DIRECTOR OF POLO' S REPORT
means that once the pandemic is over, Guards Polo Club can expand its work supporting and advising clubs around the world. I believe that at my age I can now see
pretty much the whole picture of what the sport is about. I know the top players, the best groundsmen, the best places to buy horses etc. Guards Polo Club can offer beginner lessons to delivering the greatest polo tournament in Europe – we really can do it all. We used to regularly share our knowledge with an array of clubs worldwide and it will be good to be back sharing our expertise in the off season at Smith’s Lawn.”
The Princes’ Ground came into your ground roster last season. How did this new ground play and how did that help your ground scheduling? What was the feedback from the players? “With the usual, new ground teething troubles, the new ground gave us approximately 40 games last season. When it was good it was really good, but like all new grounds it will take time to settle and establish its natural form. However, it is a laser-levelled, full-sized field and it really is amazing when it plays well.”
What are the plans for the future grounds’ development at Guards Polo Club? “Over the winter we fixed the drainage on the new ground, but the Club’s grounds development plan is currently on hold due to the pandemic. Hopefully, teams will continue to support our plans and we can turn grounds six and eight into the fully-drained and flat pitches that they should be as soon possible. It is in the Club’s DNA to look to continually improve itself and if you want to play good polo you need good fields.”
The 2021 season started on time with all the tournaments scheduled, including the return of the Varsity, the Inter Regimental and the Copenhagen. How difficult has that been to put in place? “It has been quite difficult believing that is what we are doing but we have started on time and with obvious care, caution and respect towards the pandemic, we are expecting to play a packed season across all levels of polo.”
The HPA introduced new rules in 2020 to reduce contact and help keep everyone safe on the field. Which, if any of those new rules remain this year? “Polo has resumed to the 2019, pre- pandemic rules, although we can adjust them if the pandemic becomes worse or if the sport is at all viewed as dangerous. One of the things that was highlighted last season was that we can easily adjust the sport to keep ourselves safe. In fact, all sport has proved to be quite adaptable. The most important thing is to keep everyone as safe as possible.”
The Club has launched a new 22-goal tournament in 2021, The Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup. What was the reasoning behind this competition? “With the growth of private fields and a lack of any high-goal polo in the UK in August it means that these top fields are not being used during one of our most beautiful months. There are so many fields in the Windsor area that don’t get used in August. This is an incredibly bad use of resources. So, with some teams
“We need to try and help as many people as possible by getting back to business and a massive part of our business is the final of the
Cartier Queen’s Cup” ANTONY FANSHAWE, DIRECTOR OF POLO
pushing for more polo at this time at the 22-goal level and Guards Polo Club believing that we need to try and keep the best polo in the world here, it made sense to create a new, 22-goal competition later in the season.”
The high-goal season is moving back two weeks, meaning the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final will be played on 27 June. What are the logistics behind this move? “Our hand was forced somewhat as the lockdown is not looking likely to end before 21 June. We need to try and help as many people as possible by getting back to business and a massive part of our business is the final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup. The season was earlier than usual anyway due to the way the calendar fell but the delay also suited some of the high-goal teams who were experiencing difficulties getting their horses into the country. However, I would like to thank the team at Cirencester Park Polo Club for working with us on our date changes; their support made the rollout of our revised fixtures so much easier.”
Your son Oli is playing some of his polo at Guards Polo Club when studies allow. What advice would you give to him that you wish someone had told you at the age of 21? “Stick & ball as much as you can and play polo with your friends.” ◆
Agronomist Nick Hallam, Head Groundsman Peter Svobda, Director of Polo Antony Fanshawe, Club Chairman Brian Stein and Grounds Committee Chairman Col Stuart Cowen with Clive Reid at the official opening of the Princes' Ground in 2020
GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2021 81
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