Standing Rock

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Standing Rock Fair Play Award at the Open de France Barnes

4. September 2024

August 30th, 2024: Chantilly Polo Club, France – The prestigious Standing Rock Fair Play Award, which was inaugurated earlier this year in England, will now find its next deserving recipient in France. The award, which was first bestowed upon the Ojo Caliente Polo Team in the British polo community, will made its international debut at the Open de France Barnes 16 Goal Tournament, held at the renowned Chantilly Polo Club.

The Standing Rock Fair Play Award was conceived by the Standing Rock Polo Team and it’s patron, Swiss polo player Philipp Mueller. This award embodies the principles of sportsmanship, respect, and dedication to equine welfare—values that are central to the spirit of polo. It recognises the team that not only demonstrates exceptional athleticism but also exemplifies the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field.

The Open de France Barnes, now in its 24th year, is the most significant international polo event in France. This year’s tournament will be a remarkable spectacle, with 16 teams participating, representing 7 nations and showcasing some of the world’s top polo players. The Chantilly Polo Club, alongside the Fédération Française de Polo, will host this grand event, bringing together more than 1,300 horses and nearly 250 grooms to care for these equine athletes.

The Standing Rock Fair Play Award will add a new dimension to this prestigious tournament. Throughout the competition, teams will be evaluated based on predefined criteria including sportsmanship, respect for umpires, friendliness, and care for their horses. The award serves as a reminder that success in polo is not solely measured by victory on the field, but also by the integrity and respect with which the game is played.

The recipient of this year’s Standing Rock Fair Play Award at the Open de France Barnes will be announced during the closing ceremony, where they will be honoured. This exclusive trophy, intended for perpetual circulation, symbolises the enduring values of fairness and camaraderie that the award represents.

Philipp Müller and Standing Rock remain dedicated to promoting these ideals across the global polo community, inspiring players and enthusiasts to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship. The Standing Rock Fair Play Award, now recognised internationally, continues to set a new standard of excellence within the world of polo.

For more information, please contact:

Ann-Kristin Sandmann
Peer Polo Ltd./ Standing Rock

aks@peerpolo.com www.standing-rock.com

August 30th, 2024: Chantilly Polo Club, France – The prestigious Standing Rock Fair Play Award, which was inaugurated earlier this year in England, will now find its next deserving recipient…

Polo News

Standing Rock launches new website

21. June 2024

Standing Rock launches New Website: Your Source for Team Information, History, Charity Actions, Upcoming Tournaments, Latest Results, and News

June 21th, 2024:

Standing Rock is pleased to announce the launch of its newly designed website, now live at www.standing-rock.com . The new site offers a comprehensive resource for fans, supporters, and newcomers to learn more about our team, its history, charity initiatives, upcoming tournaments, recent results, and the latest news.

Learn About Our Team and History

Visitors to the site can explore the history of Standing Rock, discovering our journey from the beginning to our current status in the polo community. The “About” section features profiles of our players, coaches, and support staff, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the sport.

Our Commitment to Charity

At Standing Rock, we believe in giving back to the community. Our “Social Impact” page outlines various initiatives and partnerships, showcasing our dedication to making a positive impact off the field. Learn about our recent projects and upcoming events.

Upcoming Tournaments and Recent Results

Polo enthusiasts can stay informed about our schedule with the “Tournaments” section, providing details on upcoming matches, locations, and dates. The “Match Results” page offers information on recent games, including scores, highlights, and player performances.

News and Updates

Our “News” section is the place for all the latest updates and announcements from Standing Rock. From team achievements and player milestones to event highlights and behind-the-scenes stories, this section keeps you informed.

User-Friendly Experience

The new website features a modern design, easy navigation, and mobile compatibility, ensuring a good experience for all visitors. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to polo, our website provides all the information you need in an accessible format.

Join Us Online

We invite everyone to visit our new website at www.standing-rock.com and explore all that Standing Rock has to offer. Stay connected with us through our social media channels and be part of our community.

