposing side is put to rout… in our mind’s eye, we knew this challenge was no job for a mere ‘celebrity’. Because not just anyone can pick up a polo stick and set-to like an Argentine gaucho. Our game demands passion and zest. It requires optimism, integrity, and grit. A sense of fair play, and compassion for your fellow man and animals. Polo is, without question, the perfect sporting pastime for old-fashioned heroes. Which is why we’ve invited Samantha Stewart to Ham Polo Club, a secret garden of tranquillity just upriver from bustling Richmond. Ham counts itself not just the oldest surviving polo club in London, but the only one. With its timeless charm of neatly mowed lawns, the clippety-clopping of hooves around the stable yard and blackbirds twittering in the hedges, on non-match days it’s easy to picture the have-ago heroine of long-running ITV drama Foyle’s War turning up in khaki uniform at the wheel of her boss’s official Wolseley. It’s not Samantha of course, but Honeysuckle Weeks who jumps out of the taxi. She’s the immensely talented actress who portrayed Samantha’s forgotten-era innocence, sunny disposition and jolly hockey sticks enthusiasm on the
small screen for more than 10 years. All with such engaging authenticity, it’s hard to believe Honeysuckle and Sam aren’t two peas in a pod. Which, as she’s here for her very first polo lesson, is rather what we’re hoping. Honeysuckle laughs reassuringly. “Oh, we’re massively alike. We both share a love of adrenaline inducing pursuits, that’s for sure, and I think Sam would have taken to polo like a duck to water.” Surprising as it may seem, many people start at Ham Polo Academy never having sat on a horse at all. Honeysuckle has ridden since she was a girl, but although kitted out for the role in jodhpurs and riding boots, we’re still some way from seeing her in the saddle. First, there’s an introduction to Ham’s resident instructor Mikey, who in turn introduces Honeysuckle to (shortened) polo stick and ball. The first task is at ground level – albeit astride an imaginary horse – and learning the basic swing by hitting the ball in stages across the pitch. “Everyone gets the hang of this by the time they reach the far side,” reckons Mikey. Honeysuckle decides not to wait that long, and her mallet is making confident contact with the ball at the halfway mark. Her final shot scoots across the grass and clonks into the boards with enough vigour to startle the blackbirds into silence. Her instructor appears impressed.
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Honeysuckle gets to grips with her backswing...
...and demonstrates an unerring eye for the ball
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Next up, a horse. The wooden variety, but complete with saddle, stirrups and reins, and fixed to the floor in the middle of a small caged space with just enough room to swing a stick – it’s polo’s version of cricket nets or the golf driving range. Honeysuckle springs into the saddle and settles immediately into the required pose, reins gathered in the left hand and right hand cradling the stick. It soon transpires polo players carrying sticks high in the air are not being theatrical, as keeping a stick vertical reduces weight in the hand to almost nothing. It also allows gravity to do most of the work when swinging for the ball. “It’s the hardest thing to teach people coming into the sport,” says Mikey, “getting them to relax into the swing. Women tend to get the swing better as they learn earlier to let gravity do the work.” Honeysuckle isn’t saying much, but lets her stick do the talking. Albeit with occasional reminders and tweaks to her technique, within 20 minutes she’s slamming polo balls into the woodwork with a relentless display of natural talent that Mikey seems to find perplexing. “You’re sure you haven’t done this before..?” Honeysuckle can’t decide whether to grin triumphantly or to apologise for being unnaturally gifted, and settles for a little of both.
IT’s more to do with physics than physical prowess, which is why it suits women just as well as men
At last it’s time to put those new and carefully honed techniques into practice, from the saddle of a real, live polo pony – in this case, Pancha, a beautiful and temperate 12-year-old Argentine mare. Mounted up, it’s time for a bit of ‘stick and balling’, which is polo jargon for practising hitting the ball on horseback. A moving seat appears not to phase our hero at all, as she continues to connect mallet and ball with a strike rate well beyond Mikey’s expectation for a polo novice. She’s still buzzing with enthusiasm over lunch in the delightful Ham clubhouse after her lesson. Gazing out over quintessential scenes of grooms exercising horses, we wonder if the ability to ‘channel’ such apparently effortless ability is the hallmark of an accomplished acting professional? “Ha, I wish!” A broad grin suggests Honeysuckle finds the proposition amusing. “It helped immeasurably that I’d done eventing and tetrathlons as a teenager, as in the both disciplines there’s a level of precision involved in the riding. It also helps if your pony can turn on a sixpence – compared to the horses I’m used to, Pancha seems more finely tuned than a seismograph!
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“Playing golf or tennis is also a boon as it’s all about that pendulum swing. It seems to be a sport that’s more to do with physics than physical prowess, which is why it suits women just as much as men.” So might we all look forward to more Honeysuckle heroics on the polo field? “Oh yes! I’m totally elated by the whole experience, and I’ve definitely been bitten by the polo bug. There’s no mistaking the delightful ‘chock’ of a well hit shot, even if in my hands it was only once in every five!” We’d have put that number quite a lot higher, but then old-school heroics are always best served with a little understatement.
F rom Sout h ern C ounties T o S out h ern B elle...
Pukka chukkas are also played at Ham Polo Club
Riding one-handed is an essential skill
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A clipped southern counties accent comes naturally to Honeysuckle as Samantha Stewart, but she’ll be working a little harder on the voice coaching for her next role. Honeysuckle will soon be strutting her stuff – and her ‘southern drawl’ – alongside ex-Professional Martin Shaw in an ambitious first West End production of Gore Vidal’s classic US political drama The Best Man. PQ’s new polo convert has been cast as Mabel Cantwell, the ambitious, vivacious, and deliciously unscrupulous southern belle married to Joseph Cantwell, an equally ambitious young pretender seeking his party’s presidential nomination. First staged on Broadway in 1960, The Best Man’s witty commentaries on the debasement of political culture should play well with audiences still reeling from the election of ‘The Donald’ to the White House. ‘The chance to explore a role that’s so completely, refreshingly different to Samantha is thrilling,’ the actress confides. ‘I think my Foyle’s War fans are going to enjoy it, and it’s sure to be a lot of fun!’ The Best Man opens at the Theatre Royal Windsor in September, then tours prior to its West End debut in November.
Ham Polo Club Academy turns out another winnner!
