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16. May 2024

May 14^th, 2024: The prestigious world of British polo last night witnessed the inauguration of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award, a distinguished accolade born out of the visionary initiative of Standing Rock Polo Team and their patron, Swiss polo player Philipp Mueller, in collaboration with the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA).

Ojo Caliente Polo Team, renowned for their commitment to sportsmanship and fair play, has been honoured as the inaugural recipient of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award. This esteemed accolade was handed over yesterday evening at the HPA’s Victor Ludorum Dinner, marking an historic moment within the British polo community.

The inception of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award marks a significant milestone in the realm of sportsmanship and fair play within the polo community. Embodying the values of camaraderie, respect, and dedication to equine welfare, this award seeks to honour the team that exemplifies the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field.The award will be bestowed annually, this year during the Victor Ludorum awards dinner, a celebrated event within the British polo calendar. As part of the Victor Ludorum Series, umpires meticulously evaluate teams throughout the season based on a predefined set of criteria established collaboratively by the HPA and Standing Rock. These criteria encompass elements such as sportsmanship, respect for umpires and goal judges, friendliness, equine welfare, and disciplinary records.

The Standing Rock Fair Play Award recognises the team that not only excels in their athletic prowess but also exemplifies the values of fair play and integrity that are central to the ethos of polo.

Philipp Müller, along with his Standing Rock Polo Team, are committed to upholding the principles of fairness, honour, and camaraderie to serve as an inspiration to polo enthusiasts worldwide.

The Standing Rock Fair Play Award, a symbol of excellence and sportsmanship, will be commemorated through a unique and singular bronze sculpture crafted with utmost dedication by the renowned sculptor Emma Mac Dermott. This exclusive trophy, intended for perpetual circulation and engraving of winners’ names, represents a tangible embodiment of the values espoused by the Standing Rock Fair Play Award.

The Standing Rock Fair Play Award represents a beacon of excellence within the British polo community, setting a standard of sportsmanship that reverberates throughout the realm of equestrian sports.

https://hpa-polo.co.uk/2024/05/14/standing-rock-fair-play-award/

Images (2) © PoloLine International Ltd

Instagram: @standingrock.poloteam

May 14th, 2024: The prestigious world of British polo last night witnessed the inauguration of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award, a distinguished accolade born out of the visionary initiative…

In own affaires, Instagram, Polo News

Download the new POLO+10 WORLD.

14. May 2024

A WORLD UNITED BY POLO

The new edition of POLO+10 is here, and we couldn’t be prouder. The captivating blend of tournaments, intriguing polo personalities, and lifestyle beckons you to once again immerse yourself in the fascinating world of polo.

Welcome to another fascinating issue of POLO+10 WORLD, in which we once again explore the world of polo in all its diversity and cultural richness.

At the centre of this issue is our in-depth conversation with Wolfgang Weiss, the founder of the Polo & Country Club Gut Seeburg. Weiss discusses his beginnings in polo in 1987 in Berlin-Frohnau, his passionate collection of polo documents and memorabilia covering over 100 years of German polo history, and the challenges and achievements he has experienced along the way. His story is not only a personal chronicle, but also reflects the development of polo in Germany.

Another highlight of this issue is the interview with the patron of the Standing Rock Polo Team, Philipp Mueller, who reveals his philosophy behind the success of the young and dynamic team. The balance of sporting discipline, dedication to quality, and familial team spirit makes Standing Rock a vibrant and most inspirational team on the international polo fields. The plans for the coming season and the efforts to promote fair play and community involvement are setting new standards in the sport of polo.

As always, Polo Park Zurich is an integral part of our coverage, whose continued support and commitment to the sport of polo are indispensable, not forgetting the global polo events that take us from the snowy fields of Aspen to the vibrant tournaments in Argentina.

We hope that this issue of POLO+10 WORLD will inspire you and give you deep insights into the world of polo, which is far more than a game — it is a way of life that connects people around the world.

Thomas Wirth, Founder and Publisher of POLO+10, extends a warm welcome to all readers.

