Newsletter - Winter 2003

Busiest Summer On Record at Ascot Park

'Nobody does it better' became the watch words for Ascot Park's Corporate Polo events this summer. Apparently our corporate guests thought so too with over 30 corporate agencies and client companies, such as Commerzbank shown left, selecting the 'Learn to Play Polo' Experience as a team-building or entertaining activity. As pioneers of polo as a corporate hospitality event, Ascot Park retained its status as the 'original and the best' with its volume of business significantly exceeding that of other polo organisations competing in this market.

Activities were not restricted to the Club's home base. 'Transportation Captain' Kenny Tombe led an expedition to deepest Wales as club members and professionals set off to play the Cardiff Castle Exhibition polo day in July. Toast Life, also held off-site at Syon Park, saw crowds of thousands turn up for instruction under the guidance of Pippa Grace. Visitors also enjoyed the spectacle of both professional and celebrity teams competing on a mini polo ground as visitors, TV chefs, Howard Hipwood, Jodie Kidd and Tarquin Southwell took to the field.

Another early season event was Equus, an equestrian show and exhibition held in Docklands. A crew of instructors manned the stand for three days giving instruction in rather narrow confines on the wooden horse!! Victoria Grace, Daniel Otamendi, talented young brother and sister players Harriet and Nicholas Pepper and 16 year olds Claire Brougham and James Heaps impressed the crowd demonstrating skills of arena play in an equally confined mini arena.

The Corporate Polo season started in earnest with a very big bang as 80 guests from Citibank arrived to experience polo for the first time with a group of similar magnitude drawn from Oxford University MBA students, masterminded by Pippa Grace, arriving at the other end of the season.

As with the Citibank day, the key to the success of such occasions is the dedication and professionalism of our instructors, support staff and grooms. Throughout the season Peter Grace was unstintingly supported by instructors Joe Byrne, Jonathan O'Dea, Janey Grace, Robert Burke and Maria-Ines Lee. Latterly their ranks were augmented by David Ralley and John Moreland-Lynn.

Under the management of Ascot Park Yard Manager, Bev Prior, despite her frequently being pressed into service as assistant riding instructor, the grooms also contributed hugely to the guests' enjoyment with many of the boys attracting as much female interest as the instructors!

A high standard of catering was set by Janey Grace, Alison Waterhouse-Breakwell and asado maestro Juan Muriel. Pauline was invaluable 'hostessing' each day with all the corporate day logistics and personnel managed by Mia Randall-Coath and Maria Ines Lee.

It may be arguable but surely the corporate team's apex (or their nadir!!) was reached in July when a staggering eight events were completed in seven working days. Two of these were on the same day with venues including the Club, Wales and London! Hopefully we have shown the welcoming face of polo to a huge number of new and future enthusiasts Certainly the ever increasing of individual new arrivals at the Club must be testament to that!