Young polo player’s tack trolley wins design competition

A polo-playing teenager from Northamptonshire won two awards at a national competition for young engineers for his design of a portable equine tack trolley.

Robin Spicer, 17, who is in the lower sixth at Bloxham School in Oxfordshire, won the Regional Young Engineers for Britain competition and walked away with £1,000 for the best developed product and for marketability at the finals in London last month.

“It was fantastic to win,” said Robin, who is currently studying for his AS levels. “The money will be put towards my project and, depending on consumer demand, I would eventually like to produce larger batches of trolleys.”

Having played polo for the Pytchley Pony Club branch team, Robin now plays at Junior Hurlingham Polo Association level and has four ponies.

He came up with the idea for his design while studying for a technology GCSE.

“Mum helps me get the ponies ready at polo matches,” said Robin, “so I wanted to come up with something that would make her life easier and save trips to and from the lorry.”

The tack trolleys, which retail at £195, typically hold four saddles and bridles, as well as as hay, straw and shavings bales.

International polo player Malcolm Borwick is among those who have already bought one.

• Contact Robin Spicer on 07949 234662.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (2 April, ’09)

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