Ham Polo Club
Encyclopedia
Ham Polo Club is a Hurlingham Polo Association
Polo Club situated in Richmond, South West London. It is one of the oldest polo clubs in the United Kingdom and the last surviving club in London. The club occupies a location between Richmond Park
and the River Thames
overlooked by Ham House, eight miles from Hyde Park Corner. The clubs facilities include three polo fields (two boarded), a stick and ball field, an exercise track, livery service, coaching and a clubhouse for the members with a restaurant and bar. Polo is played at Ham Polo Club between May and September. There are around 125 playing members at Ham and several hundred social members.
and Roehampton
. The club began life as the Ham Common Polo Club in 1926, with one full sized ground and two smaller rounds. The first ground was next door to Brown Gates House, Church Road, Ham Common
, home of the first chairman, Loftus Storey.
The full sized ground lay between Richmond Gates and Sheen and a regular coach there was Johnny Traill
, the first Argentine 10 goaler, who lived at nearby Roehampton. Ham Common Polo Club, together with Stoke d'Abernon and clubs such as Worcester Park, Kingsbury and Crystal Palace, was ideal for Londoners who did not compete in the major tournaments at the 'Big Three' but who played for the fun of the game. The 1939 season was necessarily the last for the next six years.
Ham was revived in 1946 by William Francis Walsh
(1907–1992), known universally as Billy. On returning from service in the Army Billy found that Capt. Tom Brigg, the owner of the stables where he had worked, had died and the stables were on the market. Using his gratuity Walsh bought the stables and revived Ham Polo Club under HPA
rules. It is widely believed that Lord Cowdray
, Arthur Lucas and Billy Walsh were the trio who rescued polo in the United Kingdom after the war.
The first post-war English polo
tournament was held at Roehampton
in 1947 and the Ham Polo Club team carried off the premier trophy the Roehampton Cup
(now played for at Ham). Three years later the club began using a field adjacent to Ham House for matches. Then in 1954, George Stevens, The Dysart families
tenant at Ham House Farm agreed to turn the Ham House orchard into a polo field for the club.
The first president of the club was Major Archie David the patron of the Friars Park team. The Autumn cup which he presented is still played for annually at Ham. Johnny Traill became a familiar figure at the club and Edward Tauchert Rescued the Roehampton Trophy
from the Roehampton Golf Club.
In 1970, thanks largely to the efforts of the then President Sir David Brown
, the club purchased the freehold of the land. Sixteen years later land adjacent was purchased and the club gained another ground. In 1982, at the age of seventy, Billy Walsh retired as manager of the club to become President. He was succeeded by two further generations managing Ham Polo Club, Peggy, his daughter and Tim, his grandson.
The club continues to play polo between May and September, managed by Adolfo Casabal, the current President is Vichai Raksriaksorn
(owner of Leicester City Football Club). The club's Chairman is Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers who is also Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association
.
(8 goal) and the Billy Walsh Tournament (0-3 goal).
ChildLine Sundown Polo Challenge
On a Saturday evening in June each year a polo match, dinner and charity auction is held to raise funds for the ChildLine
organization. Patron of the charity Esther Rantzen
is always present along side a host of celebrity guests.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
works with millions of underprivileged children worldwide. An event takes place Annually, this year a number of Laureus ambassadors were in attendance including Edwin Moses
, Hugo Porta
, Sean Fitzpatrick
, Daley Thompson
and Boris Becker
.
Chakravarty Cup
For many years the Chakravarty cup was held at Ham Polo Club. The event, started in 1997, raises funds for the charities and foundations supported by The Royal Family. HRH The Prince of Wales
took part in the match for nine years and now he has retired his sons The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry
take part.
Hurlingham Polo Association
The Hurlingham Polo Association is the governing body for polo in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The Federation of International Polo produces the International Rules of Polo through a cooperative agreement with the Hurlingham Polo Association, the Asociación Argentina de Polo , plus...
Polo Club situated in Richmond, South West London. It is one of the oldest polo clubs in the United Kingdom and the last surviving club in London. The club occupies a location between Richmond Park
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is a 2,360 acre park within London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and Britain's second largest urban walled park after Sutton Park, Birmingham. It is close to Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen...
and the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
overlooked by Ham House, eight miles from Hyde Park Corner. The clubs facilities include three polo fields (two boarded), a stick and ball field, an exercise track, livery service, coaching and a clubhouse for the members with a restaurant and bar. Polo is played at Ham Polo Club between May and September. There are around 125 playing members at Ham and several hundred social members.
