Polo
The Cheltenham College Polo Invitation Day 2008
The Cheltenham and Eton crowds gathered again for the 7th College Polo Invitation Day at Cirencester Park Polo Club on Saturday 10th May – their biggest event of the year, sponsored this year by the new entrepreneurial property development The Lakes by yoo near Lechlade, and team sponsors La Martina.
The hundreds of parents, and past and current students from Cheltenham and Eton Colleges were bathed in glorious sunshine as the two schools, and the Old Cheltonians v the Old Etonians battled it out on the polo field.
A champagne reception (where commentator Peter Morris explained the essentials of the game of polo!) kick-started the day at 12noon and, following a short break in proceedings for guests to enjoy picnics and spend their money in the busy Exhibitors Marquee, the first chukka of the day started at 2.30pm with Cheltenham (winners for the last 5 years) and Eton eager to win ‘The College Polo Trophy’. A handicap start to Cheltenham of 1½ goals (due to handicap difference) sadly did not help usually confident players who eventually had to concede to Eton’s more competent team. The Trophy and prizes were presented by Lady Apsley.
‘The Old Cheltonian Polo Cup’ match followed. Again a handicap difference was awarded which got the Old Etonians off to a good start. However, even with England player Jamie le Hardy representing the OCs, Eton ably added to their score to win the match, claiming back the Cup from last winners, the OCs. Lady Bathurst presented the Cup and prizes to players.
By Bridget Vick
The College Polo Trophy
Cheltenhan College – Sophie Kyriazi -1, Dom Heywood 0, Ali Patterson 0, Rory Musgrave 0.
Eton College – Felipe Massu 0, Henry Jennings 0, Jose Entrecanales 0, John Sleeman 0.
The Old Cheltonian Polo Cup
Old Cheltonians – Nick Hine 0, Tom Beim 2, Jamie le Hardy 5, Toby Smith 1.
Old Etonians – Tristan Phillimore 2, Ed Magor 2, Mark Emerson 3, Alex de Lisle 2.
We would like to thank: Dordogne Direct Ltd, Mili, Gaucho Belts, Floyds Shoes and Indigo Boo Ltd who generously donated 10% of their profits from the Day to the Cheltenham College Charitable Trust.