SA Polo

June 2010

NEWSLETTER - MAY 2010

It has been some time since my last newsletter – my apologies but the early season has been hectic with the culmination of the Plett Easter season and the commencement of polo in the rest of the country. My apologies too for the length of this newsletter but much has occurred since the beginning of the year with your Executive active on many new and worthwhile projects.
The provincial championships have come and gone with Free State and Highveld being severely affected by rain. Fortunately KZN and EG managed to complete successful tournaments. The Underberg High Goal was a great success too but impacted heavily on entries for Natal Champs – something SAPA will need to address next season.

Affiliations:
The affiliation process went a lot more smoothly this year. Thanks to all the provincial secretaries for their aid and drive in getting their provinces affiliated on time.

African Horse Sickness Trust:
Exco met with a delegation from the African Horse Sickness Trust in an effort to assist them with the control of this deadly disease. Outbreaks of AHS not only affect the equine racing and polo industry but have a massive affect on South Africa’s export market. Outbreaks usually result in exports being closed for a period of time allowing other exporting nations (notably Australia & New Zealand) to step into the breach and snatch chunks of the our market.
The most effective way of controlling the disease besides a strict vaccination program is to control the movement of horses in SA especially from one “hot spot” to another. The Trust has requested the Association to adopt a mandate for the compulsory carrying of passports for all polo ponies. Many of our playing ponies already do as registered thoroughbreds but for those that aren’t it is a simple procedure to register them with a NHA “red” passport booklet. Such controls will become the responsibility of the Clubs throughout South Africa. To help facilitate this SAPA will investigate keeping the red passport booklets to supply to members.

SA Polo Studbook:
Exco agreed that the creation of a SA Polo Studbook would enhance the reputation of ponies exported overseas and enable the Association to keep track of such. With the increasing number of players breeding polo ponies it is important that all exporters register with the SAPA Stud Book to keep track on exports and provide credibility to the marketing of South African bred polo ponies. Stud Book would thereby be able to keep statistics on all horses leaving the country and build a database tracking the effectiveness of South African horses. The intention would be to create a link on the SAPA website for the SAPA Studbook. We are currently reviewing how this should be actioned and will advise further in due course.

Karkloof Main Field:
Many of you are probably aware that the Karkloof main field has been laser levelled and replanted to Paspalum – the entire grass cover was eradicated using Roundup before reintroduction of new Paspalum seed. This initiative was financed by SAPA in order to bring this fine polo centre up to international standards.

Bridgemeade:
Bridgemeade has also undergone a revamp with a structured fertilizer program and continual regular mowing. In addition the troublesome “hole” areas have been dug out and filled. Three hundred cubes of silica sand has been applied which should provide a much upgraded surface for the BMW International. Our thanks to Robbie Gillett and the Shongweni Polo Club for their assistance. Negotiations are ongoing with the DSC re their proposed move to an alternate site to make way for a shopping development. Obviously SAPA would only contemplate such a step if it was to the advantage to the Association and its affiliated players.

Umpiring:
The SAPA professional umpiring base is expanding allowing the use of professional umpires in most sections at SAPA run tournaments. I am grateful to those who have come forward to offer their services. Particularly pleasing is that the volunteers are keen to improve their umpiring abilities and want to progress to “A” grade umpires. Apart from our stalwarts of Campbell Macnab, Steve Evans and Guy Benson we now have Murray Spark, Craig James and Matty de Gersigny in the Highveld, Murray Hampson, Rob Hampson and Martin Peddle in KZN and Mike Osborn in EG. We are keen to grow this base further so if you are interested in umpiring at tournaments feel free to give me a call.
There is no question that the amended rules have improved the face of polo from a player’s perspective as well as for spectators. Umpires too, are finding it easier to “blow” with far less “melee’s” as was the case when turning the ball in defence was allowed.
An area of concern is the constant questioning by players of decisions made by the umpires. SAPA has introduce a zero tolerance strategy whereby no one may question the umpire including the team captain. The official will be required to state the transgression when blowing the foul to inform the player of his/her misdemeanour. The argument that this will render umpires unaccountable will be nullified by the entitlement of the captain to file a report in writing to the Tournament Director should the team feel there were irregularities during the match. Polo is the only sport in the world where the constant abuse of umpires is allowed and goes unpunished.

