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[drama] Catch up with all the latest action from around the world

Adolphus Busch announces the end of an era for Michelob Polo

The series is reignited with a vengeance following England’s hard-fought victory

England takes revenge on the US to win the coveted Bryan Morrison Memorial Trophy

Clare Milford Haven shuns jet lag for a week of partying and polo with the Kiwis

Joe McInally reports on the crown jewel of Australian Polo

Above Gonzalito leads the pack in the finals of the US Open

Jorge Andradas interviews players from the Palermo Polo fields in Buenos Aires

A week of high-class polo and glamour from the frozen surface of the Misurina Lake

It’s all sun, sea and sand at the first annual South Beach Women’s Polo Cup 63 SUPA

The revival of a century-old international series, an extended season and an additional 20-goal tournament set the stage for the International Polo Club’s 2009 season in Wellington, Florida. In spite of the economic woes suffered throughout the ranks, the polo action at IPC carried on with an earlier start and a later close to its 2009 season.

The Joe Barry Memorial tournament kicked off the season on January 5, attracting seven teams. Players on the field included 9-goaler Mike Azzaro, 8-goalers Carlos Gracida, Julio Arellano and Sapo Caset as well as 7-goalers Owen Rinehart, Sugar Erskine, Luis Escobar and Toto Collardin.

The parity of teams was evident from the opening game, with the most one-sided game in the tournament being a 13-9 win by Kelly Beal’s BTA team over a Lucchese foursome backed by the fabled Texas bootmaker of the same name.

BTA scored wins over Bo Goodman’s Mt. Brilliant team and Patagones before meeting and beating Tommy Lee Jones and his San Saba team 13-10 in the finals.

Mt. Brilliant snuck past EFG Bank 13-12 in the subsidiary Bobby Barry Cup.

By the time the Ylvisaker Cup rolled around two more teams had joined the field. Melissa Ganzi rode in with her Audi team while Victor Vargas began playing with his Lechuza Caracas side.

In some of the closest competition in years, Mt. Brilliant scored successive wins over Lechuza Caracas and San Saba before getting the best of a very talented Patagones squad in the finals, 10-9. Lechuza Caracas came back to wrestle a hard-fought win from EFG Bank in the finals of the consolation George Haas Cup.

An interesting aspect of the tournament was how closely the games were contested. Over the course of twelve games, eight of them including both finals, were decided by a single goal, and four of those one-goal games were decided in sudden-death overtime.

A third 20-goal tournament was introduced to the IPC schedule in the form of the Philip Iglehart Cup, named after the legendary gentleman/polo player who was instrumental in the creation of the new Gulfstream Polo Club and the Museum of Polo.

The same nine teams battled for the trophy and the parity of teams was highlighted once again. This time Gonzalo Avendano’s Patagones team would go undefeated, scoring its fifth victory in the tournament finals against Lechuza Caracas, 9-8 in overtime. Mt. Brilliant suffered injuries to its players and horses and after two successful tournaments was eliminated from both the Iglehart Cup and the subsidiary, Herbie Pennell Cup.

In a low-scoring game, San Saba defeated Isla Carroll 5-3.

Even more competitive than the Ylvisaker Cup, 13 of the tournament’s 22 matches were decided by a single goal. Seven of them, including both finals (Pennell and Iglehart) were decided in overtime.

The match that had the largest international impact had to be the February 19 game between Patagones and Lucchese.

With Lucchese ahead 9-6 in the fifth chukker, Mike Azzaro was involved in a horrendous on field accident that resulted in a broken collarbone for the 9-goaler that would

DAVID LOMINSKA/WWW.POLOGRAPHICS.COM 1 Facundo and Nico Pieres celebrate the winning goal 2 Patrons, Victor Vargas (in white) and Marc Ganzi, had an intense rivalry in the 26-goal not only keep him from competing for the US team in the upcoming Westchester Cup, but sideline him for the balance of the season.

Interestingly enough, 8-goaler Julio Arellano, an alternate on the US Westchester Cup team suffered a broken hand while practicing with the team just a week earlier. The injury ended Arellano’s season as well.

For the fifth consecutive year, IPC hosted the Outback 40-Goal Challenge. Hampered by fewer teams and thus fewer 10-goal players, the show still played on (see p47).

A week after the Outback 40-Goal match, the United States played England in a Westchester Cup. England scored a 10-9 win (see p48).

With the entry of the 26-goal competition, so came a new group of high-goal players.

Ten-goalers Facundo Pieres, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Mariano Aguerre saddled up for the C. V. Whitney, the single elimination opening tournament of the 26-goal season. Once again, the performances of the evenly matched teams were reflected in the match scores.

With a field of seven teams (down from 11 teams in 2008) and seven games, four of them were decided by a single goal and three of them, including the final, were decided in sudden-death overtime.

A strong Audi team rode onto the field with Marc Ganzi, Facundo Pieres, Gonzalito Pieres and Fred Mannix, Jr.

Audi opened with wins over White Birch and Zacara before getting past Lechuza Caracas, 8-7 in the finals.

Audi team captain, Marc Ganzi, was named MVP while Victor Vargas’ nine-year-old gray mare Julieta ridden by Juan Martin Nero received Best Playing Pony honors.

Black Watch fielded a team in the 2009 USPA Piaget Gold Cup that consisted of four professionals. Fred Mannix, Jr. was replaced on the Audi team by the youngest Pieres brother, 6-goaler Nicolas Pieres. Mannix joined Nacho Figueras, Sugar Erskine and Luis Escobar on the newly created Black Watch team.

Audi and Lechuza Caracas opened the Gold Cup as the favorites but as Audi struggled to get past Pony Express, 12-11, Lechuza Caracas fell to Black Watch 10-9.

Lechuza fought its way back into the title hunt with wins over Las Monjitas and Pony Express. Audi took care of Zacara in an 11-8 win and allowed Orchard Hill to win a ‘no consequence’ game from them before the semi-finals.

Lechuza Caracas managed to get past Pony Express in the semi-finals by the narrow 8-7 margin while Audi earned its way into the USPA Piaget Gold Cup finals on the strength of a 10-8 win over Black Watch.

In one of the most exciting games of the year, Lechuza Caracas atoned for its C. V. Whitney championship loss to Audi by taking the final match 11-10.

Juan Martin Nero’s eight-year-old Chestnut mare Mini Bank won Best Playing Pony honors while Nicolas Espain, who scored the final goal of the match for Lechuza Caracas, was named MVP.

Open competition seemed to have two early frontrunners in Audi and Lechuza Caracas. Audi had flexed its muscles in winning the C. V. Whitney Cup with an 8-7 win over Lechuza Caracas while Lechuza came back to take the USPA Piaget Gold Cup from Audi in an 11-10 final.

The Open began with a steadily improving Orchard Hill team downing Pony Express 13-10 followed by Audi’s decimation of Zacara, 15-8.

