Celebrating triumphant Australian Polo History
Since my university days, I have shown my support for the fascinating game of Polo in Australia. I am also a New South Wales Polo Association Life and Kyeemagh Member to celebrate my love for the game and support Australian polo community while they a game of polo in Browal or Windsor New South Wales or Werribee Mansion Polo venue in Victoria.
I watched the game of polo being played with interest only to be left spellbound by the tenacity and tactics of the Australian polo players and the strength of the polo ponies. To me during a game of polo an unpredictable history can be created at any moment. Anybody can appreciate the enthusiasm of the polo game just like in cricket or rugby but the Australian landscape with the powerful polo ponies, the swinging polo sticks and the formidable capabilities of the Australian polo player makes the game even more interesting. And to me , this Australian landscape plays an integral part in the development of an ever growing Australian polo history which involves the rural community. The Australian Polo does highlight a large number of polo players from the rural communities who enjoys a game of polo just like the tea planters of Manipore ( India) who played to celebrate the spirit of the game.
The game had transcended through time and finally in Australia, it created legends that did not need glamorous and rich patrons like the Packer to play polo but inspired people from ordinary walks of life to display their extraordinary talents and to keep the game alive. So, as, I attended the first ever Australian Polo Federation and The Committee of the Hall of Fame dinner and listened to the stories of Australian polo communities, I released that Australian polo history is a story is unique. It involves development of polo players both in elite level but also at the ‘ grass root‘ level. And as the night rolled on, the first ever official launch of the ‘Hall of Fame’ and the Inaugural Induction Ceremony dinner in the Ballroom of The Ivy Hotel , 320 George Street, Sydney does threaded the most colourful history of the game in Australian landscape.
The evening did started with the spectacular display of Australian polo exclusive moments, as I felt history is being made in the Ballroom of The Ivy Hotel in the evening of 28/03/2013. History that celebrated the true spirit of the polo game in the Australian landscape with all its heros and their legends. The polo game that elevated ordinary people to extraordinary heroes and made their achievements part of the Australian polo history. Australia over many decades have produced several players who made their mark not only in the local polo circle but also in the international arena and it is quite appropriate to have an Australian Hall of Fame induction and what a great news that the first inductee is The Ashton Brothers . Who can ignore the Ashton Brothers’ contributions to the Australian game of polo. The brothers who went to England and won their first ever game in 1930’s followed by Mr Ken Telford , Mr Peter Cudmore , Mr James Ashton, Mr Jim MacGinley. A special recognition acknowledged the immortals such as Mr Bob Skene and Mr Sinclair Hill. The Hall of Fame did not just celebrated the glories of polo players but also celebrated and acknowledged several polo ponies. The polo ponies who were remember are Chester , Suva , Chips , Castinette , Treskaa, Martini, Tasman, Princess, Tuesday, Maria Tod , Pinky , Panzer, Jessica and Patch.
Listening to the history of triumph of the Australian polo players in Australia, United Kingdom and Argentina and their polo ponies, my empty wine glass on my table did not needed to be filled with red or white wine but left empty, only to be filled with historical memories of the Australian polo players and their ponies celebrating the true spirit of the game.
I moment to cherish for ever and a night to remember…
Long live the celebration of Australian polo history and it’s heros…..
Indranil Halder