Jamie le Hardy, playing in Veuve Clicquot Water Polo on September 16
The beach polo at Cornwall’s Watergate Bay this year includes Jamie Le Hardy, considered to be one the best British players in a decade.
He will take part in the free event on Thursday evening, September 16.
Jamie says: “I’m really looking forward to coming down and playing in this match… This is a brilliant way of showing the sport of polo to the public… and (it) will be very exciting to watch.”
Last year more than 3,000 spectators enjoyed thrilling displays from former England internationals Richard Blake Thomas and his brother Andrew. They will return to the Cornish surfing beach to compete for this year’s Watergate Bay Trophy.
“This will be the first time at this event that I’ve competed against my brother,” Richard said, “so expect sibling rivalry at its greatest.”
Andy Burgess of South West Polo joins Jamie and Richard in the Joules team line-up. Andy teaches polo and promotes the sport in Cornwall; he has been instrumental in organising the match and recruiting the players.
Facing the Joules team will be former England squad player Ed Olof, expert arena player Tim Vaux, and former England international Andrew Blake Thomas; they’re playing for Midas Construction.
The two teams will play a form of arena polo - a fast-paced and exciting sport - involving four ‘chukkas’, periods of play each lasting seven and a half minutes.
Taking the umpire’s chair is Barbara Zingg, who teaches polo to officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
For spectators on the beach, a public champagne bar and beach barbeque will be open from 5.00pm, with the teams riding out for the first chukka at 6.30pm.
A limited number of hospitality packages are still available. At £50, these give entry to a champagne and canapé reception at The Hotel, Watergate Bay from 5.30pm, and include a live band, with private access to viewing terraces.
Tickets are available from Claire Davies (claire@watergatebay.co.uk or 01637 861239).
More information about the event can be found here
Alternatively, follow the official Twitter feed at @PoloOnTheBeach.
