Latest news with #polo
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Riding a polo pony — how hard can it be?
Polo may be the only sport in the world more sensibly played on elephants. Cannoning round a field on a horse, swinging a croquet mallet the wrong way round, is like driving a Formula 1 car one-handed while using your other arm to practise your serve. In India, they play polo on elephants. Elephants are generally more inclined to lumber than speed, and come with their own elephant whisperer to steer. Alas, I'm in southwest London not Rajasthan, it's decades since I sat on a horse, and I've never had a riding lesson in my life. Nevertheless, I arrive for my first ever polo lesson well prepared. I am wearing cowboy boots and two bras. I am invincible. For one hour only, Nube is my horse. She lives at Ham Polo Club and looks at me doubtfully, as well she might. 'Her name is Spanish for 'cloud',' says my teacher, Manuel, stroking her nose. I sign a waiver promising that any calamity that befalls me will be entirely my fault. I look at Nube, wonder what the Spanish is for 'oh shit', then haul myself into the saddle and very nearly straight over the other side. When I'm safely installed, they insist that Nube is placid and small, even though the ground seems a long way down. But she is also a polo pony, and polo has always struck me not as placid but borderline lethal. We clippety-clop to the training ground and I hope for the best. • Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts Ham is a rural idyll near the A3, a place of vast green polo lawns, broadleaf trees and little white clubhouses stacked with catering company chairs. Traditionally, summer in England isn't summer without the royals being photographed at a polo match, from Charles and Camilla in the 1970s to William and Harry in the 2000s. Just once, there was Meghan and Kate at the Guards Polo Club in 2019, back when everyone was playing happy families, but no more. These days, Charles is too old, William's too busy, Harry plays furiously in Santa Barbara or Florida, and Kate's always been allergic to horses anyway. Polo, though, is still indelibly associated with the royals. Chestertons, the estate agents, sponsors the annual Polo in the Park weekend in central London, in a bid to combine the sporting and the social with diversity (not just posh people), inclusivity (not just country types) and, presumably, selling houses. Described as the world's biggest polo festival, Polo in the Park is a veritable melting pot at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, where the Princess of Wales used to bring George and Charlotte for tennis lessons when they were little. Back at Ham, Nube and I are bonding, a bit. She makes it clear with every snort and toss of her head that I am an idiot and she knows best, and she is not wrong. Polo ponies are trained to be extremely responsive, I am told, but the flipside of that is that they need to be told exactly what to do. This is difficult when your main focus is not falling off. I hold the reins in my left hand, as Manuel's shown me, and grip the front of the saddle with my right, to his consternation. I'm used to saddles with pommels, I tell him. The last time I got on a horse was when I lived on Vancouver Island in my twenties, and over there the saddles have pommels. A couple of times a week, I'd pick up a toffee-coloured horse called Rocky from the local stable after work and we'd head off fearlessly into the forest to explore. That was then, I was 24 and Rocky, bless him, was a Ford. Nube is a Ferrari. How I sit, and lean to swing the mallet, how I hold the reins, where and how I kick and with which part of my heel are all carefully calibrated parts of the equation geared to getting her to do what I want. Get any part of it wrong and Nube will effectively shrug, take the path of least resistance and do what she wants, which is stop. Manuel is an Argentinian professional polo player who's been riding since he could walk. He makes cannoning round a field swinging a mallet look as easy as falling off a log, or indeed a horse. From my reassuringly stationary position at the side of the pitch, I watch him demonstrate a rising trot. 'Now your turn,' he says, with an encouraging smile. I rack my brains for diversionary polo-related small talk. 'Is Prince Harry any good at polo?' I ask. He considers this with the seriousness all things polo deserve. 'He's a decent amateur,' he replies. 'Now lift the reins so she knows to move forward and kick your heels. Keep kicking so she knows to keep going.' 'And Prince William?' I ask, exhausting my supply of polo-related small talk quicker than I'd hoped. 'Probably a bit better,' he says, adding that he didn't like Harry's Netflix programme Polo at all. It concentrated on the social side, not the sport itself, he complains, so he watched two episodes and gave up. The gist of his conversation is that polo is about adrenaline and sportsmanship and manly excitement, not royals, or blondes necking bubbly on the sidelines. 'Your turn!' he says cheerfully. 