Latest from Horse & Hound in Polo

Making polo a great place for people, ponies and the public

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:13 +0000

Equine welfare, safety and accessibility to the sport are the three pillars to the current approach to running polo, with the aim of making it “a great place for people and ponies – and for everyone to enjoy themselves”.

Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) chief executive Anna Hall, former head of participation at British Equestrian who took over the role in 2022, told H&H the HPA is “embracing” the spotlight on the sport, thanks to the new television series of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals. The HPA has also revamped and updated its pony welfare booklet, printed in English and Spanish.

“We’ve got about 2,500 members and it goes to all of them, all our clubs and high-goal teams,” Ms Hall said. “We’re acutely aware different countries will have different standards, and we believe we’re leading the way in relation to welfare standards and polo. We’ve been working with our international polo federation, the FIP, and they’ve done an article about our welfare book.

“Making sure we’ve got it to a South American audience in Spanish, as well as a UK audience, is really important, because welfare, accessibility and safety are probably the three pillars I and the team are working towards.”

The booklet includes everything from winter pony care to dealing with extreme heat and from fitness programmes to a new section on poisonous plants.

It also features elements that consider public perception of welfare; one section states that a pony may not play if its “visual impact is considered detrimental to the reputation of polo”.

“We’ve had cases where a horse has something that’s being treated, has been signed off by a vet as fine to play, but we’ve said, ‘We don’t want that pony to play,’ because we want to make sure we have our ponies looking the best,” Ms Hall said. “From a social licence point of view, not just for polo, for all horse sports.

“We need to make sure we’re showcasing our ponies in the best light, so our umpires, pony welfare officers – every club has a pony welfare officer and above a certain level we have vets on duty – any HPA official can say, ‘We do not want that pony to play.’

Working together

“The pony can play when it’s recovered and photos won’t go viral around the world, but this is about us working together for the good of all horse sports.”

Ms Hall said in the past few years, equine and coaching manager Vix Chapple has been working closely with other disciplines’ governing bodies on everything from welfare to the recent increase in equine flu. She also pointed out that no unaffiliated polo activity runs in this country; all games come under the HPA, the Pony Club or the Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA), which follow HPA rules.

“So when a couple of years ago, it was about 40C, we stopped polo for two days,” Ms Hall said. “We felt the heat was too high, not so much for playing, but we were so worried about transport and didn’t want any lorries breaking down on the M25. It was a difficult decision, but then we were confident no polo was being played.”

Another big push is on accessibility. Ms Hall spoke at Royal Windsor Horse Show in May and at the 2025 London International, to try to promote the sport.

“There is an expectation that if you want to play polo, you have to have an entire string of ponies and it’s going to cost you an absolute fortune,” she said. “But actually, you can play your entire life and not have any ponies. You can go to polo schools; there will be an HPA qualified coach and they provide you with ponies. They’ll have a licence, like any riding school, but you could have your entire polo hobby career on hired ponies.

“I was talking to somebody at Royal Windsor who’d been a showjumper, fell out of love with showjumping and did polo through SUPA. She’s now a licensed HPA coach, runs a polo club and has played around the world. She said she wouldn’t have had those opportunities without polo; we’re trying to tell some of those stories and get people to come, watch and have a go.”

Power of Polo

She cited the HPA-affiliated charity Power of Polo, which uses the sport to improve the lives of people in challenging situations.

“It takes people who struggle with a whole range of things or have been involved in gang culture and takes them out of that environment,” Ms Hall said. “These are people who haven’t been trusted by authorities, and there was a wonderful project they did getting the Metropolitan Police and these young people to learn to play polo together and they loved it.”

Pony Club participation is also growing and the HPA is working on a simplified rulebook, to be less complicated for newcomers.

“There aren’t many horse disciplines where you can go to a coach and learn to play, ride, compete, from a beginner to tournaments,” Ms Chapple added. “We have a lot of ponies accessible and it’s accessible to spectators too. There are high-goal tournaments, such as the Queen’s Cup at Windsor, where you can go and watch an outstanding game of polo with some of the best players in the world, and you’re not charged for it.”

The HPA works closely with Retraining of Racehorses as many thoroughbreds enjoy second careers in polo.

“That’s a big part of our welfare work and we want to push that agenda as much as possible,” Ms Chapple said. “I think people don’t realise we’re actually really good at our welfare.

“Usually, the only knowledge they have of polo is when you have a member of the royal family on the front of the Daily Mail or Rivals. It’s really important we sing our praises, because we’re actually doing a good job when it comes to pony welfare. I’m quite proud of it.”

Keeping people safe is also key. The welfare booklet also has resources and signposts for grooms and staff, so they know who to speak to about any issues. Ms Chapple is the HPA safeguarding lead and felt this was very important to include.

Ms Hall said: “We also know that if people are looked after well, the ponies are likely to be looked after well. It’s all circular and we want polo to be a great place for people and ponies, and for everyone to enjoy themselves.”

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Farewell to polo player, showjumper and judge aged 97

Becky Murray — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:33:46 +0000

By Richard Tren

Albert Tren, the leading South African polo player, showjumper and judge died peacefully at home, aged 97, on 19 January.

Albert, known as Abby, was born in Johannesburg in 1928. He was the son and grandson of great horsemen and grew up with a love and deep knowledge of horses. His earliest memories were of riding and he started competing from around the age of six. While Abby was a notable showjumper and an active member of the Rand Hunt, he was probably best known as a polo player.

As a six-goal player, Abby was the captain of the Inanda polo team for many years, captained the Transvaal polo team and was selected to play for the Springboks, South Africa’s national team.

He toured Kenya for the Springboks and played at home against many touring teams. At one point in the mid-1960s, the Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli brought Abby to Punta Ala on the Tuscan coast to play polo for several weeks with competitors from Italy and from all over the world.

Abby was involved in numerous other aspects of South Africa’s horse world.

He was a highly respected judge, touring around the country. He was instrumental in starting and then running the three-day-event Toyota Horse Trials, outside Johannesburg.

He was also involved with the annual Rand Easter Show, the largest agricultural show in Johannesburg, having competed for many years from the 1940s onwards, then judged there. He served as president of the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society, which hosted the show, for three years and was the vice-president for another three. In that role Abby invited numerous English judges to the show, frequently hosting them for the two weeks that the show ran.

After retiring and moving to England in 1995, Abby volunteered as a timekeeper for Pony Club polo matches.

Abby is survived by his wife Judy, their four children Frances, Diana, Nicholas and Richard, and three grandchildren.

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Whitaker and Stockdale switch saddles ahead of Royal Windsor’s exhibition polo match

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:11:51 +0000

Top showjumpers set themselves a new goal last week as they tried their hands at polo.

In the run-up to Royal Windsor Horse Show (15-18 May), Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker picked up sticks to take part in a competitive chukka.

Guards Polo Club instructors Ebe Sievwright and Jack Hyde coached the showjumpers, both ambassadors for the show, which again this year will feature an international exhibition polo match between Guards and the Azerbaijan team.

“The duo participated in an exclusive arena polo session, experiencing first-hand the pace, precision, and teamwork that make the sport so electrifying,” a spokesperson for Royal Windsor said, adding that the exhibition match will be a “thrilling contest” for spectators.

“As the smaller dimensions of the arena format of polo demand fast play and sharp strategy, the match offers a spectacular showcase of the sport – set against the spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle.”

Picture by Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe’s team won the chukka three goals to one, after which the riders quaffed a glass of the show’s official champagne, Pol Roger, at country hotel Coworth Park.

“Arena polo is so different to showjumping, but the speed and intensity of it is incredible – I did not expect to enjoy it this much!” said Joe.

Jack agreed that it is a fast and technical sport.

“Once you get going, you really feel the adrenaline,” he said. “We had a great time – it’s definitely something I’d love to try again.”

The polo exhibition match takes place on the Saturday of the show (17 May).

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‘I didn’t really ride him, I just hung on’: top riders on their (memorable) first ponies

Madeleine Silver — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 16:30:42 +0000

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” has never rung so true when it comes to some top riders’ early equestrian memories on ponies…

Zara Tindall, eventer

My earliest equestrian memory was riding ponies with my brother Peter and doing gymkhanas. My first pony was a Shetland called Smokey.

Trevor Breen, showjumper

My first pony was a 12.2hh grey mare called Skellig Lady – the only pony I ever inherited from my brother, Shane. She loved jumping and would come round every corner, shake her head and take off. I think it gave my mum heart failure every time I went to a show.

Damian Hallam, grand prix dressage rider and coach

My earliest equestrian memory is the amount of time it took to catch my first pony, Magic. We had her on a week’s trial and I got bucked off on day one. I spent the rest of the trial week trying to catch her as she galloped around tacked up – we finally caught her on decision day. I persuaded my non-horsey parents to buy her and she continued to be a little monster. I suppose what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

James Harper, polo player

I remember going cross-country on my New Forest pony, Donut (who I first played polo on). I was flat out, completely out of control, shouting, “Donut, I can’t stop!” He jumped most things, but liked to do it very fast.

Oliver Hood, showing producer

I remember hunting a pony called Cocky with the Suffolk Foxhounds. I didn’t really ride him, I just hung on. Can’t remember how old I was, but I was pretty small – my feet didn’t come past the saddle, anyway.

Sam Roberts, showing producer

Spindle did everything from Pony Club to hunting. I think that first pony is invaluable for kids. You have to enjoy it and if your first experience isn’t a good one then you probably aren’t going to continue.

Harry Dzenis, eventer

My earliest equestrian memory is doing fancy dress on my Shetland pony Treacle and dressing up as the chimney sweep from Mary Poppins.

William Whitaker, showjumper

Peter Pan was an extremely lazy 12.2hh pony. When I was about nine, I went to an RSPCA charity show wearing three-inch dressage spurs and holding a big whip. When we got to the ring, there was a sign saying “no spurs or sticks allowed” and I didn’t get out of walk the entire class.

Richard Johnson, former National Hunt jockey

Tasty, a liver chestnut 13hh mare was my first proper pony. I did everything from showjumping to working hunter, Pony Club to polocrosse on her. She is the reason I wanted to be a jockey – she didn’t do walking, only flat out. When she died my dad got quite sentimental about it, which is unusual for a farmer. She was very much a family pet.

Tom McEwen, eventer

My first pony was called Sooty, a little black pony that was passed onto every child in our area. He certainly couldn’t be described as an angel.

Mark Kyle, former eventer

My first pony was a naughty 11.2hh grey called Hino, who had a habit of putting his head down causing me to fly straight over his ears.

Harriet Biddick, showjumper

My first pony was called Mischief, the name says it all. I had loads fun on her, especially cross-country. Most of the photos taken of us were pretty blurry because she was so quick.

Harry Skelton, National Hunt jockey

My first pony was Oxo, who was also my brother Dan’s and even my Dad’s [Nick Skelton] first pony – we all learnt on him. I still have some of his tail in my bedside table.

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Court orders return of cloned ponies in landmark ruling

Oscar Williams — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:06:12 +0000

Argentinian polo star Adolfo Cambiaso, 46, and his La Dolfina team have won a legal battle in the Southern District of Florida, securing a final judgment for the return of cloned ponies that were sold without his knowledge.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest polo players of all time, the 10-goal Argentinian has amassed nearly 1,000 career points and was recently featured in Netflix’s Polo.

The case focused on clones of Cambiaso’s most successful horse, Dolfina Cuartetera – ranked first in Argentina’s Polo Hall of Fame – who died in May 2023, at the age of 22. Several of her clones have gone on to compete at the highest level, featuring in the prestigious Argentine Triple Crown. Among Cambiaso and his son Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso’s top mounts are Cuartetera clones B06 and B09.

The lawsuit alleged that Cambiaso’s longtime business partner, Alan Meeker, secretly sold Cuartetera’s clones to a rival polo team without his knowledge, despite their decade-long partnership. The claims included breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Polo remains the most accepting equestrian sport when it comes to cloning; Argentina imposes few regulations and no restrictions on the number of cloned ponies allowed in competition – leaving teams and breeders to set their own rules.

Cambiaso has been at the forefront of this revolution, helping shape cloning into a multi-million-dollar industry. In 2006, after his stallion Aiken Cura suffered a fatal injury, he preserved a skin sample in a Buenos Aires laboratory. In 2010, using that harvested sample, he successfully produced Aiken Cura E01 with the help of Alan Meeker and his company Crestview Genetics. The two parties then entered into a contract to clone more of Cambiaso’s polo ponies.

That year, Meeker and Cambiaso included a three-month-old Cuartetera clone in a high-profile auction, who sold for $800,000 – the highest price ever paid for a polo horse. The buyers were a partnership led by Argentinian businessman and amateur polo player Ernesto Gutiérrez, a close friend of Cambiaso.

Following the auction, Gutiérrez urged Cambiaso and Meeker to reconsider their strategy, arguing that selling clones risked diminishing Crestview’s exclusivity over Cambiaso’s prized bloodlines. Instead, he proposed bringing the clone he had bought back into Crestview, securing his position as a third partner, and shifting the focus to selling only foals of clones rather than the clones themselves – a policy that remains in place today.

But following a nine-day jury trial in May 2024, Cambiaso’s legal team – Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP (WTO) – demonstrated that Meeker had secretly sold Cuartetera clones to an unnamed Russian businessman for $800,000 each, with additional sales planned.

As a result, Meeker and Crestview Genetics have been ordered to return all La Dolfina clones and tissue samples to Cambiaso. The opposing team argued that Meeker acted within his agreement with Cambiaso.

“For Adolfo Cambiaso and his family, this is an important decision coming after a four-year multi-jurisdictional court battle,” said lead counsel, Habib Nasrullah.

“These horses are priceless, and the family is committed to the process of recovering their cloned horses and preserving this part of the legacy Adolfo built for his children.”

Diego Bucking, personal counsel to Cambiaso, added: “This case represents an important development in horse cloning.”

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The late Queen’s pony Emma takes centre stage – and eats grass – in new celebrity role

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:16:31 +0000

The late Queen’s last and much-loved Fell pony Carltonlima Emma took up a celebrity role at Guards Polo Club on Sunday (10 September).

The 27-year-old mare, who was seen standing by the Long Walk at Windsor Castle a year ago as Her Majesty’s funeral cortege made its final journey, led the teams out for the final of the Major General’s Cup.

A spokesman for the polo club said Emma seemed to enjoy her day – especially tucking into the grass on the polo field.

“Emma was accompanied on the polo field by Terry Pendry CVO, BEM, the former stud groom and manager to Her late Majesty at Windsor Castle.

“In addition to Emma’s leading out of the teams in the polo final, members of Guards Polo Club and visitors to the Club on the day were able to meet Emma and have their photograph taken with her. She seemed very relaxed in this new role – she was more interested in eating the grass on the Queen’s Ground!”

Picture by Images of Polo (Image credit: www.imagesofpolo.com)

The spokesman added: “Emma is currently participating in the Fell Pony Society’s Queen Elizabeth ll Memorial Challenge which will celebrate the life of our late Queen. Entrants are invited to compete 96 miles, one for each year of The late Queen’s life with their Fell ponies.”

Stable Cottage beat Sladmore 4-3 to win the Major General’s Cup on The Queen’s Ground. The most valuable player award went to Alexander Nix and the best playing pony was Mantecol owned by Charlie Wooldridge and Antony Fanshawe.

Guards also welcomed another special guest – Juno, the Household Cavalry’s first female drum horse; the Household Cavalry team beat the Porto Ronco Dogs 6-3 in the Wooden Spoon.

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(Image credit: Images of Polo)

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(Image credit: Images of Polo)

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(Image credit: Images of Polo)

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Farewell to one of England’s greatest polo players

Becky Murray — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:23:15 +0000

By Hurlingham Polo Association

Howard Hipwood, the former England polo player and captain died on 6 June, aged 73.

