Scholars, ten goalers and Fulham families take to the polo pitches this weekend
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
There’s a truly eclectic mix of polo lying in wait for all this weekend, whether you are a polo purist whose preference is for parking pitch-side for high speed high goal with Windsor Park as a backdrop, or a scholar escaping from their books to bring Pimms and a picnic to Smith’s Lawn to cheer their University to victory, or indeed a Fulham family looking for a unique and fun day of polo without the need to venture out of the City (plus the chance to participate in a pitch invasion with Sharky & George) – the choice this weekend, as they say, really is yours.
Chronologically, first up on this eclectic polo list is Chesterton’s Polo in the Park which takes place over three days. Starting on Friday 5th June through to Sunday 7th June, spectators of all ages can enjoy not only the excitement of the first International match to be held at Hurlingham since 1939, but also heaps of family fun put on by Sharky & George (trust me theirs is entertainment you cannot afford to miss). Timings for Friday’s International match featuring Cutler and Gross TEAM ENGLAND – Matthew Perry (5) James Beim (7) and Tom Morley (6), against Air Europa TEAM SOUTH AMERICA – Martin Valent (4) Rodrigo Rueda (6) and Diego Cavanagh (8), are perfect for those looking for some Friday evening post office ‘fun in the city with a polo twist’ as the match commences at 7pm (see below for the complete weekend timetable).
For those who are suffering from high goal withdrawal play resumes again on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 3pm with the Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter Finals taking place at Guards Polo Club and private grounds. Through to the quarter final stages are: King Power Foxes v Salkeld, Zacara v Dubai, UAE Polo Team v King Power and Talandracas v RH Polo.
Sunday 7th June also brings to Smith’s Lawn the annual Varsity Matches, now in their 117th year making them the oldest continuing polo fixture in the western world. At 10.30am Oxford Old Blues v Cambridge Old Blues and 11.30am Old Etonian’s v Old Harrovians, the afternoon matches start at 3pm Eton v Harrow, followed at 4pm with Oxford v Cambridge.
Whatever your polo preference this weekend it’s sure to be fun – especially as I have heard whisperings that it’s going to be accessorised with sun!
CHESTERTONS POLO IN THE PARK 2015 TEAMS & TIMETABLE
TEAMS
CITY AM TEAM ABU DHABI
Mohammed Al Habtoor (0)
Guillermo Cuitino (6)
Santiago Cernades (6)
MINT TEAM LONDON
George Sunderland (0)
George Meyrick (6)
Malcolm Borwick (6)
SHORELINE TEAM LAGOS
Kola Karim (0)
Matias Carrique (4)
Santiago De Estrada (6)
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK TEAM HONG KONG
Charlie Wooldridge (2)
Jamie Morrison (3)
Max Charlton (7)
POWDER BYRNE TEAM DUBLIN
Patrick Ephson (1)
Sebastian Dawnay (4)
Richard Le Poer (6)
ARGENTEX TEAM DAVOS
Dillon Bacon (1)
Oscar Mancini (4)
Ruki Baillieu (7)
TIMETABLE
FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2015: International Friday
12noon The Hurlingham Club and Park opens
2:30pm MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK TEAM HONG KONG vs POWDER BYRNE TEAM DUBLIN
4:00pm ARGENTEX TEAM DAVOS vs SHORELINE TEAM LAGOS
5:30pm MINT TEAM LONDON vs CITY AM TEAM ABU DHABI
7:00pm International Polo Match – TEAM ENGLAND SPONSORED BY CUTLER AND GROSS vs TEAM SOUTH AMERICA SPONSORED BY AIR EUROPA
8:30pm Last orders at the bar
9:00pm Grounds Close
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE: Ladies Day, presented by Little Miracles Drinks
12noon Hurlingham Park opens
2:15pm MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK TEAM HONG KONG vs ARGENTEX TEAM DAVOS
4:00pmSHORELINE TEAM LAGOS vs MINT TEAM LONDON
6:00pmCITY AM TEAM ABU DHABI vs POWDER BYRNE TEAM DUBLIN
7:30pm Last orders at the bar
8:00pm Grounds Close
SUNDAY 7TH JUNE: Finals Day
11:30am Hurlingham Park opens
11:30am – 1.30pm Sharky & George Pitch Invasion
2:00pm RUNNER UP FINAL
3:30pm SUBSIDIARY FINAL
5:00pm CHESTERTONS POLO IN THE PARK FINAL
6:15pm Prize Giving/Trophy Presentation
6:30pm Last orders at the bar
7:00pm Grounds Close