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S P LA S H ING O U T
PQ goes to sea, sea, sea… ...to see what a Sea-Doo can do, do, do! Words Chris Rosamond, Photography Antony Fraser
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ell, to the seaside at least, and although Shoreham Harbour is hardly a glamorous polo destination like Sandbanks or Watergate Bay in Cornwall, it’s wet and there’s a beach. Or at least some pebbles, a slipway, and a variety of items of flotsam or jetsam that don’t encourage intimate scrutiny… Still, a slipway and some water were all we needed for our latest challenge to PQ’s regular supermodel, horse vet and all-round action hero Lara Croft Lorna Broughton. Swapping her usual mount for the sleek glass-fibre hull, snazzy graphics and 1500cc Rotax-engine of a Sea-Doo GTR-X 230 would give us a chance to really test her mettle, we figured. (If we can’t bring you Lorna wing-walking in the next issue, we’ll have let you down...) The GTR-X 230 has a three-cylinder motor with a
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supercharger and makes 230 horsepower. In other words, it goes like stink, carves the water like a dolphin chasing a tuna, and will scare the bejesus out of you and a passenger. Don’t believe us? Then think about a 0-60mph of time of 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of nearly 70mph a few inches above the water. That said, the GTR-X is by no means the performance flagship of the Sea-Doo range. That honour goes to the 300hp RXP-X 300 which is even more ‘gnarly’ to coin a phrase from the world of extreme sports, and features a hull shape more suitable for buoy racing. What the GTR-X does bring you is all of the flagship racing model’s style above the water, and much of its clever tech, but built on a less unforgiving – and more affordable – hull shape. Less unforgiving means mainly that you’re less likely to fall off while carving those corners, but there’s still an amount of physicality required if you want to play at
SEA-DOO is a world-leader in personal watercraft
The GTR-X model focuses on affordable fun
speed. Lorna definitely felt her horse riding muscles were called into action when pitching the craft into fast turns, and the Sea-Doo GTR-X has a narrow racing seat that allows its rider to lock their thighs around the beast when turning. It’s a patented Sea-Doo design that means less upper body strength is required to control the craft than some rival machines. Other tech features include variable trim settings controlled from the handlebars, and the Sea-Doo exclusive Intelligent Brake and Reverse system that will slow and stop you much faster than other personal watercraft. Our tester Lorna leapt from the saddle of the GTR-X positively buzzing after her test run, and was definitely eager for more – but not at the expense of her polo, we’re pleased to say. And talking of expense, the sporty Sea-Doo could be tucked away on a trailer in your barn for the not too extravagant sum of £13,495. Not every weekend is a polo weekend, after all… www.uk.sea-doo.com
Rotax engines provide reassurance offshore
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The stunning Coworth Park near Guards Polo Club
Coworth Park Ultimate Polo Experience
The perfect ‘play and stay’ option for beginners and old hands alike
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here aren’t that many places in the UK where you can have a polo lesson and stay the night in luxurious surroundings (writes PQ editor Aurora). It’s usually an either/or scenario, but not so at Coworth Park. It’s easily accessible from London, or from most places in the south, as it is just some 15 minutes from the M3 and M25. To take advantage of its unique ‘stay and play’ proposition the hotel has created a bespoke polo minibreak, comprising:
n Overnight accommodation and breakfast for two n Half Day Polo Masterclass at the renowned
Guards Polo Academy at Coworth Park n Introduction to polo over cocktails with a
member of the England polo team n Same day complimentary membership to
Guards Polo Club Naturally, we thought we’d better try this out for ourselves. So off we cantered up the M3 – with editorial spouse Matt and polo kit in tow – to bring you the low-down. Being part of the Dorchester collection, you’d expect the hotel and the staff to be top notch, and they are. Service is discreet and efficient. The surroundings are relaxed and
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beautiful, and the quality of the furnishings and fittings is spot on. We had dinner in the barn, with fabulous food and views across the polo field - is there a better view in the world than gazing over perfectly manicured pitches, and imagining hitting the ball end-to-end in a flat-out run? Of course not! The following morning, after pancakes, eggs, pastries and far too much of everything else on offer, we went down to meet Ebe Sievwright, the Guards Polo Academy instructor. Ebe is quite easy on the eye, which must be a bonus for the girls who come for lessons (possibly not quite so much for any jealous boyfriends) and has some pretty good chat - but above all he is a good instructor. He quickly picked up on Matt’s bad habits and, by the end of the two-pony session, had instilled the importance of rhythm when stick and balling and sorted out his backhand. (Something I had notably failed to do. Due in part, I expect, to the fact that men seldom enjoy being told what to do by their wives!) Even for an established player, this package has much to offer. Ebe can teach total beginners or tweak the technique of people who already play - so if you want a change of scene, a night away from the children, or just fancy a high-end polo mini-break, this totally fits the bill. Coworth Park tells us the offer is subject to availability and is bookable for stays until October 31, 2017. You can call +44 (0) 1344 876600 to book.
Elegant interiors (yes, we spotted the horse) are welcoming and comfortable. And you can see the polo fields!
The barn restaurant is also right next to polo fields
Ebe giving Matt some pointers on his backhand
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Bedruthan breakfast What’s wrong with a pasty and ice cream diet, anyway?
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he polo season is so busy, there’s often no time to get away for a real holiday at all (writes Aurora). Jumping in the car and whizzing down to Cornwall however – that’s a much simpler proposition. Despite the doom and gloom about English weather, summers have recently been pretty hot at times, and Cornish beaches are stunning. On the north Cornish coast, The Bedruthan Hotel is perched above the beautiful beach of Magwan Porth, which lies at the foot of the cliff. Don’t worry, it’s easily walkable… even with children in tow. The Bedruthan is incredibly well set up for children, with daily kids clubs for all ages, an adventure playground, high chairs, and all sorts of other essential paraphernalia on tap. So you don’t even need to take your own stuff. So thoughtful. So practical. There are two pools (three, if you count the mini-kiddy pool) and a very nice spa, the latter with wonderful views out to sea. The rooms are big enough to accommodate a double bed and two children’s beds, and a handy blind comes down to separate the two, like a screen in a limousine. Sadly minus the soundproofing…
Cornish beaches are gorgeous - the sunshine does help! There is loads to do in the local area too, with Padstow and Newquay almost equidistant at only around a 15-20 minute drive. Padstow is great in an obviously touristy fashion, with plenty to keep the family busy, from powerboat trips to eating Rick Stein’s fish and chips, renting bikes and cycling the Camel Trail along the estuary to Wadebridge. It’s not so far, either. Driving down from London is probably four hours or so. That might sound a lot but if you factor in faff-factor timings for flying anywhere, it’s not. Plus you can fly to Newquay airport if you really want to. But if you are travelling with children there is a lot to be said for stuffing everything and everyone into the car and just going for it. You won’t get bored no matter what our British weather throws at you. Just don a wetsuit and hit the beach! www.bedruthan.com
The spa looks out over Mawgan Porth beach There are two restaurants (one is child-free after a deadline) offering some seriously yummy dishes. The chicory, walnut, blue cheese, honey and fig salad particularly stuck in my mind. The spaghetti bolognese particularly stuck in my 18 month old daughter’s hair. What she did eat of it though, she loved. There are areas of the hotel that are ‘tranquility zones’ to chill out, and there is WIFI throughout.
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Zara Tindall Britain’s leading female eventer looks back on a highly successful career – and forward to brand new challenges!
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Z
ara Tindall is a familiar name in polo despite her preference for a horsey career that involves holding the reins in two hands and jumping things slightly bigger than the boards on the side of a polo field. She has taken part in quite a few charity matches over the years, and is pretty familiar with Beaufort Polo Club, to name but one Gloucestershire haunt. In case you weren’t familiar with what she’s up to in her day job, we thought we’d fill you in. She must be pretty good, or Rolex wouldn’t have signed her up, right? Her years of remarkable performance have been shaped by support and inspiration from leading names which began with Rolex’s first ‘Testimonee’ in equestrianism, Pat Smythe. ‘I can remember reading about Pat Smythe when I was a child,’ recalls Zara. ‘She was highly regarded in Britain and the inspiration for a lot of young women who went on to become top riders. She was one of the first to establish a path for women in the sport and to prove that equestrianism had the global popularity to be massively successful.’ Zara has mirrored Pat Smythe’s achievement to become one of the world’s greatest three-day event riders. ‘I think young riders always look for a role model like Pat, especially at a young age,’ says Zara, who was a Great Britain Team silver medal winner at the 2012 London Olympics and the Individual champion at the World Equestrian Games in 2006. She also helped Great Britain secure a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2014. Zara’s inspiration for the sport naturally also derives from her parents, who are both accomplished riders. Her mother Anne, the Princess Royal, won European eventing gold in 1971. Her Royal Highness also rode for Team GB at the 1976 Olympics, as well as being the first member of the Royal Family to compete at an Olympic Games.