Mr Hipwood took up polo as a child through the VWH branch of the Pony Club, learning the trade at Cirencester alongside his brother Julian.

An England captain from 1992, he played in the first revival match of the Coronation Cup in 1971 and was part of England’s 1997 winning Westchester Cup team. Howard played in the Coronation Cup a total of 21 times, winning on six occasions.

Mr Hipwood later turned his hand to umpiring and was voted the best professional umpire in England in 2006. He and Julian were both awarded a Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) lifetime achievement award at the Audi Polo Awards in 2008, in honour of their outstanding contribution to the sport and to the polo community. An HPA life member, Mr Hipwood continued to support polo throughout his life, and his legacy continues through his family.

An HPA spokesman said the organisation was “deeply saddened” to hear about the death of “one of England’s greatest polo players”.

“An enormous presence on the polo field, Howard Hipwood played off a handicap of nine goals for more than 10 successive years and was regarded as one of the best backs in the world,” he said.

“He will be greatly missed by the polo community, and our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

He is survived by his brother Julian and sister Lyn, and his children Oliver, Jessica, Rosanna and Sebastian.

‘One of the most significant figures in polo’: tributes paid to family man and philanthropist

Becky Murray — Sat, 28 May 2022 11:03:27 +0000

Major Christopher Hanbury, the family man, polo player and philanthropist died on 10 May, aged 78.

Born in County Meath, Ireland, Major Hanbury hunted with the Meath and Ballymacad foxhounds. As a student at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University, he began to play polo, but did not play seriously until he joined the Irish Hussars in 1965 and played regimental polo in Germany.

In 1974 he went to Brunei as aide-de-camp to the Sultan of Brunei and, while there, he set up the Jerudong Park Polo Club.

His polo career took off when he was a member at Cirencester Park Polo Club with his team Lovelocks, winning the most sought-after trophies. Major Hanbury sat on the executive board of directors at Cirencester, culminating in his position as chairman from 1995 to 1999. Under his leadership, he elevated the ethos of raising money for charities through polo, supported for many years by the Prince of Wales, who played charity games at the club. This period in the club’s history was its golden age during which royalty, rock stars, actors and renowned businessmen came to support the charities, both playing and spectating – and all of this down to Major Hanbury’s inspiration and larger than life personality.

His wife Bridget was his rock, and supported him unwaveringly with his philanthropic work. With his connections and charm, Major Hanbury was able to give millions of pounds to charities through Cirencester Park Polo Club. He also served a term as chairman of children’s charity the Starlight Foundation.

Major Hanbury created the well-respected Lovelocks Polo Stud in Argentina, now managed by his family.

In 2005 he was appointed chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association, a position he held until 2008. He was one of the most significant figures in polo, internationally renowned with friends and colleagues all over the world. Eventually Major and Mrs Hanbury’s sons Charlie and George took on the reins of polo with enthusiasm and delivered to their father one of the most sought-after trophies in the world, the British Open Gold Cup.

Major Hanbury leaves Bridget, his six children Zahra, Emma, Arabella, Jessica, Charlie and George, and 21 grandchildren. He was much loved by all those who knew him, especially for his legendary sense of humour and his affable, caring demeanour.

Farewell to polo legend and trailblazer Claire Tomlinson

Becky Murray — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:29:15 +0000

The highest-rated female polo player in the world, Claire Tomlinson, died peacefully at home on 12 January, aged 77, from a long illness with dementia.

Born in 1944, Mrs Tomlinson was the daughter of Ethel and Arthur Lucas, who founded Woolmers Park Polo Club in Hertfordshire following World War II.

Credit Joan Wakeham (Image credit: Joan Wakeham)

In 1963 she went to Oxford University where she studied agricultural economics at Somerville College. She earned a squash blue and was shortlisted for the 1964 Olympic fencing team. That year she joined the Oxford University Polo Club (OUPC), and in a time where women had not been allowed to compete previously, Mrs Tomlinson became the first ever female to play in a varsity match. She went on to become the first female captain of the OUPC in 1966, and when the team beat Cambridge 7-0 Mrs Tomlinson earned a half-blue. On leaving university she had a zero handicap.

She met Simon Tomlinson, a polo player in the Army, and they formed a team called Los Locos, which translates as “the Mad Ones”. In 1968 the couple married. They went on to have three children, Emma, Luke and Mark, all of whom went on to play polo at the highest level, and Emma became an equine vet.

In 1972 Mrs Tomlinson became the first woman to win the County Cup, but at the time women were still barred from competing in high-goal tournaments and despite her achievements she was still denied entry to these games.

She went on to petition the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) to change the rules to allow women to play, and the rules changed in 1979 – the same year she won The Queen’s Cup. In 1986 Mrs Tomlinson became the first female polo player to reach a five-goal handicap, a record she still holds.

Mr and Mrs Tomlinson revived the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire in 1989 with the aim of providing top-class facilities and encouraging young players to learn the game. The family also started breeding polo ponies in the 1970s and became the biggest breeding operation of polo ponies, launching the Beaufort Embryo Transfer (now Tomlinson Equine), managed by Emma. Luke and Mark represented England on home-bred ponies out of Mrs Tomlinson’s best mares.

Coaching was a passion of Mrs Tomlinson’s. In 1993 she set up a coaching system for the HPA with Major Hugh Dawnay and David Morley. She went on to coach the England team and the HPA junior development squad and was admired for her ability to work with a range of players, from professionals to novices. She was one of six official HPA team coaches.

Mrs Tomlinson has been described as an “innovative and inspiring coach”, a “trailblazer for women around the world” and a “polo legend”.

Mark Tomlinson said his mother’s qualities were “endless”.

“The respect Mum commanded across so many walks of life has to have been one of her most remarkable qualities. Whether you saw her playing polo or schooling a horse in her prime, was helped or entertained by her, it’s clear she touched so many lives,” he said.

“She was a fierce advocate for equal opportunity without being a feminist. She firmly believed that if you worked hard enough at what you put your mind to you could make significant progress. One of the most treasured gifts Mum has left her children and grandchildren is that in life you have to be determined, while at the same time keeping your head and showing humility throughout.

“Mrs T, Claire Lucas, Claire Tomlinson, Clarita, Vieja, Loca, Mum… whatever name you knew her by, she was simply unforgettable.”

Mrs Tomlinson is survived by Simon, their three children and eight grandchildren.

Rider who spent 10 days in intensive care after fall speaks out 10 years on to support live-saving air ambulance

Sarah Radford — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 19:30:14 +0000

Ten years on from the accident that put her in a coma, polo player Vanessa Whiteley has spoken about her experience, to help support the Thames Valley Air Ambulance crew that saved her life.

The rider, who comes from a dynasty of polo players and eventers, was 17 when her mare Kite landed on her in a freak accident during a match at Kirtlington in August 2011.

She faced several years overcoming the emotional, psychological and physical impacts of her fall — which she may not have survived without urgent intervention.

“It was the final of a weekend tournament, which was on bank holiday Monday,” Vanessa told H&H. “We’d come out of the lineout [where the ball gets thrown back into play after a goal] and we were cantering off away from everyone else, not going very fast, when Kite caught her back legs with another horse, tripped and fell down. Because we were going quite slowly I wasn’t flung out of the way, so she landed on me.”

Vanessa’s feet were still in the stirrups and her hands still around the reins, while the mare was on top of her struggling to get back up, and she was kicked several times. Her helmet also came off as she fell, and her head hit the floor.

“I don’t remember what happened at that point but one of the players on my team was an anaesthetist, and she jumped off her horse and rushed over, as did another, who had been working in intensive care at John Radcliffe [Hospital] — they both knew quite a lot about trauma and phoned an ambulance.

“The event’s paramedic also rushed over in her car. My mum asked her ‘is she dying?’ and the lady said ‘I’m not really sure’.”

Once the road ambulance arrived, the decision was made to send for an air ambulance, as Vanessa had suffered serious head and chest injuries.

On arrival, the helicopter crew established that she required an emergency chest drain, as she was “drowning in her own blood”, and needed to be taken to the John Radcliffe, in Oxford. The procedure was performed and Vanessa was transferred to intensive care, where she had to be intubated and put into an induced coma.

Vanessa recalled that when she briefly regained consciousness on the first day, before being put back under, the first thing she did was talk about her horse.

“I said I couldn’t hold Kite and that I felt her falling but couldn’t do anything about it — then within a couple of hours I was unconscious again,” she said.

“Horses do so much for us, it was an awful thing to happen [but] I knew she would really have tried her hardest not to fall down,” she said.

Vanessa was in intensive care for a total of nine days, and was able to return home after 10.

“I remember very well when they had to take the intubation tube out,” she said. “You have to cough and it was extremely painful to cough because of my broken ribs. It felt like the bristle-side of a hairbrush coming out and they told me I needed to cough harder and I didn’t think I could do it, it was very claustrophobic.”

She also recalled her first walk around the ward on day seven.

“I was a 17-year-old with a zimmer frame, in a gown with a bare bottom and DVT socks!” she said. “I’d gone from being a fit and healthy 17-year-old a week earlier to barely wanting to sit up.”

Vanessa faced several battles in her recovery but had not initially lost her nerve when it came to riding — although it became clear her balance was an issue.

“I wore a body protector for a whole year riding and hunting after my fall, as I kept getting unseated. I basically never fell off before the accident, so the shock of coming off so often, as well as having had a terrible accident that was maybe my fault, started to make me think that maybe riding horses shouldn’t be my hobby,” she said.

She benefited from having experienced support around her — her father, Puff Whiteley, has played polo since his Pony Club days (her grandfather, Timothy Whiteley, also played and hunted), while her paternal grandmother Jane Whiteley (formerly Drummond-Hay, sister to Anneli) was second at Badminton and has multiple dressage accolades.

“I didn’t really make a conscious decision to keep riding, I just kept getting on. My dad kept saying ‘do you want to go riding?’ and I kept saying ‘yes’.” she said.

Vanessa’s bigger battle in her recovery was with the impact the accident had on her, at such a formative stage of her life.

“I had this awful depression but I didn’t know it at the time, I found it really hard getting up in the morning,” she said. “As a teenager you’re expected to have a lot of energy and a smile on your face and engage in extra activities and I had an awful few years, when I’d just keep cancelling on people — it took me a while to get out of that zone.

“I found it difficult to get out of the house and put clothes and make-up on and present myself to strangers, I just wanted to stay inside with the dogs. Then a year after the accident I was telling people about it very early on when we met, I would thread it into any conversation. People do say it’s toxic to let a terrible trauma define you. A lot of the insecurities I already had surfaced and had an extra impact and I had an excuse that I was using as a crutch — I would almost say ‘I can’t see you tonight because I had an accident a few years ago’.”

Vanessa’s accident happened between her first and second year of A-levels but she continued on to university, initially studying French and Spanish at Oxford Brooks, and going on to study psychology and Spanish at Buckingham.

She played her first polo match at Rugby a year after her fall — which she describes as a “momentous day” — and organised her first fundraising day for Thames Valley Air Ambulance at Kirklington Polo Club in 2013.

“I’ve been involved with the air ambulance ever since,” she said. “My mum arranged for me to visit the crew that airlifted me six weeks after I came out of hospital and I have done a lot of fundraisers since.”

She also spent some time after she graduated working in logistics at Kidlington, where the air ambulance is stationed, ordering parts for helicopters.

“I had a wonderful year working there and it’s where I met my now fiance,” said Vanessa, who also recently started a new job as a teacher. “It was wonderful being part of the team that put the air ambulances back in the sky. It was really meaningful for me.”

Vanessa is the face of the year’s Thames Valley Air Ambulance summer raffle, which is raising funds to keep the service going. Air ambulances have no state funding and run entirely on donations.

They are a life-saving service for riders and Thames Valley’s crews have delivered critical care to 99 equestrians since 2018.

Summer is a peak time for accidents, with a quarter of all equestrian incidents happening between May and June.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance senior critical care paramedic Richard Company said: “Equestrian emergencies can mean extra hurdles for our crews to overcome. With the sheer weight of the horse and the fact that riders are often travelling at speed, we are likely to encounter severe injuries and shock. For incidents where spectators have witnessed the event, it can be very traumatic for bystanders too.

“The advanced drugs and kit that our expert crews carry mean we give patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery. Whether it is sedation, pain relief or performing an intervention then and there – we bring the hospital to the horse rider.”

To support Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s summer raffle, visit the service’s website.

(Image credit: Vanessa Whiteley)

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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dies age 99

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:47:43 +0000

Prince Philip has died at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh “passed away peacefully” this morning (9 April) at Windsor Castle.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

The palace said further announcements will be made “in due course”.

The duke spent a month in hospital this year; having been admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in London in February, he then underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, and treatment for an infection, at another hospital in London, St Bartholomew’s.

He left hospital on 16 March, when he was said to be in “good spirits”, and returned to Windsor.

Prince Philip made a huge contribution to the equestrian world. He was one of the top eight British polo players in the 1960s, and when he retired from the game in 1971, turned his interests to carriage driving.

He excelled in four-in-hand international driving, and is credited with essentially creating the modern sport of combined driving, as president of the FEI from 1964 to 1986. He represented Britain in three European and six World Championships, finishing sixth overall in the 1982 World Championships.

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Prince Philip reveals how his love for carriage driving began

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Aged 65, Prince Philip switched to driving homebred Fells, and continued to compete with teams of ponies throughout his 60s and 70s. He encouraged his children to ride and took great pleasure in the achievements of Prince Charles in polo and hunting and Princess Anne in eventing and racing.

The duke once said: “Some optimists tend to assume that, once you have learned the lesson that horses bite at one end and kick at the other, there is nothing further to worry about – no such luck, I am afraid. That is only lesson one in a learning process that goes on as long as you are mug enough to continue to associate with horses.”

See next week’s H&H magazine for full tributes to Prince Philip, out 15 April.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Polo makes its comeback with rule changes in place

Becky Murray — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 16:47:14 +0000

Polo resumed behind closed doors on Monday with a number of rule changes.

Last week the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) announced plans for the sport to resume with the Prince of Wales tournament running as a “training tournament” at high-goal level. The tournament had been scheduled to begin on 12 June at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, but this was pushed back to Monday (15 June), and will now run until 24 June. One game is taking place per day, with half the usual number of chukkas.

In a statement on 13 June a spokesman for the HPA said following “further consultation” with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the HPA’s legal advisors, it was concluded it was appropriate to run polo “on a progressive basis” and subject to “some important changes”.

The statement added that polo can proceed as planned, at eight-goal level and above along with the Victrix Ludorum women’s tournament. Each team must include a minimum of three professional or aged 16 and over “elite pathway players” along with the team player/manager who is responsible for putting together and entering the team. The HPA will produce a list of elite pathway players, which will be kept under review as the season progresses. Below the eight-goal level and Victrix Ludorum, polo continues to be limited to three on three no contact, and non-competitive training – which remains under constant review.

The spokesman added a number of important rule changes have been introduced to ensure minimal contact between players, in addition to the procedures and compliance requirements the sport has already put in place to confirm with government guidelines.

“It is absolutely crucial that all clubs adhere strictly to these procedures which have been reviewed by the DCMS and that players and all other attendees support clubs in their management of these procedures,” said the spokesman.

“This adherence is the responsibility of every individual and on which the continuation of the sport is dependent. The HPA will shortly be introducing a mandatory education module as a one off, in line with that in racing which will take 30 minutes. It will also be in Spanish.”