History
Ham Polo Club is the last remaining of the many clubs that existed as satellites to London's 'Big Three' - Ranelagh, HurlinghamHurlingham Club
The Hurlingham Club is an exclusive sports club in Fulham in southwest London, England. The club, founded in 1869, is situated by the River Thames in Fulham, West London, and has a Georgian clubhouse set in of grounds...
and Roehampton
Roehampton Club
The Roehampton Club is an exclusive private members’ sports club in Roehampton in southwest London, England.Roehampton Club is set in of parkland, close to Richmond Park...
. The club began life as the Ham Common Polo Club in 1926, with one full sized ground and two smaller rounds. The first ground was next door to Brown Gates House, Church Road, Ham Common
Ham, London
Ham is a district in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on the River Thames.- Location :Its name derives from the Old English word Hamme meaning place in the bend in the river. Together with Petersham, Ham lies to the east of the bend in the river south of Richmond and north of Kingston...
, home of the first chairman, Loftus Storey.
The full sized ground lay between Richmond Gates and Sheen and a regular coach there was Johnny Traill
Johnny Traill
John Arthur Edward Traill was the first Irish-Argentine 10-goal polo player.-Biography:He was born in 1882. He married Henrietta Margaret of Scotland and they had the following children: John B. Traill and James R. Traill....
, the first Argentine 10 goaler, who lived at nearby Roehampton. Ham Common Polo Club, together with Stoke d'Abernon and clubs such as Worcester Park, Kingsbury and Crystal Palace, was ideal for Londoners who did not compete in the major tournaments at the 'Big Three' but who played for the fun of the game. The 1939 season was necessarily the last for the next six years.
Ham was revived in 1946 by William Francis Walsh
William (Billy) Francis Walsh
William Francis Walsh was known to all as Billy. He was a 5 goal polo player and soldier in the Cavalry. Billy is regarded as one of the three key figures in the post war revival of the sport of polo in the United Kingdom...
(1907–1992), known universally as Billy. On returning from service in the Army Billy found that Capt. Tom Brigg, the owner of the stables where he had worked, had died and the stables were on the market. Using his gratuity Walsh bought the stables and revived Ham Polo Club under HPA
Hurlingham Polo Association
The Hurlingham Polo Association is the governing body for polo in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The Federation of International Polo produces the International Rules of Polo through a cooperative agreement with the Hurlingham Polo Association, the Asociación Argentina de Polo , plus...
rules. It is widely believed that Lord Cowdray
Viscount Cowdray
Viscount Cowdray, of Cowdray in the County of West Sussex, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1917 for the industrialist Weetman Pearson, 1st Baron Cowdray, head of the Pearson conglomerate...
, Arthur Lucas and Billy Walsh were the trio who rescued polo in the United Kingdom after the war.
The first post-war English polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
tournament was held at Roehampton
Roehampton Club
The Roehampton Club is an exclusive private members’ sports club in Roehampton in southwest London, England.Roehampton Club is set in of parkland, close to Richmond Park...
in 1947 and the Ham Polo Club team carried off the premier trophy the Roehampton Cup
Roehampton Trophy
The Roehampton trophy is the oldest polo trophy in the United Kingdom. The trophy was first played for at the Roehampton Club in 1902 and was won by Buccaneers...
(now played for at Ham). Three years later the club began using a field adjacent to Ham House for matches. Then in 1954, George Stevens, The Dysart families
Earl of Dysart
Earl of Dysart is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1643 for William Murray, who had earlier represented Fowey and East Looe in the English House of Commons. He was made Lord Huntingtower at the same time, also in the Peerage of Scotland. He was succeeded by his daughter, the...
tenant at Ham House Farm agreed to turn the Ham House orchard into a polo field for the club.
The first president of the club was Major Archie David the patron of the Friars Park team. The Autumn cup which he presented is still played for annually at Ham. Johnny Traill became a familiar figure at the club and Edward Tauchert Rescued the Roehampton Trophy
Roehampton Trophy
The Roehampton trophy is the oldest polo trophy in the United Kingdom. The trophy was first played for at the Roehampton Club in 1902 and was won by Buccaneers...
from the Roehampton Golf Club.
In 1970, thanks largely to the efforts of the then President Sir David Brown
David Brown (entrepreneur)
Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
, the club purchased the freehold of the land. Sixteen years later land adjacent was purchased and the club gained another ground. In 1982, at the age of seventy, Billy Walsh retired as manager of the club to become President. He was succeeded by two further generations managing Ham Polo Club, Peggy, his daughter and Tim, his grandson.
