International Polo Federation president James Ashton dies in fall
The interim president of the International Polo Federation (FIP) James Ashton died yesterday (14 February) following a fall in a 10-goal match in Thailand.
The former president of the Australian Polo Council took over at FIP in December following the resignation of Patrick Guerrand-Hermes.
The English, Argentine and American polo associations had left the FIP in protest at Mr Guerrand-Hermes’ autocratic leadership.
They returned after Mr Ashton, 69, promised a new era of transparency and co-operation since taking over at the troubled federation.
Mr Ashton sustained serious injuries while playing a game at Polo Escape in Thailand last night when his horse came down at speed.
He was rushed to the nearest hospital in Pattaya but never made it.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.