The All England Polo Club at Hickstead will play host to the Arena Polo International Test Match on Saturday 5 March 2016, with two 10-goal players captaining the teams.
England will once again be captained by Chris Hyde, with the team set to look stronger than ever following the news that Hyde has been moved up to a handicap of 10 goals, the highest rating a polo player can be given.
The home side will face a team from the USA, who will also be captained by a 10-goal player. Tommy Biddle led the US team to victory at Hickstead in 2014, meaning England lost the Test Match at Hickstead for the first time ever.
“This will be the first time two 10-goal rated players will have faced up to each other in an Arena in Europe – it will be a fierce and fast match, not to be missed,” said AEPC Chairman, John Bunn.
“I am extremely delighted to welcome USA and their captain Tommy Biddle back to The All England Polo Club. Chris Hyde is keen to make amends and win back the Bryan Morrison Trophy, having lost to Tommy two years ago,” John added.
Details of the full team line-up and the teams playing in the opening match will be announced in due course.
The first Arena Polo International Test Match was held at Hickstead in 2008, with England facing a team from South Africa. The USA has been England’s most regular opponent, with the teams clashing in 2009, 2012, and 2014. England won the first two of these matches, with the third going to the US. However, the home side got back to their winning ways in 2015, when they beat Ireland 18-13 in what was the highest handicapped game in the history of the Test Match.
Tickets cost just £5 each and are available online, as well as unlimited tickets available to purchase on the gate. There is also a post-match luncheon for those who wish to make their visit truly special, with tickets costing £49.50 each plus £5 admission.
To buy tickets, head to the Hickstead website.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.