Article continued below…

Fraser England and Argentina compete in the Coronation Cup during the Hurlingham Polo International Day 2019 at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, Windsor. (Image credit: Catherine Austen)

Polo pushes ahead to return this week

“It’s about supporting a whole community that is hugely reliant on the sport getting back in some shape or form;

(Image credit: Catherine Austen)

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Catherine Austen is one of just a handful of journalists working on site at Royal Ascot this week – here

(Image credit: Catherine Austen)

To help achieve social distancing and eliminate face-to-face contact, the rule changes include teams will only change ends at the end of each chukka, the removal of line-ups, and players cannot make contact with another player while the ball is not in play. Other changes include umpires should bring their own face coverings, gloves and sanitising products and use their own equipment such as cards, whistles and pick up stick, while all balls must be disinfected with a suitable product before and during any polo session that involves either training marshals and/or goal judges.

HPA chairman Nick Wiles said: “It was vital the HPA could kickstart the 2020 season in some way as there are so many businesses and individuals whose livelihoods are completely dependent on polo.

“We will of course be closely monitoring these new rules and hope to expand them out to the lower handicapped tournaments as and when government guidelines allow.”

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Polo pushes ahead to return this week

Becky Murray — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 17:10:47 +0000

Polo is set to return behind closed doors this week as the governing body moves forward with plans to get the sport back “in some shape or form”.

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) announced that the Prince of Wales Tournament will start on Friday (12 June) at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and run as a “training tournament” at high-goal level. Seven teams will take part in the tournament, with one match scheduled per day, until the tournament ends on 21 June. All tack will be cleaned thoroughly between matches.

HPA chairman Nick Wiles told H&H the tournament is operating within government guidelines, and said the association has been in contact with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

“The sport throughout this crisis has sought to operate absolutely within the guidelines,” said Mr Wiles. “As with every sport we are taking tentative steps to see how we can work within those guidelines to open up our sport.

“We’re taking a lower-key approach with some rule changes; there will be no lineups and contact will be kept to a minimum. There will be two teams of four players on the ground at any one time, with a minimal number of grooms and a minimal number of other people. We’re talking about one manager, one or two drivers per team to get the horses there, and one or two grooms per player.”

Players and those attending will be met by a Covid marshall and have to undergo temperature checks – but not Covid-19 testing. They will be required to wear facemasks and sign a waiver to confirm they have had no Covid-19 symptoms in the past 14 days, and will exercise social distancing when getting on and off the horses.

“We have thought about Covid-19 testing; we haven’t said we won’t – but we’ve said not for now,” said Mr Wiles.

“When talking to the government it may be something they may feel we need to do, and if that’s the case then we’ve taken provisions such that we can.”

Mr Wiles confirmed players had arrived from Argentina last week to take part in the tournament – and added he considers the resumption of polo to come under the government’s guidance on elite sport.

“The players have arrived from Argentina to fulfil their obligations during the summer. They each arrived here with a health certificate to say they have been tested for Covid-19 and found to be negative, they have passports, playing visas and return tickets,” he said.

“We would certainly argue at the levels we’re talking about these are elite sportsmen deriving a living from competing in the sport. This is not grassroots amateur sport – these are people at the top of the sport making a living from it.”

Mr Wiles said it is important for the sport to resume.

“This isn’t really about the eight people on the field – it’s about supporting a whole community that is hugely reliant on the sport getting back in some shape or form; farriers, feed merchants, drivers and every other aspect of the support network that sits within our sport,” he said. “We have a huge obligation to them and it would be too easy for this to be seen as too difficult. It is the HPA’s obligation to do everything it can within the government guidelines to make this possible.

“We are clear that we are working hard to work within the government guidelines. If we need to change course at any point because the government feels we should, then of course we will absolutely take its guidance.”

Article continued below…

(Image credit: trevor meeks)

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A spokesman for the DMCS told H&H discussions are taking place between the DCMS and the HPA.

“The guidance on sport is absolutely clear. For professional and elite sport events they need to draw up protocols that adhere to the government’s return to domestic competition guidance. For grassroots sport, groups of no more than six people from different households can exercise outside and they must be socially distanced at all times,” he said.

“All governing bodies must review and follow the guidance, consider whether they can meet its conditions and take full responsibility for participants’ health and safety. If not, they may face enforcement powers, including possible fines or people being directed to return to their home or accommodation by the police.”

Can gumshields help reduce concussion? We ask the experts H&H Plus

Lucy Elder — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 17:37:16 +0000

Following recent discussions about the benefits of gumshields for riders, H&H canvassed opinions from governing bodies’ chief medical advisers, a dentist and mouthguard specialist, plus riders from across the disciplines...

Debate over the use of gumshields in equestrian sport has resurfaced following a call from a high-profile jockey and discussion at the International Eventing Forum.

The 20-time Grade One-winning jockey Paddy Brennan called for “every jump jockey to be wearing” a gumshield, adding that his “saved his head” in a fall at Leicester last month.

While talking about the best way to fall at the International Eventing Forum at Hartpury (3 February), orthopaedic surgeon Michael Eames said wearing a gumshield can help dissipate the energy in your jaw and neck, reducing the risk of a head injury.

Although there is no conclusive evidence gumshields reduce a person’s risk of concussion, some who wear them are convinced of the benefits, and they can certainly help prevent dental injuries, which are painful, inconvenient and expensive.

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning amateur Sam Waley-Cohen offers cost-price mouthguards to jockeys through his business, Portman Dental Care.“At the moment, we can’t categorically say to jockeys if they wear a gumshield and fall, they’ll have less chance of concussion,” said the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) chief medical adviser Dr Jerry Hill.

“I encourage jockeys to wear gumshields, especially ones that are custom-made, and as long as they’re properly fitted, there isn’t any issue with them.

“We’re in the process of commissioning a new medical records system, which will allow us to gather much more useful data and we’ll be able to do more analysis. That will give us sport-specific data for racing and then we can give sensible advice.”

H&H has been contacted by dozens of riders across the disciplines — particularly racing, polo, team chasing and eventing — who opt to wear gumshields for a variety of reasons. All opted for a properly fitted type, over the “boil and bite” version, at a cost of roughly £50 to £100, depending on the level of protection. Some said they barely notice wearing them, while others found they took a bit of getting used to.

Abigail Lewis told H&H she is a convert after cracking teeth in a pointing fall last season.

“It was the most painful thing I’ve ever done,” she said, adding that she wears it for both tooth protection and concussion prevention. “I don’t even realise I’ve got it in — it was £120 compared to £800 for [the work I’ve had done].”

Aurora Eastwood told H&H she wears a gumshield “every time” she plays polo, for both teeth protection and to mitigate against concussion, and believes they should be compulsory in all fast equine sports.

Amateur eventer Alysen Miller, who has a background in racing, told H&H she looked into it extensively and said the research she found between mouthguards, concussion and even spinal damage prevention “didn’t seem entirely baseless”.

“An absence of evidence doesn’t mean an evidence of absence,” she said, adding it is the piece of equipment she notices “the least”. “It does seem a very small tweak you can make to your kit, even if it is a very small chance [that it will help].”

Former jockey Alice Mills told H&H wearing one for racing was a natural progression from hockey and rugby.

“I didn’t see any reason not to carry on wearing it for team chasing,” she added.

Billy Aprahamian, amateur jockey and assistant trainer to Nicky Henderson, told H&H: “It is becoming more and more common now compared to five years ago in point-to-pointing and is much more common in jump racing, where a lot of the jockeys are wearing them — anything to protect themselves.”

Anthony Lovat, dentist and founder of pioneering mouthguard company OPRO, told H&H the company does not collect data on which sports its customers take part in, so could not say if it has had an increase in demand from racing or equestrian sports.

“What I can say is on the whole, the use of mouthguards is certainly on the rise globally,” he said, adding that people are becoming more aware of dental injuries and how to prevent these.

He added that impression-fitted mouthguards offer greater protection because they result in a better fit and the thickness is greater than that of the boil and bite. This is because the process and machines used to create them are stronger than a human hand or bite can achieve.

“That’s not to say all boil and bite mouthguards are bad, but the ultimate is the custom fit,” he added.

The company is also working with Sports & Wellbeing Analytics on their latest mouthguard, which features built-in technology that monitors head impact data.

Mouthguards work by absorbing energy, meaning the force the wearer experiences is dissipated over a longer period of time, reducing or eliminating dental injuries.

One rider told H&H she looked into them after suffering a nasty fall while not wearing one, but was advised against it by her treatment team owing to the forces riders can experience in a fall and the question as to whether that could result in greater damage.

Dr Lovat added in the 20-plus years of Opro, he has never known a mouthguard to cause harm.

The British Equestrian Federation’s chief medical officer Pippa Bennett told H&H that looking at the research available, there is no conclusive evidence a mouthguard protects the wearer from concussion.

“Custom-made mouthguards will help protect your teeth — will it lower your risk of concussion? Possibly, but it’s not proven,” she said.

She added that much research is ongoing into factors surrounding concussion, including neck strength, gender and the lasting impacts of head injuries.

Dr Bennett encouraged people to be aware of concussion symptoms and that these can sometimes first become apparent hours later.

She is also working on a system within the World Class programme, whereby riders would have an initial assessment after a fall, followed up by further assessments at various intervals, such as three, 24, 48 and 72 hours.

“We want to be absolutely sure we are not putting anyone back on a horse when they really shouldn’t be riding,” she said.

“We are also working on graduated return advice. At the moment, there is the initial 21-day stand-down time [from competition], but nobody really tells riders what to do at home.”

There is growing evidence in how improved neck strength can help prevent concussion, as this can help control the rapid acceleration and deceleration in a fall. Concussion is not always caused by direct blows to the head, but the brain hitting the inside of the skull, with research showing a stronger neck can help reduce the amount of energy transferred to the brain during an impact.

The Injured Jockeys Fund has shared videos of neck-strengthening exercises for riders, to help mitigate their risk.

An ongoing project at Imperial College London, funded by the Racing Foundation, is also looking at an in-ear device, which monitors the wearer’s heart rate, electrical activity of the heart and brain, blood oxygen levels and respiratory rate, as well as containing an accelerometer.

It is being trialled within the NHS at present and the BHA is looking at potentially testing it to measure the above statistics after a fall.

The ultimate aim is for jockeys to wear these while racing, but it is not at that stage yet.

Unlikely locations and bright orange balls: 7 things you never knew about snow polo

Polly Bryan — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 16:24:47 +0000

The winter game is a high adrenaline alternative to traditional grass polo, and a fascinating sport in itself as we discover...

1. Snow polo has in fact been played for more than 30 years, ever since Swiss hotelier Reto Gaudenzi launched the St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup in 1985. The tournament, played on a frozen lake in the stunning Swiss Alps, remains the most prestigious snow polo tournament in the world.

2. It’s not only played in the Alps. While the most well known events take place in St Moritz, Switzerland, and Kitzbühel, Austria, a tournament takes place in Aspen, Colarado, each December, and from 2011 to 2017, the Federation of International Polo ran a sanctioned Snow Polo World Cup in the somewhat unlikely location of Tianjin, China. Over the past 20 years, snow polo has also been held in Poland, Russia and Germany.

3. Roughly 5,000 cubic metres of snow is required to create the playing surface on the frozen lake in St Moritz, and the ice must be a minimum of 50cm thick to ensure safety.

4. Some of the world’s very best players also play snow polo, including Argentine 10-goalers Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Gonzalito Pieres. Britain’s most successful snow polo player is Chris Hyde, who has seven St Moritz titles to his name.

5. Rather than the white polo ball used for grass polo, a larger, bright orange ball is commonly used for the winter game — to ensure it can be seen clearly against the snow.

Article continues below…

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6. Tack and equipment used is generally the same as in grass polo, though ponies tend to wear an extra stud in each shoe to help increase traction on the snow. At the Kitzbühel event, it is also compulsory for ponies to wear overreach boots while playing.

7. Reto Gaudenzi, known as ‘the Godfather of polo’, is also a skilled player himself, having won the St Moritz title five times. Polo isn’t his only sporting love, though — growing up in the Alps, he skied and played ice hockey, and was also on the Swiss national bobsleigh team during the 1970s.

Catch snow polo in Kitzbühel, Austria on 16-19 January 2020, and in St Moritz, Switzerland on 24-26 January 2020.

Don’t miss the 28 November issue of H&H for our full feature on the sport of snow polo.

‘It reminds me of ice hockey’: watch Love Island star Chris Hughes try polo

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 18 May 2019 17:35:28 +0000

Love Island star Chris Hughes, known for his passion for racing and horses, decided to try his hand at polo for the first time recently, ahead of the Chestertons Polo in the Park (7-9 June) at Hurlingham Park in London.

The 26-year-old reality TV star spent the afternoon at Fifield Polo Club in Windsor receiving expert tips from top Chinese polo player Duncan Qiu, who is leading the Shanghai team at the polo tournament.

“I have learned so much about polo in one afternoon. If you love sport then it doesn’t need to be a niche activity, it can be an enjoyable spectacle to watch for everyone,” said Chris, who has almost 20 years of riding experience under his belt.

“I have never played polo before — I came into this completely blind, but there is so much to this sport. The barging side-by-side reminds me of ice hockey and when you jump off the horse and swap horses that is kind of like a pit-stop in Formula One.

“I was comfortable up on the horse, but it is getting used to the mallet when hitting the ball because it is all about timing.

He added: “At times you are almost completely oblivious to the fact that there is even a horse under you because you are so focused on hitting the ball. It is a fierce and competitive sport and I would love to give it another go — I don’t even think it would take that long to get used to the rules.”

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: Chesterton Polo in the Park)

Racehorse owner Chris, who took part in a charity race and once rode Grand National winner Earth Summit, has always had a Hollywood-inspired motive to get involved in polo.

“One of my favourite films is Pretty Woman and Richard Gere takes Julia Roberts to the polo — I always thought that was the best part of the film, so I have liked polo ever since I saw that,” revealed Chris.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

England team to face best in the world at home this summer

Polly Bryan — Sat, 11 May 2019 15:02:28 +0000

England’s polo team will face the best in the world when they line up to play for the Coronation Cup on International Day this summer.

Argentina has been confirmed as England’s opposition on Saturday, 27 July at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club (RCBPC), and will field at least one 10-goal player as part of their team.

Argentina, which boasts almost all of the world’s best players, has beaten England to win the Coronation Cup on each of their past four meetings, in 2014, 2009, 2000 and 1995.

Adolfo Cambiaso (Image credit: Getty Images)

“It’s certainly going to be tough and a very difficult game for us, but it’s a challenge and we play polo in order to play against the best in the world,” England captain James Beim told H&H.

“We’re here on home soil, we’re going to get organised and prepared early and they will have to come here and beat us!”

Among Argentina’s arsenal of players are the world number one and two, Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres, at least one of whom will feature on the team for the Coronation Cup, alongside slightly lower-ranked players. The England line-up will be selected later in the summer.

“We have some good players, who are mounted well and playing good polo; if we get everything right in our preparation and have a good day on the day, we can definitely go close at least,” said James, who will also be playing in the Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup high-goal tournaments for David Paradice’s Scone team earlier in the season.

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(Image credit: Kieran Galvin/REX/Shutterstock)

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Ahead of this year's Chestertons Polo In the Park (9-11 June 2017), McLaren racing driver Euan Hankey and England polo

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Polo greats prepare for battle

England take on Argentina at Beaufort Polo Club on Saturday, in the six-chukka Evolution Test Match

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“The Coronation Cup is a step up from these tournaments with a different style of play, which Argentina are more used to as we don’t get as much exposure to it here. But we’ll get in plenty of practice to change our mentality a bit to play a more open game.”

This will be second year the International Day will be hosted by RCBPC, having moved from its previous long-term home, Guards Polo Club, in 2018. This will be the first time the Coronation Cup has been contested at RCBPC however — England beat the USA for the Westchester Cup on the 2018 International Day.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The ultimate bluffer’s guide to polo

Polly Bryan — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 06:02:49 +0000

Heading to a polo match is a wonderful way to spend a sunny summer’s afternoon, especially when a glass of chilled Champagne or Pimms is involved, but few equestrian disciplines can cause as much confusion as polo.

