Ponylines

24 34 13

22

GETTY; COVER SHOT JEAN-MARC LUBRANO On the cover: Adolfo Cambiaso, polo superstar

All the news from the world of polo, plus interviews and gossip

Luke Tomlinson, Martin Ephson, Brooks Brothers and Gabriel Donoso

Mike Rutherford hits the road with Genesis, and polo takes a back seat for once

Polo in the snow amidst the luxury of St Moritz

Geoffrey Kent crossed Africa as a teenager, built travel giant Abercrombie & Kent, planned trips into space, and still found time to play polo

The man behind James Bond’s Aston Martin designed with polo in mind

Loro Piana brings fashion to the world of polo

Adolfo Cambiaso is a true polo superstar, with a supermodel wife, his own fashion range, and a glittering sporting career that is far from over

Polo-loving chef Tom Aikens selects six wonderful watches

Results, reports, and action photos from the season’s most important fixtures, including the Argentine Triple Crown and England’s tour of Mexico and South Africa

[news]North American Polo League launch [views]Looking ahead to the English season [gossip]Tom Aikens’ new Chelsea restaurant

Italy’s Alfio Marchini, chosen as this issue’s Amateur Player, is a rarity amongst patrons on the international circuit. His Loro Piana team competed in the major pro-am tournaments in England, the USA, Argentina and Spain and he has also played in the higher handicapped Argentine tournaments.

After winning Spain’s Gold Cup at Sotogrande for the second time last summer, Marchini reached the finals of the Jockey Club Open in Buenos Aires, one of only four tournaments played to the maximum 40-goal handicap. Playing off three in Argentina, he won the Municipalidad de Pilar, was a finalist in the La Dolfina Diamond Cup and competed in the Camara de Diputados and Ellerstina Gold Cup.

Over the past three years, Marchini has played in the Queens Cup and the British Open and also took Loro Piana to Florida in 2005, reaching the semis of the US Open. Alfio, with Loro Piano, will beplaying in England in 2007. HERBERT SPENCER

More than 20 high-goal teams are planning to compete in one or more of England’s 22-goal ‘big four’ tournaments starting in May, with some newcomers and musical chairs amongst the pros signed up by UK and foreign patrons. Here is how the pundits see the season.

Black Bears, winners of the 2006 Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup in the British Open Championship, will be taken over by Switzerland’s Guy Schwartzenbach. Last year he substituted for his father Urs, whose injuries in the Queen’s Cup have forced his retirement from the game. Oldest of the high-goal teams competing in England, Black Bears will again be centred on the Argentine brothers Javier and Eduardo Novilla Astrada.

Australian James Packer’s Ellerston White, runners-up in last season’s Gold Cup, will be back, again featuring Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres. Pony power from the famous Ellerston string will make the Packer squad hard to beat. Carlos Gracida signed for the Gold Cup, so one Pieres will be on the sidelines.

Dubai, patroned by Ali Albwardy from the United Arab Emirates and with 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso fresh from his victories in Argentina and Florida, will be another strong favourite. Dubai won the Queen’s Cup and Prince of Wales Trophy in 2006. George Meyrick is returning to play, and Lucas Monteverde on 8 goals will replace veteran Pikki Diaz Alberdi in this powerhouse squad, with Pikki due to move to Adrian Kirby’s Atlantic, with Lucas Criado.

The Marquis of Milford Haven’s Broncos, finalists in last season’s Queen’s Cup, will return to the British Open after a two-year absence, with Pablo and Matias MacDonough taken over from Atlantic. Australian Rick Stowe will give up his place on Geebung, featuring Bautista Heguy, to his son Jason. Germany’s father-son combo Joe and Max Gottschalk will field two Les Lions teams rather than playing together. Alfio Marchini will join Juan Martin Nero, David Sterling and Nicholas Espain as Loro Piana. Charlie Hanbury is teaming up with Lolo Castagnola, Jamie Huidobro and Matt Lodder. Lechuza Caracas is flying in again with 60 horses and the Merlos’.

New teams on the scene will include King, fielded by Michael King from Elysian Polo Club in Australia, and Apes Hill, funded by Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams (see page 13). HS

Polo-loving chef Tom Aikens has opened a new restaurant in Chelsea that spans four floors and offers all-day informal dining and drinking. Tom’s Kitchen features a 90-seat brasserie on the ground level, a first floor bar and games room, two private dining rooms sponsored by Dunhill on the second floor, and a lower ground level tasting room for cheese and wine sessions.