White Birch needed a sudden-death overtime period in which to beat Lechuza Caracas, 12-11 while Las Monjitas rode past Black Watch 9-7.

Audi and White Birch remained unbeaten after Audi dispatched Orchard Hill in a 10-8 contest while White Birch needed another overtime period in which to take care of a stubborn Black Watch foursome.

Lechuza got back into the winning column with a 10-8 win over Las Monjitas and Pony

Express redeemed itself in a 12-10 win at the expense of Zacara.

Audi kept its winning ways going with an 11-9 victory over Pony Express for a perfect 3-0 record and a berth in the semi-finals while Zacara bounced back from a rocky start with a 13-11 win over Orchard Hill. The win, however, came at a price. In order for Zacara to stay in the running for a spot in the semifinals it needed to beat Orchard Hill by three goals. In the final chukker, Zacara patron Lyndon Lea suffered a fall and was removed from the game (broken collarbone). Mariano Gracida took his place but in spite of a lastsecond shot by Carlos Gracida that missed by inches, Zacara and Lyndon Lea were out.

For all intents and purposes the US Open field was narrowed to seven teams. That was when the absolute bottom dropped out.

Shortly after arriving on the grounds of the International Polo Club in preparation for the 3pm game, the Lechuza Caracas horses began to exhibit unusual behavior that included dizziness, disorientation and an inability to stand. Before the day was over, 21 horses had died (p22).

Lechuza Caracas and Zacara dropped out of competition leaving a field of six teams. Two, Black Watch and Pony Express would meet in the Hall of Fame Cup and the remaining four would face-off in the semifinals of the US Open.

Kris Kampsen came aboard to fill out the Black Watch lineup with Fred Mannix, Jr. leaving town, but a determined Pony Express team persisted until it secured an 11-10 overtime win.

In the semi-finals Las Monjitas made its way into its second consecutive US Open finals on the strength of a 12-10 win over Orchard Hill while Audi handed White Birch an 11-10 beating to secure its spot in the big game.

Skydivers, a passover by three jets and a flood of media who had assembled to check the pulse of a polo community who had recently suffered its greatest loss, set the scene for the 2009 US Open Championship.

IPC claimed a record crowd, approaching 4,000, as Las Monjitas and Audi prepared for the season’s final high-goal match.

Facundo Pieres scored seven goals in the finals of the United States Open polo championship, but none was more important than his last goal as his overtime score provided Audi with a sudden-death 9-8 overtime win over a demoralized Las Monjitas team.

With a crowd of over 4,000 on hand, Las Monjitas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after

the first chukker and led 5-1 after two.

Audi came alive in the third period with three goals from Facundo Pieres and a single goal from brother Gonzalo Pieres, but two goals from Adam Snow kept Las Monjitas on top, 7-5 at the end of the first half.

Defences tightened in the fourth chukker with a sole penalty goal being recorded by Facundo Pieres, cutting the Las Monjitas lead to a single goal, 7-6 to end the chukker.

‘I knew we could do it,’ said a weary Facundo Pieres following the match, ‘I knew that if we just continued to play our game we would win,’ he added.

Eduardo Novillo Astrada broke loose for a goal and Las Monjitas seemed to regain momentum, but it was short-lived. A penalty allowed Facundo Pieres another penalty shot, which he converted to keep Audi within a goal at 8-7.

The sixth chukker was played at flat-out speed. Long passes, hard ride-offs and expert clearing shots set the tone for the game at that point.

With 1:12 left on the clock, Facundo Pieres broke through the Las Monjitas defence to score the tying goal.

A brief intermission was followed by a sudden-death overtime period in which it was Facundo Pieres who broke through the Las Monjitas defense one last time to score the winning goal for Audi.

Facundo Pieres led all players in scoring with seven goals, but for the first time in Open history the MVP was jointly awarded to two 1 players, Adam Snow and Eduardo Novillo Astrada. Eduardo Novillo Astrada’s nine-yearold gray mare Slecha was named Best Playing Pony.

1 Madonna at IPC with Nacho Figueras 2 Eduardo Novillo Astrada was joint MVP of the final and was raised to 10 goals 3 Scoreboard during the finals of the Piaget Gold Cup

This year’s Outback 40-goal Challenge at International Polo Club, Palm Beach to benefit the Polo Player’s Support Group heralded the end of an era in American polo.

After a 12-11 win for Michelob Ultra over opponents EFG Bank in the annual game that raises funds for injured players and members of the polo world, Adolphus A Busch IV announced the end of a polo dynasty that has played a significant role in the nurturing and development of American polo.

‘We’ve been here for 25 years,’ said Busch who founded Team Michelob in 1984. ‘It has been a wonderful ride. I hope American polo can continue to count on the support of sponsors like Michelob. And I encourage all to support the Polo Players Support Group in its important endeavours to provide benefit to members of the polo community in need.’

Since founding Team Michelob in 1984 Busch has embraced American polo. Known as Team America for Busch’s preference for hiring home-grown talent, the list of players that have donned the Michelob shirts reads like a list of America’s top professionals from the past 25 years including Mike Azzaro, Tiger Kneece and Philip Lake. Sometimes with more than one Michelob team in the roster the string of victories include the Sunshine League at Royal Palm Polo, two World Cups and the USPA Gold Cup hosted by Palm Beach Polo, the International Open at Palm Beach Polo (with two Michelob teams in the final) and numerous others nationwide.

‘Adolphus gave many young American players a great deal of support in the sport of

He has continued the family environmentalist traditions sinking a reef of the coast of South Florida to create marine habitat and appearing in the media last year to highlight the flood problems caused by overdevelopment in St Louis, Missouri, his home town. Busch has pursued sustainable energy options on his farm using substantial solar panels to power his home.

In polo he has left his mark – 29 players and grooms were set to benefit from the 40-goal challenge. Busch will continue to support the game, if no longer under the banner of Team Michelob. ‘Even though I don’t play myself, I still have many friends in polo and it is still a game close to my heart,’ he said.

The winning goal for Michelob Ultra in this year’s 40-goal was planted by Pablo MacDonough. ‘This game is fun to play and I hope the people enjoyed it,’ he said. MacDonough is one of many players who have taken the field to aid their colleagues.

He was joined by Mariano Aguerre, Lucas Monteverde and Mike Azzaro. EFG Bank lined up a full 40-goal team of Agustin Merlos, Gonzalito Pieres, Facundo Pieres and Sebastian Merlos.

polo, including myself,’ said Eakin, a former 6-goal player linked with Michelob for some 20 years of his career. ‘Going to this year’s Hall of Fame dinner for Owen [Rinehart]’s induction turned out to be a great Team Michelob reunion. It was sad that Bobby Barry was not there since he too was such a prominent player on the Michelob teams.’

