The start of the 2015 HPA British Junior Polo Championships
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Coordinated under the watchful eye of Jilly Emerson the 2015 British Junior Polo Championships will get underway next week, with Buckmaster Matches starting at Guards Polo Club on Tuesday 7th July at 12pm between El Remanso Juniors and Kirtlington Guards, followed at 13.15pm by Emlor v The Surry Union.
With so many under 21 players now getting the opportunity to play in adult tournaments this year only two sections are being played – The Buckmaster Matches (for teams of -2 to 1 goals and for players under 18 on 1st January 2015, recommended minimum age is 14, four chukkas), and The Hipwood Matches (for teams of -8 to -5 goals and for players under 15 on 1st January 2015, no players of 0 goals or above, recommended minimum age is 11, three chukka matches, including the finals) – eight teams are entered into each section.
The finals will be held at Cowdray Park Polo Club on Thursday 6th August (Hipwood Matches) and Friday 7th August (Buckmaster Matches) in advance of the weekend of Pony Club Polo Championships
Played at a variety of private grounds and clubs (including Black Bears, Trewsbury Farm, Black Bears, Cirencester, Beaufort, Kirtlington and The Royal Berkshire), much great sportsmanship and competitive play is eagerly anticipated by all involved.
Confirmed times and venues to date are listed below.
TIMES & VENUES FOR BUCKMASTER MATCHES (under 18 years old)
Tuesday, July 7th, at the Guards Polo Club
12.00 El Remanso Juniors v Kirtlington/Guards
13.15 Emlor v The Surrey Union
Thursday, July 9th, at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
11.00 East Anglia v Cirencester Park
12.15 Oatleys v Kirtlington/Guards
Monday, July 13th, at Cirencester Park Polo Club
14.00 Emlor v Cirencester Park
15.15 Oatleys v El Remanso Juniors
TIMES & VENUES FOR HIPWOOD MATCHES (under 15 years old)
Wednesday, July 8th, at Kirtlington Polo Club
14.00 Northwood v Kirtlington
15.00 Longdole v Beaufort Highlanders
16.00 Beaufort v Foxcote
Saturday, July 11th, at Trewsbury Farm, Coates near Cirencester (GL7 6NY)
11.30 Longdole v Kirtlington
12.30 Taunton Vale v Foxcote
13.30 Beaufort v Dalmahoy
Friday, July 17th, at the Beaufort Polo Club
10.30 Kirtlington v Beaufort Highlanders
11.30 Northwood v Longdole
12.30 Dalmahoy v Taunton Vale
Monday, July 20th, at the Black Bears Polo Grounds, Shiplake, near Henley on Thames
11.30 Northwood v Beaufort Highlanders
12.30 Taunton Vale v Beaufort
13.30 Foxcote v Dalmahoy