Tom and his head chef, Ollie Couillaud (formerly at La Trompette and The Dorchester Grill) will use ingredients from a hand-picked selection of British farmers and food producers. Dishes will be predominantly British, but with occasional French and Italian influences. Tom’s Kitchen is at 27 Cale Street, SW3, and is open from breakfast until midnight. Reservations: +44 (0)20 7349 0202

Five-goaler Tom Morley, who led England into the final of the 2004 Polo World Cup of the Federation of International Polo (FIP), will again captain the team during the European zone play-offs to fight for a place in the final stage of the 2007 championship in Mexico in October. Brazil captured the World Cup at Chantilly, France, defeating England in the final’s extra-time chukka, which was marred by disputed calls by the umpires. FIP officials admitted then that the umpiring had disadvantaged England. Six teams – Spain, England, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands – are contesting the European play-offs between April 19-29 at Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande on Spain’s Costa del Sol. FIP rules stipulate that no player may be handicapped above five goals in the 10 to 14-goal competition. Joining Morley on England’s first string will be 3goalers George Meyrick, Ed Hitchman and Nina Vestey Clarkin. England’s reserves for Sotogrande are Ollie Hipwood and Johnny Good (both 5) and Matt Lodder, Henry Fisher and Ollie Tuthill (all 3) with team coach Claire Tomlinson (1) also available to play. Altogether, 24 nations are fielding teams in FIP’s VIII Polo World Cup, with six going into the final stage in Mexico, where they will be joined by the host country, reigning champions Brazil, and the winners of the four zone playoffs. HS

Not many polo players could double for black hip hop singer ‘Big Boi’ from the band Outkast, but when Hollywood came to Aiken, South Carolina they found the perfect candidate in Sain Joseph (right), a black pro player from the Dominican Republic. The polo game, integral to the plot, was staged for a new movie Who’s Your Caddy?, due for release later this year.

Argentina’s Matias Magrini was cast as a disgruntled star polo professional. A character clash and a dispute over compensation cause Magrini to switch allegiance from his regular patron and owner of the fictitious Carolina Pines Golf Club to play for newcomer C-note's (aka Big Boi's) hip hop polo team Killer Inc as the two rival patrons go head to head on the polo field.

Meanwhile another forthcoming film, Take It To The Boards, follows a group of professional players from ‘everyday’ backgrounds as they compete on behalf of the United States in the Federation of International Polo World Cup VIII. A portion of proceeds will go to Team USA players and to promote the game both in the United States and abroad. SE

Puerto Madero, close to the financial centre of Buenos Aires is the vibrant setting for the final piece of the waterfront Faena Art District: Foster+Partners’ Al Aleph development.

Al Aleph will combine new construction with the selective refurbishment of existing buildings to provide a sustainable mixed-use environment. The scheme comprises 234 apartments and 16 duplex penthouses. The ground floor will feature spacious lobbies around a spectacular central cloister and gardens. The building offers views of the historic docks, the nature reserve, and the River Plate. www.aylesford.com

Two prominent high-goal patrons have formed a new North American Polo League (NAPL) to work with the US Polo Association (USPA) in attracting a broader audience for the top end of the sport.

NAPL’s co-founders are John Goodman (left), owner of two-times US Open winners Isla Carroll and International Polo Club Palm Beach, the country’s premier high-goal centre, and Skeeter Johnston, patron of the Skeeterville team. Both are governors of the USPA. NAPL’s excutive director is Charles Smith, former 7-goaler and son of the late, great Cecil Smith. Another six team owners have signed on as NAPL licensees in an operation that may eventually be offering prize money in the big tournaments.

The equine herpes virus outbreak in Florida might be over, but a month of horse lockdown left local businesses in Wellington counting the cost. EHV-1 caused the loss of millions of dollars through money not spent on horse food, blacksmiths and veterinary care, as well as cash not spent by owners and trainers on themselves.

Dr Doug Byars is an expert on the disease and former head of Internal Medicine at Hagyard, Davis and McGee in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr Byars was brought in to monitor the outbreak and said that he thought the community had done a good job of limiting the spread of the virus, and would soon be as safe as any other highly populated equine area.

