Action on the beach.
The award-winning Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach returns to Watergate Bay for the fifth year in September, with the promise of speed, excitement and some of the country’s top professional polo players.
Over the past four years Polo on the Beach has built a reputation both in Cornwall and the polo world as one of the highlights of the autumn events calendar. With many of the UK’s top polo players queueing up
to play, this year’s match on Tuesday 6th September is set to be the most exciting yet.
Six professional polo players, one umpire and nearly 30 horses will take to the sands of the famous surfingbeach to play four fast-paced chukkas (periods of play lasting six and a half minutes) in a small arena
measuring 100m by 50m.
Andy Burgess, one of the organisers and team captain, said the event will be great for spectators: “This
event is much more intimate then any other polo tournament – the spectators can get so close to watch
the action and meet the players afterwards, which you don’t get the chance to do at the more traditional
events.
Beach polo
“It’s also great to watch. When playing in the small arena the players have got to be quicker with the stick work as you don’t have much time to think between shots – you turn and accelerate quite quickly, so you
have got to be sharper.”
With its friendly atmosphere, beach barbeque and free entry for spectators, the event is the opposite the stereotypical view of polo as an elitist sport for the wealthy. Expert commentators will explain the rules and strategy of the game during the match, while summarising
the action.
Romain Herbelot of title sponsors Veuve Clicquot said that polo’s boom in popularity is not surprising:
“Last year a record number of people on the beach at Watergate Bay were treated to a thrilling match starring players of the highest calibre. Polo can seem intimidating but this event is the exact opposite, it’s
great to see as many people as possible discovering how exciting and entertaining the sport can be.”
In previous years spectators have enjoyed watching the sibling rivalry between brothers Richard and Andrew Blake Thomas, both England internationals, who are hoping to participate again in this year’s event.
The two teams, sponsored by Joules and First Great Western, will compete for the Watergate Bay Trophy, awarded to the winning team. Special awards will be given to the Most Valuable Player and the Best Playing Pony, which is presented to the player who rode the stand-out pony during the game. Tom Joule, CEO of team sponsors Joules, said: “We are thrilled to be returning once again as team sponsor for Polo on the Beach. The event has been generating great excitement in the equestrian world and Watergate Bay offers a unique location for the match, the relaxed beach atmosphere certainly attracts many avid and new polo fans. We wish the teams the best of luck in this year’s match.”
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of team sponsor First Great Western, said: “During
the summer we run extra services into nearby Newquay station. It is a very popular resort
and we are delighted to be sponsoring what is sure to be a great day out for all the family.
I wish both teams good luck, although of course I fully expect that our team will come
First!”
The match starts at 6.30pm, and to help spectators soak up the atmosphere, the Veuve Clicquot
champagne bar and beach barbeque will be open on the beach from 3pm. Extra car parking is also
available this year to cater for the growing number of people attending the free event.
A limited number of event hospitality tickets are available priced £60 and include a pre-match Veuve
Clicquot and canapé reception at The Hotel, Watergate Bay with live music. Ticket holders will also have
private access to the hotel’s terraces, offering an ideal viewing platform to watch the game.
For hospitality tickets please contact Alison Payne on 01637 861295 or email: alison@watergatebay.co.uk.
There are still rooms available at The Hotel on Tuesday 6th September, priced from £280 for two people on
bed and breakfast rate including two hospitality tickets.
For more information on the event go to www.watergatebay.co.uk/polo
The Teams
Joules (Team handicap: 15 goals)
Tim Vaux Handicap: 4 goals
As well as a busy career as a professional polo player, Tim Vaux also runs the family business at Vaux Park Polo Club in Somerset where he is the polo manager. Equally at home playing on turf or sand, Tim is a fixture at prestigious polo tournaments throughout the UK. He is regarded as an expert arena polo player.
Richard Blake Thomas Handicap: 4 goals
Having represented England in international polo matches Richard Blake Thomas is no stranger to the highest level of the sport. Richard plays for the Meyado team based at the Guards Club in Windsor Great Park, and can often be seen on the field at Cowdray Park Polo Club and the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. And as well as playing the sport, Richard breeds and imports horses specifically for polo.
Jamie Le Hardy Handicap: 7 goals
Current England squad member Jamie Le Hardy is a qualified polo coach and professional player based at Burningfold Polo Club near Guildford. He is a member of both Cowdray Park Polo Club and Guards Polo Club. Jamie has competed in polo matches in over 40 countries around the world, winning the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park in 1997 – one of the world’s “big three” tournaments.
First Great Western (Team handicap: 14 goals)
Andy Burgess Handicap: 2 goals
Following a career as a professional player taking part in tournaments all over Europe, in Argentina and the USA, Andy runs South West Polo from his training ground near Wadebridge with his wife Nikki, teaching polo to novices and training horses and developing the sport of polo in the Southwest. When not teaching, Andy is a member and player at Vaux Park, near Yeovil.
Andrew Blake Thomas Handicap: 5 goals
Professional polo player and younger brother of Richard, Andrew is a former England international. A firm favourite with the Polo on the Beach crowd, he has won the most valuable player trophy for the last two years, impressing with his eye for goal. Andrew currently plays for patrons in the UK and abroad.
James Harper Handicap: 7 goals
One of six England squad players, James Harper recently helped his team Black Bears to victory at this year’s Windsor Cup, receiving the trophy from the Queen and earning the award for the most valuable player of the tournament. Currently at the top of his game, James is one of the UK’s highest handicapped players.