It’s all going on in the Arena
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Cambiaso and his La Dolfina team mates may have enjoyed yet another success this weekend in the sun that finally chased the rain away from the lawns of Hurlingham, Argentina, but in England the many crisp winter days are proving equally as perfect conditions for the Winter Arena season. Albeit the drinkers cooler and post-match ice cream have been swapped for coffee cups and bacon sandwiches, but to date it’s been a great start to the season.
This weekend, 15th – 16th November, Weekend Tournaments (4-6 goal) begin at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, followed on Friday 28th – Sunday 30th November with The Paul Castle Challenge Trophy (13-15 goal) and The Chairman’s Trophy (4-6 goal). From December 1st the HPA Christmas National Club Championships take place with the final on Sunday 14th December. Whilst bringing in the new year at Berkshire will be the HPA New Year National Club Championships (5th – 24th January), with The Arena Gold Cup kicking off on Friday 13th February, the final of which takes place on Saturday 28th February.
Meanwhile at the AEPC, Hickstead the first Arena tournament of the 2014/14 season will be played on the weekend of 22nd & 23rd November. Alongside the lure of some great polo (and Sunday roasts) this is also a first to be supported by a well-known name (and camera lens) on the international polo scene – Tony Ramirez – whose inaugural ‘Images of Polo Tournament’ (6 goal) will mark the beginning of the Hickstead winter season.
Later in the season, on Saturday 7th March, the AEPC, Hickstead will also host The Bryan Morrison International Trophy, which is an Open Tournament.
So any polo fans remaining in the UK, we might be moving into more scarf than sunscreen weather but there’s still plenty of polo action taking place, and if you do want to catch the key Argentine finals they can be found here, live on www.hurlinghampolo.com .