AKUMA University Polo Challenge 2009
The AKUMA University Arena Polo Challenge 2009
The first Akuma arena event of the season took place at West Wycombe Arena on a very wet and windy Saturday in November. Akuma were on hand with a range of clothing and SUPa related goodies for the Students. Also there were the Shelton Brothers. George is at Regent’s College in London and Ed at Loughborough University, to highlight their new range of belts, wallets and shoes. Look at www.egf-polo.co.uk
On hand was photographer Michael Cox whose daughter was playing for Royal Holloway, he has very kindly offered to help cover any event his daughter is at and proceeds from his photographs will go to the Royal Holloway Polo Club to help with training etc. His web site is: www.michaeljcox.com click on equine events.
However the conditions did not dampen the spirits of the 14 teams who took part in the 3 Section tournament. With Professional Umpire Jason Dixon officiating, this was an ideal event for teams to judge how they are measuring up and for the Beginner teams to see what tournament polo is all about.
The Pony Suppliers, who are to be thanked for offering very low and reasonable rates (normal hire rates are higher) each looked after specific teams, making timing and mounting easier and despite a late start due to the fact that most got lost the event was only 15 minutes late in finishing.
Both Beginners and Novice Sections were made up of 6 teams playing American Tournaments and then finals. It was the Royal Vet College who topped AMT 1 and Royal Holloway in AMT 2 who played off for the first and second place with a superb display by both teams, though Royal Vet College just squeezed home.
In the Novice it was a 3 horse race with favourites London running into a surprisingly strong Reading team in the very first game. The score was 5 – 3 in favour of Reading in what was one of the best chukkas of the day. Oxford Brookes won the other AMT and had the task of trying to beat Reading in the final. Despite a determined effort they were unable too and Reading won the Section.
In the Novice/Combined a girls team took on the Boys in a 3 chukka match which saw the Girls gelling quicker and taking a strong lead before the Boys came back in the final third chukka, but to no avail as the Girls won.
Tom Aldersley of AKUMA was on hand to present the winners with Akuma prizes ranging from t-shirts to hats to hoodies and joggers.
Beginner Section Novice Section Nov/Combined
1. Royal Vet College 1. Reading 1. The Girls
2. Royal Holloway 1 2. Oxford Brookes 2. The Boys
3. Royal Holloway 2 3. London
4. Royal Agric College 4. Royal Vet College
5. London 5. Royal Holloway
6. Royal Vet College 2 6. Royal Agric College
MVP Beginner: Harriet Fairhurst Prize from Roxton Polo
MVP Novice: Jason Turner Prize from Roxton Polo
MVP Nov/Comb: Sophie Rintoul-Hoad Prize from EGF Polo
Photographs from this event will be posted in the Gallery.