Zara’s father Captain Mark Phillips won team gold at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. ‘With my parents excelling in equestrian sport it was probably inevitable that I would end up involved one day.’ Zara first came to the attention of the eventing world with victory as a junior rider at the Under 25 Championship and an Individual silver medal at the European Young Riders Championship. In June 2003, at the age of just 22, she finished as runner-up at the Burghley Horse Trials in the UK. Her career blossomed with the handsome chestnut gelding Toytown, a competitive partnership that lasted until 2011. The pair won Individual and Team gold medals at the 2005 European Eventing Championship in Blenheim, UK. The following year she went on to win Individual gold and Team silver medals at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Zara was the reigning Eventing World Champion until 2010. ‘Toytown was a once-in-a-lifetime horse. He wasn’t the most natural eventer at the start but as our relationship grew, success followed. You ride horses and hope they have the potential to make it – Toytown just excelled in every area and we went from strength to strength.’
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CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS Zara was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2007 New Year Honours List for services to equestrianism. Her career continued to flourish and she was selected to ride Toytown for Great Britain at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Disappointment followed when Toytown suffered a training injury and the pair was forced to withdraw. ‘There are more low points than highs with horses, so it makes the high points even more special. Injuries happen all the time and there’s very little you can do about it. ‘I was very lucky I had Toytown when I was young. Not every horse is as good as he was. The horses that get to the top are pretty unique and exceptionally hard to find.’ Toytown was retired in 2011 (and sadly died this year), allowing Zara to ride her new horse High Kingdom at the 2012 Olympic Games. ‘Riding in London was very special for me – especially in front of a home crowd. Great Britain won Team silver and I was presented with the medal by my mother, due to her role as President of the British Olympic Association.’ Zara finished second at Luhmühlen Horse Trials 2013 in Germany on High Kingdom. Then at the World Equestrian Games in August 2014, the pair were also part of the British squad that won Team silver. It was a miraculous achievement, considering that her daughter, Mia, was born in January 2014, just seven months before the Games. ‘What surprised me about having a baby is losing all your fitness and how tough it is to get it back to a high level again. I do have help with Mia, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to ride. Eventing is physically demanding but I try to do extra exercise, like swimming and cycling, to stay fit. ‘The eventing circuit is great for children and families, so I expect Mia will grow up with horses around her - just like her mum.’ (Or maybe she will play polo instead – Ed!)
Yup. A bit bigger than the boards on a polo field...
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P Q Ca r s
Volvo XC90 Brutalist architecture meets superyacht design in Volvo’s latest luxury SUV Words Aurora Eastwood, Photography Matt DARWIN
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he Volvo XC90 is an imposing car to look at, especially in white, which seems to make anything look bigger. Any memories of plasticky trims from models of yesteryear are quickly banished. It only takes a nanosecond on opening the door to realise the XC90 is properly nice inside. All zen, smooth and expensive looking, and funky and futuristic at the same time. The leather on the seats is soft and luxurious, and looks like it came from a much more expensive car. The whole interior is just spot on. And practical, which is what you’d expect from an award-winning family car.
Seats move around and go up and down with ease, while the boot is huuuuuuuuge – I don’t think I’ve seen so much space in the back of an SUV before. I filled it up on several occasions; saddles and all the other bags, boxes and bridles for four ponies to play polo (and all my polo kit too), as well as two children and a groom. On another occasion a few hundred kgs of horse feed, and finally, a picnic table, chairs, off road pushchair, six people, a gazebo and an awful lot of food for the Gold Cup final. On that last trip we even used one of the pop-up seats in the boot. This car is the motorised equivalent of Mary Poppins’ bag.
VOLVO XC90 notes Price: From £48,655
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Nice, isn’t it. Luxury to rival the big boys. The cabin is serene and high tech, with plenty of toys for boys – and girls!
Seven seats for Gold Cup picnickers galore
Mallets. Children. Tack. It all fits in here
The touchscreen is huge - and controls just about everything. It’s very on-trend, a giant touchscreen, but arguably things like heaters and fans and heat seating are quicker and easier with a button. Perhaps one day we’ll see the return of ‘retro’ buttons and sliders. How does it drive? It’s lovely. Quiet. Smooth. Enough poke (despite only having a four cylinder, 2.0 engine) for anything you’d want to realistically do in this type of car – including enough grunt to overtake on the A272, where there isn’t much time to get past whatever it is in front before the next bend. Although I didn’t tow with it, you can pull up to 2700kg according to Volvo, although it’s model dependent. There are two diesel engines; 235bhp and an impressive 320bhp, whooshing you to 60mph in 7.4 and 6.1 seconds respectively (and respectably!). Standard spec is impressive, with an 8-speed auto gearbox, AWD, adaptive cruise control, giant touch screen, leather seats, City Safety with Steer Assist (which includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, plus front collision warning with automatic braking). It’s also got lanekeeping assistance and a million other things too. It’s not exactly cheap, unless you’ve been looking at a Range Rover in which case the Volvo looks pretty good value from £48,655 for the Momentum diesel, up to £69,915 OTR for the Inscription Pro petrol/electric hybrid. www.volvocars.com Summer 2017 • PQ
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BMW 5 Series Touring There’s a reason polo players love estate cars, and this could be it
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hat’s not to like about an estate car? As good looking as their saloon counterparts (more good looking, often), better handling than an SUV, excellent fuel economy and super practical – fold all the seats down and you could pretty much sleep in there after a raucous polo party. There’s none of this estate-cars-are-for-old-people nonsense in the polo world either – twenty-somethings have no issues with driving estates. There’s only so many times you can persuade your partner to have the kit on their lap and mallets poking them in the face while you stubbornly insist on driving your flashy two seater down to the game. Enter the rather handsome and very nice to drive, allnew, BMW 5 series Touring. It’s sleek and expensive-looking, fantastic to drive, comfortable, fast and practical. It’s got a huge boot (I’m a lanky thing so I climbed in for scale!) and you can fit your polo mallets in no problem at all. Even 53s! Standard spec gets better with each generation, as do safety
If it fits, it sits. Our 6ft writer gets in for scale.
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features. Leather upholstery, parking sensors, regenerative braking, aircon, heated seats – it’s all now standard. Vitally for country folk, AWD is now an option - called X Drive - on many of the petrol and diesel variants. Optional extras include remote control parking (remember that Pierce Brosnan Bond movie… well, now it’s real), a heads-up display and all kinds of other wireless wonders. It can also tow a couple of small polo ponies, so it’s handy for the pony clubbers out there. In short, it’s the automotive equivalent of the holy grail of polo ponies; pretty, straightforward, consistent, can adjust its speed to suit anyone, and won’t eat too much. AE
BMW 5 series to u ring notes Price: From £38,075 www.bmw.co.uk
It’s a handsome beast. Just try not to get it dirty...
