FOREWORD


Christopher Tauchert It is a pleasure and an honour to be asked to pen this Foreword – apparently I am the longest affiliated Member of the Club!


My first memories at the age of seven were of being a dutiful spare stick boy for my father.


Before our Committee and Members of Ham acquired the rights to what is known as the Petersham Ground we used to play in Richmond Park. This meant that any Sunday polo had to be played away at neighbouring clubs like Woolmers Park, Kirtlington, Tidworth and Taunton.


When Rhinefield had their annual August six day tournament, Ham was invited and almost the whole membership of Ham went to support and made it a holiday, staying in force in the Balmer Lawn hotel in Brockenhurst to support.


Through the Sunday away day matches Ham started reciprocal matches with teams from Guards and Cowdray. It was always a pleasure to play on Guards No.1 ground and Cowdray’s green lawns the latter which continues to this day.


The facilities at Ham have kept up with the times through the far sightedness of our Chairman and Committee. Purchasing a second ground, riding track, new stables and comprehensive watering system and improved club house with excellent catering facilities on Sunday.


HPC • THE LONDON POLO CLUB 9


Gone are the days when Mrs Ivy Walsh had to serve teas out of the back of a single horse trailer and members brought their own picnics, which on rare occasions they still do today. The club has been honoured by the support and attraction of H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince William & Prince Harry, playing for charities and Ham has supported many other Charity matches raising considerable amounts of money.


Those who started at our Club include David Brown, Bryan Morrison and Kenney Jones. Both the latter went onto to own their own polo clubs. Ginger Baker of the Cream got the polo bug with us; he played regularly at home and away matches. His drumming impromptu solo on the veranda of the club house one Sunday evening kept the members present spell bound and no one left until he had finished. Ginger, amongst other musicians, has graced our terraces.


I have been lucky to play polo in other parts of the world, Scotland, Germany, Dubai, New Delhi, Jaipur and Bombay. Ironically I have never played polo in Argentina, but have visited that country for a riding holiday.


Ham will always be my Home Club and long may the Club continue.


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