Major Ronnie Scott
1929-2009
Major Ronnie Scott Polo Manager at Cirencester Park from 1972-97 sadly died on 11November 2009.
Brought up in the North West of England, Ronnie was commissioned into the Royal Artillery from Mons Officer Cadet School after graduation from Manchester University with a BSc in Natural Sciences.
In 1953 he was selected to serve for the first of two tours with the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. After completing the Long Equitation Course at Melton Mowbray, he served as a Section Commander from 1954-1957 and as Second-in-Command, “Troop Captain”, from 1960-1963. Ronnie took a full part in ceremonial duties, hunting in Leicestershire, show jumping at the Royal Tournament and in all the other activities enjoyed by the officers of this prestigious organisation. Indeed he competed at Badminton being placed seventh on his King’s Troop charger “Scamperdale”.
Between his postings to the Troop, Ronnie served as ADC to the GOC in Malta. His other notable postings included command as a Major of the famous Broken Wheel Battery in 39 Regiment RA and a tour at the Regular Commissions Board at Westbury in Wiltshire, providing the opportunity to hunt with the RA Hounds.
In 1967 Ronnie married Diana and their son Simon was born in 1971.
Not just an accomplished horseman, Ronnie was a highly capable yachtsman, taking Diana, her two sons Mark and Jeremy, and Simon sailing on the Baltic.
In 1972 Ronnie left the Army to take up an appointment as Lord Vestey’s Master of the Horse during the Winter and as Polo Manager of Cirencester Park Polo Club during the Summer. Ronnie and Diana hunted with the Cotswold through the Winter, with Ronnie often competing in local Hunter Trials and Team Chases with the Vestey brothers.
Over the next 25 years Ronnie became renowned throughout the Polo world for the flare and efficiency with which he carried out his duties at Cirencester Park Polo Club, ably supported by Diana, with the Club duly becoming established amongst the most prestigious at home and abroad.
During his time at Cirencester Park, the Warwickshire Cup was set up as a 22 Goal tournament supported by the Club’s other flagship National tournaments, at the handicap levels at which they are still played to-day; the National 15 Goal Championship for the County Cup, the Cirencester 12 Goal Championship (now the Queen Mother Trophy) and the Cheltenham Cup both at 12 Goals, the Gerald Balding Cup at 8 Goals and the Kingscote Cup at 6.
Ronnie also rationalised and developed an attractive and progressive domestic tournament programme which remains at the core of our current programme.
An important milestone during Ronnie’s time was the Club’s Centenary festivities in 1994. As always, Polo and Social activities were co-ordinated to provide involvement for all the Club members, both Playing and Non-Playing.
Sadly soon after his retirement in 1997 Ronnie fell victim to Parkinson’s Disease. However this did not prevent him regularly attending matches in the Park, particularly on Sundays when Ronnie, as always immaculately turned out, accompanied by Diana and Simon took lunch in the Clubhouse and met up with all their old friends.
We all extend every sympathy to Diana and Simon, and to Ronnie’s stepsons Mark and Jeremy, and their families.