Future focus as Irish summer polo season draws to a close
THERE was gratitude expressed across Irish polo clubs as the summer season drew to a close this month, the feeling being that the carefully planned fixture list, crafted last February by the Federation of Irish Polo Clubs might not have happened at all.
LHK Insurances’ Caroline Keeling and her son Joe (l-r), Michael Connolly, Siobhan Herbst and Colm Kelleher, the winners of the Pakistan Cup tournament at the AIPC Dublin, Ireland
Happen it did though, and the shortened season that began only last July brought out the best in emerging leadership and new players.
Wrapping up the season at the AIPC in Dublin Ireland, the coveted Pakistan Tournament was won by a team other than Horseware Ireland for the first time in four seasons. The historic club’s Vice-President and Horseware’s patron, Tom MacGuinness was with Pynck.com shortly after losing to LHK Insurance on 4 goals to 6 about his plans next year when his leadership begins: “I am actually quite excited about and I have a few ideas that I will want to implement soon.”
Tyrone’s Brad Rainford-Blackett (left) demonstrates what not to do in a polo tournament with teammate April Kent as Horseware Ireland’s James Connolly calls foul
Tom MacGuinness revealed that some of his presidency will focus on the nearly 150-year-old All Ireland Polo Club in growing the sport by encouraging new players and new facilities aimed to bring far-reaching benefits to clubs across the island of Ireland.
Bishopland Polo Club manager Alejo Tagle, keeping close watch on his beginner players in their first tournament with the veterans at Polo Wicklow
The wave of new players that began flocking for lessons last year at Polo Wicklow and Bishopland Polo Club in Kildare Ireland has continued despite rolling restrictions caused by the coronavirus. Beginners from locked down counties have been back on the polo ground as soon as restrictions have lifted throughout the summer season.
“I didn’t hit the ball much,” said AIPC Polo Manager David Stone of the ‘graduation day’ beginners match team he guided to the win last August. “I didn’t have to. What was great about this is that they were behind each other. If one missed then the next one came and that is why the other team lost – they weren’t following each other up.”
As the seasons change, the focus of Irish polo is beginning to shift to the arena at Polo Wicklow and the winter tournament season, expected to bring as many stops and starts that saw the summer season to its end.
Beginner Jim Byrne (left) hesitates as a backhanded ball comes his way from an opponent on the formidable Tyrone team at Polo Wicklow in Ireland
See Polo Wicklow’s Facebook page or visit SeaHorse Polo on Facebook to keep a hand in while in Ireland, or to keep up with upcoming tournaments and taster days.