For more information, please contact:

Ann-Kristin Sandmann Peer Polo Ltd./ Standing Rock Polo Team aks@peerpolo.com https://standing-rock.com/

Images © Pablo Ramirez Photos

Graphics © Peer Polo Ltd.
@standingrock.poloteam

Standing Rock launches New Website: Your Source for Team Information, History, Charity Actions, Upcoming Tournaments, Latest Results, and News June 21th, 2024: Standing Rock is pleased to announce the launch…

Polo News

Embracing the Spirit of Giving Standing Rock partners with Sands End Adventure Project

13. June 2024

June 11th, 2024:

Inspired by the culture of Native Americans where giving is an honour, Standing Rock is proud to help Sands End Adventure Project, introduced to us by Chestertons Polo in the Park, we have enrolled the children as junior members and issued them with team kit, they joined us in the team tent and we will continue to build our activities with these vibrant group of children.

https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/family-information-directory/sands-end-adventure-project

For more information, please contact:

Ann-Kristin Sandmann
Peer Polo Ltd./ Standing Rock Polo Team
aks@peerpolo.com https://standing-rock.com/

Insta: @standingrock.poloteam

June 11th, 2024: Inspired by the culture of Native Americans where giving is an honour, Standing Rock is proud to help Sands End Adventure Project, introduced to us by Chestertons…

Instagram, Polo News

Standing Rock Fair Play Award

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…

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

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…

Instagram, Polo News

Mystery Creek Triumphs at Savile Cup – A Celebration of Polo in New Zealand

5. March 2024

In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, the team from Mystery Creek has won the prestigious Savile Cup, hosted by the New Zealand Polo Association. The exhilarating final day was marked by a dynamic game in which Mystery Creek took a decisive 8-3 victory over their opponents from Rangitikei.

Spectators witnessed a fast-paced polo match where both horses and players gave their all. The Savile Cup, always eagerly anticipated, has once again confirmed its status as one of the highlights of the New Zealand polo calendar.

The victorious team, consisting of Phillip Mueller, Zoe Reader, Kit Brooks, and JP Clarkin, demonstrated impressive prowess on the field. JP Clarkin, in particular, stood out as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while Kit Brooks not only received the Fair Play Award but also had his horse, Black Spot, recognized as the best polo pony (BPP – Allan Bros Champion Pony).

The competitors from Rangitikei, Harriet McKelvie, Mark Duncan, Ross Ainsley, and Angus McKelvie, can take pride in their strong performance as runners-up.

Zoe Reader was acknowledged for the best string of ponies (Champion String of Ponies – McKelvie Trophy) with Chilli, Absolute, and Maverick, and JP’s Sublime was honored as the best retrained racehorse.

The New Zealand Polo Association wishes to congratulate all participants and thanks the players, horses, and fans for another extraordinary event. Special thanks are also extended to Secretary Emma Dormer for her excellent work and support.

Savile Results

In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, the team from Mystery Creek has won the prestigious Savile Cup, hosted by the New Zealand Polo Association. The exhilarating final day…

Instagram, Polo News

Standing Rock: more than just a polo team – a brand to watch out for.

3. November 2023

Despite taking up polo later in life, Philipp Müller – known for his achievements as a successful entrepreneur and in various sports – has, thanks to his boundless enthusiasm and new ideas, brought a breath of fresh air to the sport of polo.

It didn’t take long for Philipp Müller to establish his Standing Rock team as a formidable force in polo in England. After their triumph in winning the 8-Goal Victor Ludorum Trophy last year, one of the most coveted trophies in the British polo calendar, the Standing Rock Team went on to win the 12-Goal Victor Ludorum Trophy this year. Moreover, when they competed in a 15-goal tournament for the first time, the Standing Rock team won it outright.

How did you get into polo?