**Download the latest Issue of POLO+10**

The newest edition of POLO+10 is now available for download in both web and mobile views. Each version is interactive, enabling you to click on any links, logos and advertisements within the magazine.

To enjoy the latest stories and reports from the Polo universe at your fingertips, download the magazine

POLO+10 WORLD 2024 II Desktop Version

POLO+10 WORLD 2024 II Mobile Version

Tournaments and people, polo science and lifestyle – the new issue of POLO+10 WORLD brings you stories from the whole polo universe.

+++ Our partners United by a passion for polo – experience the strength and reach of our global network. +++ 25^th Zürich International Polo Ladies Cup Polo Park & Country Club Zurich is celebrating 25 years of Ladies Polo this season, making it the oldest Ladies Cup in the world. Since 2017, the club has implemented ladies‘ handicap in Switzerland, offering one of the largest ladies-only tournaments in Europe, providing polo games from 12 to 0 goals. All levels and ages are welcome to participate in the tournament. Since its start, the club has had the pleasure of welcoming players from over 35 countries, united in their love for the sport and driven by their competitive spirit. +++ Hope Arellano Hope Arellano honored for 10-Goal Handicap Achievement at National Polo Center this weekend. +++ Louisa‘s Place Hotel Berlin Louisa‘s Place combines the best of two worlds: the typical charm of Berlin‘s Golden Age with contemporary luxury and first-class service. +++ 4^th International Ladies Cup Polopark Berlin An international tournament of the highest caliber: Teams from five nations, accompanied by “the Voice of Polo” Jan Erik Franck, and a diverse program await the guests. +++ Gut Seeburg am Champagnerberg An interview with Wolfgang Weiss: Almost four decades of polo passion and the founding history of the Gut Seeburg Polo & Country Club. +++ Standing Rock Unity, Professionalism, and Tradition: The Winning Strategy of the Standing Rock Polo Team. +++ The Central European Polo Association POLO+10 is proud to have been an exclusive partner of the Central European Polo Association (CEPA) for a long time. +++ Open de France An unforgettable finale at the French Open: TTR Sotheby and Kazak triumph in a thrilling showdown, marking a new chapter in the history of the Open de France. +++ Cartier Queen‘s Cup Murus Sanctus and La Magdeleine faced off in the Cartier Queen‘s Cup final at the historic Queen‘s Ground. +++ St. Regis World Snow Polo Casablanca clinches inaugural 2023 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at Rio Grande Park in front of a sold-out crowd, with Nic Roldan scoring five goals and earning MVP honors. +++ The 130^th Argentine Open The 130^th Argentine Open 2023 took place at Palermo‘s iconic ‚cathedral‘. 2024 Polo Season: Key team changes and continuity after La Dolfina‘s defeat. +++ The Coronation Cup Day England Celebrates Double Polo Triumph at Guards Polo Club, Windsor: Decisive Wins in Whitbread Trophy and King‘s Coronation Cup Highlight a Day of Exceptional Skill and Teamwork. +++ Polo in AlUla Since 2019, Saudi Arabia has been issuing more tourist visas and has started to develop tourism which makes that area and its hidden ‘treasures’ more accessible to the world. +++ Polo Nations Cup The first Polo Nations Cup, launched by the Fédération française de polo and the Polo Club de Chantilly, was a real success. +++ DPV: IV. FIP Ladies Polo European Championship Hollywood’s good sport. POLO+10 interview with Tommy Lee Jones, polo enthusiast and Harvard alumni. +++ POLO Rules Quick reaction and a near-reflex assessment of situations are of the essence of tactical play and safety. The next two examples highlight the right, and the wrong reactions in a given situation. +++

A WORLD UNITED BY POLO The new edition of POLO+10 is here, and we couldn’t be prouder. The captivating blend of tournaments, intriguing polo personalities, and lifestyle beckons you to…

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POLO+10 wins Season Opener at PoloPark Berlin 2024

30. April 2024

Three thrilling polo days with perfect weather at Polo Park Berlin.

