The British polo season is upon us and many of us are eagerly awaiting our first club chukkas and ball of the year. As of the 1st April each year the UK polo scene erupts with a mass of chukkas, tournaments, fun days and much more.
After a long wet winter it’s time to begin chasing all our fabulous ponies around the field to get them fit and looking smart, shedding the woolly mammoth look they tend to adopt during the winter.
It is possible to play polo all year round – you just need to follow the sunshine ! Therefore, in October, we headed to the Southern hemisphere to play polo and to coach some of our clients during a polo holiday.
Like any sports’ professional, it is important to stay match fit and play an active part within your chosen discipline and increase your handicap by playing in tournaments. Our first destination was to the mecca of polo, Argentina, and it did not disappoint
With clients in tow, we were able to give them a real Argentine experience from asado (BBQ) to remate (horse auction) to the famous Palermo Stadium and the exotic Tango. History was also made as the La Dolfina team, captained by Aldolfo Cambiaso, won the Triple Crown for the third consecutive time (known as the Triple Triple). This perfect team holds the record for being undefeated in 35 games across three years; making our trip but most importantly our clients’ polo holiday, truly one to remember.
Continuing on our Latin American tour, our next stop was Chile, which was an absolute delight. Welcoming us was the most beautiful and dramatic scenery. Dominating the skyline were the Andes, providing a fabulous backdrop to all polo lessons. For the non-polo enthusiasts among us we planned a pony trek high up in to the mountains allowing them to really take in the natural beauty of Chile and of course, the wildlife. Not to mention the wine tasting, vineyards and orchard tours. I have to say personally seeing wild horses in the Andes has to be one of my most treasured memories, not forgetting the wine of course!
Not to mention the wine tasting, vineyards and orchard tours. I have to say personally seeing wild horses in the Andes has to be one of my most treasured memories, not forgetting the wine of course!
Our final destination in the Southern Hemisphere was New Zealand’s North Island. Auckland Polo Club, home of the New Zealand Open, hosted James as their International HPA Instructor and as a Professional player, where he increased his international handicap. Playing and winning the 12 Goal ‘Tiger Building Charity Tournament’ with team Glendalough, James contiued his winning streak by playing for the Metro Law Cup and the McNicol Summer Cup.
Auckland Polo School asked James to work with clients during chukkas to both educate and aid confidence.
Barbados offers the most diverse experience for polo and non-polo enthusiasts alike. Fabulous beaches, restaurants, water sports, swimming with turtles, and the odd shooting star thrown in – provide a fun and chilled holiday. Our guests also have the full complement of polo available to them, from stick and ball sessions, and instructional chukkas, to full-on chukkas. We even arranged a catamaran tour of the West Coast, ending with sunset at a bar with live music and dancing. Not a bad end to our Winter!