For everyone who may be heading to a game for the first time this season, or even thinking about giving it a try themselves, we bring you a bluffer’s guide to polo basics…

1. How many riders make up a polo team?

In normal grass polo, played in the summer, a team consists of four players (in the winter version, played in an arena, there are three). There will however, be 10 riders and horses on the field during a game – the two wearing black and white are the umpires.

The pro-am format, where a lower-ranked team ‘patron’ employs three professionals to play alongside, is common for the major tournaments of the British season, with the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup the most prestigious two. For international games, such as the Coronation Cup, held on the HPA’s International Day in July, national teams comprise four professionals.

2. What on earth do handicaps mean?

Every player is ranked from -2 (the lowest) to 10 (the highest), and handicaps are referred to in ‘goals’, even though they bear no relevance to the number of actual goals a player might score. The vast majority of players in the UK are ranked zero goals or below, with the top British pros holding handicaps up to seven. Very few players reach the lofty echelons of a 10 — there are currently just eight 10-goalers worldwide, and all of them are South American.

In 2017 the Hurlingham Polo Association introduced a parallel handicapping system, allowing top players to hold a normal handicap, and a handicap specifically for the highest level tournaments, which may be different.

The team handicap is the aggregate of the four players’ handicaps, which determines the level of the match, eg 22-goal.

3. So, how does a polo match work, exactly?

A match is split into seven-minute playing intervals, called chukkas. The number of chukkas that make up a match vary depending on the level of the game — at the very top level a match can comprise eight chukkas, but in UK polo six are more common at the higher levels. Breaks between chukkas are just three minutes long, with five minutes at half-time.

The aim of the game is to put the ball between — or above — the opposing team’s goal posts. There is no restriction on which players are allowed to score goals. If you’re not sure whether a ball went in or not — it can be hard to tell — look out for the goal judge standing behind each set of posts, who will wave a flag if a goal has been scored.

4. Hang on, but which direction are each team aiming to score in?

Teams change ends after every goal that is scored, to account for advantages due to wind or terrain. If no goals are scored by half-time, teams will change ends then. Make sure you pay attention!

5. Wait, why have the horses changed?

Firstly, in polo all horses are known as ponies despite their size (there is no height restriction; most will be around 15.2hh). Players will ride several ponies during the course of a match, with each pony allowed to play a maximum of two chukkas in total, with a chukka break in between. At the higher levels, players will change ponies midway through chukkas too, such is the intensity of the action. Look out for players swapping swiftly from one to the other without dismounting!

6. Are the players really allowed to ride into each other?

The ride-off is a classic, recognizable polo move where a player will attempt to push an opponent and his pony off the line of the ball — which gives them right of way. A ride-off may only take place when the ponies are travelling at the same speed, and are shoulder to shoulder with each other. Pulling in front of another player or riding across the line on which the ball in travelling is not allowed, and nor is “sandwiching” an opponent between two players.

7. I never realised how big a polo field is!

Most people don’t! A full size polo field measures 275 x 146m — for comparison, a football pitch has a maximum size of 120 x 90m. You might want to bring binoculars…

8. So, what time is Ricky France-Lynch going be arriving?

Sadly, we can’t guarantee the presence of Jilly Cooper’s dashing polo hero, but we’re sure you’ll enjoy the day nonetheless.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Polo helmet wins top international design award

Lucy Elder — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:33:09 +0000

An innovative polo helmet has won a prestigious international design award.

The Armis polo helmet combines top-level protection with the classic helmet style for the sport and was awarded a Red Dot Award for product design this week.

Designer and polo player Robin Spicer initially came up with the design for his final year project at Loughborough University in 2015 (news, 12 March 2015).

The hat was the first polo helmet to be designed to both the British Standard PAS 015 with a Kitemark as well as fitting MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) patented technology inside. Charles Owen’s My PS and My PS with wide peak will also come with MIPS technology and a PAS 015 kitemark when they are launched next month.

Mr Spicer told H&H he is “over the moon” with the award.

“It has had its fair share of success in the polo industry, but my background is heavily involved in design so to be recognised by the design industry is huge, and for it to be on the biggest industry stage is really humbling,” said Mr Spicer.

He added he continued working on the design “before and after work” around his day job after graduating.

Around two years ago, Mr Spicer took the plunge and quit his job to focus full-time on Armis and launch the helmet commercially.

Polo helmet safety has been a key talking point in the equestrian world in recent years.

H&H polo reporter Aurora Eastwood started a campaign in 2014 for the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) — polo’s governing body in the UK — to bring in a blanket ruling on safer hats.

From 1 January 2018, players’ helmets have been required to meet the same safety standards as jockeys riding under British Horseracing Authority Rules and a list of approved helmets is available on the HPA website.

World number one Adolfo Cambiaso chose to wear an Armis helmet while playing in the UK last season, following a high-profile dispute with the HPA over a different helmet.

“What you do is fantastic, who ever invests to improve polo and polo safety, I am in favour,” Cambiaso told Armis.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Mr Spicer added: “To have the best polo player in the world and the design industry validating the hard work and the risk we have put into doing this is really amazing.”

More than 5,500 products from 55 countries were entered into the 2019 awards, with the Armis helmet one of the 1,549 designs winning a distinction for high design quality.

“My focus isn’t just to have helmets meeting a standard — that should be a given,” added Mr Spicer, who has more products and developments in equestrian technology in the pipeline.

“It is a good looking product and it performs [in terms of safety and design], it has to look beautiful and be desirable.

“It has to be something people want —this has been designed from scratch and people are paying for something unique, it is not a modification of an existing product.”

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: Armis)

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(Image credit: Armis)

‘Safety standards cannot be ignored’: new helmet rule for British polo players

Following a comprehensive review the Hurlingham Polo Association’s stewards have approved a future amendment to the safety rules

(Image credit: Armis)

The helmet is both designed and made in the UK and also features a machine washable inner headband.

Professor Dr Peter Zec, founder and chief executive of Red Dot, congratulated all the winners.

“The fact that their products were able to satisfy the strict criteria of the jury bears testimony to their award-winning design quality,” said Dr Zec.

“The laureates are thus setting key trends in the design industry and are showing where future directions may lead.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Try something new – polo

Sara Walker — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:25:15 +0000

If you’ve ever stood on the side lines at a polo match, or even watched one on TV, you’ve probably marvelled at the speed, agility and skill of the ponies and their brightly-clad riders. You might not, though, have thought of getting involved with it yourself. The good news is that you don’t have to be a millionaire or even distantly related to the Royal Family to play polo, as the sport is much more accessible than you might think.

Polo is probably the oldest team sport in the world, with origins going back well over 2,000 years in Persia (now Iran). It spread to India in the 13th Century, eventually becoming popular with the British Army in India as a form of military training. There are now around 70 polo clubs across the UK and Ireland, under the regulation of the sport’s governing body, the Hurlingham Polo Association.

(Image credit: HPA)

“In recent years, polo has been working hard to shed its exclusive image and become more accessible to more people,” says Jade Vere-Drummond of the MHF polo school in Essex. “Yes, it’s expensive at the top level, but then so are dressage and showjumping. We’re working a lot with the Pony Club and schools and universities to offer as many opportunities as possible. It’s great that we’ve got the big, fancy, glitzy events to help publicise the sport, but there’s more to it than that. We’ve developed the ‘polo pathway’ to help ease people into the sport as gently as possible. From an initial taster session, we’d encourage you to have a short course of lessons then play in a couple of ‘instructional’ chukkas, where the coach rides with you. Then we set up special tournaments for novices so that you’re playing with people on the same level and it’s not too scary. Polo can actually be more economical than other equestrian disciplines as you don’t have to have your own horse, you can have a few lessons then hire a trained horse to play on.”

(Image credit: HPA)

Eden Ormerod of Druids Lodge Polo Club has “horses in his blood”, and started playing polo when he was 11 with the Royal Artillery Pony Club, and turned professional at 18. Since then, he’s represented England and competed all over the world.

“I think the thing that attracted me initially was the thrill of competing as part of a team. I still love that, but through playing competitively I discovered a much deeper love for the horses involved. They are undoubtedly now my strongest reason for playing, and my greatest joy when playing is to be developing a partnership with these incredible animals.

“Modern pony ponies tend to have a lot of thoroughbred in them for speed, and there are a lot of retired racehorses going onto successful second careers in the game. A good polo pony has to be very balanced, both physically and mentally, but must also be sensitive and brave to push into tight spaces or ‘ride off’ against other horses. Some horses are born to it, but it’s amazing to see how others find their feet in it,” he says.

Pony Club polo. (Image credit: HPA (Abi Handcock, Art of Polo))

If you want to have a go at polo, being able to ride already can be an advantage but not a necessity.

“If you’re already a good horse rider, then you’ve got a definite head start,” says Eden. “If you are already adept at communication, have a good feel and are well balanced then it’s going to make hitting the ball or making a defensive play all the easier. As polo ponies live together, exercise together and run on the field together, I believe their herd lifestyle helps make them particularly easy to manage and in turn I think that’s what helps people grasp the basic riding skills so fast. After that, as with any discipline, there’s a lifetime of improving left for all of us!”

And just in case you thought polo looked too intimidating to try, Alec Banner-Eve, also of the MHF polo school, says that isn’t necessarily the case.

“Polo ponies are actually great confidence-givers, as they’re trained not to mind loud noises from crowds, mallets being swung near their heads and legs and riding into other horses. I didn’t come from a horsey family, and learnt to ride on polo ponies when I was 11. We use our ponies here for Riding for the Disabled and also to help rehabilitate injured servicemen — they’re incredibly steady.”

Many Pony Clubs and riding clubs organise polo taster days, so watch out for events advertised on their websites or social media. Otherwise, visit the Hurlingham Polo Club website to find a club near you.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Equestrian world pays tribute to racing and polo magnate killed in helicopter crash

Polly Bryan — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 12:47:29 +0000

Members of the equestrian world have paid tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Leicester City Football Club chairman and racing and polo mogul, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday (27 October).

The 60-year-old Thai billionaire businessman was one of five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside the Leicester City stadium after a Premier League match on Saturday night.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha made a significant impact on the worlds of racing and polo. With a significant number of racehorses in training under his King Power flag, he enjoyed several victories on the Flat during the past couple of years. His top horses included Beat The Bank, trained by Andrew Balding, and Well Done Fox, trained by Richard Hannon.

“The death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is a tragedy for the world of sport and horse racing,” read a statement from the British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust. “His enthusiasm for racing was clear and I am sure that we had only seen the beginnings of what would have been a tremendous love affair.

“King Power Racing currently has 67 horses in training with seven different trainers — that is a tremendous investment and Vichai’s passion for horses has helped support the livelihoods of many people working within the industry.”

Also a passionate polo player, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s polo teams have dominated the British high-goal circuit during the past few years, with King Power Foxes winning the prestigious Gold Cup for the British Open championship in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha developed the King Power team base in Sussex into one of the biggest polo facilities in the world, pouring huge investment into horsepower and employing many of the world’s best polo players, including Argentine 10-goalers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres.

He also gave several young upcoming British players the opportunity to play on the biggest British stage as members of the King Power teams. These included James Fewster, Hugo Taylor and Hugo Lewis, who described the founder of King Power Duty Free’s death as “a massive loss to polo and football”. Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s sons, Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha and Apichet ‘Tal’ Srivaddhanaprabha, also played on the King Power teams.

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“In the tragic events that occurred over the weekend, polo lost one of its great supporters,” read a statement from the Hurlingham Polo Association. “Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha will be sorely missed by the whole polo community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all the families and friends involved.”

Polo presenter Karl Ude Martinez has also paid tribute to the 60-year-old, describing him as: “A proud man who worked so hard and gave so much to everyone in his life, hugely respected across the world. In everything he pursued he attacked it with such high quality and fearless organisation… creating such iconic moments in world history in football, polo and horse racing.”

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s obituary is due to be published in 8 November issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

Airport prepares to host polo tournament

Sarah Radford — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 10:03:32 +0000

A polo tournament will be played at an unusual venue in Switerland next week (16-19 August) when Gstaad-Saanen airport is converted into a pitch.

It is more than 20 years since polo was last played at the site in the canton of Bern, which is the only flat space in this upmarket region of the Alps.

The airport will be temporarily transformed for the Hublot Polo Gold Cup, where more than 7,000 visitors are expected to enjoy the sport against a backdrop of unusual and spectacular scenery.

“For several days now, the teams have been working on assembling the stables and the exhibitors’ village, as well as preparing the grass field — which requires real expertise — on which the six matches will be played,” a spokesman for Polo Club Gstaad said.

“Early next week, several trucks from across Europe will take the road to the mountain to bring the 120 horses, the 16 players and two referees to the tournament.”

Organisers need to assemble 120 boxes on the site to house the ponies, while tonnes of hay, straw and feed will be brought in to the airport, which was first established as a military airfield in the Second World War.

The event will also host tradestands, a children’s play zone and a VIP area where 1,500 meals are expected to be served during the competition, including the £275-per-head lunches and glamorous £300-a-head gala night.

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(Image credit: creditUnknown)

In pictures: Top show jumpers try their hand at polo

The All England Polo Club at Hickstead played host to an rather unusual spectacle last month when top show jumpers

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Move over ponies, here comes elephant polo

18 giant steeds will take part in the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Rider commutes by horseback, cycle, canoe and in the pool

Leicestershire rider Harry Whinney took five different forms of transport during a week of commuting to his office in Nottinghamshire

Four world-class teams are set to participate in the contest, bearing the colours of Hublot, Bank Eric Sturdza, Gstaad Palace and Clinique La Prairie, with Hublot watches on offer for the winning players.

The tournament begins with qualifying games on Thursday, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday; while on Friday a parade will take place through the streets of Gstaad where the polo players and their ponies will salute the villagers, accompanied by bell-ringers and carriages.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Find out how Prince Harry spent his weekend

Polly Bryan — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 11:32:25 +0000

It was a thoroughly horsey weekend for Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, as he took to the polo field on two consecutive days for the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park, Berkshire (30 June-1 July).

He and brother Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, teamed up for the Audi e-tron team on Saturday afternoon, playing alongside England six-goaler Malcolm Borwick and top New Zealander John-Paul Clarkin.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: (L to R) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Malcolm Borwick, Tom Holland, Andrew Doyle, JP Clarkin and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, attend the Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park Polo Club on June 30, 2018 in Ascot, England. Pic Credit: Dave Benett (Image credit: Dave Benett)

Playing in the attacking number one position, Prince Harry, who holds a respectable one-goal handicap, proved a pivotal player in his team’s 5-2 victory over Audi Quattro, captained by top Canadian player Fred Mannix, and also featuring the world number one female player, Nina Clarkin. Prince Harry scored three goals, including the final clincher in the last chukka, while Prince William, also a one-goaler, added another to the scoreboard.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Prince Harry returned to Coworth Park the following day alongside Malcolm, Charlie Hanbury and Ollie Cudmore, just edging out their opposition, led by England captain James Beim. Seven-goaler Beim’s side put up a strong fight, but Prince Harry’s team managed to hold on to secure another victory, 4-3.

In true polo style, actor Eddie Redmayne was on hand to present Sunday’s prizes — do you think he fancies coming to some eventing next?

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Princes have long been supporters of the Audi Polo Challenge, now in its 17^th year and attended this year by actors Matt Smith, Naomi Harris, James Nesbitt and Vanessa Kirby, among many other famous faces. Money was raised for five charities across the weekend: Child Bereavement UK, Tusk Trust, The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Walking with the Wounded and the Household Cavalry Foundation. Over the past 16 years, the event has raised more than £2.5 million for various charities.

