From racetrack to polo pitch
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Get your entry forms filled in, dress for polo and bring your best racing steed to the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Monday 1st September from 3.30 – 6pm where a panel of judges (from HPA and RoR representatives to leading polo players and pony producers) will chose the winners of the RoR Racing to Polo Challenge. Winning Best Retrained Racehorses in 2013 included Biscuit owned by English Pro Matt Perry, who played in Zacara (2013 and 2014 winners of the Cartier Queen’s Cup) currently Matt is playing for Victor Vargas’s Lechuza Caracas in the Sotogrande Gold Cup High Goal.
Ponies will be divided into four classes by age: 3yo’s, 4yo’s, 5yo’s, 6yo’s and upwards, with certain qualification requirements such as: ponies must be registered with RoR and have raced in GB, passports must be available for verification and riders generally need to be 2 goals or above (ponies aged 6 yo’s and upwards may be ridden by the judges, previous winners are not eligible). The judges will be marking each mount on conformation, performance (including a freestyle display) and turnout (check www.ror.org.uk/series_polo.php for full details).
A prize will be awarded to the groom of the overall best turned out pony, with additional grooms prizes for best turned out in each class. The prizes for each of the four classes will be £1,000 to the winner, £500 for the second placed pony, and £300 for 3rd, £200 for 4th, £100 for 5th, £100 for 6th. An overall champion will be judged from the 5yo and 6yo and upwards classes, the winner will receive an additional cheque for £500 and the Balding Trophy. The pony judged to be the champion of the RoR Racing to Polo Challenge will be awarded a further £1000 and a place at the RoR Awards Ceremony.
To enter download the entry form from the RoR website and return by e-mail to info@ror.org.uk
Good luck!