The polo calendar turns to Australia next month. The XI FIP World Polo Championship will be played at the Sydney Polo Club in Richmond, on the Hawkesbury River, with eight national teams competing for the world title. Here is what we know ahead of the first throw-in.
Dates and format
The Federation of International Polo confirmed that the tournament runs from Tuesday 17 October to Monday 30 October, with six days of polo beginning on Saturday 21 October and the final scheduled for Sunday 29 October. Eight international teams will take part, including host nation Australia and the reigning world champions, Chile. The club won the right to stage the event in 2015, a notable decision because the championship is normally awarded to a country rather than a single club.
The draw
- Pool A: Argentina, the United States, Australia and Spain
- Pool B: Chile, England, New Zealand and India
The United States earned its place by qualifying through the Zone A playoffs in April. Argentina arrive as four-time champions and will see the draw as a chance to add a fifth title, while Chile will be hoping to defend the crown they won in 2015.
Australia’s build-up
The Australian Polo Federation has been clear that preparations are on track. James Harper, who has been impressing in the English high-goal season with El Remanso, was appointed coach of the Australian team in July. The provisional squad of 15 named at the time included Jack Archibald, Alec White, Dirk Gould, Jock Mackay, Jasper White, Jake Daniels, James Lester, Dan O’Leary, Gus Aguirre, Luke Reid, Jack Kiely, Aiden Nunn, Alex Barnet, Tom Martin and Lachie Gilmore. The final squad of 10 was due to be chosen by early September, with the playing four announced in early October.
Horses and logistics
As in every World Championship, the horses are lent by the local polo community rather than brought in by the teams. The horse procurement team has confirmed that numbers are on track, with grading and identification of the string starting in August. Strict biosecurity applies, including horse health declarations and movement logs for every animal arriving at the site. Anto White is still welcoming offers of additional horses.
With Argentina, Chile and England all in strong form, this looks like a championship worth following closely. We will report on the results as they come in.
Sources: Australian Polo Federation (July update), Australian Polo Federation (dates)
