O N E T O W A T C H
TONY RAMIREZ/IMAGESOFPOLO.COM
M I C H A E L B I C K F O R D
9
P O N Y L I N E S
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American-born businessman Michael
Bickford grew up playing polo with his father
in Vermont. He started playing competitively
at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in
England and has worked his way up from
2-goal to 22-goal tournaments in the past 10
years. ‘England is my favourite place to play,’
he says. ‘The tradition, fields, competition
and standard of horses are at the top, with
the only exception being Argentina.’
Bickford sources ponies from all over the
world, and when choosing looks for all-
rounders with speed, power and the ability
to collect themselves. He prefers the more
traditional playing style of hitting the ball
with clean back-hands and moving it quickly
around the field – an approach he believes
has helped him to reach six finals out of
the past seven tournaments he has played
in England, the USA and Europe.
‘It’s crucial to prepare the horses and my
own body and mind to endure long games
and a long season, and for the team to stay
cool and loose before and during matches,’
he says. ‘Finding the right players who
complement each other and play well
together is also very important. Pite Merlos
was a great mentor and coach last year and,
with the help of Ruki Baillieu, I’ve built a very
strong organisation of players and horses.’
Michael Bickford playing
for La Indiana at the
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Gold Cup 2016
