William (Billy) Francis Walsh
Encyclopedia
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. He single handedly restarted Ham Polo Club
in 1946.
in the western world Billy Walsh was an Irishman, born in Co Kilkenny. In the 1920s he went to the USA where he gained his initial skills and a talent that was to take him to 5-goals by 1928.
imported by Magor to Roehampton Polo Club. Billy became recognised throughout the polo world for his skills in making polo ponies
-it has been said that his handicap could have been much higher had he spent more time playing, rather than training.
In 1936 Capt. Tom Brigg, owner of the Equestrian Centre at Ham Gate and member of the Swaine Adney Brigg
family, invited Billy to run his stables and teach polo
there. Three years later he joined the Cavalry and, after his army service returned to Ham to find that Capt. Brigg had died and that the Equestrian Centre was for on the market. Using his gratuity, he bought the stables and revived Ham Polo Club
under HPA
rules. Indeed, he may be ranked-together with the late Lord Cowdray and Authur Lucas-as being one of a trio to whom English polo
will forever be indebted.
Billy was on the winning team with Ham Polo Club
in 1947 in the first polo tournament to be played in post war England. The team took home the prestigious Roehampton Trophy
.
In 1977, Billy gave up the game. it was not until 1982 though that he gave up the position of manager of Ham Polo Club
to become the President. He has been succeeded as manager by two generations. Firstly his daughter Peggy Healy and secondly his grand son Tim Healy. The Billy Walsh tournament is still played at Ham Polo Club
today, the finals are held in September.
The HPA
blue book noted in tribute to Billy that it was due to his 'initiative, determination and enthusiasm that Ham Polo Club
grew and flourished under his patrician eye"
In 1985, on International Day
, the Queen presented Billy with a bronze of a polo player and pony, donated by his many friends in recognition of his lifelong work.
At the 2007 Audi
Polo Awards the La Martina
Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Billy Walsh for his contribution to the sport.
. Their daughter Peggy married actor David Healy
and they had two sons William and Tim, Both polo players.
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...
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
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...
in the United Kingdom. He single handedly restarted Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
in 1946.
Early life
Like so many of the pioneers of poloPolo
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...
in the western world Billy Walsh was an Irishman, born in Co Kilkenny. In the 1920s he went to the USA where he gained his initial skills and a talent that was to take him to 5-goals by 1928.
Polo career
In 1933 Billy went to work for Major Philip Magor training the many Argentine polo poniesPolo pony
A polo pony is the term used for a horse used in the game of polo. They may be of any breed or combination of breeds, though many have a significant amount of Thoroughbred breeding. They are called "ponies", but that is in reference to their agile type rather than their size...
imported by Magor to Roehampton Polo Club. Billy became recognised throughout the polo world for his skills in making polo ponies
Polo pony
A polo pony is the term used for a horse used in the game of polo. They may be of any breed or combination of breeds, though many have a significant amount of Thoroughbred breeding. They are called "ponies", but that is in reference to their agile type rather than their size...
-it has been said that his handicap could have been much higher had he spent more time playing, rather than training.
In 1936 Capt. Tom Brigg, owner of the Equestrian Centre at Ham Gate and member of the Swaine Adney Brigg
Swaine Adeney Brigg
Swaine Adeney is a leather luggage maker. Brigg is the umbrella division. There are walking canes for both sexes as well as a wide range of lady's umbrellas. They are based in a large shop at 54, St James's St, London, where it abuts Piccadilly at the end of Jermyn Street.The firm has held a Royal...
family, invited Billy to run his stables and teach 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...
there. Three years later he joined the Cavalry and, after his army service returned to Ham to find that Capt. Brigg had died and that the Equestrian Centre was for on the market. Using his gratuity, he bought the stables and revived Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
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. Indeed, he may be ranked-together with the late Lord Cowdray and Authur Lucas-as being one of a trio to whom 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...
will forever be indebted.
Billy was on the winning team with Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
in 1947 in the first polo tournament to be played in post war England. The team took home the prestigious 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...
.
In 1977, Billy gave up the game. it was not until 1982 though that he gave up the position of manager of Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
to become the President. He has been succeeded as manager by two generations. Firstly his daughter Peggy Healy and secondly his grand son Tim Healy. The Billy Walsh tournament is still played at Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
today, the finals are held in September.
The 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...
blue book noted in tribute to Billy that it was due to his 'initiative, determination and enthusiasm that Ham Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
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...
grew and flourished under his patrician eye"
In 1985, on International Day
Guards Polo Club
Guards Polo Club is the polo club most closely associated with the British Royal Family. HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has been President of the club since its formation in 1955 and HM The Queen is its Patron...
, the Queen presented Billy with a bronze of a polo player and pony, donated by his many friends in recognition of his lifelong work.
At the 2007 Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
Polo Awards the La Martina
La Martina
La Martina is an Argentinean sports and leisure clothing manufacturer. La Martina has been designated the official supplier of the Argentina polo teams by the Argentinean Polo Association, as well as the official supplier of Federation of International Polo, at all international tournaments...
Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Billy Walsh for his contribution to the sport.
Family
Billy was married to Ivy, who was also a well known figure at Ham Polo ClubHam Polo Club
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...
. Their daughter Peggy married actor David Healy
David Healy (actor)
David Healy was an American-born actor who starred in many British and American television shows. His credits include voices for the Supermarionation series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90 and The Secret Service, as well as parts in UFO, The Troubleshooters, Randall and Hopkirk , Space...
and they had two sons William and Tim, Both polo players.
External links
- Hurlingham Polo Association - Governing body of the sport in the UK & Ireland
- Ham Polo Club Blog - News and Reviews of matches and tournaments at Ham Polo Club