1869 – 2019: The UK Armed Forces Polo Association (UKAFPA) celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Polo in the United Kingdom. A bunch of celebrations and events throughout the whole season accompany this jubilee.
The first acknowledged game from whence it all began was in 1869, (“hockey on horseback” as it was referred to then) was organised by officers stationed at Aldershot, one of whom had read about a form of the game in India, in a copy of The Field magazine. Eti-quette, followed by rules developed very quickly afterwards, as did the emergence of polo being played at many Clubs, Hurlingham being amongst the first (1874).
Mark Cann, a Trustee of the UKAFPA Charity, is the principal coordinator of Polo150 activity: “2019 is a major year for the UK Armed Forces Polo Association. During Summer 2019, we will host a series of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 10th Hussars starting polo in England and defining the modern game. The celebration of Polo150 involves events all over the world, is designed to the polo world and endorses the five key messages: Polo has a unique connection with the military in UK until today, polo is philanthropic, men and women compete equally at the highest level, polo is a significant employer across the world and last but not least the incredible and unique polo ponies.” The main UK celebrations are around the existing Chapple Cup series, 8-14 July 2019, other events will take place outside this period both in UK and globally.
Principal Polo150 activities: Golden Polo Balls will be distributed to influencers of polo, this will include top polo clubs, players, sponsors and governing bodies around the world in each polo playing nation. A Hackett Photo Exhibition in London, Poloafrica Tour to UK at Cirencester Polo Club (22 June), and Guards Polo Club (23 June), the Finals Day of the Royal Windsor Cup is traditionally attended by Her Majesty the Queen. International Matches in UK, Asia, USA and Southafrica as well as the Chapple Cup Series Matches at Sandhurst, Tidworth PC and Guards PC.
