Previous page:
USA (in
blue) versus Spain in
a league game.
This page:
England’s Peter Webb
(black helmet) between
India’s Siddhant Sharma
(blue helmet) and
Padmanabh Singh
Opposite, from top:
Argentina’s Hector
Guerrero (blue helmet)
and Australia’s George
Hill; Chile and Argentina
in the final
Hill, Australia’s only 10-goal player, who was there
to watch his nephew play in the Australian team,
to more recent international players such as Glen
Gilmore, who made everyone smile with his wonderfully
amusing commentary, ably supported by Ian McDuie
and several others.
However, for many of the visitors the most
remarkable thing was the way the Australian polo
community united in true antipodean style to ensure the
success of the event through donating what has to be by
far the best pony power ever provided for a World
Championships. FIP had dispatched its senior
horsemaster, Jose Lartirigoyen, some months previously,
to organise the grading of the ponies on offer for the
event. Traditionally, FIP grades them into A, B and C
categories and each team is given a selection from each
category to ensure fairness in mounting the teams. Jose
confided that it was extremely difficult for him to find
ponies to put into the C-category group. Working closely
with the excellent Australian horsemasters Anto White,
shows, rodeos, jousting, art exhibitions, commercial
outlets, live music, lessons, lectures and petting zoos.
Children and adults alike were entertained, and suitably
impressed with the variety of options.
The quintessentially Australian brand RM Williams,
together with the Outback Outfitters, stockists of all
known riding gear, were in residence with a very swanky
shop-cum-articulated truck. And the food and drink
choices were plentiful too.
The spring weather was perfect; it rained enough
overnight to keep the grounds in excellent shape
throughout the tournament and the sun shone each day.
There were a lot of compliments on just how good the
grounds were – perfect for both the teams and the
spectators. The efficiency of the SPC organisation was
extremely impressive from the moment guests arrived,
with volunteers from all over Australia assisting with
traffic direction, grooming and welcome guides.
Naturally, the Australian polo community turned out
in force to support the event, from an ebullient Sinclair
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