PTJan/Feb 2010 p50-51 Pony power YC PJ MB 21/1/10 17:24 Page 2
The knowledge Pony power
Britannia
How did you find Britannia? Does that mean you used her in the Open?
I came across her whilst on a visit to look at some of As I said, she’s still extremely useful in short bursts
Henry Brett’s best mares for possible embryos. She so I kept her on the sidelines as a spare. I usually
Alice Gipps meets
was one of four that caught my eye, along with tended to play her early, such as for a couple of
Open winner Lolo
Jordan, Impreza and X-Ray. Britannia had been in minutes in the second chukka, and then I knew I
Castagnola to find out
Argentina a few years already, as Gonzalo Pieres could rely on her to be fresh late in the games when
was also using her to take embryos from – so I I needed her again. She played for me in the last
how a shy, polite mare
knew she was well regarded as an excellent mare to chukka a number of times.
of Henry Brett’s came breed from. She’s very quiet and polite, and Henry
from Australia, via England, to
has had about six embryos from her already.
Will she play again next year?
I’m confident that she still has another year in her,
emerge as one of his key
Who owns her now? so I plan to play her as a spare again next season.
mounts – and a champion dam
Henry still owns her 100 per cent but, until she After that, I will go back to taking embryos in her
retires, she lives with me in Argentina, where she is retirement – hopefully up to about five a year. That
Vital statistics
going to be very important to my breeding operation. will be very exciting as her progeny are already
He played Britannia in the British 22-goal for several proven at the highest level. Britannia’s daughter
Name: Britannia
seasons in the UK but she had been retired by the Mayflower plays high-goal in the UK with Facundo
Height: 15.2hh
time I actually got my hands on her. However, when Pieres and Britannia’s half-sister, Dinghy, plays the
Colour: Dark Bay
my vet checked her over, we realised that in fact Open with Facundo. Both Britannia and Dinghy are
Age: 16 years old
there was no reason why she couldn’t play. She was sired by Long Boat, a former racehorse belonging
completely sound so I started to use her again. to Kerry Packer - his progeny are all give nautical
Sex: Mare
names such as Britannia!
Origin: Bred in Australia by At what level of polo have you played her
Kerry Packer
in Argentina?
Which stallions would be a good match for
Sire: Long Boat
She’s a very good mare, so I had no hesitancy
Britannia and why?
Dam: Princess
about using her in the 40-goal, but I’m careful with
She’s not a complicated mare so any of my stallions
her because of her age – 16 – and I use her
are likely to work well and the stallions I use are all
sparingly. She has a fantastic mouth and turns
champions in their own right. She would potentially
beautifully – it’s just her power that she lacks now
be a good fit with Chalo Compinche, who has played
compared with younger horses. If it wasn’t for her
two chukkas at the last four finals at Palermo. His
age, I’d say Britannia would be in the top three
youngsters have turned out brilliantly and, most
ponies in my string. As it is, she still ranks as about
importantly, they have always been quiet and easy.
y
Alice Gipps and James Mullan
seventh or eighth, so she’s an excellent mare.
Anyone could ride them.F
r
aphs b
Experts in polo nutrition Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
Photog
50 January/February 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk
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