Several ponies belonging to the University of Connecticut women’s polo team have tested positive for the neurological form of the equine herpes virus. The state placed the entire string of ponies and their arena under strict quarantine. Yale University generously offered a place to practice, but travelling expenses and chukka fees place a major strain on the budget. They need about $9,000 to cover additional costs. Contributions are appreciated. Cheques payable to ‘UConn Polo’. Contact: University of Connecticut Women’s Polo, c/o Coach Matt Syme, 401 Main Street, S Windsor, CT 06074, USA, or Meaghansca@gmail.com

Nationality USA Age 53 Handicap 2 Tennessee businessman SK 'Skeeter' Johnston III is patron of the Skeeterville high-goal team, a Governor-at-Large of the US Polo Association (USPA) and cofounder of the new North American Polo League (NAPL).

Family background in polo? My grandfather played before and after World War II and my father, Skey, was a 2goal player and chairman of the USPA. My sister, Gillian, was the first-ever female patron to win the US Open. My nephew William also plays. So there's sibling rivalry? Gillian and I have good high-goal teams and have played one another many times, but we haven't kept a record of who won the most Skeeterville v Bendabout matches. We’ve often played together on teams in low-goal and medium-goal. Where do you play? During the winter, high goal at International Polo Club Palm Beach, low and medium at Gulfstream down the road. Then on our ranch in Wyoming and in Chattanooga. Where have you played abroad? A bit in Argentina and Australia and once in Peru, but business commitments in the US makes playing overseas impractical for me. How do you mix polo and business? I'm sometimes travelling five or six days a week. Many's the time I've arrived just an hour before a match and left on another business trip immediately after. Which player do you most admire for sportsmanship and professionalism? Owen Rinehart with whom I've played for 10 years or so. He embodies hard work, integrity and determination. Why does the US now have so few players with higher handicaps? This concerns the USPA and NAPL. A strong work ethic and professional approach is required to make it to 8, 9 and 10 handicap. HS

Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber, 44, is the wife of composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. She was a professional threeday eventer and competed in the European and world championships as a member of the British equestrian team. She now breeds thoroughbreds at their Hampshire stud and is a member of the Jockey Club.

‘It’s often polo-playing parents who bring their children into the sport, but in our family it was the other way round. About five years ago our two boys started playing Pony Club Polo. Watching them, I said, “I can do this.” I had a go – and I was hooked. I’m now handicap –1, but Alastair (14) and Billy (13) are better than me. They have won the Surtees section in the Pony Club Polo Championships at Cowdray Park. Alastair plays for Eton and Billy for his school, Ludgrove.

‘We have a big, all-weather arena for three-a-side polo and have now built a proper grass ground and will start playing on it in June. Our Watership Down is a non-profit, private club run by David Heaton-Ellis. We’ve hosted lots of matches for Pony Club Polo and the Schools and Universities Polo Association and some corporate, charity, and “country house polo” days as well.

‘Three-day eventing is an individual thing; polo is a team game, and I enjoy the tactics. The adrenalin rush of polo doesn't quite match the buzz of approaching the lake complex at Badminton, but it’s extremely close. I love the game and the fact I can play it with my family – so long as they will have me!’ HS

Polistas is Argentinian slang for ‘polo players’. It is also a polo lifestyle clothing brand worn by Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles. Now it has opened a flagship store at 12 Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly. This followed the opening of their first stand-alone retail outlet in Buenos Aires and they will open a St Tropez store in the spring.

Property giant Emaar expects to sell more than 60 plots around the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club through an invitation-only auction in which reserve prices are kept secret. Emaar, who are building what will be the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, has poured millions of gallons of water on the sands outside the city to make the desert bloom at its Arabian Ranches development centred on the polo club. The facility already has a palatial clubhouse and two grass tournament grounds. Irishman Eddie Kennedy, former polo manager to Prince Jefri of Brunei and the Coworth Park Polo Club in England, has been manager of the Dubai club. He has attracted a number of foreign nationals and newly taught locals as playing members who, with visitors from overseas, compete in tournaments in the months when the desert sun is not too hot. HS