Five international teams, accompanied by their 90 polo horses, arrived to put on a show for the 700 spectators with exciting chukkas. Expert commentary was provided by „the Polospeaker“ Jan Zavazal from Prague, while DJ „BasticSoul“ set the right mood with his music. The team led by Thomas Bauer and Berlin Cocktail offered delicious food and drinks, setting the stage for a sociable start to the 2024 polo season.

In an intensely competitive final, the POLO+10 team triumphed in overtime with a score of 6.5 against Team „Blanche“. The tournament referee was Marco Zubrod, resulting in the following rankings:

1. POLO+10
Gaspar Caivano -2
Heidi Silvey -1
Torsten Klein -1
Tuky Caivano +3

2. Blanche
Alessa Eckhardt -2
Emily Hase Loock -1
Thomas Strunck 0
Lukas Strenka +2

3. Cosmopolo
Ulrike Gabrin -1
Marta Gabrin -2
Maike Hölty +1
Svenja Hölty +1

4. Ingo Pyko Immobilien / PoloPark Berlin
Dele Iversen -1
Jeanette Diekmann 0
Berty Zalazar / Fabi Last +2 / 0
Johan Funk Gallardo +1

5. Berlin Cocktail
Silvia Nutz -2
Raphael Dwinger -2
Hector Alvarez +1
Pato Cañelo +1

Three thrilling polo days with perfect weather at Polo Park Berlin. Five international teams, accompanied by their 90 polo horses, arrived to put on a show for the 700 spectators…

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Polo Nations Cup, Year 2

19. April 2024

After a successful first edition in which the French PACA region beat South Korea, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly announces a second Polo Nations Cup that will be even more competitive and international, with ten teams representing six nations.

In the world of equestrian sport, especially for the Olympic disciplines (show jumping, dressage and eventing), the Nations Cup is the flagship team event of a season and a federation. The Nations Cup is the only team class in the individual disciplines, alongside the team European and World Championships and of course the Olympic Games.

This high-profile concept had never existed in polo before, even though it is a team sport par excellence! The prospect of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris inspired the French Polo Federation (FFP) and the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly to create the Polo Nations Cup in 2023, a 12-goal tournament that opposes teams representing a nation, region or state.

Polo has always been part of the Olympic family and the FIP is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It has been an official discipline of the Olympic Games five times. First played at the 1900 Summer Games in Paris, it was dropped from the programme after the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin. An Anglo-American mixed team won the first gold medal in 1900, followed by Great Britain twice (1908 and 1920) and then Argentina (1924 and 1936).

Perhaps the Polo Nations Cup will allow us to gradually return to the glory days of polo at the Olympic Games, but above all it will attract the general public to the sidelines and continue the development of polo in France!

The 2024 edition of the Polo Nations Cup will take place from 13 to 23 June and will be contested by ten teams: Belgium, Pakistan, Italy, the German regions of Hamburg and Lower Saxony, the American states of Illinois and California and the French regions of PACA, Auvergne Rhône Alpes, Île-de-France and Occitanie. The basic rule is that the captain of each team must be a native of the nation or region under which they have registered. Some teams recruit mainly Argentinian reinforcements. For example, Tito Ruiz Guiñazu, one of the best players in the world, was a finalist wearing the Korean colours last year. This year, the „mercenary“ was recruited by Haider Nassem‘s Pakistan team. In the first edition, victory went to an all-French team, PACA, who will be back to defend their title this year. Another 100 per cent national team, the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, includes Heinrich Dumrath as well as the two Craseman brothers and their father Daniel.

The Polo Nations Cup is the highlight of the first half of the season in continental Europe. The French international season promises to be particularly rich this year with the Paris Games Polo Challenge 2024, a match between France and the USA in homage to the opening match of the 1924 Olympic tournament in Paris (on 7 August, see save-the-date below), and the eagerly awaited Open de France in September, the most competitive European tournament with twelve teams already entered. All this on the largest polo ground in France, if not in Europe (9 grass fields and the headquarters of the French Polo Federation), where access to all games is free.

