Good fortune

Polo is enjoying a huge increase in popularity in China, as Mark Tomlinson discovered when competing in the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup in Tianjin

As soon as you drive through the main entrance to the Fortune Heights development you are struck by the enormity of the apartment towers of the same name. Several huge structures containing luxury homes create an impressive skyline on the outskirts of the city of Tianjin, only very recently completed and primed for market. At the centre of this huge development is the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club Hotel, with the polo field right on its front doorstep. The hotel is five-star in every way and the wall of marquee-style corporate boxes, which run along one side of the main field, creates a chic scene.

Then there is the equestrian centre, consisting of four or five purpose-built barns to stable almost 250 horses, providing both a luxurious and practical facility. It also boasts a Martin Collins arena and an all-weather track, not to mention the perfect summer temperatures for polo. The man behind it all, Pan Su Tong, really has created a first-class polo set-up which compares with the world’s finest clubs and offers extensive facilities, all created in only two years.

The Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup tournament itself is highly competitive. Four 24-goal teams playing for their country is a recipe for good polo in any environment – add in decent prize money and you get some pretty fierce sport. Unfortunately, the ground was not quite up to the standard of everything else and the playing surface itself was treacherous. However, this didn’t deter the players from playing hard and merely added to the entertainment as the crowd was treated to a total of eight falls in four matches, with graphic replays shown over and over on the large screens.

The factor that probably most concerned the players and organisers in the run-up to the tournament was the horses, but to give credit where credit is due, the level was not bad at all. The club organisers have clearly been under strict instructions to source suitable stock and a lot of effort was put into this. While they could have perhaps been given a better preparation, the fact that some 120 horses were made available for 24-goal polo is a huge achievement in itself.

As the Chinese are new to polo, at least in the modern era, they have brought in international polo expertise. Not only have horses been acquired from all corners of the globe, whether it be NZ or the UK, but they have also enlisted

Opposite Juanchi Ambroggio swings at the ball This page, from top Mark Tomlinson; prize-giving ceremony

the assistance of the likes of Derek Reid and John Fisher, who have been key to the very successful development of the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. There was a strong representation of FIP delegates and several other officials from leading polo associations, too, confirming China’s intention to run its polo in the proper way.

None of this would be possible without the vision of Mr Pan, who appears to have a taste for perfection and quality. His choice of the game in its purest form – four pros against four pros – is no accident. There is a passion in China for competitive, exciting sport at the top level and the non-patron format definitely fits the bill. Many say that this is true polo, and as with the Argentine Open, one is guaranteed a fast, unforgiving spectacle. The Chinese clearly love it. There does not seem to be much development in the way of home-grown players, although I am sure that this will happen. It is clear that their nation is committed to excelling in as many sports as possible – as can be seen from its success in the Olympic medal table. However, my impression is that, for now at least, they are not primarily interested in participating. This stance, I feel, underlines their passion for polo – currently, they seem to be thrilled to simply watch and learn from the best, seeing exactly how it is done.

At Metropolitan, one can’t help but be gripped by this vision for perfection and enthusiasm for polo. One feels privileged to be part of a sport which has been chosen to play the starring role in a billion-pound property venture. Seeing and dealing with Mr Pan and any of his staff makes one fully aware that there is a common aim to appeal to the polo world and make China a leading polo destination – an aim that is fast being achieved. The word is spreading as the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club renews its sponsorship of the Charity Cup at the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, featuring the Audi International at Beaufort. The phenomenon shows no sign of slowing down, either, with the Snow Polo World Cup in February and the 2013 Super Nations Cup later this year promising to take the sport from strength to strength.

Finally, on a personal note, I am looking forward to England being able to make amends after our disappointing run in this year’s event.