Cambiaso making it all look easy - for a change
Photography: Images of Polo
ON THE PITCH
Brazilian Rodrigo de Andrade vs Nic Roldan, and Adolfo Cambiaso and Luke Tomlinson cross swords - the latter at full stretch
L a I n d i a na 9
vs
10 RH Polo
The 2017 Cartier Queen’s Cup final Cambiaso delivers the prize for his RH Polo patron Steely eyed determination from Adolfo Cambiaso
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goal on the bell in the sixth chukka, off the stick of Adolfo Cambiaso, ensured that it was Ben Soleimani and his RH Polo Team that received the Cartier Queen’s Cup from HM The Queen and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK. RH Polo dominated the first half, leading 6-3 at half-time. La Indiana was very much in the game, but just struggled to convert some beautiful play into goals. Although that changed in the fourth – many would love to know what was said in the La Indiana tent at half-time! Agustin Merlos and Nic Roldan scored five goals in as many minutes, not only putting La Indiana very much back into this game, but giving them the lead for the first time, 8-7. Merlos had touches of brilliance in this match and made sure La Indiana stayed ahead despite the best efforts of RH Polo’s Rodrigo de Andrade. The sixth started with La Indiana having a narrow, 9-8 lead over RH Polo. With no score from some fast up/down play, it was Beresford who
levelled again for RH Polo, converting a 30-yard penalty. Then Cambiaso kept everyone holding their breath by riding over the ball close to goal and then sending a shot wide. Clearly calmer than most of those in the grandstands, he then fired through the winner on the bell.
F inal score : La Indiana 9 RH Polo 10 MVP: Tommy Beresford BPP: Caraquenia, owned and played by Adolfo Cambiaso (hilariously described by him as his fourth best horse!) RH Polo: Ben Soleimani (0); Tomas Beresford (4); Rodrigo De Andrade (8); Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Total: 22 La Indiana: Michael Bickford (1); Nic Roldan (7); Agustin Merlos (8); Luke Tomlinson (6) Total: 22
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Q U EENS C U P
To the victor, the spoils. HM proffers the trophy named in her honour
Smiles all round RH Polo enjoy their moment in the spotlight
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The Queen’s Cup in all its glory
Cartier goodies for the winners
Neil Hobday and Tissy van Reyk
Good hats, good frocks, good shades. All set for polo!
Cartier Queen’s Cup People
Enjoying the hospitality
Guards Polo Club is always the place to be spotted, but never more so than on Queen’s Cup day... Looking fabulous is key!
Kids can enjoy the fun too
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Photography: Images of Polo
ON THE PITCH
Jaeger LeCoultre Gold Cup Rain didn’t dampen the fireworks or spectator enthusiasm as Cowdray Park staged a sodden Gold Cup final
W
e are a determined lot, us Brits. A bit of rain (ok, a lot) may deter us from our picnics or from taking all our clothes off and running across a polo field, but no amount of the stuff will keep us from watching the finest high goal showdown of the season. Our hearts were with El Remanso but our heads were with King Power; the might of the Pieres brothers and the eleventy billion horses in the King Power camp proved too much for the Brits. (One of whom – Charlie Hanbury – was married the day before!) It was James Harper opened the scoring to much adulation, followed shortly by a break as Gonzalito Pieres
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took a mallet to the face – and another goal to El Remanso ended the first chukka. King Power scored twice, one from Facundo; 3-2 to El Remanso. Facundo scored again, going absolutely flat out to the delight of onlookers – we all love a scorching run down the field – then Harper sadly just missed a 60 before Facundo ended the second by just popping another goal in. Jimbo Fewster belied his 1 goal handicap (again) by scoring a spectacular nearside backhand for King Power, and some textbook interaction between Facu and Gonza meant yet another goal. 6-3 to King Power at half time; Gonza scored, then Jimbo again – 8-3. James Harper relit the hopes for El Remanso and scored, but Facu returned the favour,
K i n g P ow e r F ox e s 1 3 vs
8 El Remanso
Facundo Pieres demonstrates why he is 10 goals
Gonzalito Pieres for King Power
James Beim on the ball for El Remanso 9-4. Ollie Cudmore then had a great run, got hooked, and James Beim cleaned up and scored. 9-5. The sheer number of horses on the King Power side was beginning to show, as Harper scored again on a brilliant but tiring pony, 9-6. Facu scored a 30 and play quickly turned back to El Remanso as Beim hit it out of the air twice towards goal, amid very impassioned commentary from John Kent – but it just went wide. Jimbo scored a staggering run from the half-way, preceded by two quick goals from Facu – ending the hope for the valiant El Remanso - their last two goals were not quite enough, ending 13-8. ‘We were really well prepared.’ said Facundo Pieres. ‘We had watched a lot of match videos so we knew exactly
A solo play in front of the fun fair how they played. Gonza and I have not won a major trophy since Hurlingham so we really wanted this.’
F inal score : King Power Foxes 13 El Remanso 8 MVP: Jimbo Fewster BPP: New Jersey (Gonzalito Pieres) King Power Foxes: 1 Hugo Taylor (1), 2 Jimbo Fewster (1), 3 Gonzalito Pieres (10), 4 Facundo Pieres (10) Total: 22 El Remanso: 1 Charlie Hanbury (4), 2 Ollie Cudmore (5), 3 James Beim (6), 4 James Harper (6) Total: 22
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G OLD C U P
Roderick Vere Nicholl looking pleased as punch
Strong South American support on the sidelines
Another lovely British summer
Polo safety kit? No, Knights!
We may be wet but we don’t care. Joy at good polo and good friends overcame the cold and rain Matchy-matchy is absolutely essential!
King Power ‘enjoying’ the weather
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Guards members down for the day
An elated King Power take the Gold Cup once more
A soggy New Jersey, best playing pony
Children of polo players are never far from a ball
It may be cold, but we have style Summer 2017 • PQ
69
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Photography: Images of Polo
ON THE PITCH
Max Charlton showing total focus on the attack JP Clarkin heading towards the goal
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James Harper controls the play
England 7
vs
1 C o mm o n w e a l th
Royal Salute Coronation Cup
Stoical spectators raise their glasses (and their brollies) to a well-fought and richly deserved England win
T
he English weather really pulled out all the stops for the Royal Salute Coronation cup absolutely chucking it down with rain from start to finish, much to the resignation of the hardy spectators, umbrellas unfurled. Captain James Beim scored first and returning ex-England captain Luke Tomlinson quickly slotted the next one in. James Harper hit a spectacular 5b that would have gone in but was stopped on the line – no matter, they scored anyway. 3-0 to England. The Commonwealth then scored their only goal of the game, only for Harper to cancel it out with a lovely cut shot to end the second chukka, 4-1. JP Clarkin had a superb run down the field and would have scored but for Tomlinson, solid in his defence. Fred Mannix then missed the first of many penalties in the Commonwealth’s favour - had they all gone in, the scoreboard would have looked rather different… A scuffle in the goalmouth early in the third led to JP parting company with his pony and sitting on the soaked grass for a few moments, he then almost scored again but was foiled this time by an English divot, and then another penalty for the Commonwealth went wide. Harper scored a lovely nearside goal in the 4th chukka after a pass from Beim; 5-1 to England. Clarkin’s bad luck continued as Tomlinson hit a beautiful
open backhand to goal which was stopped by Clarkin’s face! A flashy tail backhand goal by Harper increased the lead to 6-1, followed by Max Charlton stealing the ball and scoring what was the last goal of the game, 7-1, to end the 5th. The last chukka was goal-less; two penalties went to the Commonwealth but both were missed. ‘We played well; maybe they didn’t have their best day. I think we were better mounted, and we had three players who played the high goal and they only had two, so we were a bit more up to speed,’ said Beim. ‘I love coming to play this game, it’s important as it’s a big thing to play for England and to captain England.’
