dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 2011 polo season has finished a while ago, the ponies are nice and comfy in a field or walk-in paddocks enjoying their well deserved holidays. In the mean time we are starting to look to coming season. The new tournament dates are not quite known, but that may not spoil the fun.
This year we are planning some nice tournaments again. We will start with the President's cup, followed by the Duindigt Cup. In the second half of the season there will be the infamous Velthuyse & Mulder Vermogensbeheer Orange tournament and the Van Santen & Van Santen Throphy Argentina.
And for clarity: The entrance is free, parking is free, a ticket is not required and there is no special dress code. Even dogs on a leash are welcome.
Kind regards,
Polo Club Wassenaar
PS. The results and many photos of the Velthuyse & Mulder Vermogensbeheer Orange tournament can be found on the Results page of www.polo.nl
Only few sports capture the imagination like polo does. Here in The Netherlands it is sometimes necessary to add polo is "hockey on a horse", but then all know what you are talking about. The English Prince Charles, his sons Harry and William, champagne, high heals, skimpy dresses, fast horses, concentrated agile players and swinging sticks appear in the minds eye. "I did not know that polo is being played in Holland" is an often heard remark. But we do, not on the scale as in England or Argentina, but we certainly hold up our own.
Past
According to some sources the polo started in The Netherlands, when someone came back for a stay in India and told his friends: "I have encountered the most wonderful sport. You are guaranteed to become as addicted to it as I. If I manage to get eight horses and a field together in two weeks, will you all put down fl. 10.000 to start Polo Club Wassenaar?" This proposal got the approval in the assumption that this would be the last they would ever hear from it again. A week or so later all received a letter with a date and place. All got together on the little field in the middle of Trot- and Racecourse Duindigt and the bravest mounted the ponies, old beasties bought from Polo Club Antwerp. A large number was addicted straight away, some have never set a foot on a horse, but all kept their word. En that was the start of Polo Club Wassenaar.
Present
Polo Club Wassenaar is the biggest and oldest club in The Netherlands. They have over the years welcomed and instructed many new players. This is being achieved through clinics and beginners courses at a very high level, but also through the clubhouse and friendly atmosphere amongst the members. The club organises four tournaments per year. The two tournaments at the beginning of the year are excellent preparation for the bigger tournaments later in the season.
Future
Due to the fact that in 2010 and 2011 the second half of the seizon lituraly fell in the water, we would like to start this year earlier. Normally the lessons and clinics start some time in April when the field is dry enough to be used. This however means that the moment of participating in your first chukka and closure of the field due to excess rain falls more or less together. For this we would like to start in february in an indoor riding school. It is not the same as lessons on a polofield, but knowledge and skill can be brought very quickly up to a level where one can start to participate in chukkas.
Are you interested? Then quickly go to our registery page and leave your details. Our polo manager will contact you as soon as she is back from Argentina.
We are also always looking for sponsors for our club and tournaments. If you are interested, then please contact our sponsor commision.