Adolphus donated $25,000 to the Polo Player’s Support Group in Barry’s name after his death last summer and challenged others to match it. For years Michelob has been a major sponsor of the 40-goal benefit. Whichever team wins, the real triumph is in the money that is raised to support players in need such as Rob Walton – a former 8-goal American pro now confined to a wheelchair after a polo accident 14 years ago.

Aside from the sponsorship on the polo field – and Adolphus actively participated as a 3-goal player until a back injury sidelined him from polo in 1991 – Busch underwrote an ESPN-production in 1983 and 1984 to film three of the major high goal finals at Palm Beach Polo. He also personally underwrote the Media Room and Polo Video for the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.

1 Adolphus Busch as a player 2 The winning team, from left: Mike Azzaro, Lucas Monteverde, Mariano Aguerre and Pablo MacDonough with Tim Gannon (centre) and Adolphus

England could not be beaten at the Westchester Cup as luck, skill and determination provided a winning formula, writes Alex Webbe

A backhander by Luke Tomlinson ended up being the game winner with James Beim’s mallet swishing over the top of the ball as it carried through the goalposts. Initially believed to be Beim’s goals, the pockets of British spectators broke out in wild cheering when England went up 10-9 with less than three minutes left to play.

‘I’d like to take credit for it’ said Beim after the game, ‘but I believe it was Luke’s goal.’

‘I actually believe that the English were better mounted’ remarked Julian Hipwood, the veteran former English captain who arranged horses for the visitors. The English string slowly took shape, built around nearly threedozen horses offered to them by Wellington resident polo player Melissa Ganzi. Eduardo Novillo Astrada had a string of his own in residence at the Las Monjitas stables so it was up to Hipwood to find enough additional horses to make the English competitive.

A series of ‘practices’ were arranged so that Beim and the Tomlinson brothers could get some sense of what they might have available to them. In the end they turned to polo legend Memo Gracida from whom a lease was arranged for an additional 11 horses.

In spite of the inroads made in the horse acquisition circle, the odds were definitely against the visiting Brits. That was until Thursday, February 19 when America’s highest rated player, 9-goaler Mike Azzaro, was involved in a violent crash on the field during a 20-goal tournament game. Azzaro suffered a broken collarbone that eliminated him from the US team just 48 hours before game time.

With no time to practice with the team, 8-goaler Jeff Hall took to the field with the Americans and England’s chances changed.

‘We couldn’t beat them with Mike (Azzaro)’ said England’s coach Javier Novillo Astrada. ‘I was just hoping that we could keep it close. There was no way we could beat them if Mike were playing.’

The United States took the field with a 30-goal team instead of the 31-goal alignment that it had planned, but it was radically different in composition than the one it had previously assembled.

England received one goal by handicap and was the benefactor of a penalty conversion by

Mark Tomlinson and a goal from the field from Beim, but appeared much quicker than the Americans. The United States got a single penalty goal to end the period trailing 3-1.

Aggressive play in the defensive end of the field resulted in fouls by the English. Roldan converted two attempts to penalty shots to tie the game at 3-3. Moments later, Mark Tomlinson scored his first goal from the field to take back the lead, and brother Luke scored on a Penalty 2 to end the chukker with a 5-3 lead. Luke Tomlinson connected on a Penalty 3 shot in the third chukker for a three goal, 6-3 advantage before Hall scored his first goal of the game. The US team limped off the field trailing 6-4 and the English were elated.

When the Americans returned to the field they had moved Hall to the Number 2 position.

‘We needed someone who was going to be more aggressive up front’ said Rinehart. ‘I initially had Jeff (Hall) at Number 2 but changed the lineup just before the game.’ And the lineup change was a boon to the Americans.

Goals from Blake and Hall tied the game at 6-6. A score from Mark Tomlinson gave the lead back to England, with Roldan scoring the final goal of the chukker to knot it up at 7-7. Blake opened the fifth chukker with a go-ahead goal for the United States but Luke

Tomlinson answered with a goal a moment later. Roldan put the US up once again with his fifth goal of the match but Mark Tomlinson answered with a penalty goal to end the chukker in a 9-9 tie.

Both defences tightened in the final chukker. A rush in one direction, a clearing defensive shot and then a rush in the other direction. Both teams struggled, scrapped and fought for each and every possession. With less than three minutes left to play, Luke Tomlinson refused to be denied and managed to drive the ball through the goal posts on a well-placed backhander. England took a precarious one goal lead, 10-9.

Having taken possession following the ensuing throw-in, England drove toward the US goal. The Americans broke the ball loose however and began a drive toward the English end of the field, but the sound of the bell saved them from any further damage.

The English had managed to travel thousands of miles, organise a makeshift string of high-goal ponies and beat the Americans in their own backyard.

The international series had been re-ignited with a vengeance and there was a great deal of enthusiasm to keep it going.

The Hurlingham Polo Association and the USPA found a common ground with the success of the match and players on both sides gave a sigh of relief when the final bell sounded. The English had won but the 123-year-old series was far from over. Before the trophy was re-crated (a function that was done by the players themselves) to be shipped back to England, plans were being made to play it again. The rotation agreed to by both national ruling bodies meant that the countries would take turns hosting the match. Now, if Azzaro is healthy when the Americans next come to England…

1 Nicholas Roldan chased by Mark Tomlinson in white 2 MVP Luke Tomlinson 3 Pelon Sterling (right) discusses pony lists with Mark Tomlinson 4 ‘Edward’ Novillo Astrada, who only has an English passport

Julio Gracida’s switch to forward position made the Americans raise their game, reports Alex Webbe. But not enough to win…

Disparagingly referred to as ‘the replacement players’ in some polo circles, a handful of overlooked American poloists packed up their horses and drove three hours north of Wellington, Florida to The Villages Polo Club.

Created in a retirement community of more than 70,000 residents, a beautifully constructed two-sided polo stadium sits astride two best-looking fields in the country.

The team’s mission? To engage in battle with Mexico in a resurrection of the international series between the USA and Mexico: the Camacho Cup.

Named after General Avila Camacho, Mexican President from1940 to 1946, and an avid polo player, the cup was inaugurated in 1941 as a perpetual challenge trophy and has been played for eight times, with the United States maintaining a 5-3 advantage.

The US team was to be led by 9-goaler Mike Azzaro. That was until February 19 when, America’s highest-rated player was involved in a violent crash on the International Polo Club fields. Azzaro suffered a broken collarbone that eliminated him from not only serving as captain of the US Camacho Cup team, but also took him off the US Westchester Cup team – just days before the scheduled match.

The US team received two goals by handicap (agreed by both teams) but got a shot in the arm in the opening minute when Biddle broke through the Mexican team, carrying the ball more than 150 yards for a goal. Scores from Arellano and Kampsen were answered by a single penalty conversion by Carlos Gracida, and the teams left the field after the opening chukker, with the US on top of a 5-1 lead.

