PTJan/Feb 2010 p46-47 Playing YC JM GM MB 21/1/10 17:20 Page 2
The knowledge Playing around
NEW COLUMN – With our intrepid improver Carlie Trotter (–2). This month: FHM
Cheerful battles on the cheap
arely a month after the last
B
outdoor match at FHM I entered
the fray at the annual Polo Splice
(0-2-goal) arena tournament. The
club has just celebrated a decade
of play, and more raised handicaps than ever, so
it was an ideal place to refresh my indoor game.
As I brushed a teddy bear-like New Zealand
mare named Quill, member Jo Crawford told
me: “Many of us have played at more elite
clubs, but here you can turn up without
ponies, muck in and have fun – it’s farm polo.”
I warmed up with a lesson from founder
Francis Matthews (1). A former schoolteacher,
Francis works closely with the HPA and Claire
Tomlinson, and his crystal-clear instruction
Two-on-two arena chukkas at FHM in West Sussex, where winter pony hire costs just £25
seems to have largely stamped out fouling
here. “I play in order to teach,” he declared. for La Julia kept us on our toes, as well as Roy Chebotarev recently back from playing in
As one half of the white team, I plunged Law, who was nearly taken out by one over- Dubai. Bob Ahern made the goal of the day
into battle against the black-shirted duo of the-wall shot. After Jo and I suffered a series with a backhand the length of the arena. Reds
Ken Fallon (0) and Bob Ahern (0). Roy Law, of teeth-clenching misses we let defence slip equalised, but Fallon retaliated in time for the
commentating, joked when playing two-on- Blacks to swoop the 2009 Polo Splice shield.
two: “You can’t hide, even from yourself.” After
‘People come to FHM to
Much of the pony power had been snapped
solid defence by the Blacks, and a tragic tack
enjoy polo as a game,
up late in the summer season when players
whistle when my teammate Jo Crawford was not a pro-driven sport’ elsewhere were downsizing, and Fallon‘s new
inches from scoring, we surrendered 3-2. mount Dancer emerged best playing pony.
Experience then won out to see Reds through to go one-all. My pony Quill was ahead on the Over mince pies and mulled wine in The
to the final over La Julia Estancia. turns however, and at the eleventh hour we Sportsman Pub, otherwise known as “the
While psyching up for the third-place play- rescued a win and a bottle of wine each. clubhouse”, it became clear that people join
off we heard over the tannoy: “All that is left The Blacks vs Reds final proved exciting, not FHM to enjoy polo as a game, not a pro-driven
to do is beat the hell out of each other!” least for the rodeo-ing antics and stirrup-less sport. Great pluses this winter include low
The impressive natural hit of Simon skills of some. An on-form Fallon was kept at chukka fees, monthly tournaments, Ascot Park
Marchant – playing his fourth ever chukka – bay by a fearless Dimitri “Ivan-the-Terrible” away matches and a club jolly to Chantilly. F
Soundbites from the sidelines
Francis Matthews Bob Ahern Roy Law
founder and manager founding member commentator
“Last summer was busy: “I have a 24-hour job so I “FHM is a 12-month
we don’t charge team entry dip in and out. Here I know opportunity to play
vi Bhatia
fees and several players there are horses for me; affordable polo based on
were looking for cheaper elsewhere you can turn up sound riding in a non-
ways to play. Joining a club was for chukkas and no one’s there, cliquey environment. ‘Rusties’
T
rotter and Ra
once like wearing a school tie, but they only turn out for tournaments. and refreshers come as well as
people move around now. I encourage people to The indoor arena means that you’re guaranteed a beginners, and County Polo adds a new dimension.
y Carlie
play all positions, and no one gets shouted at to game even when the wind and rain are whipping Sure, the club would benefit from a larger arena
r
aphs b ‘leave it’. I discourage them from buying ponies too up. It’s very sociable, and playing against Ascot but there are away matches and the roof and
early, when the learning curve is still steep.” Park wakes up our competitive spirit.” floodlights make us independent of the weather.”
Photog
The Sportsman Pub and Dining
www.thesportsmanpub.com Telephone: 01444 233 460
Close to FHM and 1.5 miles from Hickstead. Cuckfield Road, Goddards Green, West Sussex . BN6 9LQ
46 January/February 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk
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