Continued below…

(Image credit: All photos by REX/Shutterstock)

Cheeky Shetland takes a nibble of Prince Harry

The cheeky Shetland also took a swipe at The Queen’s flowers when Her Majesty visited Stirling Castle last summer

(Image credit: All photos by REX/Shutterstock)

A frisky Windsor Grey — and 5 more horsey moments you may have missed from the royal wedding

Feeling bereft that the royal wedding is over? We re-live all the pomp and ceremony of the day with our

(Image credit: All photos by REX/Shutterstock)

Twin foals ‘Meghan and Harry’ make surprise arrival on royal wedding day

The ‘royal’ pair are doing well after their surprise arrival on the morning of the wedding of the new Duke

It’s been a polo-filled summer for the princes already, with Prince William having triumphed in the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy during the Beaufort Polo Club’s Gloucestershire Festival of Polo in early June, and Prince Harry having played alongside world number one Adolfo Cambiaso at British Polo Day on 27 June.

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 28 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, including all the showjumping and showing action, plus don’t miss our six-page report from Royal Ascot.

We also have a feature on the much discussed whip rules across the disciplines and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

Are these the most amazing losers’ prizes ever?

Polly Bryan — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 06:25:20 +0000

In a sport like polo, where there can only be one winner, you’d think being on the losing team would mean going home despondent and empty-handed. Not so for the team that were beaten to the Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club on 24 June — the UK’s premier medium-goal tournament.

Andrey Borodin’s defending Park Place side may have lost 11-7 to La Dolfina on the field after a hard-fought match but thanks to the generous tournament sponsors, Japanese company Out-Sourcing! Inc, each of the Park Place players went home having won a two-night trip to Paris — talk about sweetening the blow. They also received a hand-made Kabuto helmet each, traditionally worn by ancient Japanese warriors, including the Samurai.

The Queen presents the prizes (Image credit: Hannah Wyles)

Of course for the winning team, which consisted of young British players Josh Cork and Kian Hall, plus world number one Adolfo Cambiaso and his 12-year-son Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso Jr, the prizes were even better.

As well as lifting the magnificent Royal Windsor Cup — Guards Polo Club’s oldest piece of silverware — each won a four-night trip to Japan, as well as diamond jewellery and pearl suit pins, and larger versions of the Kabuto helmet, while Poroto, who was named most valuable player, was also presented with a traditionally-made miniature set of ancient Japanese warrior armour. His father had his hands full after the presentation too — he received a traditional Japanese horse stature after his seven-year-old mare Cruiser was named best playing pony.

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From his concern about girls playing polo to Prince Harry’s wedding reception highlights, get to know top player Mark Tomlinson

Find out more about the England polo player, who is married to British dressage Olympian, Laura Tomlinson

As well as the fantastic prizes, Out-Sourcing! Inc brought another novel aspect to the finals day too, making it the first time a polo match commentary has been translated into sign language on the big screen and live stream, to mark the work the company is doing to promote sign language as an international language.

Pictures by imagesofpolo.com

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine out every Thursday

From his concern about girls playing polo to Prince Harry’s wedding reception highlights, get to know top player Mark Tomlinson

Polly Bryan — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 16:05:13 +0000

Here’s nine things about the England polo player that you might not have known — some of them might surprise you...

1. As an England team stalwart since 2004, Mark has played for his country in the prestigious Coronation Cup a whopping 11 times, and has lifted the trophy on seven of those occasions. He’s also won Britain’s most high profile tournament, the Gold Cup, with Hildon Sport in 2003.

2. His mother is Claire Tomlinson — the most highly rated female player of all time, having held a five-goal handicap during the 1980s. Mark and his older brother Luke grew up at their parents’ Beaufort Polo Club — one of the premier clubs in the UK — and have now taken over the running of it.

3. He’s married to Olympic gold medal-winning dressage rider and H&H columnist Laura Tomlinson, and the pair have two children: Annalisa, three (pictured top with her parents in 2014), and Wilfred, one.

Mark’s not sure about the idea of Annalisa taking up polo when she’s older, though: “It’s great for polo that the ladies’ game is growing, but as a dad and a player myself I’m dubious about girls playing polo — it’s so physical and pretty much rugby on horseback, and I probably wouldn’t want my daughter — or my son — to play rugby either,” he says. “But the separate ladies’ leagues and handicapping system is great; they’ve realized that ladies can’t really compete at the top level with the guys. There are women such as my mum, and [top British female player] Nina Clarkin who have, but they are exceptions to the rule. Women-only polo creates more of a opportunity for younger girls, such as Annalisa one day, as they don’t have to go on the field with seven men.

“Ultimately I just want Annalisa and Wilfred to do something they are passionate about.”

4. Breeding polo ponies is high on Mark’s agenda — his sister Emma runs Tomlinson Equine, formerly known as Beaufort Embryo Transfer, which is based just down the road.

“Half my string are home-breds now and I’m starting to play the sons and daughters of my top mares, which is hugely satisfying,” says Mark.

5. He has had a spin on wife Laura’s dressage superstars — but it hasn’t always gone to plan…

“I have ridden Alf [Mistral Hojris] — he ran away with me! Let’s just say Laura is a lot of better at polo than I am at dressage,” he laughs.

6. Prince Harry’s a good friend, the pair having played alongside and against each other on many occasions — and Mark and Laura attended the royal wedding in May this year.

“The highlight of the day was at the reception, after Harry had done his speech he asked if anyone could play the piano. Elton John stood up and played a half hour set on the piano, all the old classics. It was absolutely amazing,” reveals Mark

7. He’s a dab hand in the kitchen — but also admits to having dishwasher OCD.

“I’m OCD about stacking the dishwasher — it must be done correctly! I’m not too shabby on the cooking though; my signature dish is either a classic spag bol or an Argentine style barbeque.”

8. His TV habits might surprise you…

“I love rom coms! My favourite films are Love Actually and Notting Hill,” admits Mark. “I also watch Home and Away on catch-up every day, after the kids have gone to bed.”

9. There’s no doubt in Mark’s mind what he would do if he wasn’t a professional polo player.

“If I didn’t play polo, I’d be a football manager — I’m very keen on my football and I’m an avid Newcastle supporter.”

Don’t miss the full interview with Mark Tomlinson in the current issue of magazine, which is out now and on sale up to and including tomorrow (27 June 2018).

9 things Meghan Markle needs to know before she joins a (very) horsey family

Madeleine Silver — Mon, 14 May 2018 08:50:34 +0000

The countdown is on for the nuptials of the year — there are just five days to go until Meghan Markle ties the knot with Prince Harry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday (19 May 2018).

And while she may have a few more pressing issues on the top of her to-do list (finalising the table plan? Meeting and greeting her family as they arrive in the UK?), if we could have just five minutes with Meghan, this is what we’d want to tell her…

1. Don’t try and bluff your way with The Queen when it comes to horses. If broodmares and damsires are being bandied around and you’re wondering if Her Majesty has switched to speaking Gaelic without telling you, politely change the subject. Sharpish.

2. Contrary to reports in the national papers, your husband-to-be’s cousin Zara Tindall is an eventer not a showjumper. Don’t mention the Rio Olympics (she missed out on a place on the team), but fire away with London 2012. (It was a team silver medal for the record…)

3. Royal Ascot is not the time to prove your credentials as the sassier Duchess. Punters in the Royal Enclosure are threatened with the issuing of a cheap Pashmina to cover their knees and over-exposed shoulders… And if faced with an awkward silence with your husband’s grandmother in the paddock, “tell me about Estimate…” should get the ball rolling.

4. Last week’s Royal Windsor Horse Show (9-13 May) may have passed you by — but swotting up on the Highlands (ponies that is) could give you an easy conversation starter…

5. Once you are part of the ‘Firm’, you will be required to interact with equines of all shapes and sizes while the cameras roll. Stay near the head end and keep your thumb in if you decide to feed them something. But you already know about that… (See picture above).

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Cheeky Shetland takes a nibble of Prince Harry

6. A quick run down of the polo rulebook will mean weekends from May to September make a whole lot more sense. Champagne can only help you so much. But the good news? Chukkas only last seven minutes.

7. However desperate you are for conversation over Christmas, resist the temptation to coo too heavily over Dartmoor ponies when you’re in the company of Princess Anne…

8. We’re afraid your children will learn to ride. Even if it means being dragged around Sandringham on a Shetland in tears, it’s likely they will be riding well before they can walk.

9. Feeling out of your depth? It’s widely reported that Kate Middleton is allergic to horses, so you’re already galloping ahead in this department…

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (17 May 2018) where we take a closer look at the horses who will be escorting Harry and Meghan on their wedding day

For all the latest equestrian news and reports don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

‘It’s harder than it looks’: H&H dressage editor tries her hand at polo

Polly Bryan — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 11:07:42 +0000

Fancy giving polo a go this summer? Find out what happened when H&H’s dressage editor Polly Bryan took a refresher polo lesson at the Beaufort Polo Club

1. Polo is harder than it looks

Of course, the pros make it look easy but polo is quite the opposite — even the very basics. Disclaimer: I played a bit of polo at university, so this wasn’t my first time, but in the seven years since I last picked up a polo stick I had forgotten just how much hand-eye coordination you need to have even to hit the ball from a standstill, let alone a gallop. Add to that the various different shots involved, such as the backhand, and under-the-neck shots — plus actually hitting the ball in a specified direction, and you begin to realise just how skilled the professional players really are.

2. Polo ponies are like well-oiled machines

Trained polo ponies — which are usually around 15.2hh — are not like ordinary horses. For a start they don’t blink an eyelid about the 53-inch mallet waving around their face, and think nothing of coming into forceful contact with other horses in a ride-off — at top speed. They tend to have lightning quick reactions, and can stop and turn on a sixpence, which, when you’re not expecting it, can mean you end up shooting of the side door if you’re not careful!

3. It’s worth getting grips with the stick on the ground first

Before we were acquainted with our ponies, the Beaufort’s polo manager Caspar West took us through a refresher on the ground, using shorter ‘hand sticks’ (below). Even though it’s tempting to leap straight on board, spending a few minutes learning how to hold the stick correctly, and how to swing accurately and efficiently will mean you’ll get to grips with the real deal much faster.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

4. Polo requires more strength and fitness than you might think

All horse sport requires a decent amount of fitness, but polo is extremely physical, and demands high levels of strength, flexibility and general fitness when played at the higher levels. Even just learning the sport is tiring, but a good coach — such as Caspar West and Olivia Lamphee, who runs the Beaufort Polo School — will explain how to hit the ball using minimal energy. It’s all about utilising gravity and letting the stick do the work. Easier said than done!

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

5. It makes you open your mind to different riding styles

There’s no getting away from it — polo requires a different style of riding to other horse sport, and you should be prepared to leave most of your ideas about dressage at the side of the pitch. As H&H dressage editor, I found this a challenge at first: polo is played with both sets of double reins in one hand placed over the top, and used for neck-reining. Players ask ponies to go by pushing their hands and weight forward, and shift their weight back to slow down — or stop dead in my case when I forgot how responsive polo ponies are to weight aids. Warming-up in this way felt very strange, but once I had the stick in my hand — and was distracted by the actual business of hitting the ball — I was amazed how quickly I got used to it.

6. It may be challenging, but it’s fantastic fun

Polo is not one of those sports you need to be good at before you really enjoy it. The exhilaration of nailing the perfect swing and sending that little white ball flying down the pitch while you urge your pony forward after it can be experienced within your very first lesson — and once you’ve felt that, you’ll be hooked.

7. You’ll immediately want to watch the world’s best in action

The UK polo season runs from May to September and it’s possible to enjoy the thrills of top-level polo cheaply all over the country. Once you’ve given it a go you’ll have a whole new appreciation for the speed and skill involved in the game, adding to the enjoyment. Catch world-class international polo at the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club, 9-10 June, and at the Hurlingham Polo Association International Day, Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, 28 July.

Fancy giving a polo a go yourself? Click here to find out more about lessons at the Beaufort Polo School. Pictures by JRidley Art & Photography

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

A horse on the roof? You’re not hallucinating, we promise

Madeleine Silver — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:47:30 +0000

Pinch yourself: this yard is for real. Set in the ‘Pampas’ region of Argentina, this futuristic set-up is the home of six-goal polo player Nachos Figueras, the ‘David Beckham of polo’, and his picture-perfect family.

Think your newly-built American barn is cutting edge? Think again…

A polo field, home cinema and tropical fish tank: all yours for £18,000 per month

Alex Robinson — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 08:14:54 +0000

If you would prefer to rent your dream home, check out this mind-blowing, five-bedroom rental property, complete with a polo field and other equestrian facilities situated in the heart of north Surrey.

There is plenty of off-road riding on hand and Heathrow Airport is just nine miles away, with London a short train journey away (hello, Olympia 2018).

Nearby equestrian centres include Foxtrot Equestrian and Park View Equestrian Centre. And it’s is only a brief drive to the famous Royal Windsor Horse Show, where you can compete, spectate or shop till you drop.

If you fancy a day’s hunting, then head out with either the Surrey Union or the Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds.

Priced at £18,000 per month and offered by Knight Frank, we take a look around (and have started saving…)

Let us begin by taking a view from above…

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Set in 13.5 acres, the main equestrian attraction is the large polo field.

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There are several stables which have been superbly maintained by the previous owner.

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Other facilities include an arena and exercise track, as well as woodland and grounds which provide sublime spring and summertime hacking.

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Head inside and in the basement sits a tropical fish tank and a games rooms…

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…and also a home cinema.

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Have breakfast with a view in the modern kitchen…

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And relax in the master bathroom, which is one of five suites in the home.

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The grounds also boast a separate wing, which includes its own gymnasium, changing room and outdoor tennis court.

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The outside area creates the perfect space for entertaining and summer evenings.

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When can we move in?

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For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Polo on snow, plenty of glamour and 1,400 bottles of champagne: behind the scenes in St Moritz

Hannah Lemieux — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:25:13 +0000

If you’re after glamour on the snow, mixed with fun-filled equestrian sport, there is no place better than the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland.

With a record 18,500 spectators over three days watching a total of six matches, plus a whopping 1,400 bottles of Perrier-Jouët champagne, the world’s only high-goal polo tournament on snow lived up to its reputation as the social and sporting highlight of the polo winter season.

Horse & Hound takes a sneak peek behind the scenes during the winter spectacle.

Ponies are walked back after the match

Some musical entertainment for the spectators

One pair of visitors pose for a picture

Spectators at St Moritz also know how to party

One furry friend wraps up to watch the polo action

The match umpire keeps an eye on proceedings

Spectators keep it chic while wrapped up for the cold

One player scores for his side

Ponies are tacked up ahead of their match, with straw placed on top of the snowy surface

Visitors to St Moritz are treated to a stunning array of food

A tad chilly? Champagne is served in style

Visitors get a polo taster and try out their swing during a special training day

Players fight it out during one of the exciting matches

One dedicated player takes time to warm up ahead of his game

One flexible player swaps ponies during his match

The St Moritz glitz and glamour continues outside

A different option to the gym: London workers can try polo at lunchtime

Sarah Radford — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 07:05:19 +0000

Equestrians working in London will have the opportunity to get a horse fix on their lunch break thanks to a new polo club opening in Docklands.

The venture from polo coach and player Alec Banner-Eve will bring ponies from his existing MHF polo club into the heart of the capital, expanding on its current venues in Hertfordshire and Essex.

The new location at Docklands Equestrian Centre will make it the most central spot in London to play the sport.

While London has had a summer club at Ham Polo in Richmond, this will offer sessions all year round.

“We were amazed when we first discovered there was a 40mx80m indoor arena so close to London and in reasonable traffic it’s only a 20min drive for the ponies from their Essex base,” said Alec.

“We are keen to make it convenient and to encourage as many people to play and experience the sport as possible.

“It’s only a six-minute Uber or taxi from Canary Wharf, so it’s feasible for people to come on their lunch break.”

The arena, which was funded with lottery money, is tucked away in an unexpected sport in Beckton and is also home to a riding school and RDA group.