After a successful first edition in which the French PACA region beat South Korea, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly announces a second Polo Nations Cup that will be…

Instagram, Polo News

The Prague Offer: LOW GOAL POLO, HIGH GOAL PARTY

18. April 2024

La Republica Polo Club kicks off a new 3-day gig called Prague Urban Polo at a new address within the Czech Capital City on the 31. May.

Prague had multiple locations where polo was a thing, though La Republica Polo Club is trying to make it big at a new address called Cholupice, just 30 minutes south of Old Town Square. The club is accessible to anyone who loves horses and polo. Players from everywhere are welcome to come and play, stable horses, play low goal polo, and then go wild in the city center.

The tournament is called Prague Urban Polo and is being held for 3 days on 31.5. The aim is to attract a bigger audience by offering free entrance. The event description also makes this very clear: „We are a polo club, where everyone is welcome. And we would like you to be a part of it. You can wear a fancy hat or come in jeans, as long as you have a smile on your face“.

Just as Polo in Argentina, players and guests can enjoy street food including empanadas, burgers, beer, and wine accompanied by local DJs.

The field, not the biggest one, 190m long and 113m wide, will though be a field that can bring polo closer to the audience. Making it easier as well for the players, as teams will be 3 on each side. The event will be umpired by polo professional Maciek Olbrych from Poland and moderated by international polo speaker Jan Zavázal, who is mostly active as “The Polo Speaker” in Central Europe, though is home at La Republica Polo Club.

Czech out the info sheet for more information: HERE

La Republica Polo Club kicks off a new 3-day gig called Prague Urban Polo at a new address within the Czech Capital City on the 31. May. Prague had multiple…

Lifestyle, Polo News, Real Estate, Travel & Food

Louisa‘s Place Hotel Berlin – a feeling of fine lifestyle

18. April 2024

Louisa’s Place combines the best of two worlds: the typical charm of Berlin’s Golden Age with contemporary luxury and first-class service.

Our privately run boutique hotel is located in the pulsating heart of West Berlin, directly on the legendary Kurfürstendamm. The outstanding quality of this individual hotel is its uniqueness. Instead of the usual units, it offers spacious rooms and suites ranging in size from 46 to 117 square meters. This exceeds the standards of conventional hotels by far. Discerning guests who appreciate not only luxury but also a private atmosphere and exclusive comforts will find their retreat here.

Louisa’s Place reveals itself as a classically elegant city palace that impresses with its attention to detail. From the library with its fine wood paneling to the garden room with its marble-framed fireplace and silk wallpaper, every corner exudes timeless elegance. Almost all the rooms & suites have separate sleeping and living areas, and some even offer additional amenities such as a private workroom, winter garden or balcony. Another absolute specialty is the fully equipped kitchen in all rooms – especially for long-term stays and families.

But what really sets Louisa’s Place apart from other hotels is its exceptional service. Here, hospitality is not a duty, it´s a passion. Every guest is looked after personally, from the handwritten welcome letter to individual assistance with shopping and other requests. The hotel exudes an atmosphere of exclusivity and warmth that makes every stay an unforgettable experience.

However Louisa’s Place also leaves nothing to be desired in terms of facilities. A private pool, sauna and steam bath, a gym and massage treatments ensure relaxation and well-being. A hairdressing salon, a trendy restaurant and the exciting Vesper Bar invite you to linger, while the small inner courtyard with garden is a green oasis in the middle of the vibrant capital.

Louisa’s Place Hotel combines the best of two worlds: the typical Berlin charm of an historic building paired with contemporary luxury and first-class service. The hotel’s host Sven Schimank and his internationally experienced team stand for professionalism, discretion and personal service at the highest level.

For fans of polo, Louisa’s Place Hotel is more than just a place to stay – it is a lifestyle statement. This is where tradition, present and future meet. Here luxury is not only felt in amenities, but also in a unique experience for the senses. Welcome to Louisa’s Place, where the charm of Berlin meets exclusive lifestyle.