Julio Gracida got on the scoreboard for Mexico in the second chukker, followed by success from Gobin and Arellano as the US polo team took a 7-2 lead.

‘Julio and I were nervous in the opening chukkers,’ admitted Escapite. ‘Our horses were a bit flat and we just weren’t in the game.’

Following a beautiful save in front of the US goal in the third chukker by Biddle, Carlos Gracida converted a second penalty shot and quickly added another from the field. Biddle came back with his second goal of the game, before Escapite cut the US lead to three goals at the end of the first half, 8-5.

‘We changed the lineup a bit for the second half,’ said Mexico’s coach, Ruben

Gracida, a member of the two previously successful Mexican teams. ‘We moved Julio (Gracida) forward and told him and Pelon (Escapite) to push the front end, and allow Memo and Carlos to work in the middle.’

The switch immediately worked in Mexico’s favour. Following a penalty by the USA (a bump behind the saddle) and ensuing penalty conversion by Carlos Gracida, Escapite scored again, followed by a goal from the field from Carlos Gracida that tied the game at 8-8.

Gobin punched the ball through the goal posts to put the United States up 9-8, but it would be a short-lived advantage.

Mexico came right back with Escapite’s third goal of the game to even it again at 9-9. Carlos Gracida added another goal from the field for a 10-9 edge. With time running out in the fourth chukker, Biddle scored his third goal of the game to end the period tied at 10-10.

Biddle continued his brilliant performance by scoring the first goal of the fifth chukker. Arellano took the following throw-in 150 yards for a goal and the USA had a 12-10 lead.

Julio Gracida and Biddle exchanged goals, followed by two penalty conversions from Carlos Gracida, resulting in a 13-13 deadlock.

‘I didn’t know if we were ahead or behind,’

Tommy Biddle followed by Kris Kampsen

said an exhausted Carlos Gracida after the game. ‘I was forced to work very hard today,’ he added, ‘they are a very good team.’

Kampsen put the United States ahead with a single goal in the sixth, but Carlos Gracida came right back and tied it at 14-14. Gracida added yet another goal on a penalty, putting Mexico ahead 15-14 before Arellano evened it at 15-15 with a couple of minutes to play.

Gobin stole the ball from Memo Gracida at the Mexican end and headed toward the goal from 70 yards out, when a miscue relieved him of the ball. Memo Gracida jumped on it and carried it down the field toward the US goal. Gobin came up with the ball once again and attempted to pass it across the goalmouth toward Biddle. A waiting Memo Gracida intercepted the pass and with 48 seconds on the clock, carried it toward the goal, where he scored for the 16-15 Mexican victory.

‘If we just had a couple of faster horses toward the end,’ said Gobin post-match. ‘We left everything we had on the field,’ he added.

Six chukkers of the most exciting polo in the history of The Villages Polo Club earned these players an ovation. Carlucho Arellano’s mare, Java, was named Best Playing Pony, while Carlos Gracida was named MVP.

Nacho Gonzalez on the ball with Shane Rice in pursuit

Another great win against the US gave Brits the coveted Bryan Morrison Memorial Trophy at the All-England Polo Club, Hickstead

Roles were reversed earlier this year when England took revenge and beat the USA 15-9, to win the Bryan Morrison Memorial Trophy, in the second annual arena international test match of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) at the All-England Polo Club, Hickstead.

It was the second time in less than six months that national arena teams of the two countries had clashed. In the September 2008 revival of the 1921 Townsend Cup at Great Meadow Polo Club in Virginia, it was the USA that triumphed over England, after the latter lost their star player to pre-match illness.

When the two countries met again at Hickstead, not only was the Bryan Morrison International the highest rated arena match ever played in England – at 20 goals – it also saw the two teams evenly matched in player talent and pony power. Russ Sheldon from California, the USA coach, expressed thanks for the ponies loaned, through the HPA’s arena committee chairman, Michael Amoore.

The USA team was appropriately representative of coast-to-coast arena polo in America: Skipper Billy Sheldon, handicap 7, is from Southern California; Shane Rice, 8, hails from Texas; and Charlie Muldoon, 5, comes from Maryland on the East Coast. All were

veterans of winning teams in the USPA’s national arena championships.

Nacho Gonzalez led the England team, at handicap 9 the highest-rated player in the match. He was joined by Howard Smith, 6, and Ryan Pemble, 5. Jonny Good was the England coach. In a seesaw first chukker, the Yanks drew blood with a penalty conversion by Rice, but by the end of the period it was all tied up at 3-3. By half-time however, the home team had secured an 8-5 advantage. England increased its lead to 12-6 in the third chukka and, at the final bell, were winners at 15-9.

Greta Morrison – widow of the late Bryan Morrison, ‘godfather’ of UK arena polo – and HPA chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers led the prize presentations. England’s Ryan Pemble, who scored six of the team’s goals, was named Most Valuable Player. Shortly after the international, the HPA raised Pemble’s handicap from 5 to 6 goals. The Retraining of Racehorses Best Playing Pony prize went to Heidi, owned by John Horswell and played by Howard Smith.

Thanks to Subaru’s sponsorship, Hickstead had extensive TV coverage, with 16 prime time transmissions and repeats on Sky TV.

Dr Phillip Karber, chairman of the arena committee of the US Polo Association (USPA), said that US clubs would be ‘experimenting for a year’ with two of the HPA’s arena rules that speed up action in a three-man game: hitting in after a goal score, rather than returning to centre for a throw-in, and a hit from the spot, rather than a throw-in when the ball is hit out.

Karber also said that the USPA was looking to challenge England in another running of the Townsend Cup in the US later this year, and that the USPA would welcome a return match for the Bryan Morrison international in England in 2010. HPA arena chairman Amoore welcomed these proposals, adding that HPA would respond positively.

Both officials said that future arena UK vs US internationals would likely be at an even higher level than Hickstead, rising to 24 goals or more – equivalent to 32 goals on grass.

A 24-hour flight is a daunting prospect but thanks to Singapore Airlines and their new Airbus 380, our day in the sky is suddenly looking up. We try their ‘Suites’, which are like being incased in a very comfortable pod. After some food, a glass of champagne and half a sleeping pill, I drift into a semi-comatose state. Sticky and Wendy Glue greet us at Auckland airport with a Porsche Cayenne, courtesy of the main sponsors of the New Zealand Open. Defying jetlag, we head straight to Kihikihi Polo Club for the International Polo Test between New Zealand and Argentina.

An imposing line-up of Kiwis consisting of JP Clarkin, Tommy Wilson, Simon Keyte and Sam Hopkinson face a lesser-known team of Argies. The visiting team delivers some impressive play and by the final chukka are four goals up. The game is passionate, with some heated discourse between players, umpires and crowd members. ‘Control your timper!’ shouts one spectator when the opposing No. 3 disputes a foul. By the end, the Kiwis creep up and a winning goal secures them the cup. After recuperating in the shade, we head off to spend our first night at the Formosa Golf Club.

