ANNIVERSARY


Oxford University Polo Club, 1877


Celebrating 150 years of British polo


This year is particularly significant to the sport of polo here in the UK. It is 150 years since “hockey on horseback” was first played in Great Britain. To celebrate such a significant


anniversary, Polo150 has been created to develop and manage a series of events to mark that auspicious occasion which is recognised universally as heralding the modern era of the game


T


he first acknowledged game in the UK was played in 1869, so predating the FA Cup, the


Ashes and the modern Olympics. It was organised by officers stationed at Aldershot in Hampshire and legend has it that one of the officers had read about a form of the game in India, in a copy of The Field magazine. Both etiquette and rules were soon established and it was not long before polo was being played at a variety of clubs in England. The Hurlingham Club in Fulham was among the first – it dates back to 1874. Guards Polo Club may not have come into existence for another 81 years, but


it will be at the forefront of the Polo150 celebrations in the UK. Our team will be working closely with Major Mark Cann and his team at The UK Armed Forces Polo Association (UKAFPA) to create a couple of celebratory events this season. One of these will be a key part of our Inter Regimental Day on Sunday 14 July. This year’s Chapple Cup Series, which traditionally concludes at Smith’s Lawn, will see a Polo150 Invitational team in action against an AFPA team. Mark Cann, already a key figure within


military polo, revealed more about the Polo150 celebrations. “Polo150 is an opportunity for the sport to join together


and celebrate our common bonds, achievements and how lucky we are to be part of such a unique and amazing sport. It is also an opportunity to convey to a wider audience the positive aspects of the sport, which we highlight in the Polo150’s five key messages. I am so grateful to Neil Hobday and Guards Polo Club, a constant friend to Armed Forces Polo, for its support to Polo150 and the Poloafrica initiative. Enjoy!” Guards Polo Club is a key stakeholder


in Polo150, with Club CEO Neil Hobday commenting: “Guards Polo Club has always been proud of its own history and traditions. We have marked several


guards polo club official yearbook 2019 91


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