Well, everyone has their dreams, don’t they? When I saw polo being played live for the first time in St. Moritz back in the 1980s, I was immediately fascinated by this sport! However, at that time, bobsleigh was my sport. As a member of the Swiss national team, I had the opportunity to travel to World Cup races in Europe and around the world. It was an exciting time! I got involved with polo about seven years ago through an acquaintance of mine. My youngest son and I first played mainly in Switzerland. Our passion for polo grew so much that three years later, we moved to England. Polo has a much bigger presence there, and it’s incredibly fun!

You changed the name of your polo team from Wascosa to Standing Rock – what was the reason behind that?

We sold our family business, Wascosa (a rail wagon leasing company), last year; the new name represents a new beginning, both professionally and personally.

The team’s new name is the Standing Rock Polo Team, and it’s generating a lot of interest. What’s the story behind the name?

It’s a cause very close to my heart! Since my youth, I’ve been fascinated by Native Americans and their history. The plight of Native Americans deeply touches me. Sitting Bull, Chief of the Lakota Sioux, must have been a wise and fascinating personality. Standing Rock is the name of a reservation in North Dakota, home to descendants of the Lakota Sioux. Standing Rock represents the courage, valor, respect for nature, and passion for horses of Native Americans. What better name could there be for a polo team!

How have the name Standing Rock and the motto “unbridled spirit” been received by your team?

It was a joy to see how much the whole team identifies with the name and the spirit of the Native Americans behind it. Camaraderie and team spirit within our organization are crucial to me. It’s always about the team, never about an individual. We are one big family. This spirit and positive energy are certainly palpable to everyone who visits our tent.

What are the sporting goals of the Standing Rock Team?

After three successful seasons in England, competing in the 8-12 Goal range, next year we plan to have a High Goal team in addition to our 12 Goal team. It’s a genuine pleasure to pour our heart and soul into building a great team, complete with everything that entails. While sporting success is certainly crucial, other values matter to me as well.

What are these values, and what makes Standing Rock such a special team?

Caring for people and horses is of utmost importance to me. This includes showing the highest regard for our grooms, who are vital to our team; without them, we wouldn’t be playing polo. Every year, we organize a celebration for all the grooms at our club, the Berkshire Polo Club. Standing Rock also strives to bring people together and share the joy of polo. Our annual White Party invites the entire polo community. Moreover, supporting charities is a given for us. Lastly, fair play and sportsmanship are integral to our ethos – areas where we aim to increase our involvement.

The logo and the team’s appearance are visually striking. Are there plans to establish yourselves as a brand in polo as well?

Who knows what else we’ll come up with? Anyway, it’s wonderful to see how well the name Standing Rock, our logo, and our spirit have been embraced. I am incredibly grateful for that.

Standing Rock – sporting successes 2023 season

• Winners of the 10 Goal Simon Holley Trophy, Berkshire Polo Club
• Winners of the 12 Goal Cheltenham Trophy, Cirencester Polo Club
• Subfinal winners of the 12 Goal Prestwich Cup, Berkshire Polo Club
• Winners of the 15 Goal Coworth Park Challenge, Guards Polo Club
• Winners of the 8 Goal Coupe de Bronze, Deauville
• Subfinal winners of the 8 Goal Coupe Internationale, Chantilly
• Winners of the 12 Goal Victor Ludorum Trophy, HPA

Both the 8 Goal and 12 Goal Victor Ludorum Trophies neither has ever been won before by a father and son team.

This year‘s 12 Goal Team from Standing Rock and winners of the Victor Ludorum Trophy:
Nacho Goncalez (BK), Paco O‘Dwyer, Pierandrea Müller, Philipp Müller

In the background, the people from Standing Rock:
Eugenio Fernandez, Team Manager, David Morley, Tactical Coach, Jaime Roberts, Equine Manager, India Parker-Smith, Fitness Trainer, Nick Dann, Mental Coach, Ann-Kristin Sandmann, Office Manager