“It has a spectator gallery and a good surface and it would be good to get it some more exposure,” Alec added.

Logistics the club has had to tackle include changing exhausts on the lorry to meet with low emission rules, as they will be shipping-in 10 to 15 ponies at a time

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The polo school will be at the site on Mondays and Fridays, and there will be five sessions available each day.

“So far the people that have heard about it have been very enthusiastic and excited — it’s got to be better getting to play polo in London than going to the gym,” said Alec, whose past ventures have included providing ponies for beach polo and snow polo but “not quite anything like this”.

The club’s first London session will take place on Monday (20 Nov). Prices for a 1hr slot are £110, with block booking and gift vouchers also available.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Brixton teenagers take to the polo field

Lucy Elder — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 14:59:53 +0000

Young riders from an inner-city riding school have made their polo debut.

The team, from Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, have been practising over the summer and played in front of crowds at Ham Polo Club on 23 September.

The youngsters were pitted against staff and volunteers from the charity, who were also polo novices, in a match to raise funds for the riding club.

ITV broadcaster and Ebony Horse Club patron Ronke Phillips threw in the first ball and after two chukkas, a 2-1 victory was claimed by the staff and volunteers’ team.

Pint-sized Shetland Pedro, who became an internet sensation after a specially-designed periscope was made for his stable, also attended as mascot.

(Image credit: PoloPictures.co.uk)

“Polo is a team sport, which is different to other riding we’ve done, like dressage,” said 16-year-old Khadijah.

“You’re working together and there’s one aim – to score goals!”

Her teammate Grace added she would “love to do it again”.

“Where I live people don’t really know about horses, let alone polo, so it was amazing to be able to play,” she said.

Later that afternoon, Vendetta, captained by Garrie Renucci, took on Natascha Hedegaard’s University of London team, winning 5-4.

Ebony Horse Club chair of trustees Sue Collins said 2017 marks the charity’s 21st year.

“It was the perfect time to launch this new fundraising event, and we hope to make this a regular summer fixture,” she added.

“It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable day for spectators and players alike and every penny we raised today helps young people to build better futures.”

(Image credit: PoloPictures.co.uk)

The charity is based in Coldharbour, south London, which is one of the most deprived areas in the country.

In 2011, the Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the charity’s community riding centre. Before this, children were taken by minibus to riding schools around London.

Since the riding centre opened, more than 1,000 children have learnt to ride in Brixton.

The charity has also teamed up with Appletree Stud and the Pony Racing Authority in recent years to give its members the chance to try pony racing.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Polo club owner spends £200,000 on bespoke Range Rover

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 18:05:51 +0000

The owner of Dallas Burston Polo Club has taken delivery of “the world’s most bespoke luxury Range Rover”, a car worth more than £200,000.

Dr Dallas Burston’s new five-litre supercharged Range Rover Autobiography boasts hand-engraved door handles and “matching letter box dashboard finisher comprising a horses’ head pattern and scripted DALLAS BURSTON POLO CLUB”, as well as a red roof, bronze body and “Polo” embroidery on the seat backs.

The Warwickshire venue runs polo matches on four grounds and has also been holding British Dressage competition since 2016, as well as a range of non-equestrian events. Its owner, a former GP and pharmaceutical entrepreneur, worked with Listers Land Rover Solihull and Jaguar Land Rover’s special vehicle operations division (SVO) to create the car.

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“Dr Burston owns a wide collection of cars from classic to modern day, and when the chance to work with SVO was offered to him by Listers, this appealed to him as a unique opportunity to design a distinctive, one of a kind vehicle to his own personal specification making this a complete one-off, unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Major Carney, Dallas Burston Group director of operations.

“It was also an ideal opportunity to design a vehicle for the Dallas Burston Polo Club which has not only been rebranded, but is also undergoing a multi-million-pound development project to build hotels and leisure facilities at its Warwickshire site. This project provided the perfect blank canvas to create something unique and unrivalled to take out and promote the club.”

Passengers will also be able to take in the “dark cherry red and ivory leather interior” and admire champagne flutes bearing the polo club’s logo.

(Image credit: Wendy Scholten)

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Listers Land Rover brand director Anthony Hope said: “Listers is very proud to have developed the kind of client relationship where our customers have enough faith to work with us on such a significant and important project.

“This has been an unrivalled experience for any motor dealer.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

12 archive photos of Prince Philip as he undertakes final public engagement

Madeleine Silver — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:09:03 +0000

Today Prince Philip will carry out his final public engagement before he retires from royal duties, when he meets the Royal Marines.

Since 1952, Prince Philip has undertaken 22,219 solo engagements, given 5,496 speeches and 785 organisations have had him as his patron or member.

We’ve dug into the archives to find photos of the 96-year-old at Royal Windsor, as well as his other equestrian highlights, from polo to racing, during his time in the spotlight.

‘You can never relax about laminitis — it’s always there’: managing the condition

Agnes Stamp — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:10:32 +0000

As much as we look forward to the long evenings and warmer weather, summer can have its downsides too — especially if your horse or pony suffers from laminitis. Horse & Hound meets one owner to find out how he is managing the problem with his laminitis-prone polo pony

The horse: Petit Belle (Bella), 10-year-old 15.2hh polo pony

The problem: Laminitis

Symptoms: Zero-goal amateur polo player Tom Gordon-Colebrooke purchased Bella as a six-year-old in 2013.

“Her biggest immediate problem was her back, so we spent a lot of time correcting that with the chiropractor and working her in the winter in a Pessoa to strengthen her back muscles,” says Tom.

In spring 2015, Tom discovered Bella had laminitis.

“She’d just come back into work, and the spring grass was catching a lot of people out that year,” remembers Tom. “Bella is a thoroughbred sport horse — it just didn’t even occur to us that she might be susceptible to it.”

“Initially we thought it was some kind of foot soreness from shoeing or lameness. Laminitis was very low down on the list, but eventually we ruled everything out and laminitis was the only explanation.”

Tom did everything the vet recommended, and Bella had the whole season off.

“Her laminitis had knock-on effects to the strength of her horn, so she had to have remedial shoeing,” says Tom. “We went through about four different farriers and finally settled with Ben Benson in Swalcliffe who is brilliant. He straightened up the growth of the foot — which was weak and unconsolidated — and encouraged correct alignment.”

Continued below…

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H&H question of the week: laminitis scare – what should I do?

Rick Farr B.Sc (Hons), B.V.Sc, MRCVS of Farr

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Laminitis: how to spot the signs, plus treatments and ways to prevent it

Management strategy: Tom admits the summer season is a “bit of a nightmare” to manage.

“You can’t relax at any point in terms of her grazing routine,” he says, with it being closely monitored.

“We always have to consider how long she’s going to be out there, how long the grass is and whether she needs to be muzzled,” Tom adds. “She has extremely restricted grazing and is always in her own ‘starvation’ paddock.”

Immediately after Bella’s diagnosis all her hard feed was cut and her haynets were weighed to monitor her calorie and sugar intake. Once “the worst had passed” hard feed and supplements were introduced and included Dengie Healthy Hooves, Saracen’s Re-Leve, Equi-Jewel and Essential Balancer (for nutrients without sugar), and on the vet’s recommendation, Equitop Myoplast to help build back her muscle mass.

During her remedial farriery treatment, Bella was fed Farriers Favourite and had eucalyptus oil rubbed into her hooves daily.

Bella is also fed Zeolite, a natural detox supplement which binds toxins and flushes them out of the system.

“Even in the winter, we need to keep an eye on her,” says Tom. “She can be quite slippery and get her muzzle off. We feel her hooves daily and if at any point they feel warm she comes in straight away and goes on dry hay.”

“You can never relax about laminitis — it’s always there. This season Bella is the best in my string. She has problems but she’s worth it.”

If you are concerned about any summer ailments your horse is suffering from, please contact your vet

This article was first published in the 1 June 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

‘It’s a lot harder than it looks’: William Fox-Pitt tries his hand at polo

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:35:14 +0000

What happens when two men at the top of their respective sports swap saddles?

William Fox-Pitt discovers there is very little cross over between eventing and polo during a masterclass by top American player Nic Roldan.

As you’d perhaps expect from one of our very best event riders, William is good with a mallet but declares it’s a lot harder than it looks.

“My brother tried to teach me to play polo about 25 years ago, but then he gave up and I haven’t done it since,” says William, who at 6ft4 and aboard a polo pony manages to keep his feet off the floor — just!

Nic gets William perfecting his swing at walk before getting him hitting the ball in canter.

“I’ve always admired the top polo players but know very little about the game,” says William.

“They are such different sports and you use completely different aids — there is very little the same about the two disciplines.”

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Height is an obvious contrast between an event horse and a polo pony, but what else makes them different?

“Polo ponies are very highly trained — they are sensitive and obedient,” highlights William.

“Event horses are not so sensitive but have a lot more to take on board when it comes to their training.”

William is putting in some practice before taking part in a charity polo match following the “Jeep Job Swap” at Cowdray Park.

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So what are Nic’s top tips to William?

“He told me to always watch the ball and stay relaxed but that you also need enough lower body grip to stay in a good position in the saddle,” explains William.

“Playing with someone like Nic is an absolute privilege — one of the best in the world and there is no better person to learn from.”

‘He doesn’t feel too enormous’

The American polo player also had his chance to have a go at jumping — although as his girlfriend is showjumper Jessica Springsteen, you would imagine she’d given him a few handy tips beforehand.

William has his two-star eventer Oratorio II (aka Rio) on hand for Nic to ride.

“He actually doesn’t feel too enormous — he feels nice,” says Nic of the 17hh gelding.

William gets Nic doing some flatwork to warm Rio up.

“You’ve got him nice and relaxed, as well as light in the mouth,” William tells Nic and adds a canter pole into the equation.

“We want to focus on straightness and maintaining a good rhythm,” he adds before putting up a small upright.

“Think about getting a good stride up to the fence,” he says and Nic goes onto pop the fence well.

The final task William has for Nic is to angle the upright — to help him he adds two “straightness” poles leading up to it.

“I’m happy with that Nic, well done,” concludes William. “You managed to keep him in a good rhythm, which is important.” And Nic’s smile says it all.

Is there anything Scott Brash can’t do? Showjumper excels on the polo field

Hannah Lemieux — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 14:45:12 +0000

Former number one showjumper Scott Brash may be at the top of his sphere, however, it appears the Scotsman also has a hidden talent — as a polo player.

The current world number eight took time out of his busy schedule to ride in a charity polo match on Tuesday (20 June).

He was joined on the field at Cowdray Park in West Sussex by fellow top sportspeople including William Fox-Pitt, Victoria Pendleton and National Hunt jockeys, dual Grand National winner Leighton Aspell, Mattie Batchelor and Marc Goldstein (aka “Wocket Woy and the Pwoducer”).

Victoria Pendleton, Leighton Aspell and Mattie Batchelor. (Image credit: Anna Prideaux Photography)

The West Sussex-based showjumper picked up the award for the most valuable player of the match after scoring both goals in the seven-minute chukka.

Impressively, it was Scott’s first ever time holding a polo mallet and it would appear the 31-year-old is a natural.

“I wasn’t able to make it to the practice and I’d never done it before,” said Scott, who was deputising for Nick Skelton, as the Olympic champion was unable to make the event. “It is a lot harder than it looks but was good fun.”

He later wrote on social media that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his first polo match.

Scott Brash (second from right) receives most valuable player of the match. (Image credit: Anna Prideaux Photography)

The charity event, the inaugural UK Sunset Polo, was hosted by top American polo player Nic Roldan and raised over £90,000 for working horse and donkey charity Brooke and Chestnut Tree House, a children’s hospice in West Sussex.

“Thank you to everyone who supported the event, it was our first one in the UK and took a bit of imagination — it’s very new for us in England,” added Nic, who was supported on the day by showjumping girlfriend Jessica Springsteen.

Continued below…

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“I’m blessed to be able to raise funds for both charities and also create awareness for Brooke — I have been working with them for the past couple of years and what they do [for working animals] is both special and unique.

“Many thanks to my amazing team who helped make this event happen and to the players and riders who took part, I know they all made big efforts to come along.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Perfect polo spots: 4 dream equestrian properties for sale you need to have a look at

Madeleine Silver — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 07:25:27 +0000

Like the sound of high-speed sport, horses and a cold glass of champagne to go with it? Take a look at our pick of properties within easy reach of polo clubs

1. Hawthorn Lodge, Berkshire

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Nearest polo club: Royal Country of Berkshire Polo Club, 10 minutes by car

For you: a six-bedroom house, with a two-bedroom linked annexe, as well as two self- contained studio apartments, a wine store, swimming pool and tennis court.

For the horses: 10 loose boxes, a tack room, all-weather arena, paddocks, corrals, a polo field with land-drains for stick-and-balling, and a horse-walker for six horses. Set in 12 acres.

What’s the damage? £4.65m

Agent: Savills

Telephone number: 01753 834600

Visit: savills.com

2. Old Arngrove, Buckinghamshire

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Nearest polo club: Kirtlington Park Polo Club, 20 minutes by car

For you: a 17th century Grade II-listed farmhouse with four bedrooms. It sits at the head of a drive lined with lime trees and has an extensive range of useful outbuildings, arranged around a large gravelled courtyard.

For the horses: two loose boxes and three paddocks positioned on either side of the drive, with a further one behind the stables, as well as a 10-acre field. Set in a total of 17.7 acres.

What’s the damage? £1.75m

Agent: Knight Frank

Telephone number: 01865 790077

Visit: knightfrank.co.uk

3. Parkers Barn Farm, Warwickshire

(Image credit: James Kerr)

Nearest polo club: Dallas Burston Polo Club, 10 minutes by car

For you: a six-bedroom south- facing country house, with a separate studio, swimming pool, river-frontage, gym and electric gates.

For the horses: a concrete courtyard with three stables (all with automatic waterers), a tack room and feed store. There is also an all-weather arena with wiring for floodlighting. Set in 10 acres. £2.2m

What’s the damage? £2.2m

Agent: Knight Frank

Telephone number: 01789 297735

Visit: knightfrank.co.uk

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4. Home Farm, West Sussex

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Nearest polo club: Cowdray Park Polo Club, 15 minutes by car

For you: a four-bedroom 1930s family home in the South Downs National Park, a short distance from Midhurst.

For the horses: a stable block with three loose boxes, a tack room and a hay barn. There is a substantial brick-built barn and small sheds. Set in 1.31 acres.

What’s the damage? £935,000

Agent: Batcheller Monkhouse

Telephone number: 01798 872081

Visit: batchellermonkhouse.com

Next week: Equestrian properties for sale with swimming pools

Ref: Horse & Hound; 8 June 2017

Olympic stars to take on jockeys at polo

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 06:02:47 +0000

Olympic medallists are to take on stars from the world of horse racing at the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo today (10 June).

The jockeys v sporting legends match will feature Grand National winner and H&H columnist Marcus Armytage and cyclist turned rider Victoria Pendleton in the line-up, at Beaufort Polo Club.

Alongside Marcus on the jockeys’ team will be Mark Bradburne, who rode more than 350 National Hunt winners including two Cheltenham Festival victories during his career, and Dominic Elsworth, another Cheltenham winner who also rode in nine Grand Nationals.

The final jockey taking to the field is Sam Thomas, who rode more than 500 winners during his career, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Denman and the 2007 Betfair Chase on Kauto Star.

On the sporting legends team, multiple Olympic cycling medallist Victoria, who finished fifth in last year’s Cheltenham Foxhunter chase a year after her first riding lesson, will be joined by Olympic silver medal-winning modern pentathlete Heather Fell and Olympic hurdler Lawrence Clarke.

The fourth member of the team will be a professional player from the polo club.