The club continues to play polo between May and September, managed by Adolfo Casabal, the current President is Vichai Raksriaksorn
Vichai Raksriaksorn
- Biography :Raksriaksorn is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 35th richest man in Thailand. He is the founder and CEO of King Power Duty Free, an operator of duty-free shops. In December 2009, King Power received the royal warrant from the King of Thailand in a ceremony attended by Raksriaksorn.In...
(owner of Leicester City Football Club). The club's Chairman is Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers who is also Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association
Hurlingham Polo Association
The Hurlingham Polo Association is the governing body for polo in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The Federation of International Polo produces the International Rules of Polo through a cooperative agreement with the Hurlingham Polo Association, the Asociación Argentina de Polo , plus...
.
Flagship Tournaments
There are a number of tournaments run throughout the season at Ham Polo Club. The flagship tournaments are The Summer tournament (0-4 goal), The Dubai Trophy (12 goal), The Roehampton TrophyRoehampton Trophy
The Roehampton trophy is the oldest polo trophy in the United Kingdom. The trophy was first played for at the Roehampton Club in 1902 and was won by Buccaneers...
(8 goal) and the Billy Walsh Tournament (0-3 goal).
Membership
The number of playing members is limited and applicants must be interviewed by the committee. Social membership entitles individuals or families to use the clubhouse facilities on match days as well as being invited to the clubs social functions.Charity
Ham Polo Club has helped raise almost £2 Million for charity over the last few years there are several main charitable events that run each year.ChildLine Sundown Polo Challenge
On a Saturday evening in June each year a polo match, dinner and charity auction is held to raise funds for the ChildLine
ChildLine
ChildLine is a free 24 hour counselling service for children and young people up to 18 in the UK provided by the NSPCC. ChildLine deals with any issue which causes distress or concern, common issues dealt with include child abuse, bullying, parental separation or divorce, pregnancy and substance...
organization. Patron of the charity Esther Rantzen
Esther Rantzen
Esther Louise Rantzen CBE is an English journalist and television presenter who is best known for presenting the BBC television series That's Life!, and for her work in various charitable causes. She is founder of the child protection charity ChildLine, and also advocates the work of the Burma...
is always present along side a host of celebrity guests.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation was founded in 2000 by Daimler and Richemont and is supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and Vodafone...
works with millions of underprivileged children worldwide. An event takes place Annually, this year a number of Laureus ambassadors were in attendance including Edwin Moses
Edwin Moses
Edwin Corley Moses is an American track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 107 consecutive finals and set the world record in his event four times...
, Hugo Porta
Hugo Porta
Hugo Porta is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer, an inductee of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and IRB Hall of Fame, and one of the best fly-halves the sport has seen...
, Sean Fitzpatrick
Sean Fitzpatrick
Sean Fitzpatrick MNZM is a former rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand, and is widely regarded as one of the finest players ever to come from that country. He is also the son of former player Brian Fitzpatrick....
, Daley Thompson
Daley Thompson
Francis Morgan Ayodélé "Daley" Thompson CBE , is a former decathlete from England. He won the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and broke the world record for the event four times....
and Boris Becker
Boris Becker
Boris Franz Becker is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and the youngest-ever winner of the men's singles title at Wimbledon at the age of 17...
.
Chakravarty Cup
For many years the Chakravarty cup was held at Ham Polo Club. The event, started in 1997, raises funds for the charities and foundations supported by The Royal Family. HRH The Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
took part in the match for nine years and now he has retired his sons The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry
Prince Harry of Wales
Prince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
take part.
Notable Members
- Ali Albwardy- Patron of the Dubai Polo TeamDubai Polo TeamThe Dubai Polo Team is a successful high goal polo team based in Windsor. The Teams Patron Ali Albwardy also owns the Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai. Adolfo Cambiaso is a regular player on the Dubai team along side Ali's sons Tariq and Rashid. Other prominent players to have been on the team...
- Adolfo CambiasoAdolfo CambiasoAdolfo Cambiaso born April 15, 1975 in Cañuelas, Buenos Aires Province is an Argentine polo player with a 10-goal handicap. Currently, he is ranked number 1. He is often referred to as Adolfito or Dolfi.-Early years:...
