South African Polo Championship takes place in Bapsfontein
A prestige tournament hosted by the East Rand Polo Club had 26 teams competing
The South African Polo Championship took place at the East Rand Polo Club in Bapsfontein from June 3 to June 5.
This championship had 26 teams competing in four categories.
It has been running since the 1880’s and is the SA Polo Association’s premier tournament on the domestic calendar.
This annual tournament sees players from all over the country come together to compete for the prestigious Beresford Cup.
This beautiful solid silver cup was presented to SAPA in 1897 by Lord Beresford and was first played for in 1899.
“It is every polo player’s dream to have their name engraved on it,” said the secretary, Lee-Ann Spark.
Proceeds from the profits of SAPA-run events are used for loans to clubs, provinces, junior coaching clinics, overseas tours and running of the Association itself.
In addition, a fund for the development of polo contributes towards transformation in the sport.
The Sir Duncan McKenzie Fund has been in existence for about 65 years.
The fund was bequeathed to SAPA to be awarded to encourage a promising young player to further their polo career by traveling overseas for coaching to improve their polo.
“The A section played for the coveted Beresford Cup.
“However, the lower sections are equally prestigious and together form the annual barometer of the status of our polo here in South Africa.
“I am delighted to see the women’s section taking place yet again. With their separate handicapping system, this also qualifies as an A Section event of its own,” said Nigel Pilling, the President of the SA Polo Association.
The A section championship winners of the Beresford Cup are Nico van Wyk, Attie van Wyk, Stephen Stewart and Murray Spark from the Four Oaks team.
The A section handicap winners for the Bartholomew Cup are Alistair James, Rory Twort, Brett Watson and Lance Watson of the Alistair team.
The B section championship winners for the Solid Silver Bowl are Callum Shaw, Jake Shaw, Westson Davis and Dean Davis of team Davishaw.
The B section handicap winners for the Tim McKenzie Cup are Ulrich Spies, Sergio Mendes, Nathan Stockil and Nathi Shabalala of team SMA.
The C section championship winners for the Imperial Cup are the Scone team with players Harry Evans, Jarryd Evans, Talent Mumba / Robbie Mokone and Jonty Esser.
The C section handicap winners is the La Natividad team with players Hadley Dickenson, Ian Lowe, Michiel Kruge and Jim Uys.
The women’s section championship winners for the SA Polo Association Trophy is the Quattro Invictus team with players Lee-Ann Spark, Bayley Evans, Lenka Bronn and Amy and Yolandi van Wyk.
The women’s section handicap winners for the Nottingham Road Trophy are Clementine James, Charlie Spilsbury, Kennedy Davis and Jo Spilsbury of the Oaklands team.
The Angus Chaplin Memorial Trophy “For the love of a horse” went to Ken and Rory Twort.
The Overall Best String of Ponies went to Rikus Cilliers.
In the A section, the winner of the Best Playing Pony is a pony called “Heidi” owned by Duncan Ellis with the prize for most valuable player received by Murray Spark.
In the B section, the winner of the Best Playing Pony is a pony called “Apple” owned by Dean Davis with the prize of most valuable player received by Weston Davis.
In the C section, the winner of the Best Playing Pony is a pony called “Boy Boy” owned by Danica Baker with the prize of most valuable player received by Talent Mumba.
In the women’s section, the winner of the Best Playing Pony is a pony called “Billy Jean” owned by Jo Spilsbury with the prize of most valuable player received by Charlie Spilsbury.
