FMD crisis: Guards bring polo to a halt

Guards Polo Club has suspended all polo at its grounds at Smith’s Lawn and Flemish Farm for this season due to the uncertain outlook of the current foot and mouth epidemic.

Polo was due to begin on the 19 April at the Surrey club, but suspension was agreed by the Guards Polo Cub committee, following consultation with the Crown Estate, Windsor Great Park.

The main matches affected are the Queen’s Cup, due to be played on 17 June,Royal Windsor Cup (24 June), Archie David (1 July), European Open for the PrincePhilip Trophy (4 August) and the Duke of Wellington Trophy (2 September). However, Cartier International Day, planned for Sunday 29 July, is still scheduled to go ahead.

David Woodd, chief executive of the Hurlingham Polo Association, which organisesthe most important day in the polo calendar, said: “The situation is 50/50 at the moment. If the current foot and mouth situation clears up then there is a fair chance that Britain will play Brazil for the Coronation Cup on International Day at Guards.”

For further information contact Charles Stisted at Guards Polo Club (tel: 01784434212) or David Woodd at the HPA (tel: 01367 242828).

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