Polo Madness

Glorious: What is the Ladies Polo Foundation and how did you get involved with it?

Hannah Henderson: The Ladies Polo Foundation was my brainchild based on my own experience and what I felt was lacking in the sport. I wanted to create a pool of money to support talented players who could benefit from training and playing in other countries during the winter. Polo being a summer sport, it was important to keep progressing even during the off-season. The foundation relied on financial support from brands who would gain exposure through their association with us. We also had the support of some amazing lady polo players in the UK who offered inspiration, coaching tips, and access to their training days at a discounted rate. Despite the challenges posed by Covid, we managed to run successful foundation days, which brought players together and provided valuable learning experiences. I believe there’s still potential to further promote the foundation and involve more people.

Glorious: For someone who perceives polo as a dreamy summer sport, what are some key events in the summer calendar that they can attend?

Hannah Henderson: Well, at county, you can find out about the Cowdray Gold Cup, which is the highlight of the high-goal polo calendar. For example, on July 19th, there’s the Coronation Cup, where England will be playing this year. Then, on July 29th, there’s the Gold Cup final at Guards, which is a fantastic event to attend. Additionally, there’s the ladies’ polo tournaments, such as the Women’s Guards and the Scrub Ladies. Their website is a great resource to find the dates for those. If we focus specifically on ladies polo, we have the Victrix Ludorum series, which has tournaments throughout the year, each with its own final at Cowdray, Guards, and Cirencester. These three tournaments are particularly enjoyable to watch, as they showcase a high level of polo.

Glorious: Fabulous! Now, let’s say I’m a passionate equestrian who rides horses, does dressage, or showjumping, but I want to get involved in polo. How would you recommend someone learn and engage in the sport?

Hannah Henderson: Our governing body has a list of coaches and many polo clubs across the country offer polo lessons. I would suggest giving it a try and setting up a lesson. See if you love it. But fair warning, it can be quite addictive once you start getting into it!

Glorious: Now, looking towards the future, what are your hopes for ladies polo in terms of inclusivity and the development of the Ladies Polo Foundation?

Hannah Henderson: The Ladies Polo Foundation faced significant challenges due to the impact of Covid, but I hope it recovers and attracts more brand sponsorships. The foundation’s primary purpose is to support young, aspiring players in the sport, and I believe it can continue doing so successfully. In terms of the future of polo, I remember a wise and respected individual in the sport suggesting that the key to its success lies in nurturing grassroots participation. By continuously attracting and involving more people at the grassroots level, we ensure the sport remains strong. Ultimately, the sport needs individuals with resources and support, whether they are professionals or simply have financial means, to propel it forward. This creates a triangular relationship, and the key is to keep feeding the grassroots. Therefore, it’s crucial to encourage and support young people and newcomers to polo. We have witnessed many success stories of young players who started their polo journeys with us, and it’s heartening to see families getting involved and supporting their children’s passion for the sport. Polo reminds us of the importance of family and spending quality time together, surrounded by wonderful people on the polo pitch.