Fun in the sun at RCBPC
It was polo aplenty for the large crowds who enjoyed a great sunshine-filled day out at the Berkshire Club for the Finals of the Tally Ho Farm Polo Festival on Sunday 13 August. Picnics and trade stands added to a great atmosphere made all the more special with the event coinciding with the Chairman of the Club, Jamie Morrison celebrating his 41st birthday.
The polo action kicked off at 1pm with the 10 Goal Final for the Jeff Thomas Trophy; fittingly as key sponsors for the event, it was Tally Ho Farm who lined up against Monterosso. It was definitely a team of two halves as Monterosso dominated before half-time, but after a regroup, Tally Ho Farm rallied with some fantastic plays in the last two chukkas which had spectators pausing mid-picnic with baited breath. However, after some great polo, Tally Ho Farm could not quite catch their rivals and it was the blue shirts of Monterosso who ran out the winners by the narrowest of margins 9-8. Charlie Wooldridge’s stellar performance for Tally Ho Farm was rewarded with The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award, whilst the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Pedro Harrison’s 8-year-old mare Neptune.
The second contest of the day was between Tarantula and Cuartro Colas who had emerged as the -2-2 Goal Polo Festival Finalists, out of an entry of five teams. In a fast flowing match it was Tarantula who dominated the play, notching up a convincing win. Tarantula’s success was further compounded by Eric Appen picking up The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award and his team mate Sebastian Dawnay’s Bambi Boy receiving the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.
As the sunshine continued to shine it was the turn of the ladies to do battle in the Ladies Victrix Ludorum as Pro-Fit took on E-Motion for the Ladies’ Final. The dual sisterly firepower of Nell and Alex Jacob was impressive, particularly in the face of the opposition’s Sarah Wiseman with her 7 goal Ladies’ handicap. The Jacob duo, ably abetted by Alice Gipps and Sarah Buckles successfully neutralised Wiseman to bring E-Motion to a convincing 4-1 victory. The team success was boosted further at prize-giving as Nell Jacob was presented with both The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award and Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for her legendary 17-year-old mare Ortiga.
Julie Thomas and Chris Adkins of sponsors Tally Ho Farm were on hand throughout the day to make the presentations and enjoyed the day with their guests. As the shadows lengthened across the beautiful RCPBC grounds, sundowners were enjoyed as guests toasted the conclusion of another year’s Tally Ho Polo Festival. For the full report in the September issue of Polo Times, make sure you click here to subscribe.
7-10 Goal Jeff Thomas Final teams:
Monterosso Polo Team (10): Christian Oberschneider (-1), Alessandro Bazzoni (1), Pedro Harrison (4) & Juanchi Ambroggio (6)
Tally Ho Farm (10): Stefan Sund (0), Charlie Wooldridge (1), Jamie Morrison (3) & Nacho Gonzalez (6)
-2-2 Goal Polo Festival Final teams:
Tarantula (2): Celine Lawrence (-2), Eric Appen (0), Mark Deacon (1) & Sebastian Dawnay (3)
Cuatro Colas (2): Stuart Matty (-1), Diego Gigante (-1), D’Artagnan Giercke (1) & Nico San Roman (3)
7-10 Goal Victrix Ludorum Ladies’ Final teams (HPA women’s handicaps):
Pro-Fit (15): Nicola Hodges (1), Gemma Craig (3), Kirsty Craig (4) & Sarah Wiseman (7)
E-Motion (14): Alice Gipps (3), Nell Jacob (4), Sam Buckles (3) & Alex Jacob (4)
Photograph 1: Monterosso ran out the winners of the 10 goal Jeff Thomas Trophy. By Cymon Skinner: People of Polo
Photograph 2: Tarantula secured a definitive win in the -2–2 Goal Final. By Cymon Skinner: People of Polo
Photograph 3: E-Motion emerged victorious in the Victrix Ludorum against Pro-Fit. By Cymon Skinner: People of Polo