BMW International Series:
This year’s series will be hosting a 20 goal team from Chile. Plans and ticket sales are well underway thanks to the efforts of Bridget Macduff. Bear in mind that most of the SAPA funds granted to the provinces for the upgrading of facilities are generated from the BMW International series.
SA Champs will be the last opportunity for the SA selectors to view the senior players. For the sake of continuity and SAPA’s drive to improve its high goal players the “A” section at SA Champs will again be used as a selection tournament with participating players allocated into teams by the national selectors.

Inter Provincial Tournament:
The 2010 Inter provincial tournament was a huge success thanks to the excellent facilities and work put in by East Rand Polo Club. Their fields were top quality and as good as any I’ve seen in South Africa. It was the first time IPT was held in the Highveld for many years – a welcome respite for them after many years of trekking over the “Berg” for this event. It was disappointing to hear some of the negative comment regarding the staging of this tournament in the Highveld given the many years it has been held in KZN. SAPA’s policy is to rotate Inter provincial on a two yearly basis. Provinces bidding to host this event in the future must ensure their facilities are up to standard and will in all likelihood be inspected by SAPA before a decision is made.
This year’s tournament provided a new innovation with the invitation to a 19 goal Buenos Aires team in the “A” section. The Argie team competed with South Africa for the Bi Centenial Trophy presented by the Argentine Embassy in celebration of their 200 years of independence. Buenos Aires were not eligible to win the Prince of Wales Trophy which was won by Cambridge East Griqualand. Mounting the Buenos Aires team proved difficult as the “A” section players were reluctant to relinquish their better ponies for fear of not being competitive for their provinces. The viability of this tour requires a rethink for 2011 and might be better played over the weekend immediately after Inter provincial.
This year, for the first time, a trophy was presented to the overall winning province (calculated across all sections) which was won by East Griqualand. Our congratulations to EG - it is pleasing to note that IPT has regained the stature of a major tournament it so rightly deserves.

SA Champs/SAPA Cup:
Due to the revamp of Karkloof’s main field, leaving only two fields for use at SA Champs, we are investigating the possibility of splitting SA Champs over two weekends whereby the weekend of the SAPA Cup at Richmond hosts a Zero, Four and Eight goal. The Karkloof weekend would then host the “A” section probably set at 18/19 goals as well as a 6 goal. The rationale behind this is that it could encourage players to participate in both – high goal players to boost their Club teams thus affording their junior members the opportunity of playing with them under their Club colours or to enter a “Rover” team thereby increasing team entries. Likewise, a low goal player could enter the first weekend in any of the levels depending on his/her handicap as well as the 6 goal at Karkloof. The ideal number of teams for each venue would essentially be 16 thereby having the net effect of hosting 32 teams at SA Champs.
The reason for an 8 goal at Richmond would be to enable a 4, 3, 1 and 0 to enter or a 5, 2, 1 and 0 etc. Whatever the combinations a mix of high and lower handicap would be involved – which can only benefit polo.
If we assume that most of the 4 and 5 goal players would be participating in the “A” section at Karkloof, a 6 goal section could easily cater for players of 3 goals and lower.
The SAPA Cup would be re introduced once all the fields at Karkloof were back on line and playable. Please feel free to contact me either by phone or email if you have any comments/suggestions on the above.

President’s Cup:
As in the past this tournament will be a high goal event but because it occurs the weekend before the first Test it will also be used as a preparation tournament for the South African team. As was the case last year at IPT where the SA team played as a team a similar format will take place at this year’s President’s Cup.

