Fri 14th Feb 2025Polo Times’ Response to HPA’s Social Media Post
Yesterday, Thursday 13 February, the Hurlingham Polo Association published a response to the questions asked in the February issue of Polo Times regarding the England Team selection process.
Whilst it is encouraging to see the dialogue being opened and social media providing a platform for polo players and the wider polo community to have their opinion, it is disappointing that the HPA’s article contains a number of errors and false statements. As it is unclear who at the HPA wrote the post, we will address and correct the points made.
The reference to Editor’s Comment is incorrect – it was Polo Times’ Publisher’s comments which the HPA references. Polo Times offers an opportunity for feedback from the polo community to be given a wider platform and as the Publisher, Nick Hine felt it important to report on the disquiet being voiced to Polo Times about the lack of transparency regarding the England Team Selection. In our democratic society, the freedom of free press is not something which should be overshadowed by anybody or anything hence why we provided a two-sided argument for discussion and to invite further opinion – half of which has been omitted by the HPA.
Polo Times notified the HPA in advance that its February issue would be running a letter “about the team selection for the recent Arena International at Hickstead… essentially, there’s disquiet that 2 of the 3 Players for England were not UK born… puzzlement (being) so many other players were seemingly overlooked…”
Polo Times confirmed to the HPA, “We are happy to add an Editor’s note regarding how the Arena team was selected: can you (the HPA) give me feedback?”
The above are direct quotes made in writing by Polo Times to the HPA.
To provide the balance, the HPA asked to see the letter, but Polo Times subsequently advised that the letter would not be run, but rather, it would include a comment, giving “both sides of the argument”.
Corrections aside, we are puzzled at the criticism which some here have metred out when the Publisher’s Comment a) stated “looking at both sides of the coin” and then b) Nick proceeded to make both arguments (?).
To those who have understood what Polo Times was saying – thank you – to those, who have not and before others jump in to criticise, be clear of the facts.
Polo Times’ position is clear:
i) We are only reporting on the “disquiet/ dismay” numerous polo players have voiced/ but sadly, all-too often, players and their families are too afraid to raise the comments openly for fear of recriminations ii) It is the role of the media to give feedback – in Polo Times’ case, from the polo community to the governing body – so that open discussion may ensue iii) Any organisation needs checks and balances iv) Progress will never be made in improving our great sport if people are afraid to voice an opinion v) Polo Times asked the HPA for feedback vi) The HPA used to have their own comments section in Polo Times but this was stopped by the HPA several years ago vii) Polo Times’ primary points of concern were that a) the HPA’s selection criteria is not clear, b) that young players need to be given something to work towards, and c) an inclusive environment will never be achieved unless a) and b) are in harmony viii) Finally, the HPA is always welcome to provide comment directly to Polo Times For those who have not seen the Publisher's comment in the February issue of Polo Times: 2025 is Polo Times’ 30th Anniversary and on behalf of our whole team, I would like to thank our subscribers and advertisers for, in the words of the late, great Horace Laffaye, helping make “Polo Times, undoubtedly the most influential contemporary polo magazine.” I should also like to salute all grooms, players and clubs who work tirelessly to ensure that polo continues to be played around the globe! We simply could not have done it without you! To paraphrase Winston Churchill, your polo handicap is your passport to the world. Whilst Polo Times always works hard to avoid polo-tics, following the HPA’s England team selection in the recent Bryan Morrison Trophy, there were grumbles on the polo grapevine which cannot be ignored. The key question being asked was why did the HPA select two of its three players for the England team to be from Argentina and Zambia originally? Particularly, when there was a wealth of talented English born and bred arena polo players waiting for the call-up. Whilst there is no doubting the two players in question are talented – and incidentally, great people, both on and off the field – the fact that the World Polo Tour ranks them as being Argentine and Zambian respectively, could be seen to potentially bring into question the HPA’s own validation process. Looking at both sides of the coin, one defence will be that similar occurrences are already commonplace in other sports. Another, if you are English, then you are English, regardless of where you were born. However, the counter-argument will obviously be that no other governing body would allow 66% of its National team to be as the recent England polo team’s selection. Poor optics aside, if the HPA’s Performance Pathway is intended to promote the interest of English players on a national and international platform, it is not too hard to see why the recent team selections raised eyebrows within the polo community. Valid concerns aside and looking to the future, as the days get longer and the countdown to the 2025 grass season in the UK gets underway, this issue covers the cornucopia of polo that has been played in the last month, with everything from The Bryan Morrison Trophy here in the UK to the epic landscapes of Saudi Arabia and the snowy climes of Aspen.
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