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Director of Polo150, Mark Cann, explains how the initiative is celebrating
150 years of polo in the modern era
This year marks 150 years since “hockey on
horseback” – as it was originally known – was
first played in England.To celebrate such
a significant anniversary, Polo150 was
created to develop and manage a series of
events to commemorate the date universally
recognised as the beginning of today’s game.
The first acknowledged game in the UK
was played in 1869, predating the FA Cup, the
Ashes and modern Olympics. It was organised
by officers stationed at Aldershot in
Hampshire. Soon etiquette and rules were
established and polo was being played at
a variety of clubs around the country.
In a forward as patron of the UK Armed
Forces Polo Association (UKAFPA) HRH The
Prince of Wales wrote in its annual magazine:
‘As we celebrate and enjoy this most
exhilarating and challenging sport, the central
message of Polo150 is to emphasise the
special aspects of polo, such as the strong
affiliation with the military, all over the world;
the fact that men and women compete equally
indeed, it is the only contact sport where this
happens, even at the highest level:and,most
importantly, the relationship between the
player and the unique polo pony... Polo150
initiative brings the world of polo together to
celebrate a most remarkable sport – from
which I still bear the scars! – and send my very
best wishes to everyone in the world of polo as
we celebrate its 150th birthday.’
The UKAFPA has been leading the
celebrations for Polo150, which have been
marked by the use of the Polo150 celebration
ball – played for the first time in Florida’s
Westchester Cup.
The initiative highlights a number of key
messages, including polo’s strong affiliation
with the military, the fact that it is the only
contact sport where men and women
compete equally at the highest level, as well
as the philanthropic nature of the sport.
Events endorsing these Polo150 messages
have so far included four matches in June
between a team of aspiring players from
the Polo Africa Development Trust charity
in South Africa and a variety of Polo150
invitational teams.
Everyone who witnessed the games –
especially those at Cirencester as part of the
Cotswold International Day and Guards the
Outsourcing Royal Windsor Cup Final day,
which the Queen attended – were astounded
at the horsemanship and speed at which
these talented young athletes played.
An example of other initiatives includes
Hackett London hosting a spectacular
photographic exhibition to highlight 150
years of the sport. Graham Budd Auctioneers
held a specific online polo auction and HPA
1875 have produced a celebration Polo150
historic clothing line.
On the polo field, games recognising the
celebration of Polo150 have occurred all over
the world on every continent, acknowledging
the messages of polo and the sport shared
and enjoyed by so many.
One hugely positive outcome of Polo150
will be that it will raise money for polo-related
charities throughout the world, including
Poloafrica, helping many others to enjoy
the great game. If readers would like to
contribute, donations can be made directly
via JustGiving or through the UKAFPA website
(ukafpa.org.uk).
Polo150 has been an extremely
successful initiative that has, in many subtle
ways, united the sport while giving it publicity
outside the normal mediums. Its formula
will no doubt be duplicated as other
significant anniversaries come up for clubs,
tournaments and associations. As in 1869,
a debt is once again owed to the Armed
Forces for their contribution to the game
and especially to the culture of polo.
ukafpa.org.uk
Chris Eubank, Mark Cann and Darius Sarosh of the ERSF at a Polo150 event in June
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