F inal score : England 7 Commonwealth 1 MVP: James Harper BPP: JP Clarkin’s Magpie Flannels England: 1 James Beim (6), 2 Max Charlton (7), 3 James Harper (6), 4 Luke Tomlinson (6) Total: 25 GT Bank Commonwealth: 1 Hissam Ali Hyder ‘Namoo’ (6), 2 Dirk Gould (5), 3 John Paul Clarkin (7), 4 Fred Mannix (8) Total: 26
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C ORONA T ION C U P
JP Clarkin’s best playing pony, Magpie
A drenched but jubilant England lift the cup
England take back the cup
A nod to the hunting fraternity
Atrocious conditions did not distract England who beat the Commonwealth in a deluge of rain Jimbo Fewster, an outstanding talent. Wet but not bowed: Both teams on the podium
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England captain James Beim
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Kalankari is a powerful, intelligent and very kind horse who imparts tremendous speed and very trainable brains to his offspring. All have made the polo field and are successfully playing in all levels up to high goal polo.
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Photography: Stephen Bartholomew
ON T H E P I T C H
Jacaranda came out the winners
Ja c a r a n d a 7 . 5 v s 6 J e t S e t
Ham Polo Club
Summer Tournament Final A healthy crowd ensured a buzzing final for Ham’s 4 goal season-opener
T
he Summer tournament at Ham is the first 4 goal of the season and takes place over a week in July. The prize for this competition is the stunning Rosie Adams Bowl, a beautifully crafted piece of Indian silverware donated to the club in the 1970s (writes Benjie Davies). Six teams were entered, a strong number of entries considering the setbacks low goal polo suffered for 2017. A week’s worth of exciting matches took place at Ham and the results kept everybody guessing until the last minute with the finalists only being decided in the last league games with some tantalisingly close goal difference. The Guards Polo Club based team Jacaranda were first to qualify, hotly followed by a Ham Polo line up on the Jet Set team. The finals coincided with the Cheval Residencies polo day and the Edward Tauchert Bowl meaning the club was full to capacity with a buzzing atmosphere amongst the almost 1000 spectators. The final commenced and chukka one ended 4-1 to Jet Set, after Daritchon and Araya combined to set a defining tone for the game. Chukka two however was the Hamza Mawaz show with three goals to
his name levelling the score, the obvious depth in his string of ponies making repeated running goals look easy. BannerEve, Mawaz and the de By brothers continued the pressure in the second half, particularly with young England player Banner-Eve moving into a more attacking position. The pressure was received with great resistance by Jet Set and in particular sterling defence from Jose Miguel Smith who launched repeated back hands to Daritchon and Araya in the midfield. However, after a delightful match to watch, Jacaranda came out the winners 7.5 to 6.
Final score: Jacaranda 7.5 Jet Set 6 MVP: Katherine Smithwick BPP: Caballo, owned and played by Ed Banner Eve Jacaranda: Robert de By, Henri de By, Hamza Mawaz, Ed Banner-Eve Jet Set: Katherine Smithwick, Jose Miguel Smith, Juan Cruz Araya Martelli, Mariano Daritchon
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Photograph: LEWIS HARRISON PINDER
ON T H E B EAC H Frenetic action on the beach in Cornwall
Watergate Bay celebrates 10 years of polo and pasties High goal polo, jousting, fireworks and parties – plus three days of sunshine!
A
spall Polo on the Beach brought two matches, live music and a host of family entertainment to the Watergate Bay beach in north Cornwall on May 19th-22nd. The event began on Friday afternoon with a Segway polo match, mixing professional polo players with Segway polo specialists. This was followed by an explanation of the rules of beach polo, and a demonstration of what spectators could expect to see ahead of the Treleavens Trophy match, where Team Tarquin’s Cornwall looked to retain the trophy for a fourth consecutive year against Team Rest of the World. Team Tarquin’s Cornwall was captained by Polo on the Beach veteran Andrew Burgess, with Tim Vaux and newcomer Dorian Baulteau completing the lineup. Team Rest of the World was led by Andrew Blake Thomas, who
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was joined by Ben Marshall and Daniel Loe. French international Dorian Baulteau looked very comfortable on the sand, scoring five times in the third and fourth chukkas. However, a last minute goal from Andrew Blake Thomas secured a narrow victory for Team Rest of the World – ten goals to nine and a half. On Friday evening, the tenth anniversary of the event was celebrated with free live music and fireworks, as well as an asado barbecue – with local lamb and beef cooked slowly throughout the day over a wood fire. For the headline Aspall Trophy polo match, with Team Joules taking on Team Champagne Jacquart, Baulteau, Burgess and Vaux saddled up as teammates once again for Team Joules, and looked dominant from the off. Team Champagne Jacquart, made up of Marshall, Loe and Blake Thomas, put up a good fight but Team Joules powered ahead to win by nine and a half goals to six.
The striking location for the polo
Photograph: www.christianlawson.co.uk
10th Annual
British Beach Polo Championships A spot of jousting to mix things up
Sunny Sandbanks proves its popularity with the polo set and punters alike
S Fireworks to rival Rio at NYE (almost!)
...and a massive party to finish.
andbanks Beach came alive in the glorious sunshine as it played host to The British Beach Polo Championships 10th Anniversary on July 7th/8th, with four polo teams in action. Team HLM Architects, captained by Roddy Matthews were victorious, beating W&S Recycling captained by Howard Smith. The other teams were NFU Mutual and British Polo Gin. Other polo games included winners London University and London Alumni, a Pony Club exhibition and an Army match between the Household Cavalry and the Honourable Artillery Company. In addition to the hotly anticipated polo and volleyball the event also featured The Charity Porsche Cayenne versus Polo Pony Race raising money for the Household Cavalry Foundation. ‘Have a Go’ polo sessions, beach fashion and other exhibitors, the beach banquet food village and other entertainment complemented the action in the arena. The Revo International Beach Volleyball series between England and Poland saw Olympic athletes perform in front of the largest audience this year. England were victorious. After the sporting action the beach became the most unique venue for the polo after parties. On the Friday evening Cocoloco hosted DJs Blonde, Karen Harding, Patrick Nazemi and Foor. At the closing party DJs Charles, Tomsey, Byham and Welch delivered sets that were nothing short of spectacular. Event Director, Johnny Wheeler of Sandpolo Ltd said: ‘We have been blessed to use this wonderful beach in Poole for the last 10 years and are already excited about coming back next year. This event attracts the best players, spectators and sponsors anyone could ask for’.
