PTJan/Feb 2010 p60-61 Travel 2 YC MB 22/1/10 10:59 Page 3
Polo Times talks to the founders of
new polo set-ups in South Africa
Theony MacRae
Horseback Africa – polo centre within a
family-friendly game reserve, ideal for
beginners, improvers and wildlife-watchers
Why did you first set up a riding and
safari lodge?
My husband, Dr Colin MacRae, grew up on a
Johannesburg gold mine where his father was the
accountant. He became a palaeontologist, wrote
an acclaimed book on South African fossils and
became assistant director of the Geological
Survey. Then, 20 years ago, he was gifted a
"throwaway" horse and – though he had no
experience – decided to try and win its trust. He
found he had an affinity with horses so he left his
job and we set up our business, Horseback Africa.
How did you move into polo?
Our children, who grew up riding, got us into polo
horsemanship and polo, working with the Valley and a sense of responsibility. Four girls and three years ago. When the bug bites, everybody
Education Fund run by Franshoek Farm (the VEF four boys are in the programme for 2010. gets infected! We’ve run the lodge and private
takes care of the school side with funding from “The two older boys, who have enjoyed
game reserve for 16 years and cater mostly for
Poloafrica, and the children come to Uitgedacht polo in their holidays and weekends for two
airline crews, who come for riding safaris as well
Farm for polo). This year the programme has years, won the junior section at Free State
as "walking with lions" – awesome and safe! Last
sponsorship from the SA Polo Association. Champs, and the older boy, Thapelo Motijoa,
year we started offering polo holidays, mainly for
“The children play only if they do well at won the B section at Sparta. The four girls
Britons and Europeans. We have locals for weekly
‘
chukkas and socials and we’re registering our
school and show discipline and enthusiasm for had previously dropped out of school, and
club. Our children Brandon and Megan, who have
the ponies and the sport. The point is not to because of Poloafrica registered
played in England and Argentina and also play
create future players (although that is again. One, Mamaseko Sithole, won
locally here at East Rand Polo Club, work here,
happening) but to foster academic upliftment MVP at a Franshoek tournament. F
while Craig and Owen are in England grooming.
Our coach is former seven-goaler Gavin Chaplin,
Leah Ludlow asks Catherine Cairns how she transformed and we have 35 horses trained for polo and
Uitgedacht Farm in the Free State into a thriving polo centre
safaris. We have a full-sized field, stick-and-ball
fields and a wooden horse. You may see game –
giraffe, zebra or antelope – from the fields, as
How did you get involved in polo in
chukkas and tournaments, we run the
they aren’t fenced from the reserve.
South Africa?
Poloafrica development programme and we
When I was in Johannesburg on business
cater for visiting players of up to two goals.
a friend persuaded me to try riding his polo
What have been the challenges/delights of
We offer tuition, such as wooden horse and
ponies, which sparked my interest in polo.
your polo project?
stick and ball exercises, as well as pony
I stayed at Franshoek [a neighbour of
The greatest challenge is to keep the fields
schooling and “polo riding” lessons, then
Uitgedacht Farm] eight years ago and fell in
chukkas. We can instruct on horse care and
playable when the animals think it belongs to
love with the extraordinary beauty of the
tack too. Our arena helps with schooling
them to romp in! It has been a delight to meet
area, and the fact that polo is a way of life
young horses and building the confidence of
other enthusiastic players. Do what you like and
for the local farming community. I hunted a
newer riders. We have over 70 horses,
like what you do ?– that is our motto!
lot in the UK and polo in the Eastern Free
comprising a small breeding herd, green
For more, visit www.horsebackafrica.co.za
State reminded me of the charm of rural
youngsters and seasoned polo ponies. Most
packs. I love the way of life, and the love of
of our ponies we make from the track.
the game. This isn’t “posh polo”!
What are the charges?
How did you set up the club? All inclusive, for accommodation, chukkas
I bought the farm in 2002. The minute I first and tuition and a minimum of four horses
drove up the tree-lined farm road I knew it was per day, is R2,800 (approximately £225) per
what I wanted! The farmhouse had been person per day.
derelict for 25 years and I renovated it, added
What tips do you have for anyone
buildings, restored the infrastructure, built the
setting up a club abroad?
arena and planted the first polo field – a full-
Be careful how you spend your money! It is
size, boarded field. We have a second field
like property development anywhere: you
under construction, as well as an irrigation
need to manage contractors with caution,
system, a clubhouse and more guest cottages.
add 50 per cent cost contingency to
I want two of the best fields in the country!
estimates and double your timescales. In
The MacRae family (l-r): Owen (19), Megan (25),
What do you offer now at Poloafrica?
general just be wary and do careful research.
Brandon (27, with Weimeraner), Craig (21, with
We are a thriving club – farmers play For more visit www.poloafrica.com
Jack Russell), Theony and Colin
www.polotimes.co.uk January/February 2010 61
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