There’s no rest for the wicked. Play six chukkas to test horses for the Open and then go in search of new lodging. I discover an enchanting converted wool shed at Crabtree Farm run by Marcia Savage. Marcia, otherwise known as ‘M’, is charmingly eccentric and woos us with homemade cakes. In a second, our bags are packed and we move in with the soothing strains of Vivaldi and a glass of local red lulling us into the sleepy atmosphere of Clevedon.

Another six chukkas but twice the speed as we play against the Stella Artois team: George, JP, Nina and Craig Wilson. Rain beckons but we head for lunch at a café overlooking Maraetai Beach. Jetlag begins to take its grip, as does the streaming cold caught en route. I crash.

Trip into Auckland to gawp at the Louis Vuitton boats in the harbour. Lunch at La Bocca in Parnell Market before heading back to Clevedon and George’s first game. Bump into Lanto Sheridan, Marcus Beresford, Tom Morley, and Ross Ainsley. Georgina and Emelia Forsyth (Cody’s girls) are delightfully mischievous and help plan my saddle blankets and bandages for the following game. Stella Artois win by seven goals and celebrate at Lawrence and Di’s house with tequila shots.

‘M’ collects fresh croissants and the morning newspaper on her vespa. The New Zealand Herald’s front page proclaims ‘WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS KOALA’, picturing Sam, the koala who somehow survived the Australian bush fires, with only superficial burns – and became an overnight YouTube sensation. After lunch we head to Fisher Field to play our first match against Team Blundell, a four-man team of locals. Despite closing in on them at half time, the heat is draining and we lose by three goals.

Georgina and Emelia Forsyth sheltering from the rain

George and Clare Milford Haven in Auckland Harbour ‘Sticky’ Glue, George and Clare Milford Haven, Tony van den Brink, Mitty and Cody Forsyth

From left: Sam Hopkinson, JP Clarkin, Tommy Wilson and Simon Keyte Aeriel view of Waiheke island

Drive to Maraetai Beach for some pasta before George’s game against Rodd & Gunn (Tom Morley, Ross Ainsley, Sam Hopkinson and Ross George.) The match is disasterridden for our Stella Artois team: Craig Wilson loses a horse to a heart attack, JP gets hit in the face and needs 10 stitches, and they lose by three goals. Fortunately, they still make the semis. Our game is thankfully less intense than yesterday’s. We win by three goals and are placed in the semis against George’s team!

Visit ‘Anje’s Beauty Biz’ on North Road for some pampering, before being glamorously collected by Tony van den Brink’s helicopter and whisked to Waiheke Island for lunch at Te Whau. We feast on fresh crab and tuna, while downing the local ‘cab sauv’. Evening drinks at the club, where the local celebrities (all three of them) arrive in a stretch Hummer wearing dresses resembling handkerchiefs. Have to drag George away.

A cold and wet Valentine’s Day. Due to Sunday’s scheduled final we still have to play our semi-final against the Stella Artois team. Despite losing by two goals we feel we gave them a good run for their money. The second semi-final is between Team Blundell and Rodd & Gunn. The latter win, giving us a great

Clare Milford Haven looking hot and bothered after a game

final to look forward to tomorrow. I leave early to wallow in a hot bath.

Finals day. We have our subsidiary final against Team Blundell, who we beat by a couple of goals – then it’s off to meet our sponsors, Mumm champagne, for a drink. Everyone brings something to the table: salads and platters of cheese, not to mention coolers stuffed with beer, local wines and champagne. Entertainment includes a race between a Porsche Cayenne and Cody astride Banderas. The final is a memorable game with a stunning end-to-end goal by Nina and JP’s unforgettable two goals from the halfway line. Nina’s safety shot to the boards in the final seconds saves the game from going to an extra chukka. Sam Hopkinson wins MVP and JP’s ex-polocrosse mare deservedly gains Best Playing Pony. After the formalities, many head to Ross Ainsley’s for a fancy dress party. I crash out.

Homeward bound. I climb the hill opposite and look down at the stunning view to the sea. Bid a tearful farewell to Marcia. It’s been hectic, but I’m sad to leave this beautiful country and its uncomplicated, friendly people.

The highlight of the Australian polo calender lives on, writes Joe McInally, as rumours of its demise prove unfounded

Ellerston is nestled in the Upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales and is the crown jewel of Australian Polo. This would be my seventh year covering the Ellerston tournaments and I was starting the 12-hour drive from my base in Brisbane, Queensland, after hearing the rumours that the Kerry Packer Challenge Cup and JD MacLeod Cup were to be the last Ellerston tournaments to be played at the world-class polo complex for two to three years.

The handicap levels for this year’s tournaments were lowered to 12 and 14 goal. Due to the lower goal tournaments and perhaps also due to the economic environment there were more local Australian players in the teams with no high-goal South American players taking part this year.

The teams for the first tournament, The Kerry Packer Challenge Cup, were keen to win the prestige piece of silver. The goal rating for this tournament was rated at 12-goal, in which eight teams were taking part. The semi-finals, finals and subsidiary finals are always played on the renowned, world-class Home Field.

Ellerston White and Pitchfork made their way through the qualifying rounds to make the final. The Ellerston White team consisted of Neil Craig (2), Matt Grimes © (4), Jared McHardy (4) and Jeff Fisher (2). The Pitchfork team consisted of Tim Clarke (1), Robbie Archibald (6), Andrew Hine © (6) and Rick Mitchell (0)

This game was a true example of 12-goal polo. There were no goals scored in the first chukka and it ended with Ellerston White leading by their one goal handicap start. Pitchfork were finding it hard to find some rhythm in their play and Ellerston White managed to get up 5-1 at the end of the third chukka. It was starting to look like Ellerston White would run away with the game when Pitchfork finally gelled and found the form that got them through to the final. Pitchfork managed to pull the score back to 7-4 in the fifth chukka, but unfortunately they had left it a bit too late. Ellerston White took the trophy by beating Pitchfork 8-6.

Matt Grimes was awarded the Most Valuable Player and was well deserved. Champion Pony was awarded to Crinkle

played by Matt Grimes. Eynesbury beat Wastecorp to win the subsidiary final. The follow-on tournament, the JD MacLeod Cup, was contested between five teams and was rated as a 14-goal.

This tournament was one of the closest of tournaments I have seen in seven years, with three of the five teams jockeying for the final two spots. Garangula had to beat Eynesbury in the last day of the preliminary games to go through to the final. Eynesbury could lose this game and still go through but Ellerston White needed Eynesbury to win for them to make the final. Garangula ended up winning 12-10 so the same two teams, Garangula and Eynesbury, would be meeting again in the final.