'I'll come too!' So off we set. I go bounce, bounce, bounce and start to worry for Nube's spine and my own. Manuel confirms that he has had a bad back for years, which is discouraging, but we persevere. My steering seems OK even though my rein handling is deemed erratic — 'lift the reins, don't pull! She thinks you want her to stop! Kick!' — but the bouncing improves sufficiently that we try a figure of eight round two traffic cones, with success if not aplomb. I grasp my mallet, activate my core, and lean over to hammer the ball two, maybe even as far as three feet ahead. I swear under my breath, Nube snorts and soon I'm getting cross. I want to be good at this, but I'm not. I want to look at ease in the saddle, but I don't. I could ride a bit when I was younger, and had a pommel, so why can't I do it now? I read Black Beauty as a child. I know my Jilly Cooper. I watched Rupert Campbell-Black canter elegantly across my TV screen in Rivals and honestly, how hard can this be? Every so often Nube and I find our rhythm and I get a tantalising glimpse of just how wonderful riding must be. Then it's gone and I'm bouncing around in the saddle like a double bra'd jack-in-the-box. After my lesson, I walk bow-legged back to the clubhouse. The polo ponies look down their noses at me from their stalls. Nube is led away without so much as a disdainful backward glance. In the distance, real polo players gallop across the pitch with languid grace, turning on a dime and belting the ball to kingdom come. Rocky would have been good at this, I think, if he'd ever got the chance, but next time I think I'll try elephant polo. Anyone can ride an elephant. How hard can it be? Chestertons Polo in the Park is at Hurlingham Park on June 6, 7 and 8.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Americans flock to ritzy coastal town dubbed the 'new Hamptons'... and there's a huge tax perk
A stunning coastal area in Uruguay has seen an influx of wealthy Americans with an appetite for the finer things in life. Punta del Este is drawing comparisons to the other playgrounds for the rich and famous, like the Hamptons and Monaco, for its abundant beachfront, sea of well-heeled residents, and love for the ritzy sport of polo, enjoyed by the likes of the British Royal Family
News24
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Dr Tamaryn Green Nxumalo and more stun at the Nedbank Polo
Opulence and glamorous shone at Nedbank International Polo. This year's extravaganza delivered on a riveting polo match between South Africa and Argentina, chic marquees and, of course, luxurious fashion. Known as one of the country's most revered event on many social calendars, we spotted stars like Miss South Africa 2018 Dr Tamaryn Green Nxumalo and her husband, businessman Ze Nxumalo, Outlaws actress Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, Imprint ZA designer Mzukisi Mbane and more enjoy a mix of indulgent hospitality at luxury marquees like Stella Artois and the EQUUS Lounge and expertly tailored style. Whether you're a fan of the polo and familiar with the game or not, few can deny the palpable excitement in the air as guests witnessed with close match, which saw Argentina claim a narrow victory. But the stars were there for the fashion, with guests like soccer legend Teko Modise telling TRUELOVE, 'I'm here for the horses and I'm here for the fashion but, most importantly, for the fashion. I love fashion, I love seeing how people actually express themselves via fashion.' A lover of fashion, soccer legend Teko Modise is most excited to see how guests embody avant garde style at the Nedbank International Polo. #NedbankPolo — TRUELOVE Magazine (@TrueLoveMag) May 17, 2025 As the sun set over Johannesburg's prestigious Inanda Club, here are some looks we spotted at the Nedbank International Polo: Shantal and Bohang Moeko in Imprint ZA Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku in Lindani Styling Lula Odiba Teko Modise Dr Tamaryn Green Nxumalo in Sherif Tailor and Ze Nxumalo Mzukusi Mbane in Imprint ZA Erin-Jane Miller and Bryan Miller Tshiamo Modisane Chef Benny Masekwameng
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Danny Dyer reveals he has taken up posh sport loved by the Royals to prepare for new season of Rivals after winning first BAFTA
BAFTA-winner Danny Dyer has taken up an unlikely posh sport loved by the Royals to help prepare for the new series of Disney+ hit Rivals. Speaking to MailOnline at Sunday night's BAFTA Television Awards, which saw the ex-EastEnders star claim the best male performance in a comedy gong for his role as Lee Campbell in Sky series My Bigstuff, the actor revealed he's been having polo lessons which has left his backside feeling 'uncomfortably sore.' Danny, 47, told how he's been enrolled into an intensive horse-riding course by show bosses and once he becomes a natural in the saddle, will then learn how to strike a ball with a mallet on horseback. Speaking at Southbank's Royal Festival Hall, Danny, who plays Freddie Jones, said: 'We're filming season two of Rivals this week. I'm learning how to play polo, it's not easy. I spend my days now galloping on a horse...' And on his