“Better first game” for Ireland in the Women’s debut Polo World Cup against Argentina
ARGENTINA is playing host to the debut Women’s Polo World Cup in Buenos Aires Argentina and for the first time in Polo World Cup history, the ladies are fielding the entire tournament.
Campo Argentino de Polo, the ‘Cathedral of Polo’ where the historic first Women’s Polo World Cup is underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Playing from 9 to 16 April in the ‘Cathedral of Polo’ at Campo Argentino de Polo, Ireland stood well in their first match (9 April) despite a full goal down in comparative handicaps against Argentina in securing 3 goals to 7. Ireland’s Caroline Keeling, Siobhan Herbst, April Kent and Inéz Lalor lined out against Paulina Vasquetto, Agustina Imaz, Azucena Uranga and Fátima Balzano, Argentina’s home team favourites.
April Kent (l-r) Siobhan Herst, Caroline Keeling and Inez Lalor (missing from pic) are the first to represent Ireland at the first Women’s Polo World Cup in Buenos Aires Argentina
Speaking from his home in Wicklow Ireland, Mickie Herbst, the father of Siobhan Herbst said the tournament’s opening match teams played a very competitive six chukkas. The Irish polo veteran of four decades is keeping a close watch on proceedings at Palermo.
“(It) was a very good match and a better first game than the score result indicates,” Mickie Herbst shared with Pynck.com. “The teams were very even and showed great exemplary team play in a very competitive six-chukka first match in the tournament.”
The Women’s Polo World Cup teams have been drawn from six nations to take part in the first ever tournament strictly for the ladies
Women’s polo is enjoying a surge of interest around the world at the moment, the competitive element of horse and rider in the only mounted team sport a huge draw for fresh players led by seasoned teams including Ireland’s. The tournament final will take place on 16 April at Palermo from teams drawn from England, Brazil, USA and Italy as well as Argentina and Ireland.
Women’s polo is growing around the world with new players qualifying for competitive teams
“Women’s polo is constantly growing, a sport where women were spectators (and) now protagonists,” said Argentine Association of Polo president Delfin Uranga. “For the AAP, an institution that fights for inclusion and equality in the sport it is an honour and a pride that the first contest is played in the mythical fields of Palermo to which every polo player wants to get to sometime.”
Tags: Arts & Culture Irish Polo Women’s Polo Campo Argentino de Polo.
Image credits: Wikipedia, Prensa Polo, Kim Mullahey
