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The knowledge South Africa travel special
Polo Times talks to the founders of
new polo set-ups in South Africa
Peter Stuart
Maremmana – polo, vineyards, fishing,
mountain biking, near Cape Town
How did you start in polo
in South Africa?
We’re from Zimbabwe,
and in 2000 we bought
a farm there and started
to play polo. We had two
seasons before we lost
our farm and made a fairly
drastic decision to go to
Argentina and look for career prospects. My wife’s
family was from Coronel Suárez, and at the time a
project was underway to create a “lifestyle
X
development” of homes around the club there. We
Happily, we were greeted at Franshoek with
liked the concept, but going from Zim to Argentina
drinks and a fire by Gutridge, our host and coach
would have been out of the frying pan and into
for the week. The school sits on a 3,600-acre
the fire. Instead we bought a farm south-east of
farm that belongs to polo enthusiast Christian
Cape Town, and in September 2002 trucked down Findlay. As a gentle introduction to the saddle –
our four children, belongings, eight polo ponies and probably to see how we rode – Rod treated
and a dog – an adventure in itself.
us that evening to a hack through beautiful
What happened next?
orchards, letting us admire the mountain scenery
We asked the locals if they’d support our plans
and pick cherries from the trees as we went.
for a lifestyle development and they agreed. We
“This is not polo jail,” he declared the next day.
had planning approval by November 2003, and “You can do as much or as little as you like here,
started on the infrastructure – building dams, but you can expect to have a good time and go
Franshoek coach Rod Gutridge (left) and owner
laying the polo field, planting vineyards. We
back feeling competent.” A testament to his
Christian Findlay. The stables next to Rod’s cottage
launched phase one in 2006, selling out of plots
direct style, he added: “But when you step over
(top) will soon be a two-bedroom guest cottage
within 18 months. Our investors are mostly
those boards, your head should be on polo.” Some are involved in the Valley Education Fund,
Cape Townians who know a little about polo or
Gutridge started in polo hitting acorns riding which supports underprivileged young people.
like the idea of living on a farm. We also have
two English and four German investors. Their
bareback on his father’s farm in Zimbabwe, going Members of my group had their own high
homes are under construction are we’re well on
points. “The passion for polo is evident here,” said
the way with phase two – we have six plots left As a gentle introduction to
Daisy Ward of Rod’s enthusiasm to get the most
[average price £55,000], of the original 50 and
out of everyone. Jo Patmore pointed out that the
a 50-acre farm [£375,000] where the investor
the saddle Rod treated us to
instructors take the time to assess capabilities
can build a private polo field.
a hack through beautiful
and build confidence, while Katie Bateman said:
What is behind the name, Maremmana?
“The horses are so well trained, there is great
orchards, letting us pick
We wanted to name it after a breed of horse,
hospitality and the scenery is spectacular.”
and we felt this one, from the Maremma in Italy, cherries from the trees
There is a hot tub and swimming pool, and
had a nice ring.
much to do nearby – necessarily, mostly of a rural
on to play high-goal with Memo Gracida for nature. You can visit ancient caves, fish at the
What polo is going on there so far?
Maple Leafs. He spends six months a year in the lake, hack, bike or hike, or visit game reserves.
Polo here is just getting going, and we played our
first “real” chukkas in mid-January – 50 people
UK umpiring and teaching, and six at Franshoek. Serious explorers would need to hire a car, as the
turned up as well as the 10 who played. All our
Mornings start with a wooden horse session, a farm is down a long unmade track.
children play (my wife Sue comments from
lesson or stick and balling, with chukkas in the The rooms are warm, clean and rustic, and the
sidelines!) and our oldest is playing in New
afternoon on a ground surrounded by mature old stables next to Rod’s cottage, right by the
Zealand: he is likely to be involved in the polo side eucalyptus and oak trees. The itinerary is as polo fields, are being converted into a two-
here. We also plan to bring in a polo manager (I flexible as you want, and the level of guests bedroom guest cottage in time for autumn 2010.
can’t take charge full-time as I run a flower export
generally dictates the pace of chukkas (a fact not Franshoek has everything you could want from
business). We’re building up our horses: one mare
lost on me when, less experienced than my a polo holiday, from tailored tuition to fantastic
from Zimbabwe was in foal on the journey, and
friends, I promptly tumbled in my first chukka). accommodation and plenty to do on the side. And
we’ve been using her colt for breeding. We now
Tracey, Christian’s partner, explained: “Our – especially relevant for a rotten Spanish-speaker
have 15 horses and capacity for 40-50. People
guests are mainly from the UK, usually groups or like me – as Rod pointed out, “When you come
can do other riding, and be involved in a wine
club, go mountain biking and fish for trout here.
couples and minus-one to two goals, but we can here, at least you know everyone speaks English!”
We are keen not to be élitism or intimidating, and
cater for whatever level you’re at.” ◗ www.poloschool.co.za; + 27 51 933 3938;
want to appeal to all sorts of people.
The staff, recruited locally, are attentive and tracey@poloschool.co.za; . Package prices: £210
For more, visit www.maremmana.co.za
keen to help, changing ponies as often as you (R2550) a day. Includes tuition, daily chukkas,
want to build confidence or help you progress. room and meals. X
58 January/February 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk
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