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Dear Members,

We have all read or heard about `the perfect storm’ but sel-

dom a `perfect tournament’! In Chile we managed to get

both in a ten day period!

Chile had been under drought conditions for four years when

we arrived for the FIP 14 Goal World Championships, which

are held every three years, but within 24 hours a terrific

thunderstorm swept the country causing some severe dam-

age in the north and prompting Francois Berger to send me

an, as yet unauthenticated, quote of Churchill’s “If you want

to break a drought, organise a polo tournament!” - Some-

thing we can all identify with here in the UK!

Two years of organisation had gone into the planning with

playoffs being previously held in FIP’s four Zones around the

world producing a winner for each Zone; England, USA, Brazil

& Pakistan, the other two teams that made up the draw were

the previous winners Argentina and the host country Chile.

The tournament was played at the historic San Cristobal Polo

& Equestrian Club in Santiago, a club which stables over 800

polo ponies and is situated in one of the most stunning set-

tings in the world right in the centre of the city surrounded by

snow capped mountain terrain.

Now it was the International Polo Federation’s turn to level

the playing field. For over a year FIP’s Tournament Director

Alex Taylor and our renowned Horse-Master Jose Lartirigoyen

had been travelling to Santiago to work with Lionel Soffia the

President of the Chilean Polo Federation to organise the event

and test over 200 ponies generously lent by the Club’s play-

ers. These ponies Jose & his team rode and evaluated and

then divided into three categories A, B and C. Six strings with

the same number of A, B and C ponies were created and then

drawn by each of the six teams, ensuring that each team,

including the host team, received fair distribution. Leading

international umpires Rafael Silva from Uruguay, Fergus

Gould from Australia and Steve Evans from South Africa had

been chosen from non-participating countries and the scene

was set.

To give you an idea of how effective this formula was and

what an improvement there has been in international handi-

capping, I am delighted to report that out of the ten matches

played in the tournament, four of the games went into an

extra chukker and several others had only a one goal differ-

ence at full time. Mention must be made of the favourites,

Team USA who had been practicing for several months to-

gether prior to the tournament and whose support and back-

Message from the President

The Polo Times have kindly

invited me to do a regular col-

umn to help promoted FIP in

their monthly publication. For a

copy of the first of the articles,

click here: Polo Times article by

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers.

Note: If you have notable FIP

stories/photos, please send

them to president@fippolo.com

(For Newsletter or website

items, send to

sandy@fippolo.com)

FIP IN THE MEDIA

Worldwide Governing Body of Polo as designated by the IOC

Federation of International Polo

FIP Newsletter

Volume 22, April 2015

World Polo Championship in

Photos and Video 2/3

Inside the FIP 10th World

Championship 4

Beach Polo in Dubai 5

Rosario Tournament 5

South African youth in New

Zealand 6

Kids in Costa Careyes FIP

Grant Program 6

USPA celebrates 125th

Anniversary 6

Inside this issue:

FIP Grant Development mon-

ey is available to clubs offer-

ing training and education

programs, including anti-

doping education for ath-

letes, coaches, and officials

from FIP’s Development Pro-

grams.

There is also money for Chil-

dren’s Programs funded

through the ARISF/IOC De-

velopment Program.

Applications are online:

http://www.fippolo.com/

resource-guide/

APPLY NOW FOR 2015

FIP was represented at the

SportAccord convention in

Sochi, Russia this month by

Dr. Richard T. Caleel. Copy

of ad (above) in their April

SportsPro Magazine.

www.sportspromedia.com/

up were second to none. Howev-

er, with both Team Chile & Team

USA battling through to the Final

against Brazil and England re-

spectively, then it was a matter

of `cometh the hour, cometh the

man’ or in the case the Team!

Watched by a massive local

crowd of over 8,000 spectators,

the largest crowd ever to grace

the stands in the Club’s impres-

sive 70 year history, the Chilean

team were first decimated by the

well drilled US squad and then

lifted by the crowd’s support to

heights which meant the contest-

ants were all square at the end of

the sixth chukker. The seventh

chukker saw a break from the

lineout by the USA towards the

Chilean goal, a strong defence

and a foul led to a penalty for

2

President’s Message (continued)

Chile from the centre of the field. A very powerful forehand

shot by Pereira their number 4 and a chip backhand shot by

the young 17 year old Mario Silva, which hit the goalpost and

dribbled over the goal line and a new local hero was born and

Chile had became the worthy winners of the 10th FIP Interna-

tional Championships for the second time in the trophy’s 28

year history.

Our sincere thanks must go to the all those who supported

this event so well, our sponsors and the FIP Staff led by

Alejandro Taylor. Our deepest gratitude goes to Lionel So-

phia, the President of the Chilean Polo Federation and the

members of the San Cristobal Polo & Equestrian Club who so

selflessly and generously lent ponies and entertained all the

visitors to such a wonderful spectacle and such an excellent

week of polo and parties.

We were also pleased with the progress made at the EC Meet-

ings held whilst in Santiago and delighted that FIP has now

taken the first step towards establishing a permemant admin-

istrative office with appointment of Alejandro Taylor as the

Chief Executive for the Federation. We wish him every suc-

cess in the post and are confident that his long experience

with FIP will benefit the organisation and our plans for the

future.

Plans are well underway for the 86th Ambassadors Cup in

Victoria in Canada in September by kind courtesy of Derek &

Debbie Wolstenholme and Siamack Ilkhani is working on

Iran’s proposal for a FIP 0-4 Goal MENACA Tournament in

October with Nations participating from the Middle East,

North Africa & Central Asia.

The EC’s top priority now is to work on the Zone D discus-

sions to try and find an equitable way of levelling the playing

field in the countries concerned and to start the process of

encouraging some lower handicap tournaments in the African

polo world to encourage greater development and participa-

tion in this region.