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Photography: Images of Polo
ON T H E P I T C H
Sarah Hughes on the ball for England Effective marking by the hone team
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All smiles for England captain Nina Clarkin
England 8
vs 3 USA
Ladies International England clinch the Diamond Jubilee Trophy at Guards Polo Club
A
follow-on from Tamara Fox’s brainchild, this game formed the second of two games for the ladies’ Westchester Cup, played as best of three - and now won by England. Adding another unique element to the event was the appearance of a husband and wife combo playing (separately) on the day - JP Clarkin for the Commonwealth and Nina Clarkin for England in the ladies. ‘In 50 years we haven’t had a female international and we’ve done it!’ said Antony Fanshawe, Guards Club polo manager. ‘Ladies play a much more open game and sometimes it can be said it’s more fun to watch.’ Arguably, that was the case, as the ladies played a fast, open and passing game. Swarovski England dominated against the USA; Izzy McGregor scoring the first two goals to end the first chukka, and Nina the third goal for England in the second chukka, making it 3-0 at half-time. The third saw a flurry of goals; England up to 7-0 at one point, but the USA managed to save face by scoring two quick goals. The final chukka saw both sides getting another goal apiece and so the game ended 8-3 to England. ‘We were very well organised and well structured,’ said MVP Hazel Jackson. ‘It was so nice to be so well mounted
too, I had horses from Spencer McCarthy and JP Clarkin – it doesn’t get much better than that!’ ‘Despite the weather it was a really good game,’ reckoned Nina after the game. ‘We had a very firm plan of how we were going to play and what we were going to do and stuck to it. The score did not reflect the quality of the game the USA played. Hazel really deserved her MVP and she’s only going to get better. Izzy and Sarah were fantastic as well. It really was a dream come true for all of us out there. Jess is incredibly easy but very fast and agile, she was brilliant. She has been the mainstay of my string this season,’ she said of the mare who won best playing pony.
Final score: England 8 USA 3 MVP: Hazel Jackson BPP: Jess, a 14yo ex racehorse played by Nina Clarkin and owned by the McGregors. Swarovski England Ladies: 1 Izzy McGregor (4), 2 Sarah Hughes (4), 3 Hazel Jackson (8), 4 Nina Clarkin (10) Total: 26 USA Ladies: 1 KC Krueger (7), 2 Kristy Outhier (8), 3 Julia Smith (5), 4 Maureen Brennan (6) Total: 26
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Photography: Ben Hastie Photography
ON T H E P I T C H
Nina Clarkin for Apes Hill/Huntingdon House
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Sam Buckles leads the attack for Apes Hill
Apes Hill (Huntingdon House) 6 vs 5½ Coombe Place
Cotswold Airport Cirencester International Ladies Tournament
Two of the UK’s finest female players go head-to-head in a thrilling final
F
inal day of this tournament stayed dry (for a change!) as two games took place on the picturesque Meadow ground, behind the clubhouse. PQ and Tamac played for 5th/6th, with White Crane and Monterosso playing for 3rd/4th. The final was played on Ivy Lodge, and came down to the two strongest female players in the UK; Nina Clarkin and Hazel Jackson. It was Coombe Place’s Dayna Waetcher who scored first, and then Hazel very quickly scored another from the lineout, under heavy pressure from Nina. Coombe Place had most of the possession at this stage, and Lottie Lamacraft had a pop but it just went wide. Lucy Taylor then scored a 30 yarder for Apes Hill, undeterred by some serious bucking from the umpire pony! 2 ½ -1. The second chukka was all about Apes Hill. Lucy scored early on, set up by Nina, who then performed a nifty tailshot into the goal, and then scored yet again from miles out, leaving Coombe Place reeling in the face of three goals in as many minutes with no answer. 2 ½-4.
The third was a rather messy chukka, Hazel doggedly keeping the ball to score, and then a lovely field goal from Nina following a pass by Lucy, 5-3 1/2. The last chukka saw a goal early on by Lottie, keeping the Coombe Place hopes firmly alive with just ½ goal in it, but Nina put paid to that with a lovely nearside goal under pressure, and although Coombe Place got another, time ran out, 6-5 ½.
Final score: Apes Hill/Huntingdon House 6 Coombe Place 5 ½ MVP: Lottie Lamacraft PQ Horsemanship Prize: Nina Clarkin Apes Hill/Huntingdon House: 1 Camilla Williams (0), 2 Lucy Taylor (5), 3 Nina Clarkin (10), 4 Sam Buckles (3) Total: 18 Coombe Place: 1 Daisy Hatfield (2), 2 Lottie Lamacraft (5), 3 Hazel Jackson (8), 4 Dayna Waetcher (2) Total: 17
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vs 4 . 5 C o o m b e P l ac e
Photography: Clive Bennett Photography
C o w d r ay V i k i n g s 5
Sarah Wiseman showing her skills on the nearside
City & Country Ladies Tournament Cowdray Vikings clinch the trophy for a second year on the trot
S
ix teams entered, with the best and soon-tobe best lady players in the world taking part. The indomitable Nina Clarkin played with Cambiaso’s daughter Mia, but it was Hazel Jackson who made it through in the end. Six were knocked down to four for the semi finals and following fierce polo, these two teams made the final. It was Lila Pearson’s Cowdray Vikings who held a very committed Coombe Place off for victory. Coombe Place had the better start, ending the first chukka ahead, but Sarah Wiseman, a consummate professional who always plays with a cool head, rallied her team and began to fight back. By the end of the second chukka Cowdray Vikings were leading; the game was open and clean; with great runs and flashy play from both sides, and largely free from the umpire’s whistle. That it was field goals that determined the result rather than endless penalties was testament to the quality of the game. Coombe Place rallied hard in the last chukka, with agonisingly close missed goals and only ½ goal difference. With another chukka they might have just turned the tables
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on Cowdray Vikings, but it was not to be and Lila’s team won the tournament for the second year on the trot. ‘It was really wet out there, but the field was amazing and we won! It was great! We have a tendency to start really slowly in the first chukka but then we get our act together. We didn’t change any tactics, just worked a little harder and that made the difference,’ said the very soggy but very happy Sarah Wiseman on their hard-fought win.
Final score: Cowdray Vikings 5 Coombe Place 4.5 Prizes sponsored by the luxury leather goods company Aspinal of London were presented to both teams. BPP: Hazel Jackson’s ‘Song’ Cowdray Vikings: 1 Lila Pearson (2), 2 Rebecca Walters (4), 3 Bryony Taylor (5), 4 Sarah Wiseman (7) Total: 18 Coombe Place: 1 Daisy Hatfield (2), 2 Dayne Waecher (2), 3 Lottie Lamacraft (5), 4 Hazel Jackson (8) Total: 17
ON T H E P I T C H
Action in front of the clubhouse
Hazel Jackson’s best playing pony, Song
Lila Pearson and Sarah Wiseman
Both teams on the podium - wet but very happy! Summer 2017 • PQ
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Photography: Peter Meade
ON T H E P I T C H
John Sleeman on the ball for the Army, with the Navy in hot pursuit
Hiro Suzuki receives the best playing pony prize
Effective team tactics in play
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Proud parents - all those polo lessons were worth it!
H ac k e t t A r m y 7
Chelsea Pensioners made the trip down from London...
v s 7 ½ R o ya l N av y
...and were doubtless delighted by the picnicking ladies!
