Newsletter Archive:

Joules retains their UK National Title in the
world's largest women's Polo tournament 

Over 100 women fought it out on the grounds at Ascot Park Polo Club this weekend for the world’s largest and longest running women’s polo tournament.

With a record 27 teams entered, four of these teams played at the top 0 to 2 goal level. Favourites and eventual winners were sponsors Joules’ own team with the mighty Vestey sisters, Nina and Tamara, playing with actress Stefanie Powers (-1), who had flown in from the US, and Beaufort player Nicola Markham, who took the number one position on the two days of play.

Nichola Narkham, Steaphanie Powers, Tamara Vesty & Nina Vesty

With a 3 goal player Nina Vestey, the UK’s highest-handicapped UK female player, played with sister Tamara on 2 goals who together made a formidable team (pictured left Nicola Markham, Stefanie Powers, Tamara Vestey and Nina Vestey being presented with their prizes). The finals of the 0 to 2 goal saw the Joules team draw against Fairhaven who combined the youthful energy of strong teenage players Laura McCarthy (0) and Erica Hodges (0) with the experience of longstanding National Womens’ Tournament participants Sophie Cooke (1) and Louisa Clothier (0). A truly astonishing display from Fairhaven in the first saw them quickly amass a 3 ½ to 0 lead. Despite the impressive pony power fielded by Tamara and Nina, Laura and Louisa’s own mounts proved capable of keeping up with the pros.

Joules came back and from the second chukka took control of the game. Until the last, Fairhaven never looked prepared to concede defeat, they continued to function as a very effective team, providing worthy opposition and a spectacular final. Joules finally ran out the winners with their fast and effective play resulting in a final score of 8 goals to 5 ½ .

In the subsidiary of the 0 to 2 goal Maywood took on Kirtlington, both closely matched 0 goal teams. Both teams were well mounted on powerful horses and the skillful play reflected all the players’ ability at the tournament’s top level. An equal battle resulted with scores locked at 3 all in the latter half of the final chukka. Kirtlington finally broke the deadlock, making it 4-3 seconds from the bell, to a chorus of delighted screams from their fans.

This weekend saw ladies come from as far as the US, Scotland and Spain to compete and the standard of polo was strong at all five levels of play. The IWPA team fought hard on the pitch in the subsidiary final of the -3 to -1 against West Wycomb’s Kennel Farm, proudly winning 10 to 6. The Final of this level, in which four teams had entered, proved to be so evenly matched that both Teque-Style from Rutland and Edgeworth Angels, sponsored by Chime Communications were happy to end on a draw.

The Ascot Park Plate, at the -4 level saw six teams enter and Ascot Park’s Pink Power reach the final against Ziani (pictured right). In a close and competitive match the visiting team Ziani won by 2 goals. As the day wore on the strengths started showing in the -6 to -5 level, with six teams competing, it was the Hard Riders team from Hampshire Hunt that reached the final against Cheshire’s Al-Bilad Arabia, eventually beating them 71/2 goals to 2. Cambridge beat Ascot Park’s Antarus in the subsidiary finals 7 goals to a ½ .

The -8 to -7 level had seven teams enter and illustrated how good the national standard at even the lowest level is becoming. These -2’s were playing competitive fast and free flowing polo. The Wild Things won this level with a strong team from Sussex Polo Club beating the Divas from Fifield into second place with Beverly Polo Club coming third. .

As the standard of women’s polo increases each year, the IWPA takes great pride in rewarding players for their commitment and determination and is delighted to announce the following special prize allocations. The Polo Quarterly Most Improved Player award went to Karina Bowlby who, despite driving the 13 hours from the Stewarton Polo Club in Scotland, ably captained her club’s team in the -7 to -8 level . The Hugh Dawney award for Most Valuable Player at the top level went to Laura Mcarthy (0) playing for Fairhaven and the Clarins award for the lower handicap brackets went to Stephanie Haverhals (-1) playing for Wild Things. Nadine Welland (-2) was recognized as the Most Promising Player by former England Captain Howard Hipwood resulting in an award of coaching from the man himself. The Hung Chrystal Bowl recognizing outstanding Team Spirit went to Francesca Smith (-1) representing Cambridge.

Finally and most importantly of all was the best playing pony award, sponsored by Hiscox, the specialist insurer, which went to Ellie, a bay 12 year old New Zealand Thoroughbred owned and ridden by Nina Vestey. Ellie played in the 2 goal final and was a testament to all the ponies that had traveled and played so well over the weekend.

To add to the glamour of the event Joules clothing sponsored the tournament for a second year supplying all teams with a range of bespoke playing shirts and a prize table boasting wonderful unique prizes. Georgina Johnson, Marketing Manager for Joules commented:

"We are delighted to work with Ascot Park and the IWPA again this year for the Joules National Women's Polo Tournament. Polo shirts have always been a core part of our collection, and it is truly fantastic to see so many of them in action during the event.”

The Sport of Kings is fast becoming a women’s world with over 46% of newcomers to the world of polo since 2004 being female players. Usually perceived as a pastime of the royals there are now over 180 more female players this year compared to two years ago and over 100 of these women showcased their talents this weekend at Ascot Park Polo Club.

Polo is fast becoming a sport that can be enjoyed by all whether you wish to spectate or participate and it is one of the few sports where women are handicapped on par with their male counterparts. Ascot Park Polo Club continues to challenge the traditional perceptions associated with the world of polo and open the doors of the sport to all. This weekend alone proved to illustrate that the standard of women’s polo has increased dramatically and that newcomers to the sport continue to be able to play alongside professionals and share the same passion for the game – something which is rare in other sports.