The match, which is in aid of the Bath Rugby Foundation, the charitable arm of Bath Rugby Club, is just one part of the two-day festival of polo, which also features the Beaufort International on Saturday and the Maserati Charity Polo Trophy tomorrow (11 June), as well as children’s attractions and a shopping village.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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“We’re delighted to have such a great line-up of players in the Jockeys v Sporting Legends charity match, and are proud to be raising funds for the Bath Rugby Foundation,’’ said Mark Tomlinson of the polo club.

“With the other match on Saturday being an exciting international, plus more top polo action the following day, we know visitors to the festival will enjoy their time at Beaufort Polo Club.”

How does a sports car and a polo pony compare? Watch this video to find out…

Madeleine Silver — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:52:58 +0000

Ahead of this year's Chestertons Polo In the Park (9-11 June 2017), McLaren racing driver Euan Hankey and England polo player George Meyrick swap horsepower for the day. Find out how they get on...

Polo ponies are often likened to racing cars — travelling down the field at lightning speed and appearing to stop and turn at the touch of a button.

But how does a polo player fare when he swaps his four-legged horsepower for something with four wheels? And how does a racing driver — who hasn’t ridden since he was seven-years-old — get on when he swaps a gear stick for a polo stick?

McLaren racing driver Euan Hankey introduces England polo player George Meyrick to the McLaren Sports Series 570S parked at the Top Gear track in Dunsfold. “Just don’t make me feel too sick,” is George’s plea, as he tries to navigate the tight turns.

And when it comes to Euan climbing aboard polo pony Mickey at Ash Farm in Surrey, there are some equally bumpy moments — fast forward to 1.04mins for his lowlight…

“What’s your throttle pedal here, how do you make it go?” says Euan. “I have not been on a horse in a really long time, so I hope you are not trying to stitch me up here!”

Continued below…

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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Chestertons Polo in the Park is an annual three-day polo tournament that takes place at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, London. The round-robin style tournament is played under the HPA-endorsed City Polo rules, developed to maximise spectator enjoyment.

Tickets for Chestertons Polo in the Park start at £15 and can be purchased from ticketmaster.co.uk. For more information visit polointheparklondon.com

Throw your D-test out of the window: welcome to the mind-boggling world of polo

Madeleine Silver — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:03:26 +0000

The polo season is now in full swing, with excitement building for the start of the Queen’s Cup at Guards tomorrow (23 May 2017). Cue champagne, Ferrari-like ponies and and an influx of glamorous Argentines. But for the uninitiated, polo can be a mind-boggling sport.

Here are nine things your regular equestrian might struggle to get their head around:

1. Ponies v horses

You don’t need to have your Pony Club D-test to know that ponies are 14.2hh and under, and those ‘ponies’ racing up the field by no means fit that size bracket.

2. What happened to a correct dismount?

Talking of our D-test, we spent a long time aged eight showing a terrifying Pony Club DC that we knew how to mount and dismount correctly and safely. And then you spy the world’s top polo players leaping from pony to pony mid-chukka without touching the ground. It’s like we were conned — all in the name of a piece of yellow felt.

3. Up, down, up, down…

When did rising canter become a thing? And what happened to trotting?

4. Scoring issues

Get your maths hat on. If you thought that goals only came in the form of whole numbers, you were wrong. Welcome to the world of the half goals. For teams with differing total handicaps, the difference in the teams’ handicaps is usually multiplied by the number of chukkas to be played and then divided by six. And fractions count as half a goal.

5. Know your Tomlinson from your Tomlinson…

…And while you’re at it, you’d better know your Pieres from your Pieres. And your Novillo Astrada from your Novillo Astrada. Oh so many players with the same name. It’s a family thing.

6. Waterproof woes

Look around at your average British horse trials and it’s the closest you’ll get to being in a Musto warehouse — a sea of well-prepared spectators with full waterproofs, sun cream, wellies, trainers, a bum bag… Do the same at a high-profile polo match and it’s like waterproofs were confiscated at the gate. They’re a hardy bunch polo spectators: a glamorous floral ensemble at all times. Gale or no gale.

7. Head over heels?

Ah the dilemma of treading in… When you’re donning stiletto heels. You can’t help thinking that it makes the groundsmen wince…

8. On the subject of footwear…

…Don’t look too shocked when you see the grooms warming up ponies in espadrille shoes — or trainers at best.

9. What have we been worrying about?

Trainers, rope halters, no plaits, one-handed riding… It’s like the Pony Club Manual has been ripped up. But go to any polo match and you’ll see eight gleaming ponies in peak condition on the pitch, with lines of equally gleaming ponies waiting in the wings. So maybe it’s time we all took a leaf out of the Argentines’ book and ¡Baja un cambio! (that’s ‘chill out!’, for those of us without Google translate…)

Don’t miss our first polo report of the season, from the Prince of Wales Trophy final, in this Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (25 May 2017)

Here’s why polo can be the ideal second career for racehorses

Polly Bryan — Sun, 21 May 2017 11:05:42 +0000

As the value of top polo ponies continues to soar, more players are turning to the racetrack to source their strings. But what are the benefits and challenges of retraining a thoroughbred for polo?

1. ‘There’s no better equine athlete than the thoroughbred’

Watching two polo players fly up the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club, racing for goal, you could be forgiven for momentarily thinking you were up the road at Ascot Racecourse. Top-class ponies can display breathtaking speed, but it’s hardly surprising when you consider that a growing number began their careers on the racetrack.

“There’s no better equine athlete than the thoroughbred,” says David Morley, the Hurlingham Polo Association’s welfare officer and one of the early pioneers of retraining racehorses for a career on the polo field.

“They’re not always easy to ride, but when they’re good, they’re very good. Before World War II, a lot of thoroughbreds were used in polo, but training of them ceased during the war and afterwards more players started reverting to the South American breeds.”

2. They have the backing of Retraining of Racehorses

David first became involved in retraining racehorses for polo in the 1970s, but it’s over the past decade that thoroughbreds have begun to dominate players’ strings significantly. This is in no small part thanks t to the efforts of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), whose well-established performance award series and annual Racing to Polo Challenge provide multiple opportunities to highlight the opportunities for racehorses in polo.

3. Up and coming players see the value of these horses

“Thoroughbreds have always had their place in polo, like the rest of the equestrian world, but what we’ve done is make people more aware of their value,” says RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot. “A few years ago it was a much more closed shop that used them for polo, but we’ve been giving prizes for ex-racehorses in Pony Club polo for 10 years now, and those young guys have gone on and continued to see their value. It’s good for us and it’s good for them.”

One of those young players is 25-year-old six-goaler Jack Richardson, one of the first of the current batch of young England professionals to take on racehorses in bulk.

Between Jack and his younger brother Ralph, they have more than 30 ex-racers, with 22 of those currently playing polo. Jack’s efforts and expertise when it comes to thoroughbreds have not gone unnoticed: in 2015, he was named RoR young producer of the year, and his 10-year-old mare Light Nights was awarded the RoR best playing pony (BPP) prize for her performance for England in the prestigious Coronation Cup international last year.

4. Ex-racehorses can be a cheaper option for players…

“Buying and retraining ex-racehorses for polo is definitely the cheaper option, whether you buy direct from the trainer or go to the sales,” explains Jack, who purchased the Tim Easterby-trained Light Nights, who is by Acclamation, as a three-year-old. “It’s a cost-effective way to build up a string, though you do have to view it as an investment. If you buy a horse straight out of the trainer’s yard for around £1,000, it will probably have cost you about £8,000 by the time it’s playing, but this way the expense is spread over a longer period than when you buy a made polo pony.”

Likewise, for six-goaler Richard Le Poer, winner of the RoR young producer award in 2016, sourcing ex-racehorses is the only way to build a financially viable polo operation. His current string is 100% thoroughbred, with many horses sourced from Ireland, including his five-year-old mare Inshallah, formerly trained by Jim Gorman under the name Broadfield Puddle, and winner of the open division of the RoR Racing to Polo challenge in 2016.

5. …as long as they have the right conformation and movement

“The key is to buy the right animal to start with, with conformation that lends itself to polo,” Richard says. “Selection is based around the essential moves required of a polo pony, such as stopping and turning. Horses who are too long in the back will struggle to turn tightly; those with straighter hindlegs and less angle in the hock won’t be able to rate [move smoothly through the gears] and stop while staying collected. I also look at the natural curve and position of the head and neck to assess their ability to stay in balance while changing speed quickly. Polo ponies must move close to the ground with a low centre of gravity, to help create a level platform for you to hit the ball.”

6. The right temperament is also crucial

However, it is temperament that is most important to consider when weighing up whether a racehorse will have a successful second career on the polo field. After all, the two sports, in many ways, could not be more different.

“What you are asking a horse to do in polo is completely against their natural instinct: bashing into other horses, going against the traffic, coping with a rider swinging a stick around,” points out Richard. “Any potential polo pony has to be extremely resilient and willing to accept unnatural things without getting upset.”

7. And there can be challenges…

As David Morley explains, the simplest things can prove tricky for racehorses to adapt to, such as the long legs of a polo player being wrapped around their sides. Many won’t be used to being mounted from the ground, let alone straight from another horse, such is the nature of the lightning-fast changeovers in polo. Only when a horse is comfortable with the basics can the polo training begin.

“Horses have to learn to go on or off the bridle while staying calm, to cope with the mallet and go upsides another horse without overtaking. Most will take to it eventually, but it’s challenging to teach them and you have to be honest with yourself how viable it is to continue the training. If they don’t learn quickly, it’s often better to sell the horse so it can pursue a different career.”

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8. Racehorses’ speed and stamina come into their own

Of course, speed and stamina are essential in polo and this is where thoroughbreds come into their own. Jack Richardson highlights stamina and strength as Light Nights’ strongest attributes — he was able to play the mare comfortably for five minutes straight during England’s Coronation Cup victory in 2016, which is particularly impressive in such a high-level, high-speed match.

But David Morley points out that players shouldn’t get too carried away with the obvious attributes. “Pretty much all thoroughbreds are fast enough for polo, but you don’t want a very long-striding horse, as polo requires as much quick deceleration as acceleration,” he explains. “You’re better off finding a shorter-striding horse with the ability to stretch out, who comes back into their comfort zone when being asked to decelerate.

“I also look for lateral ability — a good polo pony shouldn’t bend around your leg too much, but move laterally on one plane as much as possible.”

Don’t miss our first polo report of the season from the Prince of Wales Trophy final in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (25 May 2017)

This is article was first published in the 11 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Nick Skelton to make polo debut

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 04 May 2017 06:07:26 +0000

Nick Skelton is to make his polo-playing debut next month, in an event also due to host internet star Wocket Woy, and possibly the Producer.

The Olympic champion will take part in American player Nic Roldan’s sunset polo event at Cowdray, West Sussex, on 20 June.

The event is in aid of equine charity Brooke, for which Nic is the US ambassador, and local children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House. It follows two sunset polo events in the US last year, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Brooke.

“I’m really proud and excited to be able to announce our first global Sunset Polo event,” Nic said.

“It’s thanks to my team and our enthusiastic event partners, combined with the local community, that this dream has turned into a reality, which I hope will become an event that will continue for many years. I’m excited to have members of different areas of the equestrian community coming together to support two causes very close to my heart. Hope to see you all there.”

As well as watching Nick play, spectators will be able to see Monty Roberts open the event with a “horse and horse sense” demonstration, which will be followed by a dressage to music display by “one of the country’s leading riders”.

Top professionals are due to join up-and-coming players for the polo match, while the celebrity chukka is due to feature other top equestrian names.

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A spokesman for the event added: “Speaking of ‘pwofessionals’, we are also thrilled to announce that the formidable Wocket Woy will be part of this event so keep an eye out for their antics and high jinks.”

The evening will also feature silent and live auctions, with five “exceptional” lots, followed by a fireworks display.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Passing of trailblazing polo pioneer mourned by equestrian world

Lucy Elder — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 18:22:00 +0000

Leading US polo player Sunset “Sunny” Hale died on 26 February from cancer aged 48.

The first woman in history to win the US Open Polo Championships in 2000, she played on the winning-Outback team, alongside Adolfo Cambiaso, Lolo Castagnola, Phil Heatley and Tim Gannon.

She was a trailblazer for women in the sport and broke more records that year when she was awarded a five-goal handicap — the highest rating a woman had ever achieved in the sport.

She was instrumental in helping to create a women’s handicap within the United States Polo Association (USPA) and was on the winning team at the first USPA women’s open tournament championship in 1990, alongside her sister Stormie, mother Sue Sally (the first woman to be registered in the USPA) and teammate Carolyn Anier.

Sunny also helped to revive the US Open Women’s Polo Championship in 2011 and most recently made the final at the 2016 competition.

A photo posted by on

“She was instrumental not only in women’s polo but polo in general,” said USPA women’s committee chairman Erica Gandomcar-Sachs.

Among her other achievements are: the creation of the American Polo Horse Association — which was set up in 2006 to recognise polo ponies and encourage events that showcase them, induction into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and multiple player of the year awards.

Sunny was also a USPA governor-at-large for many years and women’s committee chairman.

“Sunny was a leader in polo. Her passion left a remarkable positive mark on everyone she met,” said USPA chairman Joseph Meyer.

“Whenever I asked Sunny to help, she was there as a friend and board member for the association. Her accomplishment as the highest-rated woman player is a testament to her drive.

“Her vision for polo pony registration and women’s polo will live on, and she’ll always be remembered.

“She has been a major inspiration to many young players, and made huge contributions to the sport and the USPA. She will be greatly missed by all.”

USPA governor-at-large Maureen Brennan said the sport has “lost our beacon and the standard by which we measure ourselves”.

“Sunny’s accomplishments and horsemanship are unparalleled, but it was her genuine ability to make all that she encountered feel valued and capable that separates her from others,” she said.

“Conquering the dream was not just a tag line but her authentic life. I am beyond grateful to have had Sunny in my life and owe so much of my success to her influence.”

The Hurlingham Polo Association has also paid tribute.

“The first woman in polo history to win the US Open, she helped promote and build the sport of polo among women,” said a statement from the organisation. “Our thoughts and condolences are with her family.”

Teenager fatally injured in polo match

Lucy Elder — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:23:07 +0000

The polo world is in mourning following the death of a teenager in a polo accident in the US.

Donovan William Stratemann died on 16 February from injuries sustained in a polo match held that day at Santa Clara Polo Club in Florida.

A statement from the United States Polo Association (USPA) said the 17-year-old was a “reflection of the best parts of each of his parents” and a “friend to all”.

“Donovan was a quality kid, with an infectious smile and a quiet determination and perseverance,” said a USPA spokesman.

“The USPA along with the entire polo community extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Stratemann family and friends.

“It is our hope that solace can be found in the endless outpouring of support from our beloved polo community during this difficult time.

“Our ability to come together in times of grief is a tribute to the incredible sport we all cherish. Donovan will forever be in our hearts.”

Donovan is the son of US Open Championship Orchard Hill polo team manager Chris Stratemann and his wife Sonia, and a brother to Alexandra and Maya.

The Ylvisaker Cup final on Sunday (19 February) at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, was held in his honour.

Polo player Julio Arellano, a family friend who played on the winning Coca-Cola side in the Ylvisaker Cup final, was among those to pay tribute to the teenager.

“Donovan wanted to live in Hawaii one day and everyone who met him, loved him,” he said.

“Mature for his age, he spent months in Aiken, South Carolina, with his grandfather and namesake, Don Healy, learning the art of horse training.

“Donovan was homeschooled in order to take care of his horses, play polo and spend time with his family.

“He rose before 6am every day to care for his string and accompanied his twin sister Maya on daily night checks.

“He loved animals and never complained when asked to help with chores.”

‘There’s nothing better’: polo star promotes former racehorses

Rachael Turner — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 11:55:34 +0000

An international polo star is promoting the versatility of retrained racehorses.