The Hackett Rundle Cup Committed Army and Navy teams put on a thrilling performance at Tidworth Polo Club
T
t was a hot polo contest in many ways as the sun beat down on the annual skirmish between the Royal Navy and the British Army. With an estimated 4000 people attending, the trade stands were busy, champagne flowed and sponsors entertained. The Inspire Foundation Charity match opened the day with the Jockeys and Eventers showing off their new polo skills. Both teams invited one player who has suffered a serious life changing injury, with amputee jockey Guy Disney and spinal injury Dr Fran Townend showing what funds raised for spinal medical research can achieve. The game finished with a 3 all draw. The REME Parachute team then dropped in from 7000ft, before the stars of polo future took to the pitch in an exciting display of pony club polo as the RA hunt took on the Hampshire Hunt. After lunch the Combined Services Polo Association (CSPA) took on the visiting team from the Republic of South Africa. From the throw in this was a battle of warriors, with end to end resistance from two gritty and determined teams. Just as it looked like the Republic of South Africa were going to run away with it, the CSPA team found the ignite button with Brigadier Piers Hankinson – who hadn’t picked up a polo stick in a year – putting two goals through in the last minute. Final score CSPA 6, South Africa 4 1⁄2. The Hackett Rundle Cup was a heart stopping performance with Lt Hiro Suzuki showing his polo brilliance and scoring from the first line out. From start to first goal was about 20 seconds! The Army fought with low level attack,
hard and fast with Sleeman creating goals. James Lucas, the Royal Navy coach standing in for Cdre Adrian Aplin showed his mettle. He shut down hard in defence, with great lofting backhands that landed on the stick of Hiro Suzuki who was literally everywhere! At half time it was close, as just 1⁄2 a goal on handicap difference stood between the teams. In chukka three a force field appeared to have developed between the goal posts. Tight play, but seriously hard ride offs and lost shots made it a guessing game as to who would come out as winners. It still wasn’t clear near the end of chukka four as both sides were so well drilled, but even with the Mulholland and Sleeman show for the Army scoring the final goal of the match, the Navy were victorious with just that 1⁄2 goal in it. Charlie Fraser
Final score: Hackett Army 7 Royal Navy 7½ MVP: Capt Albany Mulholland BPP: Twinkle, played by Lt Hiro Suzuki, owner Jessica Andrews Royal Navy: 1 Capt Dean Bassett RN (-1), 2 Lt Bob Santrien RN (-1), 3 James Lucas (2), 4 Lt Hiro Suzuki (2) Total: 4 Hackett Army: 1 Capt Albany Mulholland LG (0), 2 Capt Moss Hamilton IG (0), 3 Lt Johnny Sleeman QRH (2), 4 O/Cdt Henry Amor (2) Total: 4
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ON T H E P I T C H
Uplifting polo on both sides - a succesful day was had by all.
Heroes Polo Day at Tidworth Park Polo Club ‘Once more unto the breach’ for the battling Help for Heroes polo teams
H
eroes Polo Day saw an estimated 3000 people attending the annual Heroes Day at Tidworth Park Polo Club. The opening match was the annual skirmish between the Royal Navy and the RAF. A great game to open the day with some excellent skills on show from both sides;
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however, if the RAF had access to the Royal Navy’s classified information they would have seen that Lt Hiro Suzuki was not to be left four foot loose and fancy free. Sadly the memo never reached RAF HQ and Suzuki had a field day running circles around everyone. Lt Cdr Steve Spiller for the Royal Navy showed he was clearly happy to be back in the driving seat, having arrived
ILS H4H 0
vs 1 Wilsons Solicitors H4H
back from Afghanistan just 24hrs prior to the match. He celebrated his return with a wonderful angled backhand straight through the posts. The RAF fought with low level attack but lost tactical concentration in the final chukka leaving the final score Navy 7 to the RAF’s 3½. Prizes were sponsored by Exton Park Wines.
Who wouldn’t be pleased with a bottle of wine? With the overwhelming success of the 2016 Heroes Cup match, the 2017 Heroes line up didn’t disappoint. With the poignant setting and backdrop of the Help for Heroes rehabilitation centre, Tedworth House, the Independent Living Solutions Team went to battle with the Wilsons
Solicitors team in the most courageous, bold and plucky exhibition match showing that despite life changing injuries they continue to go strength to strength. Cliff O’ Farrell was continuously ready in defence, and enthusiastically eager in attack, taking his team Wilsons Solicitors to victory finishing 1 goals to 0. Congratulations to Angela Mason-Matthews who showed accomplished solid play just 12 weeks after having her first baby ‘Duncan’. Strategic Polo Team’s Peter O’ Rourke – this year playing as ‘Strategic Help For Heroes’ in the 8 goal Victor Ludorem series – commented how excited he is about both teams supporting each other at the various matches around the country. Strategic donated the Heroes Cup and it was presented to the winning Wilsons Solicitors team by Peter O’Rourke. Kate McLean of Independent Living Solutions (ILS) presented prizes to her team. Charlie Fraser
Final score: LS H4H 0 Wilsons Solicitors H4H 1 Wilsons Solicitors H4H: Clifford O’ Farrell -2 Vicky Adams -2, Angela Mason-Matthews -2, 2Lt Jamie Drummond-Moray 1, -5 Royal Navy: Elaine Corner -2, Fran Townend -2, Lucinda Barker -2, Lt Paddy Selfe 1, -5
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Photography: Sarah Farnsworth
ON T H E P I T C H
10 goaler Juan Martin Nero stands out on Ivy Lodge
Bledisloe Warwickshire Cup El Remanso 8 Juan Martin Nero - cool as a cucumber on the ball
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vs 1 0 Ba r d o n A delighted Bardon take the magnificent trophy
Juan Martin Nero wins the cup with Bardon, and PQ plaudits for himself
The best use of a VW camper ever (we think!)
Photograph: Tom Reynolds
N
o rain to mar the enjoyment of the Bledisloe Warwickshire Cup this year, as El Remanso and Bardon went head to head. El Remanso had swapped out their entire team for the final, which meant that Bardon faced a totally different lineup to the one they were expecting. However this proved to not faze the ultimate victors. It was Martin Valent who put the first goal on the board for Bardon, in a slightly messy chukka in which neither team had yet found rhythm. Juan Gris Zavaleta and Alec White also found the goal, and the first ended 2-1 to Bardon. Nero opened the second chukka by flying almost the whole way down the field and scoring, to delight the crowd, only for Mannix to score from the half-way line – the polo equivalent of a hole in one – riding one of Cirencester member Mikey Howe’s ponies, Yellow. It was Juan Martin Nero who closed the chukka as he opened it, scoring again. Mannix and Zavaleta worked brilliantly together in the third to score the only goal of the chukka, 5-4. The fourth saw the scores rise rapidly, and the teams were equal for a time until Bardon regained the lead. The fifth chukka signalled the end of El Remanso’s chances. They missed an equalising penalty, and then were left stunned when Nero powered up, and flew around the pitch peppering the goal; Bardon putting three goals on the board in as many minutes. Although El Remanso didn’t give up the battle for a moment, the writing was on the wall. As they played with the edge of desperation, Zavaleta edged them closer to hope, closing the gap to 9-8, but Nero was having none of it, and made no mistake with his final goal, 10-8. ‘Andras played really well,’ reckoned Nero of his patron. ‘We had a lot of fun today.’ Nero also won the inaugural Polo Quarterly Horsemanship Prize, taking home a Husk rug. ‘I like it (the award) a lot. It is a pleasure to receive, and a really nice idea.’ he said.
