Indoor polo test match at Hickstead

By Hilary Scott

Event diary

29 January 2009 14:14

The fast and thrilling new sport of Arena Polo comes to Hickstead which is hosting an England v USA test match in February.

Arena Polohas been developed to take the sport into the winter months. The game, which is scheduled for Saturday 28 February, will be played on the 100 metre by 50 metre, enclosed all-weather arena installed three years ago as part of Hickstead's £500,000 improvement programme.

The winners will receive the Bryan Morrison Trophy, presented in memory of the music-publishing entrepreneur who founded the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. A 12 Goal Challenge Match will start the programme at 11.30am.

This will be the second test match played at Hickstead. Last year, England took on South Africa in the first ever test match in this country. Hundreds of spectators, basking in the January sunshine on the newly finished clubhouse terraces, saw the home team romp to a decisive victory. Hickstead has been chosen to play host again in 2010.

Both teams in this year's England v USA game are playing at 20-goal standard - a very high rating for test matches and sure to result in a thrilling match. John Bunn, Director of the All England Polo Club, said: "The game will be played at a tremendous pace. This standard of polo will be a thrilling introduction for anyone new to arena polo, which here at Hickstead is going from strength to strength."

Arena polo was introduced 15 years ago. Until then the sport ended before winter and the ponies were turned away until the following spring. But playing on all-weather surfaces, where the crowds can get closer to the game has produced a fast-growing sport in the UK. It is supported by the Hurlingham Polo Association, the sport's governing body.

Players at this year's test match will be: -

England Team: (20 Goal)
Chris Hyde (9 Goals) Team Manager and Coach Ryan Pemble (5 Goal) Nacho Gonzalez (9 Goals) Team Captain Howard Smith (6 Goal)

USA Team: (20 Goal)
Charlie Muldoon (5 Goal)
Shane Rice (8 Goal)
Billy Sheldon (7 Goal) Team Captain

Gates will open at 10.30am and admission to the match will be £15 per person (£10 in advance). Tickets can also be purchased for the After Polo Lunch, which includes a three-course meal and wine. For more information and bookings, please visit www.hickstead.co.uk or call 01273 834315.