Plett Polo 2015 

Events over December:

18^th December – Polo Pony Parade. Come watch the polo ponies and teams parade down the main street of Plett. The parade will be led by the South African Test side. A popular event to attend; also a great opportunity to meet and greet all the players and ponies!

20^th December – Come and enjoy a lovely Sunday afternoon with some gin cocktails, wine, beer, food, music and of course polo on the Pavilion! Kids play area, and lots of space to relax and enjoy the polo! Fun for the whole family.

27^th December – The finals of the 12 goal on the Pavilion ground. some gin cocktails, wine, beer, food, music and of course polo on the Pavilion! Kids play area, and lots of space to relax and enjoy the polo! Fun for the whole family.

29^th December –The Plett Polo International at Kurland has been a longstanding favourite on the annual Plett events calendar with the English opposition always making for an emotive day. The event attracts thousands and is truly the jewel in the Plett holiday crown. The polo pavilion is one the best polo settings in the world.

The event is run with the South African Polo Association and has been designed to raise the profile of South African Polo, showcasing the most talented individuals in the sport, as well as aiding in the development of Polo within South Africa. The International is one of the four most desirable equestrian events on the social calendar.

Private boxes and tickets available for the Pavilion, as well as picnic spots on the berm. Kids play area, and lots of space to relax and enjoy the polo. Fun for the whole family. 

For tickets and enquires, please contact Tessa on 072 449 9057 or tessa@plettpolo.co.za.

 

 

Tournament dates:

7^th – 13^th December:
6 goal tournament
12 goal tournament

14^th – 27^th December:
12 goal tournament

14^th – 23^rd December:
2 goal tournament
8 goal tournament

29^th December:
South Africa vs England International test match

27^th – 3^rd January:
2 goal tournament
8 goal tournament

3^rd – 10^th January:
4 goal tournament
10 goal tournament

 

Polo 101:

Brush up on your knowledge of the game…

A Match – A match consists of 4 to 6 chukkas, each lasting seven minutes plus up to 30 seconds of overtime. A horn is blown at the end of the 7^th minute to signal to the players that the 30 seconds remain in the chukka. During the 30 seconds, play continues until a team scores, the ball goes out of play or a player commits a foul. During the breaks the players are able to change ponies.

The Field – Play takes place on a field of about 275m long and 150m wide. In theory, that is about the same size as six rugby fields. The goal posts, which collapse on severe impact, are set 7.3m apart.

Teams – There are 4 players on a team with each player assigned a different role according to their position. No.1 is essentially the goal scorer. No. 2 is also a forward, but plays harder especially in defence. No.3 is the pivotal player, and often the captain of the team; they try to turn every play into a offence play. No.4 is the most defensive player on the field.

Handicaps – All players are rated from -2 to 10 goals, the higher the number the better the player. The word “goal” does not relate to the number of goals scored by that player, but rather to their overall playing ability. The team’s handicap is the sum of its players’ handicaps.

Scoring – Any time the ball crosses the lines, between the posts at any height, it is considered a goal. After each goal is scored the teams change end, this is to make up for any conditions that could give one team an advantage over the other. The game is continuous and can only be stopped if a foul is called, or if a injury occurs to either a pony or player, or if a player’s tack is broken.

Line of the ball – The most important rule in polo – it is essentially an imaginary line along which the ball travels once it has been struck. This line can be thought of like the line in a road, and that no one can cross the right of way. 

 

Teams:

12 goal teams:

Seven Oaks

–          Tom du Bruin (7 goal handicap) Captain
–          Tommy Crowe (2 goal handicap)
–          James Crowe (2 goal handicap)
–          Christopher Lund (1 goal handicap)

 

Cape Town Polo Club

–          Christopher MacKenzie (6 goal handicap) Captain
–          George Morgan (3 goal handicap)
–          Michael MacKenzie (2 goal handicap)
–          Garth Kanigowski (1 goal handicap)

 

Jaeger Polo

–          Gareth Evans (6 goal handicap) Captain
–          Dirk Van Reenen (4 goal handicap)
–          Sophia Stead (1 goal handicap)
–          TBC

 

Rocksteady

–          Doug Lund (5 goal handicap)
–          Shaun Brokensha (4 goal handicap) Captain
–          Ben Crowe (3 goal handicap)
–          Michael Griffith (0 goal handicap)

 

CJ Partners

–          Buster MacKenzie (6 goal handicap) Captain
–          Duncan Watson (4 goal handicap)
–          Nick Sherring (2 goal handicap)
–          Ryan Robertson (0 goal handicap)

 

Local Players:

Buster MacKenzie – AKA The Silver Fox, Buster has been one of the most instrumental people in South African polo, specifically the developments of Plett Polo and still now holds a 6 goal handicap. Though age is not always a polo players friend, it has done little to dampen Buster’s never say never attitude – that means that any game with him in it is definitely not over till the last whistle.
A terrier.

 

Doug Lund – Cane farmer, wine farmer AND polo player; is this possibly the most glamorous CV ever written? The owner of Newstead Wines is as meticulous on the field as he is off. The ex-Springbok player may be putting more focus on his son’s (Christopher Lund) blossoming polo career, but do not underestimate him. Great family, great horses and of course great wine!
A missile.

 

Shaun Brokensha – Though mostly based in Plett, Shaun does still play polo for 5 months in the UK, winning the nation Victor Ludurum 8 goal this year. With more nicknames than a marvel comic series: Bones, Shadow, Shad, Shadrak just to name but a few. These different names can also sometimes mean a different type of polo player on the field.
A workhorse.

 

Christopher MacKenzie – 22 years old, so young and yet so experienced! There are few things left on Chris’ polo bucket list for him to conquer. This year alone he won the Royal Windsor tournament in the UK, received most valuable player (MVP) and best playing pony and so met the Queen for his troubles. Nicknamed Ricky Bobby (Talladega Nights) due to his extreme speed on the field. There’s never a dull moment when Chris steps onto the field.
A speed machine.

 

Out of town players (raiders):

Tom du Bruin – Springbok captain and our highest rated player at 7 goals. The man’s ability is matched only by that of his horses, for which he is world renown. Tom, AKA Moose, in reference to his not so small physical appearance; Moose is stronger, harder and cleverer than most.
A powerhouse.

 

Gareth Evans – Mr Experienced on the polo field. Gareth has played professionally for many years and is also a current Springbok player. Career highlights including winning the Queens Cup and Royal Windsor tournaments in the UK. There are not many games that Gareth hasn’t played and not worked out how to win, lucky he plays with his in-laws, really.
A strategist.

 

Dirk Van Reenen – 19 years, the newest and youngest member of the South African Test side that faced New Zealand in Johannesburg and indeed where he won MVP of the mach. His professional career is just starting to take off now with plans to play in the UK in 2016. Strong, fast and dynamic and that’s just in Flashbacks – One to watch!
A tornado.