Buyers and sellers from across the USA and abroad flocked to the 2006 Aiken Polo Pony Sale in that historic South Carolina horse town, but the auction included none of the equine superstars that change hands for six-figure sums in more glamorous transactions elsewhere. This largest of pony auctions, an annual event run by Aiken player and hay merchant Charlie Herrick of Banks Mill Feed, is more about the grass roots of the sport, providing mounts for the 99 per cent of players who compete only in low and mediumgoal polo. There were some high-goal ponies amongst the almost 100 horses in the ring, but the emphasis was on more modestly priced mounts for lower levels of the game.The average price paid at the sales, including green and tournament ponies, was $10,222, for a total of more than half-a-million dollars. Sale-topper was the 5-year-old bay mare Grasshopper, hammered down to Aiken’s Barbara Uskup for $35,000. HS

Colonel Robert Ffrench-Blake, polo manager for the Windsor princes for the past 13 years, has retired from the job. The Prince of Wales gave up playing in 2005 and princes William and Harry are serving officers in the Army, and their charity polo diary will now be co-ordinated by the Hurlingham Polo Association.

France’s Hubert Perrodo, whose Labegorce team won the British Open in 1997 and the Queen’s Cup twice, was killed in an accident at the Alpine ski resort of Courcheval at the end of December. After retiring from high-goal polo, he had continued to play with friends at his vineyards in France.

More than 400 black-tied guests are expected at the second annual Audi Polo Awards, England’s polo ‘Oscars’, at the Savoy Hotel on 21 May. For information and tickets, visit www.thepoloawards.com

Gulfstream, once the only polo club on Florida’s Gold Coast and now the main centre for low and medium-goal there, has had a reprieve. Its acreage is up for sale, but a developer let its option drop.

David Jamison is retiring after four years as Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club, home of the British Open. A 3-goal player in his prime, he was one of England’s most successful amateurs, winning the British Open four times with Southfields and Tramontana. Robin Butler has been appointed chairman of Cowdray.

Guards Polo Club player Michael Rake, chairman of KPMG International, has just been knighted by the Queen for services to accountancy.

England’s Beaufort Polo Club has taken a 50 per cent share in a club at Pilar Chico in Argentina. La Quinta Beafort aims to give English players the chance of off-season training for high goal.

Cowdray Park’s Texaco Trophy, won by the Beretta team, was on display at London’s Beretta Gallery when bankers gathered there for cocktails and to view the firm’s collection of fashion and sporting firearms. Attendees included high-goal patron Count Riccardo Pavoncelli and Olympic gold medallist (trap-shooting) Richard Faulks. HS Azzaro, the American 10-goaler, bought her from us. Mike renamed her Jasmine after his wife and played her in Florida high-goal before 7-goaler Rubén Sola bought her to Argentina. Then, in the final of the 2005 Argentine Open, Adolfo Cambiaso played her in the fourth chukka and again in the ninth, extra time, and scored the golden goal. She played again in the 2006 abierto, ridden by Rubén. I much appreciate the care he has lavished upon my lovely Magician.’ HS

Polo’s handicapping system can be confusing to the uninitiated, never more so than at the top end of the game with the stars’ ratings differing from country to country, depending on the level of polo, the team and the organisation. Take Ignacio Novilla Astrada (below) , whose handicap was raised to 10 by the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) for 2007. In England, he will be playing off 9, as will his brother Miguel (also 10 in Argentina and the USA) . Other international differences in handicaps include Gonzalito Pieres (10 in Argentina, 9 in England and the US) , Augustin Merlos (10 in Argentina and the US, 9 in England) and Sebastian Merlos (10 in the US, 9 in Argentina and England) . Marcos Heguy has gone back to 10 in Argentina and was lowered to 9 in the UK in 2006. Lucas Monteverde is 8 in the UK and 9 in Argentina and the United States. HS

Pony’s name Jasmin (formerly Magician)

14 Sex Mare Colour Chesnut Height 15.2hh Origin Ireland

Lt Col John Buchanan (US Marines, rtrd) was living in Ireland and England and playing low-goal polo when he bought the pony. He now lives in Yucca Valley, California.

‘Here is a real Cinderella story: I saved this horse from the abattoir and she ended up carrying the world’s greatest player to victory in the Argentine Open. The two-year-old thoroughbred was too small for the track, so no one bid for her at the 1994 Goffs racehorse sales in Ireland. I could see she had just the right confirmation for polo, so I offered her trainer 500 Irish punts – less than £500 then – and he accepted, saying it would be ‘a crime’ to send her to the ‘meat man’. I named her Magician after her sire, Magical Strike. My son Adam and I schooled her for polo and he played her until Mike