Genghis Khan triumphant at Ham

Genghis Khan triumphant at Ham

The inaugural Shanghai Tang Genghis Khan Polo Challenge at Ham Polo Club saw the Genghis Khan Polo Club enjoy victory at their UK debut.

Celebration and recognition of polo’s ancient origins brought two extraordinary clubs together. The Genghis Khan Polo Club was founded by Christopher Giercke on the Mongolian Steppe less than two decades ago and Ham Polo Club is London’s longest, and indeed only, surviving polo club.

The two clubs met at Ham’s historic grounds in June at the first edition of what is set to be an annual event. Inspired by his visit to the Genghis Khan Polo Club in Mongolia in 2010, Ham member Nick Wills invited the Giercke family to play at Ham; an invitation that saw the birth of a new international competition with Ich Tenger and D’Artagnan Giercke representing Mongolia playing alongside Wills and fellow British player Charlie Wood.

No strangers to international competition, having played in Germany, Argentina, France and India previously, the Giercke brothers were nevertheless debuting in the UK. They delivered polished and accomplished play throughout but it was in the third chukka that their squad equalised 3:3 and opportunity truly opened up. With victory in their sights, they dominated the game from that point onwards.

For Ham Polo Club Edward Jonker, Hugo Davis, Freddie Ventura and Will Healy   did all they could but the Mongols were invincible in the latter stages of the match. With just two minutes left on the clock the ‘man behind the match’, Nick Wills, found his mark to take the visitors ahead 4:3. Ham replied, but a penalty against them in the final seconds delivered a 5:4 victory to Genghis Khan.

Ham Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers presented the trophy to captain Genghis Khan captain Ich Tenger Giercke saying: “It is a great honour for us today to welcome the Genghis Khan Polo Club to Ham Polo Club.”

A truly international crowd included H.E. The Ambassador for Mongolia B. Altangerel.


“Courtesy EQUESTRIO”