Happy new year from all of us at The Polo Blog. Before the snow polo circuit and the Florida high-goal season fire up, we want to look back at how 2024 ended and what the next twelve months hold.
A Palermo final to remember
The Argentine Open in Palermo, the 131st edition, closed in early December with La Natividad beating La Dolfina 13-11 in the final. It was a fine way to end the Argentine season, and it set a high bar for everyone chasing them in 2025. Attention is already turning to the 2025 Triple Crown, with seven teams reported to be lining up for the Hurlingham, Tortugas and Palermo series.
Why 2025 matters at home
The Hurlingham Polo Association has a landmark year ahead. The HPA traces its roots to the Hurlingham Polo Committee, which drew up the first rules of the sport in 1875 at the Hurlingham Club, so 2025 marks 150 years. We expect plenty of celebration during the year.
The HPA chairman, Will Lucas, used his end of year message to set out priorities for the sport. A few points stood out to us:
- From 2025, players under 16 cannot play at 12 Goal Victor Ludorum level and above, with a new route into elite polo for young players being developed.
- The Home Grown Player rule applies at 12 Goal VL and below from this season, and the Stewards are considering whether to extend it to other levels after consultation.
- Sponsorship is getting harder to secure, so ticketing, scheduling and sponsorship for International Day are under review.
- Concussion rules and pony welfare changes covering whips, spurs and water have been introduced, and the chairman wants polo to be seen as a horse-first sport.
- A Participation Working Group is looking at how grassroots clubs can bring in new players affordably.
Mr Lucas also said the HPA is funding research on public attitudes to the sport, and he hopes to make lasting improvements before handing over to a successor in 2027.
What we will be watching
Over the coming weeks we will report on snow polo in Kitzbühel and St. Moritz, the arena international at Hickstead, and the start of the Wellington season. Then comes the long road to Guards, Cowdray and the HPA’s own International Day in July. It promises to be a good year to be a polo fan, and we plan to cover as much of it as we can, week by week.
Sources: HPA, Chairman’s vision, La Nación