moustache, Danny added: 'Oh, and this isn't for fashion either…' The father-of-three was still beaming after scooping the prestigious gong, the first BAFTA in his career which has spanned four decades. Speaking to MailOnline at Sunday night's BAFTA Television Awards, the actor revealed he's been having polo lessons which has left his backside feeling 'uncomfortably sore' During his emotional acceptance speech on stage, Danny admitted he was 'choked up' winning the award and thanked his two daughters, Dani, 28, and Sunnie, 18, in attendance, saying: 'Girls, Sunnie and Dani… I've done it, girls, I've f***ing done it!' The star said it was catching a glimpse of his daughters in the audience that reduced him to tears during the award ceremony. And speaking following his win, Danny went onto explain how much the gong meant to him and what his critics over the years might have to say. He quipped: 'Oh, there'll be some people fuming! 'I don't know, man. I've earned it. I only want one; I don't need more than this. I'm happy. 'I've lifted a couple of NTAs over the years, and I always like to win awards and lose them, do the moody clap [pretending] that you're happy for someone else… I've done all that b******s, and I thought I'd be doing that tonight. 'I've had a really good run this year. Rivals has been so well received. A bit odd, really. I've got Rivals sitting there, and I've got Mr Bigstuff there. I've made it.' Danny triumphed over fellow nominees Bilal Hasna for Extraordinary, Dylan Thomas-Smith for G'wed, and Nabhaan Rizwan for Kaos. The cast reunited at the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday as Emily Atack, who plays sultry Sarah Stratton, attended the red carpet event dressed in a white gown with leather gloves Oliver Savell, who plays a young Alan Carr in Changing Ends, was also recognised, as was Phil Dunning for his role in BBC Three's Smoggie Queens. Danny stars in Disney+ series Rivals alongside David Tennant who plays station boss Tony Baddingham and Aidan Turner, whose character, journalist Declan O'Hara goes against him to create a competitor channel. The cast reunited at the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday as Emily Atack, who plays sultry Sarah Stratton, attended the red carpet event dressed in a white gown with black leather gloves. She appeared alongside US star, Nafessa Williams, famed for her role as Cameron Cook, who wore a red latex vintage dress by Alexander McQueen. During the prestigious awards, Danny watched his former cast mates in EastEnders also walk away with a huge gong after being named Best Soap. Danny, who played Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter between 2013 and 2022 before he was 'lost at sea', faced an awkward reunion with his ex-bosses after slamming the show's 'dark' storylines during a public speaking event on Friday night. He also hit out at former co-stars Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie for 'blanking him' when he first started and claimed he was 'off his nut' on prescription drugs, including 'Valium and diazepam.' On the intensive work schedule, he added: 'You earn good money, but you ain't got time to go to a cashpoint. You have no life. 'The amount of birthdays I missed. If someone dies in your family, they won't even let you go to the funeral. It's such a machine. There's not much duty of care. That's the truth. 'On EastEnders there is no messing about, and you've got to do it. It's the hardest part of our job. I'd love to see A-list actors come in and do it, they'd crumble. You've got to be on it. 'In films you make yourself properly cry, you go to a dark place, and you have time to recover. It messes a lot of people's heads up. Most people are off their nut.
Arab News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers' finals in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Iranian national polo team have qualified for the 2025 World Cup in the US after beating Pakistan in the 2025 Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Held in western Riyadh at the Nofa Equestrian Resort, Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches, a media statement said on Saturday. The medal ceremony was attended by Piero Dillier, president of the Federation of International Polo, and Faisal bin Duwaiyes, CEO of the Saudi Polo Federation, who awarded the medals to both teams. Bin Duwaiyes said that the successful hosting of the event was a continuation of Saudi Arabia's achievements in organizing regional and international sporting events. 'This success was made possible by the unwavering support of the Kingdom's leadership and the close attention of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he said. SPF's CEO highlighted the high level of competition and strong performances from both teams throughout the matches. Bin Duwaiyes underscored the significance of the presence of Federation of International Polo officials and sport experts. He described it as a valuable opportunity for Saudi administrative and technical personnel to gain experience and further contribute to the development of polo in the Kingdom.
