You don’t need to leave London to see some top polo players in action this summer. The line-up for this year’s Polo in the Park (5-7 June) has some of the sport’s biggest names in action at Hurlingham Park in central London. And for the first time since 1939, an international match will be taking place at Hurlingham Park, with England taking on a South American team on the opening day (5 June).
And the best part? With its party atmosphere and simplified rules — there are only three players on each team and they change end only at half time — you might be able to persuade your non-horsey friends to accompany you.
Here’s our pick of players to look out for in 2015 at Polo in the Park
1. Max Charlton
Nationality: British
Handicap: 7
Polo in the Park team: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Team Hong Kong
The facts: the 24-year-old is one of just three English players currently playing off seven goals. Multi-talented Max is also a formidable force in the arena and on snow, holding an eight-goal arena polo handicap and having numerous international snow polo titles to his name.
2. George Meyrick
Nationality:British
Handicap: 6
Polo in the Park team: Mint Team London
The facts: a Polo in the Park regular who has also played for England on a number of occasions, George is currently the second most followed polo player on social media, after Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras.
3. Malcolm Borwick
Nationality: British
Handicap: 6
Polo in the Park team: Mint Team London
The facts: a regular on the England team over the past decade, Malcolm has played all over the world and is an ambassador for Royal Salute. Not just skilled on the polo field, Malcolm also has a degree from Durham University.
Continued below…
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4. James Beim
Nationality: British
Handicap: 7
Polo in the Park team: England
The facts: the new England captain took over from Luke Tomlinson last season and recently led the home team to victory over The Americas at Cowdray Park, in the first international of the English season.
5. Richard Le Poer
Nationality: British
Handicap: 6
Polo in the Park team: Team Dublin
The facts: with the title Richard John de la Poer Beresford, Earl of Tyrone, the six-goaler is from one of the oldest polo playing dynasties in the world. He is passionate about polo pony breeding and will play for the all-British Somerton team in this year’s high-goal.
6. Sebastian Dawnay
Nationality: Irish
Handicap: 4
Polo in the Park team: Team Dublin
The facts: Irishman Seb is the son of renowned polo coach Hugh Dawnay, and grandson of British Olympic polo player David Dawnay. He is also a leading international polo coach.
7. Tom Morley
Nationality: British
Handicap: 6
Polo in the Park team: England
The facts: despite being 6ft6, Tom still manages to look remarkably graceful on a polo pony, as well as being consistently effective in his usual defensive position. He plays all over the world, particularly in New Zealand and Barbados.
8. Matt Perry
Nationality: British
Handicap: 5
Polo in the Park team: England
The facts: at just 24 years old, Matt Perry already has two Queen’s Cups and a Gold Cup victory behind him, with Zacara in 2013 and 2014 — not bad for a player who is not from a polo background. This year, Perry will play for Somerton in the English high-goal.
9. Diego Cavanagh
Nationality: Argentine
Handicap: 8
Polo in the Park team: South America
The facts: among the world’s most elite polo players with an eight-goal handicap, Diego Cavanagh won the 2014 Gold Cup at Cowdray Park, playing for Dubai alongside world number one Adolfo Cambiaso.
Find out more at: www.polointheparklondon.com
