Pitch Perfect Polo & Pimms
All eyes were on Ham Polo Club in Richmond on a sunny bank holiday Monday in May. Monday 25th May to be precise.
As part of Ham Polo Club’s annual open day a London Alumni team took on city professionals in a polo duel of epic proportions befitting of the British grass polo season. The London Alumni game was the opening game of the day, preceded by a contemporary dance display and followed by two entertaining club matches later in the afternoon.
It was the City crowd against the formidable London Alumni team made up of Eline Braathen, Lucie Cowan, Harriet Styles and led by team Captain George Shelton. The polo from both sides was filled with skill, passion and enthusiasm, with lots of big hits from both sides giving the horses a good work out in the sun. Each Chukka got more exciting as the teams grew in confidence. In particular London Alumni showed great team work on the day playing together and working as unit becoming a tour de force against “city professionals”.
Four Chukkas later and it was George Shelton claiming the winner’s cup from a rapturous crowd of London Alumni club members, city professionals, family and friends as well as Ham Polo Club members who were out to watch a day of polo & locals who were taking advantage of the bank holiday sunshine and having a picnic on the grounds.
Throughout the day all parties mingled seamlessly and enjoyed the fine BBQ, Pimms and ice-cream on display. Indeed as always the facilities at Ham were top class from the commentary throughout the day that beamed down from the speaker providing a perfect back-drop to chats of polo and summer plans, to the umpires and bar staff. It was the perfect setting for fun, casual drinks, chats and polo talk.
Regardless of any future outcomes the day was another success for the ever growing London Alumni Club. It was another important bonding day for club members and a significant milestone in the London club’s burgeoning history. A milestone where the club yet again announced its arrival on the polo scene with gusto.
The London Alumni Polo Club was founded in 2012 to help polo players continue with this fantastic sport after graduation and thereby bridge the gap between University and Patron polo players. The club now boasts well over 300 international members aged 23- 33 who live and work in London.
The group brings together graduates from different universities but predominantly coming from Ox-bridge, Imperial, UCL and LSE, who have chosen to pursue a wide range of challenging careers in London.
We now organize weekly training sessions and regular polo tournaments and trips to destinations such as Uganda, Mongolia, Spain and Argentina. The London Alumni Polo Club operates on an invite only basis.
You can find out more about the membership requirements and the activities on our website: http://alumnipolo.co.uk/