WCT Out of Africa
For one week South Africa’s polo focus was on women. Angela York (1) and Dr. Cindy Buchanan (1) from the USA, Sehr Ahmed (0) from Pakistan and Natascha Baecher (1) who is based in Argentina were fortunate enough to join the locals for this event. One should note that it is a real pleasure to have support from none less than Walter Grinrod the President of the S.A. Polo Association who gave a welcome dinner for the ladies.
Affairs started with a 10 team warm up tournament, making this the largest ladies tournament to be held in South Africa. A small concession was made in that one “lucky” token male played in each team and some even clad in pink. This event aloud the full range of girls to play and resulted in some fast games.
Having now secured all their mounts the jewel of the event was the WCT event it’s self. World Fusion- a 3 goal team of the 4 visiting players would take on the best South African National Side (4 goal) comprising of Sarah Erskin van Wyk (2), Sophie Crossley (1), Amy Gace (0) and Jo-anna Splisbury (0). It was a great competitive game, a wonderful showcase of ladies polo being very even all the way through. At half time World Fusion were 2 ahead but at the start of the fourth after much coaching the Springbocks came out on fire and converted 3 goals. World fusion however were a very balanced team and also had many wise people in there pony line (Wayne Hartley, Nigel Pilling and Johann Du Preez) they were both calm and consistent and managed to secure the victory by 1 goal being the first African WCT winners! Sarah was named MVP and a horse owned by Alida Vermaak and played by Cindy Buchanah BPP.
Now that the polo had been played it was time to hit the game park and get the African Experience. We went to Welevonded Game park and even just on our drive to the lodge spotted many animals. On subsequent game drives we saw almost all of the big five and were truly spoilt. The next day we were hosted by Rory Hensman at Adventures with elephants at Zebula game lodge.
It is a real joy that this was a WCT for both parties: to help draw peoples attention to the ladies polo movement in SA and help that but also to get these great lady players some international recognition. It was also notable how the whole polo fraternity of the area was there to support the girls as well as lend horses. A special word has to be said for Catherine Harlty who is SAPA’s Lady representative and who was the organiser of this event, without her this would not have materialised in any shape or form and she did a great job, a true example of ladies polo and what the WCT is about.