Juan Martin Nero receives his prize from PQ’s Aurora
Jilly Cooper and Polo: a long and giggly relationship
Final score: El Remanso 8 Bardon 10 MVP: Juan Martin Nero PQ Horsemanship Prize: Juan Martin Nero Bardon: 1 Andras Tombor (0), 2 Martin Valent (5), 3 Felix Alejo de Taranco Stirling (7), 4 Juan Martin Nero (10) Total: 22 El Remanso: 1 George Hanbury (3), 2 Alec White (4), 3 Juan Gris Zavaleta (7), 4 Fred Mannix (8) Total:22
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PQ Property
Super studs up for grabs A trio of successful establishments on the market with Windsor Clive
A
s the polo season draws to its close in the UK, thoughts typically turn to doing things ‘a bit better’ next year. It’s not going to happen though, is it? Not with the ponies crammed in that leaky old stable block, a part-time groom littering their hay loft lodgings with empty vodka bottles, and two lanes of dual carriageway to cross before you can exercise the string. Spare us a moment, and allow us to introduce you to a better way of organising your polo. We’re turning to the racing scene for inspiration, because a £6m investment – or thereabouts – is all that’s required to ensconce yourself in the
owner’s quarters at one of southern England’s leading stud farms. Normandie Stud has been producing successful racing machines for 20 years at Kirdford in West Sussex (not far from Cowdray), on a 200-acre plot 50 miles south of London. The estate includes a listed Grade 2 farmhouse plus barns all requiring renovation – think of the opportunities, not the work! – plus a range of stud buildings with houses, an office, a clinical-standard foaling unit, and 73 boxes. Throw in all the other top notch facilities, plus 165 acres of railed paddocks, and assorted woods, lakes and grasslands, and it’s easy to see how one’s polo aspirations could be bumped up a
200 acres of prime West Sussex pasture
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State of the art facilities at Normandie
Quainton Stud is near Ayslesbury
Quainton comes with 237 acres notch or two from such a starting point. A bit of a stretch? Well fear not, as our next equestrian offering is up for a much more manageable £4.5m. It’s the state-of-the-art Quainton Stud near Aylesbury, Bucks, and while it’s currently geared to showjumping and dressage, it too has a fine record in producing successful bloodlines – this time with Olympic and World Championship credentials. There are 237 acres at Quainton – 146 acres fenced and railed – plus a principle farmhouse, three staff flats and extensive facilities including 35 stables, indoor and outdoor schools, a competition arena and cross-country schooling complex. We’re not suggesting you turn over such a wellestablished operation completely to polo, of course, but there’s surely scope for a bit of stick and balling in that big 90m x 45m all-weather dressage arena… OK, we hear you. You’re tempted, but times have been tough, and money’s too tight to mention. So mention it we won’t, other than to whisper that a mere £2m will set you up as new owner of the successful Biddestone Stud, near Chippenham, Wilts. With 85-acres, plus 51 stables, two horse walkers, a lunge ring and much of the land enclosed by post and rail paddocks, this established Cotswold stud farm offers all sorts of opportunities to a new and enthusiastic operator. It’s only a short drive from Beaufort and Cirencester, too. You can find out more about all three properties via Windsor Clive International on 01672 521155.
If you’re more inclined to West Country living, try Biddestone
It offers 85 acres, 50 plus stables and other facilities
Summer 2017 • PQ
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CLA S S I F I ED A d s
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www.benhastiephotography.com Summer 2017 • PQ
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Major TDR 16ft 16000 Mower Major’s leading roller mower Greenheath stock a range from reconditioned to brand new.
Trilo vacuum sweeper / collector Ideal for clearing excess grass, thatch and litter when you get behind in your mowing routine. Hire or buy.
Mobile clubhouses - Artic trailers, no planning required, kitchen facilities & other options available. We can deliver and install.
Diggers from 1.5 - 30ton, skid steers and dumpers. All your construction estate maintenance needs.
JCB 520-40, 2007 Genuine clean machine, c/w tines & bucket. Ideal yard teleporter.
Nicholson paddock sweepers - We know you love them. More in stock for the season. For sale and hire.
SAME Dorado 86 c/w FZ10 loader - 2009, 4WD, 83HP, genuine 2450 hours, one owner from new.
Modular mobile homes, ideal for grooms, no planning req. Prices from £5k.
Choice of Kubota Tractors on Truf Tyres - Great all round tractors - Speak to our team for more details.
Toggam Farm, Newfen Gravel Drove, Lakenheath, IP27 9LN 01842 862 068 info@greenheath.co.uk
www.greenheath.co.uk 96
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DAF CF 8/9 Stall horsebox Sleeper Cab, Hydraulic rear & side ramps, immaculate, high spec.
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YOUR ADVERT HERE When you want to reach polo people, the PQ Classifieds deliver 1/2 page – £300 1/4 page – £175 1/8 page – £95 Discounts for multiple issues
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Summer 2017 • PQ
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Photography Kim Croutear
TAIL G A T E
Water, water – everywhere! Tim Keyte, Polo Manager at Cirencester, shares his thoughts on the 2017 season PQ What issues has polo at Cirencester faced this year? TK ‘The 2017 season started well, as we had just finished a project to irrigate six more fields in the Park, and we had plenty of sunshine to get players excited about polo. Tournament entries have been up for all our low goal tournaments but we have struggled to attract medium goal teams. Players are playing more and more at their own clubs for lots of reasons; cost of travelling, time away from work etc., but it is a shame because we have the perfect setup now, with irrigated fields and of course some fabulous old trophies along with strong home teams. We just need a few more visiting teams to come and challenge them!’ PQ What are your thoughts on UK polo in general? TK ‘To be honest, I think polo is generally really healthy. Lots of things are challenging at present, not least the seasonal work visas for our overseas players and grooms/trainers. I do think that David Woodd and the HPA Stewards are doing the very best to get a workable deal with the Home Office for 2018 but I fear it will be similar to what the Home Office offered them in 2017, we can only wait and see.’ PQ What is the greatest strength at Cirencester - the most positive aspect?
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TK ‘The irrigation has obviously been a game changer for us this year, especially with the dry start to the summer when it proved invaluable. Our fields have been exceptional and many visiting high goal players have given us some great feedback. Cirencester’s real USP for me though is the friendly, fun atmosphere. It is unique I believe in this country to be able to play such good, competitive polo, on good grounds, in such a welcoming environment – not to mention the stunning location!’ PQ What do you think about the new handicapping system for 22 goal? TK ‘I do now understand why we have a need for the different handicaps in the 22 goal; because one could hold a 10 goal handicap but in reality be worth 12 or 13 goals. So the new system should mean we can have more teams with a chance of performing well at that level. In reality it will only affect a few players.’ PQ If you had a magic wand, what would you change? TK ‘The weather! And I would move Cirencester half an hour closer to London.’ I think we’d all change the weather if we could – Ed. (Wringing out soggy socks...)
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