AKUMA National University Arena

Polo Championships 2010

 

By Mike Hobday

"Veni, vidi, vici" (pronounced [weni widi wiki]  in Classical Latin or [veni vidi viti] in Vulgar Latin) is a famous Latin sentence reportedly written by Julius Caesar in 47 BC as a comment on his short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus.  (Courtesy Wikipedia)

It translates as "I came, I saw, I conquered"    (That’s for you Uni students studying history!)

Well so did the Scottish!  The Blue Ribbon of the AKUMA Championships, the Open went to Edinburgh University and the Upper Intermediate to St. Andrews.  A first for the Scottish Universities to take the major titles, another first was the joining of AKUMA as title sponsors of University Polo, also a first was that 107 teams took part making this officially the “Largest Arena Polo Tournament in the World”.

For the first time in their polo lives University Polo becomes “Inclusive”, with capped pony hire costs (from approved regulated suppliers) making playing as well as lessons in riding and playing accessible to all.  The numbers of new players (both riders and non riders alike), not interested in the visuals of the professional game, are thirsting to play “The Game of Kings”.

Edinburgh in the Open certainly saved it till late as Oxford University raced away to a 5 – 0 lead in the first chukka, although by the end of the second it was 5 – 2 and the travelling Scots got back into the game. This was evident with the scores tied 5 a piece at the end of the third, setting the scene for a frantic last chukka from both teams.  MVP Ed Parsons (voted by Jack Kidd on behalf of Beach Polo who presented the MVP awards) rallied his team of Munro and Whittington and they just pipped the Mayou led Oxford by 7 – 6 to take the title.

Not to be content to just win the Open, the other Scottish University in the Championships, St Andrews, duly clinched a very tight division to take the Upper Intermediate, with Ferranti, Drummond Murray and Mackintosh all contributing to this hard fought victory.  This was a very tight Section with 9 very well balanced teams and ensuring that the Champions had to earn their victory throughout.  Although won by St Andrews, Regents A and Bristol A had to win some very hard fought games on the way to the final 3 way decider.  Although MVP Constantijn Huynen was not in the winning team, his contribution to his Regent A side throughout was unfaltering.

The Royal Agricultural College, following up the Novice success in wresting the NFU Mutual Agricultural Challenge Cup away from holders, Harper Adams, showed depth in numbers by also securing first place in the new Lower Intermediate Championship.

Perennial finalists in the Novice Section Warwick took on new boys Loughborough in the final (a great credit to Glen Percy for this as he coaches both teams) and despite Warwick’s tremendous pressure it was Loughborough who took the honours. Rebecca Griffiths of runners-up Warwick was the MVP for this large section.

The biggest Section and possibly the most even were the Beginners, a section for players who took up the stick for the first time this academic year.  The standard of this Section has steadily risen over the few years of its existence, not only showing that the SUPA maintained standards of Pony Supply works, but that the Roxton Certification of Novice riders and the hard work and level of the coaching supplied is now paying off, so ensuring that the World of Polo gets well informed and better trained players for the future.

Although the final was a bit one sided, both Birmingham and Royal Vets College justifiably earned there place with both fighting hard throughout the tournament.  Despite this it was the Vet’s who came out on top with a 3 – 0 win to give them their first ever title.  In ninth place a Southampton team provided the MVP for the Section with the plaudits going to Izzy Crane, whose riding of a polo pony and as such the platform to hit made her a worthy winner.

The Alumni tournament was won in convincing style by the Jennings, Pike and Morrell, team of Los Loco Polistas who defeated other ex – students on their way to the trophy supported by Lycetts, the SAPA and SUPA insurers who also support by ensuring all members are covered by a Personal Accident Insurance, the first Associations to include this.

David Blakey (former SUPA UK Arena Captain)  from the Royal Vets College was joined by Jon Matthews of Imperial and Mir Ahmed of Greenwich to win the Combined University title, in what was a very close fought division in a 5 – 3 victory over Irish International Fiona Seager, Max Treacy also from Dublin and Rebecca Griffiths from Warwick.

As for the Championships as a whole, well, we’ve done it! Officially the largest Arena Polo Tournament in the World, albeit, to quote the Beatles, “With a little help from our friends!”  In fact all our friends, colleagues, players, and facility staff alike.

There were four days of intensive polo, at the Hand Equestrian Arena in North Somerset, normally a premier show jumping venue and a training centre for the 2012 Olympics, which for the  Akuma Championships was transformed into hosting this mammoth event.

The event itself was run with military precision, although a few skirmishes were lost due to various reasons, tactically of course!  John Jennings and Jamie Pikes marshalling was paramount and their relationship with the teams and providers meant a steady stream of teams all tournament.  In fact Friday saw polo being played from 09.30 in the morning till 22.20 at night with a chukka every 10 minutes, some feat! 

The arena was overseen by Jason Dixon and Sean Dayus, as Professional Umpires, booked through Black & White, the Umpiring “One Stop Shop” company, maintaining high standards throughout and even the arena balls were supplied by USPA accepted Pro Chukker, again to maintain continuity.

Behind the scenes, Rhi Lee Jones had the unenviable task of keeping the draw up to date, and formalising the results passed on to her by the consummate professional, Lady Cowley, this year she was ably assisted by Lydia Styler.

The standard of polo and riding at all levels  has improved dramatically, hopefully showing that the minimum standards laid down by SUPA, the standard of Coaching, and the Roxton supported Safety campaign is gathering momentum.  Even Charles Owen where there on the first day to offer advice and fitting to those who needed guidance about “hatting”.

Saturday night saw the Students let their hair down with the Official Players Party hosted by Bristol University Polo Club. Over 500 boosted by guests from Bristol, enjoyed an evening of Circus themed mayhem, including 2 discos and more inflatable’s than you could point a polo stick at.  Amazingly Polo was able to start at 09.20 the next morning but reports are somewhat hazy!

All in all a record breaking event from start to finish and it was a weary band who tidied up after the presentations by Tom Aldersley of Akuma, Piers Plunkett of Lycetts and Johnny Wheeler of Beach Polo.  Plans are already afoot for next year’s event, possibly not as big but certainly better although how we are not sure!