Women and children to benefit from polo

By Justine Thompson

Event diary

08 March 2010 16:29

School children and women riders are to benefit from new initiatives in polo in 2010.

Model Jodie Kidd has this week launched the ‘Polo in the Park’ event at London’s Hurlingham Club, which is part of a world series of polo competitions.

This year it is to be run with new rules designed to make it faster, more furious and more inclusive than ever.

Teams will be down to three players instead of four, and each team must now include at least one lady rider.

There will also be eight teams in total rather than the four of last year’s event, and they will play on a smaller pitch so spectators can see more of the action.

Polo in the Park is part of the World Polo Series, which sees a succession of events in six major cities worldwide, with a team from each participating country playing in the tournament; London, New York, Moscow, Barbados, Geneva, Milan, Durban and Sydney.

Schoolchildren are also to benefit. The World Polo Series has teamed up with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to offer free polo lessons to local comprehensive schools in the area.

Each week World Polo Series players like such as Jack Kidd, Jodie’s brother, will host a day of teaching at Hurlingham Park.

The World Polo Series takes place on June 4-6. For more details go to www.polointheparklondon.com