- 10 goal Professional - Lolo CastagnolaBartolomé CastagnolaBartolomé Castagnola born June 16, 1970 in Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires Province is an Argentine polo player with a 10-goal polo handicap and ranked among the top twenty players. He is often referred to as Lolo.-Career:...
- 9 goal Professional
Presidents
- Major Archie David- 1957-1970
- Sir David BrownDavid Brown (entrepreneur)Sir David Brown was an English entrepreneur, managing director of his family firm David Brown Limited and one time owner of shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft and automobile manufacturer Aston Martin....
- 1971-1979 - Doug Riley-Smith- 1980
- Post Vacant- 1981-1982
- Geoffrey Lawson- 1983-1986
- Billy WalshWilliam (Billy) Francis WalshWilliam Francis Walsh was known to all as Billy. He was a 5 goal polo player and soldier in the Cavalry. Billy is regarded as one of the three key figures in the post war revival of the sport of polo in the United Kingdom...
- 1987-1992 - Bryan MorrisonBryan MorrisonBryan Morrison was a representative for musicians such as Pink Floyd. His company, the Bryan Morrison Agency, became one of the leading London booking agents for R&B and progressive rock, as well as organising tours for US acts...
- 1993-1996 - Douglas Brown DFC- 1997-2000
- J.W.M. (Buff) Crisp- 2001-2003
- Saeed Ali Albwardy- 2004-2007
- Vichai RaksriaksornVichai Raksriaksorn- Biography :Raksriaksorn is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 35th richest man in Thailand. He is the founder and CEO of King Power Duty Free, an operator of duty-free shops. In December 2009, King Power received the royal warrant from the King of Thailand in a ceremony attended by Raksriaksorn.In...
- 2008-
Polo Managers
- Billy WalshWilliam (Billy) Francis WalshWilliam Francis Walsh was known to all as Billy. He was a 5 goal polo player and soldier in the Cavalry. Billy is regarded as one of the three key figures in the post war revival of the sport of polo in the United Kingdom...
- 1946-1986 - Peggy Healy- 1987-2000
- Tim Healy- 2001
- James Lange- 2002-2003
- Tom Benson- 2004-2005
- David Leach- 2006
- Daniel Devrient Kidd- 2007
- Adolfo Casabal- 2008-2011
- William Healy- 2011-
Trophies
- Annie's Trophy
- Anthony Trophy
- Ascott Cup
- Asprey Red Cross
- Autumn Cup
- Aylesford Trophy
- Bannister Bowl
- BBVA Bowl
- Best of Richmond
- Boisdale Social
- Candilio Cup
- Chairman"s Trophy
- Childline Challenge
- Childline Champagne
- Committee Crystal
- Crescent Oil Trophy
- The Gerald Critchley Trophy
- David Brown Trophy
- David Healy
- Don Zoilo
- Double Bett
- Doug Brown Plate
- Dubai Desert Palm
- Dubai Desert Palm II
- FAL Energy
- Farewell Cup
- Floating Seat
- Ghana Airways
- Goal Cup
- Godbold Trophy
- Ham Cup
- Ham Mini
- Hine Cognac
- H R Owen
- Hunt Kendal
- Indian Army
- Jimmy Edwards
- J & S Franklin
- June Bamberg
- Kingfisher Trophy
- King Power Charity
- Newport
- Peter Pitts Trophy
- Peter Pitts II
- Petersham Bowl
- Player of the Year
- Polo Challenge
- Quatros Amigos
- Red Cross
- Rerrieson
- Richmond Park
- Roehampton TrophyRoehampton TrophyThe Roehampton trophy is the oldest polo trophy in the United Kingdom. The trophy was first played for at the Roehampton Club in 1902 and was won by Buccaneers...
- Rosie Adams Bowl
- Siam Trophy
- Sladmore Trophy
- Social Trophy
- Social Committee
- Stagshead Trophy
- Tauchert Bowl
- Tiger Mountain
- Tiger Mountain II
- Tiger Stream I
- Tiger Stream II
- Tiger Tops
- Tournament Cup
- Umpire's Millennium
- Ventura Pauly Trophy
- Visitors' Trophy
- Walsh Challenge
- Anglo-German
- Lufthansa Best Player
- Orthoceras Belemnite
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External links
- Hurlingham Polo Association - Governing body of the sport in the UK & Ireland
- PoloLine - Polo News and Tournament updates
- Ham Polo Club Blog - News and Reviews of matches and tournaments at Ham Polo Club
- Flickr - Images of Ham Polo Club
- YouTube - Videos of Ham Polo Club
- Wikimedia Commons