On Monday (23 January) in Lauderdale, Florida, American polo player Nic Roldan met a fellow national star — champion racehorse California Chrome.

He watched California Chrome train before meeting the thoroughbred.

Fellow professional player Kris Kampsen, who specialises in retraining racehorses for polo, was also present.

Nic said there was “no hesitation” when he was given the opportunity to meet California Chrome.

“In the sport of polo a lot of my horses are throughbreds,” he said.

“We’re trying to give horses an ‘afterlife’ when they are done with their career in racing.

“The good thoroughbreds in the right size, for me, there’s nothing better.”

Four of Nic’s own string of polo ponies — Tulsa, Ducati, Cohiba and Cubana — are retrained racehorses and he hopes to promote the continued partnership between the two disciplines.

Earlier this month (8 January), Cubana was chosen as the best playing pony in a league game of the Joe Barry Cup at the International Polo Club.

The six-year-old chestnut mare, by City Zip, was bought by Kris as a three-year-old. Kris started playing her at Grand Champions Polo Club, after which Nic bought her.

She played in the 2015 East Coast Open at Greenwich Polo Club and this is her first full Florida high-goal season.

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Horses in the snow (but not the kind that ruins your ride…)

Madeleine Silver — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 17:13:49 +0000

With snow falling heavily around parts of Britain — making life on the yard near-impossible — we'd understand if you never wanted to see the white stuff again. But with the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz (27-29 January 2017) fast approaching, we celebrate snow in it's other (more glamorous) guise, with pictures from last year's tournament...

Make some early ground rules — and other tips for competing against your siblings

Horse & Hound — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 17:05:54 +0000

Sharing a sport with a sibling can feel like being locked into a lifelong battle to outdo one another. But forget seething jealousies and petty squabbles — some brothers and sisters are enjoying success together at the highest levels. What are their tips for making it work? Andrea Oakes asks siblings competing at the top of their game

Polo players Jack and Ralph Richardson

Making it work: Jack, 25, who is four years Ralph’s senior, advises keeping a competitive edge, adding: “There’s always someone trying to take your place in a team sport, but you can get a bit soft if you’re just messing about together at home.”

Dressage riders Becky and Hannah Moody

Making it work: realising individual skills and playing to these strengths builds a stronger unit, Becky advises about working with her older sister of 10 years Hannah.

Eventers Francis and Bryony Whittington

Making it work: focus on ways to keep things running smoothly if you’re running a yard with a sibling, advises Francis, 39, who shares his East Sussex yard with his younger sister Bryony. “I do my own thing, but I can count on Bryony for an honest, educated opinion,” he adds.

Showjumpers Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts

Making it work: “It’s not always easy when you work in the same business, so make some early ground rules,” advises Belgian showjumper Olivier, about competing against his twin brother. “Recognise each other’s good and bad points, and know what each of you has to do.”

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Making it work: “Respect each other’s opinions,” says Stuart. “There’s a lot to be said for discussing things. Keep communication up, even if you’re working in different zones of the yard.”

National Hunt trainer Dan and jockey Harry Skelton (pictured, above)

Making it work: “Believe in each other,” says Dan, who prefers not to interfere with the riding side of things. While he admits there may be a tendency with a sibling to overanalyse things, or be too honest, Dan feels that commitment and professionalism from both sides keeps the relationship on a solid footing. “Harry’s one of the best riders out there,” he adds.

Don’t miss this week’s sibling special issue of Horse & Hound magazine (17 November 2016), with an exclusive interview with legendary showjumping brothers John and Michael Whitaker as well as a comparison between eventing full-brothers Armada and Nereo

Confessions of a horsey couple blog: The polo match

HH — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 13:55:55 +0000

You know the age-old story: girl meets boy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy. Girl happens to be secret pony girl, and boy turns out to own multiple horses. Match made in heaven and they both literally ride off into the sunset — perfect. Or is it really?

Many horsey people often wish for a horsey partner, but over the last four years I have learnt having an equine element in a relationship can lead to some rather ‘interesting’ situations...

Everything was going well, and we had been going out for a few months when He suggested that I came along to his next polo match. While He did other types of riding, polo was the real focus of the family with matches most weekend in the summer. I, however, was a complete polo newbie.

“Since you know horses,” He said, “would you mind being my groom for the day? I hate to ask but it makes life so much easier.”

I had aided friends competing at national showing competitions and one-day events, so I was delighted with the idea — what a good way to score good girlfriend points! Plus, polo — a day of long floaty dresses and champagne — would surely be a doddle compared to my keeping grey ponies grass-stain free before their show class, or getting a brood of children that didn’t belong to me to the right dressage arenas on the correct pony on time.

Sadly, it wasn’t as straightforward as I had hoped. Having successfully arrived at the polo grounds with three ponies, I first came unstuck when looking at the pile of leather on the grass that was supposedly a bridle. Struggling to discern which part was the noseband, I tried to recall whether any of these bits had featured on the Pony Club tack poster that once hung in my room. They hadn’t.

He came over to add running reins to the pile, at which point I had to admit defeat. After being relegated to saddles (I didn’t even offer my services with the bandaging) He appeared looking worried.

“I’m really sorry to ask, but the match starts in 10 and we’ve been summoned for a team talk — please can you plait the tails? I know you can do it — just like when you do your hair.”

I paled. Plaiting four horses tails in 10 minutes? I couldn’t even remember the last time I had plaited one horse. I didn’t want Him to be the laughing stock of the match if I muffed it up. Why did polo ponies even need plaits — it could hardly be for turnout reasons like dressage and showing? But before I could protest, He was off, so I gingerly set to work.

Ten minutes later, one horse had a plait that even Valegro himself would be proud to sport. He came over to the lorry looking confused.

“What on earth is that?” He exclaimed.

“A plait… You asked me to plait the horses’ tails,” I replied.

“That’s not how you plait! THIS is how you plait a horse.” And with that, He grabbed the tail of the next horse along, just below the dock, simply dividing the hair into three sections and doing a basic, non-Pony Club, non-French plait.

Adding to my humiliation, He even had the audacity to look up at me like I was the mad one…

With plait-gate partially resolved and three ponies finally tacked and ready, I was sent to change into my jodhpurs and hop on the horse needed for the second chukka.

I must say, when I accepted the invitation to the match, I thought I’d be cheering Him on from the sidelines, drink in hand, generally looking fabulous. The reality couldn’t have been further from that.

Despite feeling a capable groom for other disciplines, polo is different due to the sheer amount of horse you need to deal with the whole time. I spent the duration of the 40-minute match being dragged around the pony lines with a horse in each hand — one sweaty beast cooling down which had just played a chukka and was determined to use me as an itching post, and one pony being warmed up for the next chukka who was keen to get going and on its toes.

In between skiing round the pony lines, I took the ponies to the pitchside for the swap at the end of every chukka, where He would leap from one horse to the next and berate me for again not “bringing the 53,” whatever that meant.

As the last chukka played, I went to hose off two ponies (realising I had seen no more polo than when I arrived). An older woman was also there, looking bedraggled as she tried to manage four horses. Sweaty, tired and stinking of horse, I noticed we were both staring at the group of glossy girls sunning themselves next to the pitch, looking fantastic.

“They,” my new companion said, “are the non-horsey polo WAGS. You made the same mistake that I did, of letting him know you were horsey. Bad luck…”

Later, when the ponies were all sorted, and I learnt from a non-horsey WAG that His team had in fact won. He came rushing up to me beaming.

“Thank you so much for your help. There’s drinks in the clubhouse and you must come and meet everyone — I’ve brought your make-up bag and dress. There’s a portaloo over there where you can go and get changed.”

It’s lucky he dashed obliviously back to the clubhouse at that point, because after a long and hot day the thought of trying to look respectable and having to stand next to glam girls meant my sense of humour was dangerously close to failing me at that point.

As we drove home in the lorry He was in a cheery mood.

“Wasn’t today fun? I’ve got a match in two weeks’ time when you’re next staying so we can do the same again. Won’t that be great?'”

As happy as I was for Him today, I realised then that any hope of being a glamorous non-horsey WAG were firmly off the table. Mentally, I made note to call the club the next day and book some lessons — if I was destined to rush around in jodhpurs being the horsey-girlfriend-groom, then I would jolly well learn how to play so that at least He could one day return the favour!

How does our resident point-to-point jockey fare playing polo?

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:02:44 +0000

H&H's racing editor Hannah Lemieux, who has finished her first season pointing, heads to Cowdray Park to try her hand at polo. Find out how she gets on...

There is little crossover between riding a racehorse and a polo pony, although having basic riding foundation does, of course, help.

I find this out for myself during a polo lesson with Guy Verdon at the Polo Academy based a stone’s throw from the renowned Cowdray Park in West Sussex.

Having ridden out at the yard of racehorse trainer Gary Moore, I hotfoot it across the county to the stables where Guy keeps his string of six ponies.

I’ve done my best to ‘fit in’, donning jeans and a ‘polo’ top, however my racing ‘bobble’ hat cover does perhaps give away the fact I’m more comfortable sitting on a racehorse than a polo pony.

Two of Guy’s ponies, both mares, have come from careers racing on the Flat — it is not uncommon as they have the speed, however as Guy explains it can take a while to retrain their way of thinking and establish steering ready for the polo field.

The pony

I am introduced to Argentinean-bred Varita, my mount for the 45-minute lesson, who has been kindly tacked up by one of Guy’s grooms . As Guy quickly hops on, I’m half expecting to offer me a ‘leg-up’ before remembering where I am. So feeling more like a 90-year-old granny than a 26-year-old ‘fit’ first-season point-to-point jockey I haul myself into the saddle from the ground.

First hurdle accomplished, before I find myself staring in confusion at the multitude of leather in my hands that I naturally would be trying to bridge. “Do you know how the reins go?” Guy asks before showing me how the double of reins are held — always in the left-hand with the polo mallet always held in the right-hand (thank goodness I am right-handed).

I go to pull my leathers up — not used to riding this length, I feel like I’m riding longer than Carl Hester but Guy reassures me they look a perfect length and I leave them as they are.

Mastering the technique

We head out onto the vast polo field and Guy begins with explaining both technique and position. Guy starts off with the reins — now I am actually holding them properly.

“You want short reins but not too much contact with the pony’s mouth,” he explains.

“To canter push the rein forward and squeeze with your leg. To stop pull back on rein towards your chin not down towards the saddle.”

Polo ponies rarely trot, instead they go straight from walk to canter. Although, as Guy often teaches people who have never sat on a horse, his experienced ponies are used to the odd trot work.

Polo ponies clearly need to be very responsive when it comes to turning and when I have a go Varita knows exactly what she needs to do. “If you want to turn right, bring the reins across neck to the right-hand side and squeeze with the outside left leg,” Guy tells me. Then vice-versa for turning left.

After a canter around the pitch (Guy is also on a pony), we have a go at flying changes — something I have not tried since ‘attempting’ dressage.

Next up, it’s time to man a stick and get hitting some balls. Once I’ve established how to hold the mallet (thumb goes through the loop at the top and you kind of twist your hand around the grip).

Going against any riding instructor’s mantra to ‘grip with you lower leg’, Guy highlights that in polo you grip with the knee instead and roll forward onto the knee before taking a hit.

“However, similar to usual riding — and racing — you still want to maintain a straight line between the knee and toes,” says Guy. “You will often see some polo players throwing their legs forward.”

Guy shows me the correct technique for hitting, which I come to realise is all about the movement in the shoulder and keeping the arm straight throughout the swing.

He explains about the importance of timing — roll forward onto the knee a few strides out and start the swing (take the mallet back behind the shoulder) when the pony’s nose reaches the ball.

Encountering some problems…

My attempts begin rather hit and miss, with Varita being particularly tolerant with me — even when I am hitting the ball through her legs.

My initial problem is that I am using my wrist too much to hit the ball and not keeping my arm straight enough. “Your wrist will end up hurting a lot,” he explains.

But I am pleased to get some solid hits under my belt (to balance out the sections of turf I have already dislodged!)

“Did you play hockey?” Guy asks. Well, I did about what feels like a century ago at school.

“I can always tell those who have played balls sports, it really shows,” he says, giving me some reassurance I’m not making a complete fool of myself.

“I also teach some people who have never played a ball sport or ridden a horse.”

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…and eventually managing to score

From walk we progress to hitting at canter and we go the length of the polo field — I even manage to get the ball between the goal posts.

“The speed of the swing should maintain the same in canter as in walk, however, you just need to start the swing sooner,” Guy tells me.

I finish up my lesson feeling a lot more confident than when I started. I am very tempted to go back for some more lessons with Guy, having thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the polo saddle. If only polo involved a few chase fence too…

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She faced several years overcoming the emotional, psychological and physical impacts of her fall — which she may not have survived without urgent intervention.

Vanessa’s feet were still in the stirrups and her hands still around the reins, while the mare was on top of her struggling to get back up, and she was kicked several times. Her helmet also came off as she fell, and her head hit the floor.

“The event’s paramedic also rushed over in her car. My mum asked her ‘is she dying?’ and the lady said ‘I’m not really sure’.”

Once the road ambulance arrived, the decision was made to send for an air ambulance, as Vanessa had suffered serious head and chest injuries.

Vanessa recalled that when she briefly regained consciousness on the first day, before being put back under, the first thing she did was talk about her horse.

“I said I couldn’t hold Kite and that I felt her falling but couldn’t do anything about it — then within a couple of hours I was unconscious again,” she said.

“Horses do so much for us, it was an awful thing to happen [but] I knew she would really have tried her hardest not to fall down,” she said.

Vanessa was in intensive care for a total of nine days, and was able to return home after 10.

She also recalled her first walk around the ward on day seven.

“I was a 17-year-old with a zimmer frame, in a gown with a bare bottom and DVT socks!” she said. “I’d gone from being a fit and healthy 17-year-old a week earlier to barely wanting to sit up.”

Vanessa faced several battles in her recovery but had not initially lost her nerve when it came to riding — although it became clear her balance was an issue.

“I didn’t really make a conscious decision to keep riding, I just kept getting on. My dad kept saying ‘do you want to go riding?’ and I kept saying ‘yes’.” she said.

Vanessa’s bigger battle in her recovery was with the impact the accident had on her, at such a formative stage of her life.

Vanessa’s accident happened between her first and second year of A-levels but she continued on to university, initially studying French and Spanish at Oxford Brooks, and going on to study psychology and Spanish at Buckingham.

She played her first polo match at Rugby a year after her fall — which she describes as a “momentous day” — and organised her first fundraising day for Thames Valley Air Ambulance at Kirklington Polo Club in 2013.

“I’ve been involved with the air ambulance ever since,” she said. “My mum arranged for me to visit the crew that airlifted me six weeks after I came out of hospital and I have done a lot of fundraisers since.”

She also spent some time after she graduated working in logistics at Kidlington, where the air ambulance is stationed, ordering parts for helicopters.

“I had a wonderful year working there and it’s where I met my now fiance,” said Vanessa, who also recently started a new job as a teacher. “It was wonderful being part of the team that put the air ambulances back in the sky. It was really meaningful for me.”

Vanessa is the face of the year’s Thames Valley Air Ambulance summer raffle, which is raising funds to keep the service going. Air ambulances have no state funding and run entirely on donations.

They are a life-saving service for riders and Thames Valley’s crews have delivered critical care to 99 equestrians since 2018.

Horse-related incidents can lead to life-changing injuries requiring urgent intervention — and for these injured riders, the pain relief and procedures that Thames Valley Air Ambulance crews offer over and above a regular ambulance can make all the difference.

Summer is a peak time for accidents, with a quarter of all equestrian incidents happening between May and June.

“The advanced drugs and kit that our expert crews carry mean we give patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery. Whether it is sedation, pain relief or performing an intervention then and there – we bring the hospital to the horse rider.”

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