2.45pm to witness the first game and see how the pitch would perform. In the meantime, we were able to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the hospitality the event has to offer, plenty of drink and food outlets, with thousands of people enjoying the glorious sunshine. The organisers were
expecting good numbers to attend - the first day is usually fairly quiet, getting busier as the event progresses, with 16,000 tickets sold for Sunday. It looked like it was going to be a very busy weekend. Finally, the players make their way onto the pitch to begin their match. The game is played at fast tempo with horses galloping up and down the pitch at breakneck speed and turning on a sixpence. The players’ control of the ball is amazing; goals come thick and fast, making it a highly exciting and high scoring game. Rob was watching the horses closely, seeing how they perform on the surface and, more importantly, how the surface stood up to this activity. The variability of soils over such a large area can cause problems, with different parts of the ground having different playing characteristics. On the whole, Rob was pleased with the way the pitch was standing up to the rigours of the game. After each game the spectators are allowed onto the pitch to help put the divots back, quite a sight to see all these fashionable ladies in high heels walking all over the pitch. In amongst the melee of spectators, Rob and his staff - armed with forks - put back the worst of the divots.
Three more matches were to be played that day and, once play had finished, it was a case of getting back onto the ground and repairing it, using a set of brushes, rollers and rakes to restore levels. If time allows, they mow it and mark it again for the following day’s play. Once the event is over,
repair work is carried out, before handing the park back to the local authority. AT Bone are also required to repair all the damaged and worn areas where the stands, stables and hospitality tents/marquees have been. This involves decompacting
the areas using a vertidrain, topdressing and over sowing - usually leaving the site in a better condition than when they started! It is a tremendous event and plans are afoot to promote it in other parts of the country, allowing more people to witness a
spectacular spectator sport. It is certainly a full-on effort to get the polo field up and running in such a short time frame, but the rewards are excellent when you see the event unfold over three days. Rob must be very proud of what he and his staff have achieved this year and is, no doubt, looking forward to yet another exciting challenge next year.
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