Fri 12th Apr 2019Polo Celebrates an Important Birthday1869-2019
2019 marks a special year for the sport of polo. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first acknowledged game of polo. ‘Hockey on horseback’, as it was referred to then was organised by officers stationed at Aldershot, one of whom had read about a form of the game in India, in The Field magazine. Etiquette, followed by rules developed very quickly afterwards, as did the emergence of polo being played at many Clubs, Hurlingham being amongst the first (1874). With this is mind, Polo150 will be celebrating this momentous occasion throughout 2019 with a series of events and tournaments, including The Chapple Cup Series military matches, International matches and The Poloafrica Tour to the UK hosted by UKAFPA between 17 – 25 June culminating in a weekend of games at Cirencester Park Polo Club for The Warwickshire Cup Day and The Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club. Polo150 will be inclusive, acknowledging the military origins of the sport, but incorporating all elements and players (past and present) of today’s ‘global’ game. HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron of UK Armed Forces Polo Association Charity (UKAFPA) and supports the Polo150 initiative. “As Patron of the U.K. Armed Forces Polo Association, I am delighted to support their ‘Polo150’ initiative to celebrate this significant landmark in the sport’s history. “I do congratulate the U.K.A.F.P.A. for taking on this initiative, and for using it to bring the world of polo together to celebrate a most remarkable sport – from which I still bear the scars! – and send my very best wishes to everyone in the polo world as we celebrate its one hundred and fiftieth birthday.” During the year, Polo150 will be raising money for polo related charities all over the world. Donations can be made through Just Giving or via the UKAFPA website here. |