Ladies polo is getting more popular year after year, with ladies fixtures at practically every club in the land. The most fiercely contested tournaments are those in the Victrix Ludorum league, so when newly-affiliated club Black Bears joined the party, it’s news. For those who don’t know (where HAVE you been?!) Black Bears has for some time been this mystical pinnacle of excellence, tales of the immaculate pitches and amazing facilities whispered on the air, but few had been there, as it was PRIVATE. Now, however, it isn’t. Actual members of the polo-playing public get to enjoy the fabulous fields, and, readers, they are fabulous. Even more fabulous is that one of the nicest men in polo, Tim Keyte, is running the show. It was also the first time that new sponsors E-calm came to a polo tournament – kindly donating prizes while at the same time slightly stunned at the, um, competitive nature of the matches and by the sheer athleticism of the ponies compared to other disciplines. Yes, polo ponies are awesome. Women are even awesomer – a lot of the girls playing were juggling children and/or busy lives and still rocking it.
Milly Hine for UAE
Photo by Mark Saunders
You probably don’t want a blow by blow account of the games, but suffice it to say that:
UAE beat La Rosada in the 18 goal quite, well, conclusively, with a 7-0 win. La Rosada played much better than the score line suggests though, enjoyed their game and will be back in 2019!
Hazel Jackson-Gaona won MVP, and the Sheikha’s pony Mamba won BPP
Polo Quarterly beat Areda in the 12 goal, in a very hard fought game with both sides fully “committed” (read getting a little over excited at times!).
MVP went to Aurora Eastwood – after a six year hiatus!
It was most excellent fun, and roll on 2019!
18 goal finalists UAE and La Rosada
Photo by Mark Saunders
Aurora Eastwood for PQ
Photo by Mark Saunders
The Polo Quarterly 12 goal team
Photo by Mark Saunders
Teams:
18 goal
UAE Polo: HH Sheika Matha (3), Katie Vickery (3), Milly Hine (4) & Hazel Jackson-Gaona (8)
12 goal
Polo Quarterly: Nadia Whitelock (1), Robyn Evans (2), Aurora Eastwood (2), Heloise Wilson-Smith (6)