Contact & Booking:
info@louisas-place.de
+49 (0)30 631 03
www.louisas-place.de

Text: Louisa’s Place Hotel Berlin
Photography: Cathleen Herwarth von Bittenfeld

Louisa’s Place combines the best of two worlds: the typical charm of Berlin’s Golden Age with contemporary luxury and first-class service. Our privately run boutique hotel is located in the…

Art & Design, Instagram, Lifestyle, Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

Gut Seeburg am Champagnerberg: Interview with Wolfgang Weiss at Gut Seeburg in March 2024

12. April 2024

An interview with Wolfgang Weiss: Almost four decades of polo passion and the founding history of the Gut Seeburg Polo & Country Club.

An interview with Wolfgang Weiss, the founder of the Polo & Country Club Gut-Seeburg, who has been active in the sport of polo for 36 years and founded a polo facility at Gut-Seeburg near Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He has collected polo documents with over 100 years of German polo history from around the world, offering a fascinating opportunity to gain deep insights into this unique sport, his personal experiences, and the heritage of polo in Germany. Ten questions from POLO+10, covering a wide range of topics and addressing his experiences, challenges, achievements, and vision:

You have been involved in polo for 36 years. Can you tell us what originally brought you to polo and what was your greatest motivation to become active in this field?

My enthusiasm for polo began in 1987 in Berlin-Frohnau with the sponsorship of polo events. Even though I had no experience with horses or riding, the thrill and aesthetics of polo fascinated me from the very first second. My enthusiasm for the sport quickly led to my first riding lessons, the purchase of horses, and polo lessons in Germany, Argentina, Florida, and California.

After reunification, you founded two polo clubs in Seeburg near Berlin. What challenges did you face when founding the club, and how did you manage to overcome them? How did the former LPG site become today‘s Polo & Country Club with the affiliated Polo Park Berlin, which is now managed by Thomas Strunck?

The founding of the Polo Club Gut Seeburg was aimed at developing a social and sporting background for the game of polo at Gut Seeburg; the Förderverein des Polosports Berlin-Potsdam served as a commercial association for all events and youth work and as a contact point for sponsors.

Over the years, I have freed myself from the clumsiness and restrictions on freedom of action by having a say in the clubs and turned everything into a company, which I will transform into a foundation in the future.

My active sporting days are over, and in Thomas Strunck, I have found a committed tenant with excellent contacts in the polo scene who will continue to run the polo matches in Seeburg.

What personal achievements in polo are particularly important to you, and why?

For me personally, my greatest achievements are not necessarily sporting successes but the enjoyment of the game itself, the memories of a multitude of experiences, the people who accompanied me during this time, and the interesting contacts that I have been able to make in many places around the world as part of the sport from 1990 to the present day.

The polo exhibition you have put together covers over 100 years of polo history. What inspired you to create this exhibition, and what do you want to achieve with it?

The collection and preservation of historical documents began with my enthusiasm for the sport of polo and its aesthetics and my passion for preserving historical artefacts and antiques. I kept posters and brochures from decades ago without realising that this collection would become unique as documentation, as there are hardly any regional „event prints“ left today as future contemporary documents, a fact that is suitable for continuing the polo exhibition.

POLO+10 and the Hurlingham Polo Magazine are the only regular print sources of information about regional polo coverage.

Is there a particular exhibit or piece in your polo exhibition that you are particularly fond of? If so, could you tell us its story?

My favourite piece is a poster for a polo tournament in Frohnau from 1927, which I discovered on a trip to Argentina in Buenos Aires at the flea market in San Telmo, and the 1906 club flag of the Berlin Polo Club.

How did the political change in Germany in 1989 influence the sport of polo and especially the activities at Gut Seeburg?

Suddenly, major hurdles such as horse transport by GDR transit were no longer necessary, and rooms and areas were available that opened up new possibilities for spacious horse keeping and created space for polo. Fuelled by the presence of the English as pioneers of polo on the Maifeld and in the barracks in West Germany, our willingness to invest led to the establishment of a large number of polo clubs in a short space of time, e.g., in Hanover with Wolfgang Kailing, in Aspern by the Kirsch family, we at Gut Seeburg, and two further clubs in Phöben and Finkenkrug.

