PLETTENBERG NEWS - Plettenberg Bay showcased some of the top polo players in the country during the SA Open Saturday Series at Kurland during April.
For the first time four local companies – Enrico’s, Dunlop, Medlife and Kurland – sponsored each participating team, who comprised the 16 best polo players available in South Africa.
The SA Open is one of Plett Polo’s biggest fundraisers of the year and every cent goes back into improving the facilities.
“This year there is a big drive to re-sand our fields, for a safer and faster surface. This allows the ball to run truer, creates quicker thinking plays or players, and requires faster and more agile polo ponies. This all leads to South Africa being a more respected polo nation,” Plett Polo manager Tessa Moxon said.
SA rising in world ranks
Moxon said that with South Africa having raised its status on the international polo stage, the country’s young players obtain professional polo jobs and local polo ponies are in demand.
“Go to Guards, our ‘sister club’ in Berkshire, and you will be able to identify many a South African polo pony. It’s not just the racing or endurance horses that are bolstering South African exports – polo ponies are right up there too.”
Moxon said that in season the number of polo ponies in the area increases to about 700 and the number of grooms to 140. “The increased demand for equine services, hotel rooms, restaurant spend and tourist activities equates to a conservative R22-million annual spend. Polo has now become an industry in the Garden Route.
Dirk Van Reenen in action during the SA Open Saturday Series at Kurland. Photo: Shutterspeed Images Jan Venter
Local economy needs polo
"Without polo, there would be a gaping hole in the local economy. Without a successful international and SA open, the club would fall short of its financial requirements every year.”
Moxon said spectators also inadvertently support social upliftment programmes.
“Most of the grooms start working in the polo world with very little knowledge to do with horses. Over time, they are taught the skills of looking after livestock, shown how to ride and some progress to become players. The really good grooms are now seen on the international polo circuit, earning foreign currency, in the Plett polo off season.
“So you are not just watching polo; you are supporting an industry, adding to the future improvement of our national side and helping with job security for many. You are also supporting the local Plett economy.”
High action on fields
Spectators were not disappointed on 7 and 14 April when they had the opportunity to watch South Africa’s best players charge across the Kurland Pavilion field.
Dunlop Zone Plett came out the victor when they took on Medlife, securing them a spot in the final on 14 April. In the second high-action semifinal match, Kurland proved too strong on their home turf and beat the hard-fighting Enrico’s team to earn the second spot in the final.
On 14 April the two teams fought hard, goal for goal in every chukka. Kurland took a tentative lead after the second half, and sealed it in during the last chukka by ending the game two goals up from Dunlop Zone Plett in the final minute. The game for bronze was played between Medlife and Enricos, another game that did not disappoint the spectators. It was neck and neck right to the end until Medlife scored the winning goal in the final seconds. Ben Crowe was crowned most valuable player of the tournament and best playing pony was Shaun Brokensha’s Milo.
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