UK Nationals 2005

UK Nationals 2005

Joules UK National Womens’ Polo Tournament 2005

contributed by Ascot Park's Lucy Northmore

Last weekend, as many of you will know, Ascot Park hosted the Joules UK National Women’s Polo Tournament and we were thrilled to have Joules sponsor the tournament for the second year running. It was a great success with 124 women entering, making up a total of 27 teams. Teams were divided into 5 levels, ranging from 0 to 2 goal down to -8 to -7, with from four to seven teams participating at each stratum. International participants included players from Spain and the USA, and teams from Scotland, Cheshire and the West Country also took part.

Of the APPC based teams, Mandie Rondel’s Pink Power won their league on the Saturday. Despite being narrowly overcome in Sunday’s final, their efforts were rewarded by coming 2^nd out of the six teams participating at that level. Annette Petchey and Clare Warrender lent their support to FHM’s team, and won Sunday’s Subsidiary Final at the -8 to -7 level. Alex Jacob’s Hard Riders team achieved a decisive victory over Cheshire’s Al-Bilad Arabia, and took the -6 to -5 final by 71/2 goals to 2.

All four teams at the top 0 to 2 goal level demonstrated some impressive riding, hitting and teamwork, with all the players on their various handicaps from -1 to 3 goals proving equal in ability to any players countrywide on these handicaps. In Sunday’s final, the powerful combination of the UK’s highest-rated female player, Nina Vestey (3) with her equally talented sister Nina (2) proved unstoppable, although a great Fairhaven team of three 0-goalers and Sophie Cooke playing off one provided tireless opposition.

The sheer numbers and enthusiasm of participants paid tribute to Pippa Grace and Mia Randall-Coath’s continuing hard work in the cause of women’s polo in the UK and worldwide, and the heaving prize table as ever reflected the generosity of both title sponsors Joules and a host of other smaller businesses keen to support the IWPA. For a full list of players, results and sponsors, please see the APPC website.

A great weekend was had by all and we were lucky to have both Andy Bennison and Jon Applegate take photos on both the Saturday and the Sunday in addition to two other freelance photographers.

For coverage of the women's nationals, look out for Horse and Hound next Thursday, Polo Times’ October issue, PQ International in the Autumn issue and England’s Equestrian in their August issue - due out any second.

To take a look at the photos available to purchase, please visit:

www.frozenimage.co.uk

www.photoboxgallery.com/jonapplegate

Final results were as follows:

0 to 2 Joules beat Fairhaven 8 to 51/2

-3 to -1 Edgeworth & Teque-Style drew 4 all

-4 Ziani beat Pink Power 4 to 2

-6 to -5 Hard Riders beat Al-Bilad Arabia 71/2 to 2

-8 to -7 (round robin) 1^st Placed Wild Things, 2^nd Divas, 3^rd Beverley