Without reunification, this development would not have taken place, and for 20 years we fought for land with the Treuhand, the BVVG, and the JCC (New York). The property would not have become what it is now without these efforts. Now we see the children of my polo partners from 1990 playing together with their own children and partners.

How has polo changed and how do you see the future of the sport?

Thanks to digital networking, players and clubs are more closely connected worldwide; contacts can be made more quickly, and appointments can be arranged. International networking creates independence for clubs from associations and manipulation within them.

Polo equals money and time, and nothing has changed in the last 120 years; the documents from the polo exhibition prove this.

How do you promote young talent and what importance do you attach to youth work?

Youth and junior work is the cornerstone of polo and is my absolute priority. From the very beginning, we developed a polo youth programme in conjunction with sponsorship and partnerships to reduce costs, to give children the opportunity to learn and practise the sport.

We still pursue this goal today by training children and young people in riding as basic work for the sport of polo. A golf school with a short course and driving range, flats, and guest rooms round off the country club concept. The work with children and young people, such as in Berlin at our Gut-Seeburg art school, therapeutic riding, and our pony farm, are important further mosaic stones in the further development of the club.

What are your future plans and visions for both polo activities and the polo exhibition? Are there any special projects or initiatives that you would like to tackle?

We will continue to develop and strengthen the sport of polo in Seeburg with the help of investments and a new 10-year contract with Thomas Strunck, thereby supporting Thomas with his openness to all polo players in Berlin and the polo environment at Ladies and Youth Cups in order to consolidate his previous work at Gut Seeburg.

I will continue to promote and support the sport of polo and guarantee this for the future through a foundation.

I will expand the polo exhibition by continually extending the documentation and continue to make the rooms available for company seminars, meetings, guided tours, and press events.

I would be happy to receive information on suitable objects for purchase.

These questions should not only emphasise the passion and achievements of the initiator and passionate polo player but also offer deeper insights into the culture and development of the sport of polo. Mr Weiss, thank you very much for this interview and all the best for the future development of your impressive polo exhibition.

By POLO+10
Photography Frank Altmann / unitedimages.com

An interview with Wolfgang Weiss: Almost four decades of polo passion and the founding history of the Gut Seeburg Polo & Country Club. An interview with Wolfgang Weiss, the founder…

In own affaires, Instagram, Polo News

DON’T MISS OUT! YOUR AD IN THE POLO+10 MAGAZINE 2024!

11. April 2024

The new spring issues of POLO+10 are coming in May!

POLO+10 offers the best opportunity to present your business or club to the VIP market of the global polo community and their luxury lifestyle fans and followers.

Contact POLO+10 now to explore the options of sharing information about your high-end lifestyle products and offers, your club insights or tournaments with the exclusive polo market.

With POLO+10, you can flexibly combine print and digital media advertising to maximize your reach. The deadline for print advertisements is May 2nd, 2024.

As always, we will share the latest news from the international polo community: a review of the most important events, new polo formats in the USA, interviews, personalities, opinions, and interesting lifestyle and travel topics.

We are proud to have realized large and very successful corporate publishing projects for renowned European polo personalities and clubs such as Polo Park Zürich, where we are currently working on the 2024 club edition.

The print editions are published twice a year, in spring and autumn.

All media data, including for corporate publishing and PR by POLO+10, can be found here:

Be part of it and make your brand STAND OUT!

Download Media Kit POLO+10

The new spring issues of POLO+10 are coming in May! POLO+10 offers the best opportunity to present your business or club to the VIP market of the global polo community…

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4th International Ladies Cup PoloPark Berlin, July 12 to 14, 2024

11. April 2024

An international tournament of the highest caliber: Teams from five nations, accompanied by „the Voice of Polo“ Jan Erik Franck, and a diverse program await the guests.