The Eynesbury team was made up of James LeHardy (5), Ruki Bailieu © (7) with his two cousins Ed Goold (4) and newcomer to polo William Goold (-2). Ed and William are brothers. The Garangula team was made up of Guy Schwarzenbach (1), Jack Archibald (2), John Paul Clarkin (8) and Simon Hill (3).

This final of the J.D. Macleod Cup was a fast and furious affair with Eynesbury taking the lead through Ruki Baillieu after two minutes of play. The first chukka ended 3-2 in favour of the Eynesbury team. Garangula struggled to find the form they had in their previous games and would continue to chase the Eynesbury lead. They came close in the second chukka at 5-4 but Eynesbury was a much better team on the day and finished the final chukka 12-10. This was the same score line as their final preliminary game but only to the opposite teams.

Ed Goold was awarded the Most Valuable Player. Champion Pony was awarded to Locket played by Ed Goold. Thailand beat Ellerston White to win the subsidiary final.

The presentation was an unforgettable occasion with Stuart and June Gilmore presenting the trophies. Stuart and June arrived at Ellerston 22 years ago during the

start of construction and are now retiring. Ros Packer presented Stuart and Jim Gilmore with two of Kerry’s favourite jackets. It was a very emotional, heartfelt speech and I don’t think there was a dry eye on the polo field. Stuart and June are moving to Beaudesert in Queensland and will be living just around the corner from their son, Glen.

The rumours can now officially be put to rest, as confirmation from the Ellerston Polo office is that the Ellerston tournaments will be continuing well into the future. Everyone at Ellerston is now making plans to prepare for the Ellerston Spring Trophy tournament being played in October.

These rumours certainly caused a major scare in the polo community here in Australia. The loss of the excellence of Ellerston polo, fostered by both Kerry and James over the last 20 years, would have been sorely missed by the Australian and world polo communities alike.

1 Ruki Bailieu and Guy Schwarzenbach battle for the ball in the JD MacLeod Final 2009 2 Winners of the Kerry Packer Challenge Cup 2009: Jared McHardy, Jeff Fisher, Gretel and Erica Packer, Matt Grimes © (with sons Jack and Cody) and Neil Craig 3 Tears all round as Mrs Ros Packer presents retirement gifts to Stuart ‘Griz’ Gilmour and wife June

Antje Doel reports from Hurtwood, where the one tap rule and prize money motivated six teams to compete in an unforgettable tournament

I had hoped for a slightly less damp start to the 2009 polo season, to lift my spirits in these economically challenged times, but it was not to be. However, the standard of polo I witnessed on Sunday 17th May at Hurtwood did much to brighten my mood.

One thing has become clear; the one tap rule is working, both teams really hit the ball, passing it to one another and making the umpires’ job much easier for it. The resulting flow of play was a joy to watch for those spectators who had braved the elements.

Six teams started in this year’s 18-goal Masters tournament; the first high-goal foray of the season. With a prize of $100,000 up for grabs, there was much to play for. For the Madams Farm team, the prize money would have been especially welcome. According to Alan Kent, whose son John played on the

team, patrons at the farm ‘clubbed together to stump up the £4,000 entry fee to help out some of the pros there who were finding work a bit slow due to the credit crunch. The deal was, in lay terms, ‘no win, no fee’. Sadly for them they didn’t win, although up until the last half of the final chukka they were leading Polonetworks by a goal.

At the start of the final chukka, Jamie Le Hardy, a player to watch this season, scored off a 30 yard open goal penalty. No sooner was the ball thrown in, than he was off again, scoring from a sublime under-the-neck shot to level the scores to nine apiece. It was a near-perfect back-hand by Nick Britten Long that set Henry Brett on a blazing trail towards goal. With no other players in sight, a much improved Brett hammered home what turned out to be the winning goal for Polonetworks.

Henry Brett is almost unrecognisable on the field. He has grown and matured as a player under the watchful eye of Polonetworks Chairman and Patron, Richard Britten Long. ‘Henry is constantly bringing on horses, which are a credit to him,’ says Richard. And according to Richard he is really working at his game. ‘Henry is certainly playing as a six gaoler should every match,’ he notes. Brett has the potential, if his form continues, to make a re-appearance in the England squad.

The Polonetworks team has been long in the planning, and even declined the offer of a coach, because they were so confident with each other and knew they played well together. With regards to his teams’ impeccable behaviour on the field, Richard says it is down to the large monetary fines he imposes on his players for technical fouls or inappropriate behaviour.

‘I impose cash fines for technicals and general bad behaviour on the field,’ says Richard. ‘My players know I enforce it ruthlessly, because there is no excuse and no place for that sort of thing on the polo field.’ This is also practised by several other high-goal patrons and can only be beneficial to the sport.

However, Mr Britten Long is also known to be extremely generous to his players. ‘The Polonetworks team will be getting around 95% of the $100,000 winnings. They were paid professional fees on top,’ he says.

If this is the standard of polo we are going to see this season, then I think the sport should be very proud of itself and it should prove to be a season to remember.

1 Henry Brett on the ball with Richard Le Poer on his hip 2 The winners from left: Nick Britten-Long, Jamie Le Hardy, Henry Brett and Roddy Williams with Lucy Northmore of Polonetworks

UNIQUE HAND CRAFTED SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

Jorge Andrades finds out what happened when England, Brazil, Argentina and the Rest of the World met on the field to compete for the coveted Nations Cup

Adolfo Cambiaso receives the trophy from Frankie Dorignac, outgoing President of the Argentine Polo Association

After edging Brazil 10-6 in the final, Argentina obtained the first edition of the 26-28 goals Nations Cup, played in April at the Palermo Polo fields in Buenos Aires. England and Rest of the World completed the teams in the tournament. It was a huge success, primarily due to the level of polo, the organisation, the thousands of spectators who enjoyed the action and the duels against the different countries - considered with the United States (who did not play) to be the best in the world.

England opened the championship facing Brazil in what was one of the best encounters played at ‘the Cathedral of Polo’. The match could be divided into two different parts: up to the end of the first half, the English squad dominated play putting up convincing teamwork to lead 9-4. From the start of the fourth chukka, Brazil came from behind, led by Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade and managed to get ahead with just minutes to go. But Luke Tomlinson equalised 14-14 with a 40 yards penalty. Then it was the same Ribeiro de Andrade who gave his team the 15-14 victory through a place penalty in an extra chukka.

In the second match, Argentina had to work hard for their 12-10 victory against Rest of the World, which marked Adolfo Cambiaso well during most of the game. Nevertheless, when Adolfo managed to overcome his markers he made the difference for his team scoring decisive goals or leaving the ball for his team-mates Pieres or Ulloa to score them.

The next day, again showing good polo, Brazil defeated Rest of the World 11-8 to qualify for the final. As happened in their opening game, Ribeiro de Ardrade was the play maker but all his team-mates performed well, helping him in defense and scoring the goals – as was the case with Ganon who scored five to be the top scorer of the match.