Insurance Cover for Players:
A number of insurance companies have approached SAPA with the view to providing an insurance scheme to cover accident, disability and (hopefully not) death whilst playing polo. The premiums of such policies to be added to the annual affiliation fees. Exco felt that most players already have insurance policies of some sort but felt that it should be extended to cover development players. Details of the above are available so please communicate with me should anyone be interested in subscribing to such a scheme.

Horse Welfare Officer:
Clubs are reminded that it is a SAPA/HPA rule that all Clubs appoint a Horse Welfare Officer. With the recent negative publicity over a pony ridden by Nicky van der Walt at the Sabrage Invitation day held on the 24th April at Val de Vie, Clubs must be mindful of how polo ponies are cared for at all times. SAPA has always adopted an “open door” policy with the SPCA and they are free to inspect horses at any venue any time. What polo in SA doesn’t need is negative publicity especially when it revolves around the way polo ponies are treated during high profile matches. So please, ensure that your Club’s ponies are correctly cared for – any violations and/or reports of mismanagement will be severely dealt with by SAPA/SPCA.

New Polo Clubs:
SAPA is delighted to welcome the following new Clubs to it’s affiliated ranks – we wish them every success and appeal to members to support them as much as possible.

Arnot Polo Club -- Highveld

Cape Town Polo Club -- Cape

Gunsmoke Polo Club -- Highveld

Horseback Africa -- Highveld

Maremmana Polo Club -- Cape

Details of their Club officials and contact numbers can be obtained off the SA Polo website.

Marketing Polo in South Africa:
SAPA has approached a marketing research company to conduct an investigation into the brand of polo in South Africa to determine ways of improving public awareness of the sport including methods of promoting and marketing polo to the public. The results of their research are still pending.

Ladies Polo:
Ladies polo kicked off with a bang in the Cape with the Carol Boyes Cup held at Val de Vie. Congratulations to Jo Lister for a well organised tournament and for procuring the sponsorship for this event. Particularly pleasing was the inclusion and participation of ladies from “up country” and from all accounts a great time was had by all. A suitable sponsor for the Ladies International is still being sought with SAB having shown interest but failing to commit to date. Catherine Hartley is exploring the possibility of a lady’s international in October at Inanda. For more information on this watch this space!!!!

General:
On a sad note we were devastated to hear of our dear friend and colleague Jamie Bruce’s passing. Jamie will be sadly missed by the polo fraternity and we extend our best wishes and condolences to Caroline and the family. Our sympathies also to the Macnab family with the passing of Bess Macnab who retired to Plettenberg Bay after being a long standing member of the East Rand Polo Club.

Kind regards
CLIVE PEDDLE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - SAPA

ADVERTISING ON SA POLO WEBSITE

We will be setting up a new "Suppliers" page on the SAPA website on which we will be offering advertising space. Companies will be given space for their logo, the name of their company and a link to their website. The cost for this will be R500 per month (minimum 6 month contract). We will be limiting the number of spaces available. If you are interested please contact Bridget on bridget@sapolo.co.za

SAPA ENDORSEMENT OF TOURNAMENTS

The Executive Committee wishes to place on record with every club that the SA Polo Association is the recognized national body representing polo in South Africa. All tournaments, internationals, friendly and exhibition games must be sanctioned by SAPA prior to their taking place. No player may participate in a tournament wearing the South African colours or be billed as “South Africa” without first gaining sanction from the SAPA Office. It is only our National side that retains the right to wear the green & gold colours with the Protea and represent themselves as “South Africa”. A player participating in any non-sanctioned event will lose his or her handicap. This would have a drastic effect on that player’s ability to play anywhere in the world as all International Polo Associations recognize the sole authority of each country’s National Association.

Any polo news that you would like to submit like babies, marriages - please e-mail to bridget@sapolo.co.za