“Well done to ladies” in the Ann Smurfit Trophy tournament at Bunclody
BUNCLODY Polo Club played host to the Polo Festival earlier this month in Wexford Ireland and while the Bunclody and Casey Cup matches produced some fine polo, it was the ladies who impressed in their bid for the Ann Smurfit Trophy.
The Ladies Tournament for the Ann Smurfit Trophy, played over two days at the annual Polo Festival at Bunclody Polo Club, Wexford Ireland produced a brilliant standard of polo with Bunclody earning 10 goals and Knockdromagh, 8
The winners of the Ann Smurfit Trophy pictured with Bunclody Polo Club’s chairman Nick Murphy (left), Bunclody ladies team Hazel Valentine, Delfina Valor, Elaine Foley and Sinead Doyle
The trophy, donated in 2020 by former bloodstock agent Ann Smurfit has gone from strength to strength, the standard of polo rising annually from the original league polo development programme launched at Bunclody five years ago. Equine, pet and lifestyle sponsor Connolly’s Red Mills donated prizes to winning Bunclody team on 10 goals and to runners-up Kildromagh with 8 goals while thoroughbred racehorse retraining charity sponsored prizes for best playing ponies in the Bunclody and Casey Cup tournaments.
Bunclody Polo Club chairman Nick Murphy commented on the ladies’ tournament saying, “Well done to the ladies. The standard of polo was fast and just so good. It was moving all the time.”
The runners-up for the Bunclody Polo Club’s Ann Smurfit Trophy were Knockdromagh’s Emily Beere, Jennifer Doyle, Alicia Manzzoni and Jennifer Healy, the prizes presented by club chairman Nick Murphy
The Best Playing Pony in the 4-Goal tournament, the prize of a numnah sponsored by the thoroughbred retraining charity Treo Eile at Bunclody Polo Club’s Polo Festival was Areyouserious, owned by Siobhan Herbst and cared for by groom Santiago Anibal
The Bunclody Cup was awarded to Glenpatrick, the team beating Tyrone in the 4-goal final and knocking out LHK/Keelings and Wexford in qualifiers. Wexford 2 got the best of Pegus in their 0-goal final after relegating the Barracudas and Keelings in qualifying matches.
The summer season of Irish polo, celebrating 150 years continues this Saturday and Sunday 12-13 August at Bishopland Polo Club in County Kildare, Ireland.
Glenpatrick’s Ian Magahey (left) and Colm Kelliher of LHK/Keelings in the qualifiers at the Bunclody Polo Club Polo Festival. Glenpatrick went on to win the qualifier by one goal and later beat Tyrone in the final
Glenpatrick won the Bunclody Cup 4-Goal final at Bunclody Polo Club Polo Festival. Siobhan Herbst (l-r), Ian Magahey, Emily Beere (missing from picture, James Connolly) were presented with the cup by club chairman Nick Murphy on winning their final against Tyrone at the annual polo festival in Wexford Ireland
The Best Playing Pony in the 0 Goal tournament for the Casey Cup sponsored by Casey Concrete was Baby Spice, owned by Eamonn Laverty of the Tyrone team and ridden by Brad Rainford-Blackett. The thoroughbred polo pony is cared for by grooms Juan Paira (left) and Bautista Arce
“They have come on so well (the ladies) since they started,” said veteran polo player, internationally renowned saddler and outfitter Tom Berney. “No (professional players), no nothing, it was really impressive.”
Tags: Arts & Culture
Image credits: Kim Mullahey