Despite their mediocre performance, Argentina gained a 12-8 victory against England to decide the Championship against Brazil. Cambiaso, with a back pain, had to be

replaced at the end of the fourth chukka by Bartolome Castagnola when the match was tied 6-6. But La Dolfina’s back encouraged his team-mates and in the last two periods they overcame England which, as happened against Brazil, lacked finish.

The local team put up their best performance in the decisive match of the tournament to gain a deserved 10-6 victory against Brazil. Argentina took the lead from the start and increased it progressively, dominating the action and the score. Cambiaso, recovered from his injury, shone again and was the soul of his team, but Ulloa, Pieres and Usandizaga helped him, playing excellently. On the other hand, Brazil could not repeat former performances as they were overcome by their rivals’ best play, also individually.

In the preliminary game, without any chances, England downed Rest of the World 12-11 in an extra chukka with a goal scored by Luke Tomlinson.

Everybody was happy after the final as it was an excellent tournament (see the players’ opinions opposite) which will probably be repeated next year.

Did you like the tournament? We lost every match we played and so we could not make any conclusion about the Championship but to improve our work. The tournament was good, funny and friendly. It would have been great to play for my country, Chile, but we could not. It was a political decision but I speak about polo, not politics. Would you play it again in the future? Just for Chile. I felt I played for nothing… How was your team? I feel we had good and bad periods. For example, against Argentina we could have won the match in the last chukker. Who was the best player of the tournament? There are various players playing over their handicaps, such as ‘Calao’ Figueira de Mello.

Did you like the tournament? I think this tournament is good for polo. I enjoyed it very much. I hope there will be more Nations Cups in the future, with more handicap too. It is a great idea. We saw good polo and the games were close, which helps. If we had been very superior, no one would like to play in Argentina in the future. Would you play it again in the future? It will be amazing! How was your team? We had a mediocre start then improved against England and finally had a good final against Brazil. Who was the best player of the tournament? Adolfito! But the revelation was ‘Polito’ Pieres.

Did you like the tournament? The organisation was great. It was really amazing for us to play it. Would you play it again in the future? We made a great effort to bring horses from Brazil and we hope to play the Cup again. How was your team? We had just one practice before the start of the tournament and we did not make a good start in the first four chukkas against England. But then we found our play and despite being the lowest handicap team, I think we put up good performances and reached the final. Who was the best player of the tournament? Usandizaga did not play three goals handicap! He is more! With Cambiaso over 10 and Usandizaga over three, Argentina stole the cup!

Brazil: José Eduardo Kalil 5, Joäo Paulo Ganon 7, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 8, Luiz Carlos Figueira de Mello 6. Total: 26. England: James Beim 7, Mark Tomlinson 7, Malcolm Borwick 6, Luke Tomlinson 8. Total: 28. Argentina: Pablo Pieres jr.7, Hilario Ulloa 8, Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Gustavo Usandizaga 3. Total: 28. Rest of the World: José Donoso (Ch) 7, Julio Gracida (Mex) 6, Jaime García Huidobro (Ch) 8, Martín Zegers (Ch) 6. Total: 27.

Did you like the tournament? We could see good polo but basically it was a great experience for the English team. It was spectacular playing in Palermo for my country. Would you play it again in the future? I should be very pleased to play again for England here in the future. How was your team? Polo is not an easy sport. You must get your rhythm progressively. If we play this cup again we will come with better horses and organisation. We’ll try to win and thus we need to practice more all together. Who was the best player of the tournament? I liked Rodrigo Andrade. He was perhaps the best mounted. But Cambiaso is a phenomenon.

It was back in 1989 that four friends – three Romans who shared a passion for polo, and the owner of the historic Hotel de la Poste, which is still the club house for the event – decided that polo could be played in the Dolomites at Cortina d’Ampezzo – in winter. At the time, the tournament was played on Lake Landro, between Cortina and Dobbiaco. Situated in the shadow of the steep walls of Monte Cristallo, the only facility for the public was an Alpine military tent, in which the sole refreshment was an excellent mulled wine.

You need three things to turn a polo tournament into an excellent polo tournament: ‘thoroughbred’ players and horses, a truly special playing field and well-tested, careful organisation. In 2002, with the involvement of new organisers, Maurizio Zuliani and Claudio Giorgiutti, a successful ‘format’ was created, welcoming new, important sponsors. But the spirit remains the same: the desire to play in a sea of blinding white, the air thin in your throat, man and horse sweating together – not to win fame, or a war – but simply to win.

Cortina has grown immensely over the years and has gained its place among the best in the international winter polo calendar. The tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, with a week of top-level polo and a glamorous social scene on the snowcovered frozen surface of the Misurina Lake. Surrounded by the immaculate peaks of the Sorapis and Cristallo mountains and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, this is a spectacular location at an altitude of 1800 metres.

The 15th to 21st February saw five high-goal polo teams, with players from Italy, Argentina and Russia competing to win the coveted Cortina Winter Polo Audi Gold Cup 2009 on frozen Lake Misurina. It was the Audi and Malo teams that found themselves in the final after 10 matches.

Luca D’Orazio’s Malo team began stronger and finished the first chukka with a 3-1 lead. The second chukka saw Audi´s Dario Musso controlling the ball as he found the way to the goalposts, with the help of fast play from Matias Torres Zavaleta. Within five minutes, Audi tied 3-3 and then after one goal by each team the score went to 4-4.

In the third chukka, Audi hit first but it was Malo´s Manuel Carranza and Juan Manuel Gonzalez who helped Luca d’Orazio take a 6-5 lead, before Darío Musso and Rommy Gianni scored to gain an 8-6 advantage.

Eduardo Menendez converted a penalty shot in the last chukka, closing the gap to 8-7, which was quickly answered by Audi to gain a 9-7 lead. Malo did their best to tie 9-9 by the end of regulation time with another penalty conversion by Eduardo Menendez. A penalty

1 Dario Musso heads the attack in the final, aided by patron Rommy Gianni 2 View of the field on the frozen Misurina Lake with the polo village and Dolomites in the background 3 Francisco Menendez ‘flies’ over the frozen lake 4 Tatu Gomez Romero shows off his ball control in front of the polo village 5 Patrons Dmitry Vozianov and Alessandro Pastorino concentrate on the actions of their team in the subsidiary final for the Sky Pass World Cup

from the spot converted by Dario Musso in extra time gave Audi a 10-9 victory.

Prior to the final, the subsidiary Sky Pass World Cup was won by Cortina Polo Club, defeating Hotel de la Poste 3½-2.

Eduardo Menendez was awarded MVP, Luca D’Orazio received the Best Italian Player award and Gama, owned by Luca D’Orazio and played by Eduardo Menendez, took the BPP honours.

