With amateur player Clare Milford Haven, from the saddle and the sidelines Comment Backchat
When knee-pads were few and knees-ups frequent
polo in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. One of the most striking differences between polo then and now seems to be that the players really knew how to enjoy themselves. Not only did they play hard, they partied hard too. Impromptu barbecues and parties would happen at the drop of a hat and these were attended with as much enthusiasm and gusto as the games themselves. Amongst the big characters of the day whose names keep cropping up were Eric Moller, Rao Rajah Hanut Singh and of course John Cowdray. It seems that not a weekend went past when there wasn’t a fancy dress swimming pool party at Cowdray House or a lavish black tie dinner at the Moller pad, Thorncombe Park. Perhaps I am a social pariah, but in the past month or so since the season started there hasn’t been one barbecue or dinner to speak of. Why have we all become so boring? I know that the professional nature of the sport these days dictates that most pros must be tucked up in bed before midnight with nothing stronger than a maté or two as a digestif, but there must be a happy medium here. I love the fact that Gonzalo Pieres had a glass of whisky and a few fags in the clubhouse at Ambersham and still played 10 goals the next day. These days we play our games, have a quick chat over a Lucozade, and disappear off home for another kitchen supper in front of Britain’s Got Talent.
A
Another thing that has changed dramatically in the past 50 years is the polo gear. Back in the 1950s and 60s, knee pads were apparently considered “rather sissy” and helmets were invariably of the solar-topee/pith
22 July 2010
www.polotimes.co.uk
s I wade through reams of research for the Cowdray Centenary Book, I am receiving more and more wonderful stories about
helmet variety, either devoid of a chin strap or with it folded up over the brim rendering it completely useless should one land on one’s head.
Now we sport a curious selection of body armour including faceguards, goggles, helmets lined with protective gel, mouth-guards in team colours, elbow pads and, in extreme cases, back protectors. What must our polo
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the current economic climate- many of them cobbled together in the last few weeks. But let’s not forget that the majority of the patrons are very savvy and successful businessmen. Putting together a team at the last minute is a considerably cheaper option, with strong bargaining advantages. Many will say they don’t stand a chance but I think the challenge is
I love the fact that Gonzalo Pieres had a whisky and a few fags in the clubhouse then played 10 goals the next day
More fun than watching Britain’s Got Talent: a summer asado in times past
forebears be thinking? That we are a bunch of wimps with no backbone? In fairness, I believe that the games are played much faster and are therefore more dangerous so any aid to self protection is a wise move but there’s something undeniably dashing about the devil-may-care attitude of the past against the armour-plated caution of the present.
WILL THE SHREWD BE SUCCESSFUL? I have just returned from the Gold Cup draw and it is really incredible that there are 20 teams taking part under
inspiring and I don’t believe that winning has necessarily anything to do with how much you spend. Wouldn’t it be a welcome leveller if one of them reaches the final. F
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Photograph by Michael Chevis, Midhurst
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