Welcome to our new series, Club of the Month, where we highlight one of our amazing clubs and share their news, views, and plans for the season. If you would like to nominate you favourite club, or would like to be featured, email media@hpa-polo.co.uk for more info.
April’s Club of the Month
Kirtlington Park Polo Club
Can you tell us about the history of the club? Established in 1926 by Hugh Budgett, Kirtlington Park Polo Club (KPPC) has grown to become the third largest club in terms of members in the UK. Today, the club is owned by Hugh’s great-grandson, Charlie Budgett, who is continuing the legacy of providing competitive low goal polo alongside a fun, friendly and family-based atmosphere.
KPPC’s number one ground offers an idyllic setting for hosting a range of events, from their usual polo matches, to private parties and balls. Players and guests enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the Capability Brown landscape, with the grand Kirtlington House in the background.
What’s new for 2023? We are very excited this season as we are increasing our irrigation capabilities on the grounds. Currently, two of our six pitches can be irrigated, and we are looking to expand this to an additional two pitches. Caring for the grounds is essential to ensure the wellbeing of the horses. We are also committed to nurturing the next generation of umpires by introducing a system that encourages young players to take up umpiring. They will be guided by experienced umpires throughout the season, as well as having opportunities to attend seminars with Tristan Pemble.
What’s the best thing about KPPC? KPPC is renowned for its strong community and its much-anticipated, themed parties. Every year, our Ball is a highlight on the social calendar, with guests eagerly awaiting the opportunity to dress up and immerse themselves in the Hollywood, Alice in Wonderland, or other themed atmospheres. It’s always a wild night, and one that is sure to leave partygoers with a few sore heads the following morning!
On that note, join us this Saturday, 29th, at Kirtlington House for our “throw in” drinks party! Afterwards, those who want to keep the good times going can head to the clubhouse for an after party. Tickets are now available at www.kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk.
The Club also stands out for its ability to take players from the very beginning stages of learning to play to competing in higher-levels. With Kirtlington Park Polo School on site, as well as Oxford Polo close by, the club is instrumental in fostering the future of the sport. Many young players have started at the club and gone on to compete in the high-goal, such as Lucas Monteverde, Henry Brett, and Jimbo Fewster to name a few.
If we had to choose the ultimate “best thing” about KPPC it would have to be the people. KPPC is made great through the support of our remarkable members, the Budgett family, La Rosada Polo, CSC Polo, Kirtlington Park Polo School and Oxford Polo!
How many ponies are on site? Our tight-knit community is largely due to the fact that we have such a large number of horses and players on the farm. With more than 100 polo ponies on the premises, we are fortunate to have our polo pitches right on our doorstep.
What does a typical day look like at KPPC? No two days at the club are ever the same! The team at KPPC know how to make sure the grounds are in tip-top shape. Every week, the grounds staff work diligently to get the polo fields ready. Our head groundskeeper, Magic, is renowned for his ability to quickly and efficiently transform the pitches ‘magically’ after a weekend of polo. We’re also thankful for our incredible support crew who come in on Mondays to divot stomp and sand the fields.
The office is constantly abuzz with activity – whether it’s Chris Crawford grabbing a cup of coffee and organising his 4 goal team, or Nico Fontanarrosa’s new revolutionary idea. We’re always kept on our toes! Luckily, we have the support of our “unofficial office member”, the PlayPolo app created by United Polo, which helps us manage administrative tasks with much less effort.
Any final thoughts? Don’t be a stranger – come and play at KPPC!
