Report from Santiago Chile for the FIP 10th World Championship

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 12:55 pm local time

Amidst much preparation for this event, the teams arrived from USA, Brasil, Argentina, England and Pakistan to be welcomed at the host Hotel Radisson in Santiago where all are to be based for the duration of the games . Of course the host Nation, Chilean Team are already here in situ.

There has been mounting excitement as the teams have gone to try out the ponies which have been graded by FIP Horse master José María Lartirigoyen into three categories, very fairly and evenly distributed between all the visiting teams. All 156 Ponies being played have been generously lent for the Championship by members of the Chilean Polo Federation. Talks of team tactics in huddles around the Hotel. Our Chilean hosts are to be commended for not only their generosity but the fairness in which the horse pool has been organised and divided.

Tuesday 24th March , the Opening Day has arrived only to be blighted with loud thunder claps and bright flashes of lightening in the early hours. Santiago Chile has not seen rain like this in four years, with roads flooding and people without boots having to be carried across the roads. Such disappointment for all involved as all the plans have to be changed and we know how much hard work has been displaced. A great disappointment for all involved but priority must be given to the ponies which have generously been lent, the players and the grounds of the magnificent host club San Cristobal.

The 4 days of Championship Matches will now commence on Friday 27th March with the finals on the following Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, FIP President

New Schedule game order is:

Friday, March 27th
3PM: Argentina vs. Brazil
5PM: Chile vs. England

Saturday, March 28th
3PM: USA vs. Argentina
5PM: England vs Pakistan

Sunday, March 29th
3PM: USA vs Brazil
5PM: Chile vs. Pakistan

Tuesday, March 31st
Semi Finals

Wednesday, April 1st
Finals