Welcome to our Club of the Month series, 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.
May’s Club of the Month
New Forest Polo Club
Can you tell us about the history of the club? The New Forest Polo Club, originally Rhinefield Polo Club, was established in 1935 by Major R. Walker-Munro, with the aim of providing inexpensive polo to residents of the New Forest. Rumour has it, from some of our more mature supporters, that there were early rules that a polo pony could not cost more than 50 guineas – so we like to think there were probably native New Forest ponies in some players’ strings!
What are the plans for 2023? This season, NFPC aims to expand the playing membership, and ensure they continue to develop the pathway for junior players and new players to the club. With plenty of tournaments planned, it’s sure to be a busy season.
What’s new for this year?
The fixture list has four ‘Big Tournament Weekends’ every season, and the Kuseyo Cup in August is particularly significant to the club this year. It will be the biggest weekend and is a Charity Match for Headway, the brain injury association. One of New Forest’s social members suffered a brain injury four years ago, and her return to riding is due in no small part to being introduced to the world of polo ponies.
To read Jodie’s story and find out more about Headway, please click here. Keep your eyes peeled for a mention in Horse & Hound soon too!
How many ponies are on site? We are a small club, and so no ponies are based at the club. We currently have 25 playing members, with many of these being very active Junior members. Two of our juniors even played in Palermo.
What’s the best thing about NFPC?
There are many generations of players at the club, some have moved away and come back, and the trophies tell a very treasured history of not only the club, but the families and friends of the club also. This must be the most idyllic club setting, where you can play polo while watching the deer and the native New Forest ponies graze.
What does a typical day look like at NFPC?
The club is fully run by a volunteer committee, and a day at the club often only starts when we’ve finished our day jobs! We head straight to the club for the essential polo activities such as grass mowing, but this year, thanks to an HPA grant, we have recycled, weatherproof boards – so painting and putting out boards is finally off the work plan!
Why Headway? Brain injury can challenge every aspect of your life – walking, talking, thinking, and feeling – and the losses can be severe and permanent. It can mean losing both the life you once lived, and the person you once were.
Headway is the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. Through its network of more than 125 groups and branches across the UK, it provides support, services, and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, and to professionals in the health and legal fields.
New Forest Polo Club’s social member Jodie Saunders suffered a brain injury during a fall from a horse while training at university. Jodie continues to face significant difficulties since her injury, but with the help of polo ponies at NFPC, she is back in the saddle and looking forward to the future.
