You managed to play almost 400 games last season – how did you achieve that in such a difficult year? “Without doubt it was thanks to the great


team behind me at Guards Polo Club; Nicola and Tara in the Polo Office, Peter Svoboda and his amazing grounds staff and everyone – accounts team, goal judges, pony lines stewards, umpires etc – who all went above and beyond to deliver the 2020 season. Those that know me will not be surprised to learn that I think some bloody mindedness on my part helped a bit too! I should also mention the positivity


from the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and Nick Wiles’s exceptional work maintaining regular contact with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which kept polo on the Department’s agenda. There was also some excellent work achieved by the HPA’s covid steering group. The ability to listen to all the Clubs across the UK, is key to running polo well. Also Josh Tuthill, the Polo Manager of Kirtlington, deserves a special mention. His legwork on the covid regulations and risk assessments was invaluable to all of us in the polo community.”


What was the toughest hurdle to overcome in 2020? “The sheer scale of having to start from scratch – from two to three people only allowed to stick & ball to the final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup in a week of pouring rain. But we did it!”


What surprised you most about last year and what was your highlight? “What surprised me the most was actually people’s love of polo and the kind of desire that gets things done. Before 2020 I was beginning to think that there were not many people left who loved this sport! A personal highlight has to be getting


a thank you off a truck driver at the first stick & ball session because it was the first job he’d had in 10 weeks. That really rammed home the duty we always have to open the Club as there were thousands of people who make their living when we are in business – grooms, players, farriers, vets, waiters, truck drivers, groundsmen etc – and all the people who supply them. We were told by the Prime Minister to get back to work and that’s what we did!


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DIRECTOR OF POLO’S REPORT Antony Fanshawe, Director of Polo at Guards Polo Club, BBACK INUSINESS!


reflects on scaling almost insurmountable hurdles in 2020 and why this season may well be the best yet...


INTERVIEW BY DIANA BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHS BY IMAGES OF POLO A Club highlight has to be the


incredible generosity of Clive Reid doubling his donation to be the first to stick & ball on The Princes’ Ground. Not only was that a fantastic and generous gesture, but it also launched the idea of hosting an NHS Day at the Club – date to be confirmed soon – and reminded us all of the terrible impact covid was having on so many lives.”


GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2021


You have been appointed Director of Polo at Guards Polo Club – the first time someone has held that post. What does this role entail that is different to your previous role as Polo Manager? “It is different. Previously I would come to the Club and start managing polo in April. Now I’m much more involved with the Board at all levels and it’s a much more encompassing, full-time role. It also


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