The 2015 International Arena Polo Test Match at Hickstead
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Teams have been announced for the International Arena Polo Test Match to be held at The All England Polo Club, Hickstead on Saturday 7th March 2015. Meeting first to do battle in the Arena for The Hickstead 12 goal Challenge at 11.30am will be Clogau Wales Polo Team, captained by Ricky Cooper (1) playing alongside Roddy Matthews (5) and Roddy Williams (7). They will meet an Ireland side – Richard Fagan (1), Max Hutchinson (4) and Michael Henderson (6). Following the prize giving for the 12 goal challenge, another Irish side will meet England at 1.30pm, competing for the Bryan Morrison Trophy.
Players in the 2015 International Arena Polo Test Match are:
England: Jamie Le Hardy (7), Jonny Good (8) and captain, Chris Hyde (9)
Ireland: Ryan Pemble (8), Richard Le Poer (7) and captain, Seb Dawnay (8)
Historically, team England have always ridden away with the trophy, until Tommy Biddle (10) heading up a USA team in 2014 beat England 21-17. In 2015 the match between England and Ireland will be between two teams with the highest handicaps in the history of this match. Great polo action is expected to be witnessed on this day, as AEPC Hickstead Chairman John Bunn explains, ‘England will be going all out to get back to their winning ways at Hickstead, but the Irish side will be equally determined to stop them. The stage is set for another thrilling game of Arena Polo.’
A post-match three-course lunch will be served at 4pm, tickets are £45 each. More details can be found at www.hickstead.co.uk .