Preparations for the 4^th International Ladies Cup at PoloPark Berlin are in full swing, and the tournament is shaping up to be a standout event in the polo sports calendar. With six teams from five nations, attendees can expect an international competition enriched by the commentary of Jan Erik Franck, known as “the Voice of Polo,” adding a unique atmosphere to the event. Beyond exciting matches, a diverse program awaits, including a Hat Contest – a highlight that underscores the tradition and elegance of polo. The support from renowned sponsors such as Wolfgang Weiss’s fashion brand “blanche,” Polo Sylt, and Ingo Pyko Real Estate enhances the tournament experience. A new feature this year is the option for table reservations, offering guests an exclusive tournament experience. Complementing this are top-notch gastronomy and musical accompaniment by Polo DJ Sebastian, ensuring a perfect ambiance. The upcoming release of official women’s handicaps by the German Polo Association (DPV) marks an important step in promoting and recognizing women’s polo. The forthcoming tournament at PoloPark Berlin stands out for its high-caliber field of participants, a versatile program, and support from distinguished sponsors. It promises to be an unforgettable event for all polo enthusiasts and guests, further highlighting the sport’s allure.

www.baltic-polo-events.de

By POLO+10
Photography Polo Sylt

An international tournament of the highest caliber: Teams from five nations, accompanied by „the Voice of Polo“ Jan Erik Franck, and a diverse program await the guests. Preparations for the…

Instagram, Polo News

Standing Rock: Interview with Philipp Mueller

6. April 2024

The Standing Rock Polo Team can look back on a successful year. What makes this relatively young team so successful?

Well, last year we played our fourth season in England with three of those being under our old name (Wascosa Polo Team). We try to find a healthy mix of sport and fun, and the way in which team members interact with each other is an important part of this. Everyone in the team has their role and no one is more important than the team itself. Standing Rock is a big family and there’s a great atmosphere in the Team. What’s more, we aim to be as professional as possible and leave nothing to chance.

What are Standing Rock’s plans for the new season?

The new year has started well with a number of tournaments in Argentina and New Zealand some of which have been up to 20-goals. In England, we will also be competing this year in the 12-Goal Victor Ludorum Championship. We’ll also have a newly formed High-Goal Team, to allow us to focus initially on the 18-Goal tournaments. Later in the summer, we plan to play again in Chantilly before heading off to Argentina to take part in further tournaments.

What does the organisation of Standing Rock look like today?

We have our base in England, at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, and at the Guards Polo Club. In Argentina, we recently purchased 20 stables at the La Dolfina Ranch near Cañuelas, which really is becoming the new hotspot in the Buenos Aires area where many of Argentina’s best players are now based. We want to expand this base, which will mean adding and training quite a few young horses so that they can play in the years to come.

Standing Rock is more than a polo team and positions itself as a brand in the polo world. What else is on the agenda besides the polo team itself?

True to the values of the Native Americans, which have been our guiding inspiration, we are committed to fair play and to the welfare of our horses, as well as to the various charities that we support.

Can you tell us more about that?

Starting this year, Standing Rock will donate a Fair Play Award to the HPA for the fairest and most sportsmanlike polo team in England. And of course, we’re eager to see how this award will be received. Emma McDermott, one of the most renowned sculptors in Britain, has been commissioned to create the trophy which we hope will be an inspiration for the polo world. Winning is important, but it’s also about how you conduct yourself towards your opponents, the umpires and the horses. In addition, we are involved in various charities, such as the Polo in the Park tournament in June in London. The annual party for the grooms, which Standing Rock hosts for all the grooms of the Berkshire Polo Club, is also a must. It’s our way of expressing our gratitude for their daily work.

What are your hopes for the new season?

Well, I’m hoping for a thrilling season without any accidents because the health of the players and the horses is paramount. At the end of the day, if we can inspire the polo world with our DNA and the values we stand for, then I will be more than pleased.

By POLO+10
Photography The Art of Polo,
Standing Rock Polo Team/Privat, Prensa Polo