The tournament came to an end with the customary gala dinner at the Polo village, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Women’s polo proved a big hit on Miami’s South Beach, writes Alex Webbe, as excited spectators enjoyed a great day out

In a bit of a twist to the five-year-old theme that created the Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the people at The Polo Life and Act Productions added a women’s tournament to the polo activities on the beach in an effort to attract additional players, spectators and sponsors. Their efforts were amply rewarded.

The First Annual South Beach Women’s Polo Cup attracted a total of eight teams and 26 players to one of the most successful debuts of women’s polo in the world on the sun-soaked sands of Miami Beach’s trendy South Beach.

Using the World Cup’s ocean side stadium to mount an eight-team, two-bracket competition that showcased every one from Sunny Hale, Alina Carta and Abby Riggs to a team from Brazil in the one-day event, the success of the event was far more than its producers had ever imagined.

‘We were looking at getting two or three women’s teams to play an exhibition match on the sand,’ said Bruce Orosz, president of the Polo Life LLC and local event company ACT Productions, ‘what we got was more than we had hoped for.’

The eight teams competed in a series of two-chukker ‘matches’ that allowed for a title game in each bracket.

The Equus team of Sunny Hale, Kathleen Gannon, Kate Griffin and Julia Charquero took top honors in the A Bracket by sneaking past a determined Pali Capital trio (Charquero and Griffin split chukkers) while Nespresso (Laura Grindley, Isabella Wolf, Cariane Hoffie and Sabine Schaffer) downed Bombay Sapphire 5-1 in the finals of Bracket B.

Pali Capital’s Alina Carta was selected MVP of Bracket A while 18-year-old Isabella Wolf of Nespresso picked up MVP honors in her bracket. John Gobin’s Wisteria was selected at the Best Playing Pony. Wisteria was ridden by Kathleen Gannon.

‘This is just the greatest experience ever,’ said Amy Goodson of Stallwatch/Grey Goose.

The excitement generated by the women players just heightened the enthusiasm of the crowd as players and horses continued to play.

‘This was the most fun I have ever had,’ said Stallwatch’s Laura Willson.

Brazilian Team W (Paula Chermont, Livia Torres and Chris Habib) play against team Pink Polo

Following Thursday evening’s press conference at The Setai Hotel, six teams took the beach for the fifth staging of the Miami Beach Polo World Cup.

Melissa Ganzi and a realigned Audi team stood to defend its 2008 title while strong lineups from Black Watch/Nespresso (Isabella Wolf, Nacho Figueras and Kris Kampsen) and Bombay Sapphire (Lance Vetter, John Gobin and Luis Escobar) had their eyes on the La Martina Cup in the world’s highest rated beach polo tournament.

The VIP tent offered open bars featuring Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire mixtures and gourmet food prepared by the China Grill Management group and Miami Camacho Cigars for the more discerning cigar aficionados.

Not limited to those bearing the $150 VIP tickets, three quarters of the arena was open to the general public and attracted surfers and sunbathers alike.

‘I didn’t know what was going on,’ said Miami Beach resident Doug Shipp, ‘I was taking my son to the beach when we saw the horses,’ he added. ‘After my son saw the action, we never left the arena.’

Spectators were clothed in everything from swimming suits to sun dresses as team after team entered the arena. Early favorites Black Watch/Nespresso and Bombay Sapphire each scored two wins going into the final day of play.

The title match proved to be the game of the series as John Gobin scored the winning goal for Bombay Sapphire with 12 seconds left in regulation play for the 7-6 win.

Gobin accounted for four goals in the course of the final game and was named Most Valuable Player in a vote by the players. His 12-year-old Chestnut mare, Reina, received Best Playing Pony Honors, which were presented by American Polo Horse Association president, Sunny Hale.

Luis Escobar seemed to be in charge of spraying champagne all over his teammates as trophies were being presented.

‘You bet we’ll be back next year,’ said Lance Vetter who won his first championship after participating in the tournament every year since its inception.

Somerset played host to a veritable university challenge when students from 27 colleges arrived in the county to compete for the prestigious La Martina Arena Championships, reports Chloe Anson

Thursday 12th February saw 94 teams from 27 universities descend upon Hand Equestrian Centre in North Somerset for the annual La Martina Arena Polo Championship. This SUPA hosted tournament is the largest Arena Polo Tournament in the world and encourages teams of all abilities to enter, from beginners through to experienced players. This year the tournament was expanded to host a special tournament for SUPA Alumni and Graduates, sponsored by Lycetts. Over the four-day extravaganza, 188 chukkas were played by 290 players, with more than 500 spectators on Saturday 14th. The players even defied traditional superstitions when, on Friday 13th, 56 chukkas were successfully played without any mishaps!

Players truly adopted the mantra ‘work hard, play harder’ on Valentine’s evening, moving on to a brilliant Official Player’s Party hosted by Bristol University, where various inflatables kept the revellers amused.

This year also saw a tournament specifically for agricultural colleges, sponsored by NFU Mutual and played for in the first round of the beginner’s section. Despite a stiff challenge from newcomers Berkshire College, Harper Adams took the title with a score of 5-0. The Harper Adams team had 21 new members joining in September and hoped that with the influx of new talent they stood a good chance at the Beginners 1 title. They proceeded to overcome Bristol in a tough final. The strong London side played with flair, winning the Novice title over Warwick. However, it was later awarded to Warwick on a technical matter, while UWE B retained the Novice 2 title from last year. Nottingham and Warwick joined to take the Combined Title, despite St Andrews and Brockenhurst College proving themselves tough competition with St Andrews’ Flo Barrow deserving special mention for her playing throughout the combined team section.

The intermediate final was between Oxford and the title-holders, Bristol. For most of the final, Oxford led with two goals from Tom Mayou who had been on superb form, scoring goals for Oxford throughout their matches. Bristol got one back with seconds to spare in the final chukka, however, only Oxford’s Fernando Balzaretti succeeded in scoring a penalty to win the title.

The Open title was a closely fought and gripping encounter between Exeter and Oxford Brookes. The Exeter team was anchored on the eight-year playing partnership of Rory Horne and Brook Bishop. Throughout the three chukkas there was never more than one goal separating the teams and had it not been for the bell, Oxford Brookes’ final attempt on goal would have forced penalties. The Bailey’s trophy for the Most Valuable Player was awarded to Oxford Brookes player Ahmed Tiwana, while James White of UWE won the MVP Roxton award for the Intermediate after a superb display in all his matches.

SUPA was established in 1991 as a central point of reference for Polo at a school and university level. Despite not being perceived as a traditional student sport, university polo defies stereotypes, with more than 1500 students at 48 universities and colleges in the UK playing at university level. SUPA organises tournaments, helps with financial support and promotes the development of young polo. It supports the sport throughout both the summer and winter programmes at regional tournaments, as well as the National Arena Championships.

This year saw record entries and the introduction of an inaugural SUPA alumni tournament. An eventful and memorable weekend was had by all.