With kind regards,

Nicholas J.A. Colquhoun-Denvers Esq.

2 Dorchester Court

77-81 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SE U.K.

Mobile: +44 7880 555 555

E-Mail: President@fippolo.com

“Click here

to watch:

2015 World

Championsh

ip Replay of

Finals

VIDEO”

3

Claudia Uretz

and Deborah

Bray, mothers

of Team USA

Patrick Uretz

and Jesse Bray

were loyal

supports of the

American

Team and ad-

mirers of the

Alejandro Moy

paintings on

display at

team Hotel

Raddison.

Land Rover’s generous sponsorship included 3 cars for each team along with a driver.

10th FIP World Championship in photos

More Photos

"La Martina supports the FIP and shares their mission of spreading the game and love of

polo around the world. It's an honor to be part of this Polo World Cup alongside FIP for the

past 17 years, and we are especially proud to see our Brand Ambassadors, George Pearson

and Mario Silva, representing their countries. Most of all, La Martina acknowledges that polo

is much more than a sport, it is an exceptional and unique lifestyle; we hope that the spec-

tators of the World Cup enjoyed our fashion show, led by Ambassador, Carolina Beresford.

La Martina will continue to follow the most important polo action around the world; be sure

to join us! #WeArePolo". Adrián Simonetti, CEO América http://www.lamartina.com/

Deborah and Derek Wolstenholme with Gloria and Glen Holden in the club house.

In addition to Land Rover,

Julius Bar, Chandon, and

“Official Supplier” La Marti-

na -FIP thanks all of the

sponsors so important to

the success of the World

Championships.

Sponsorship Spotlight

Page 3

“Photos of all the

events in Santiago are

online at 2015 World

Championship photos

where hundreds of

photos are available

to download and

print.”

www.fippolo.com

From the Beginning to the End

FIP Founder

Marcus

Uranga shown

here at the

games with his

son Diego

Uranga.

LA MARTINA IS THE FIP OFFICIAL SUPPLIER

4

Lionel Soffia is President of the

"Chilean Polo Federation" as

well as Chief Executive Officer

of Arthur J. Gallagher in Latin

America, which covers Chile,

Peru and Colombia.

He serves as a member of FIP’s

Council of Administration and

spearheaded the bid for hosting

the World Championships in

Chile. FIP very much appreci-

ates his great service to the

Federation.

The ceremony with the Chilean team and the Chilean Presi-dent and main Ministers at the Government house.

10th FIP World Championship in photos

More Photos

Insert: Alejandro Bañados Morandé, Presidente del Directorio, Club de Polo y Equi-

tación San Cristóbal along with his entire organization did an admirable job of hosting

the World Championships. Many thanks to the members, sponsors, volunteers and

participants that donated time, talent, horses, club facilities, and warm hospitality to

the thousands of spectators and polo players that participated. www.clubdepolo.cl/

CLUB DE POLO Y EQUITACION SAN CRISTOBAL CLUB HOUSE-VITACURA, CHILE

More Details

Verónica Michelle Bachelet

Jeria, the President of Chile,

attended a reception to con-

gratulate Team Chile on their

win. The team presented her

with a team shirt and dis-

played the World Champion-

ship trophy. More Photos

Newsletter Spotlight

Page 4

“Photos of all the

events in Santiago are

online at 2015 World

Championship photos

where hundreds of

photos are available

to download and

print.”

www.fippolo.com

From the Beginning to the End

5

This year we had a record of foreign players, who visited us from

all over the world: Mo Hand, Will Slakdbolt, Mark Sheldon, Mi-

chael Hoare, Rose Fletcher, Tony Edwards (UK) plus Barbara Patri-

cia Zingg (SWITZERLAND), Mohamed Ndao (FRANCE), Chris Fag-

gan, Jonathan O´dea (IR), Katharine Smithwick (USA), and Coco

Mattews (HAWAII)

Tournaments included -From 12th to 15th of December 2014:

"16° ANNIVERSARIO BETO FONTANARROSA MEMORIAL CUP.

Handicap: 4 to 8 and -From 20th to 28th of December 2014: "IX

TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DEL JOCKEY CLUB ROSARIO". Handi-

cap: 2 to 6. -From 6th al 11th of January 2015: "LA ILUSION

TROPHY". Handicap: 0 to 4 Story and photos from Martín Román

martroman@hotmail.com You can also find them on Facebook at

Rosario POLO Festival .

Annual International POLO Festival, in Rosario, Argentina

The 2015 edition of the Beach Polo Cup

Dubai (BPCD), now in its 11th year is

being held under the patronage of HH

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of

Dubai, Chairman, Dubai Sports

Council. The two day event, took place

Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April

seeing polo players, enthusiasts, guests

from abroad, the media and residents of

the UAE, converging to watch this

unique sport being played in an exhila-

rating backdrop of sheer elegance and

style.

About Beach Polo Cup Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai was founded in

2004 by mamemo productions and

played for the first time in Dubai. Now

in its 11th year, the Beach Polo Cup has

grown to 32 cities globally and has be-

come the most anticipated and well-attended event on social sporting calendars. The 2015 edition of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai will be

held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai

Sports Council. For more information, please visit http://beachpolo.net/ or call +971 4 340 8589 ,

Sam Katiela, Managing & Creative Director, mamemo productions and founder & organiser of BPC Dubai, Gaby Katiela, Event and

Tournament Director, Mr. Nasser Al Rahma, Director of Events, Dubai Sports Council, Piero Dillier, European Director FIP, Interna-

tional Polo Federation, and Felix Weller, Director Sales & Marketing, Cadillac Middle East.

BEACH POLO CUP DUBAI 2015 HIT THE SANDS OF DUBAI

Page 5

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“A VERY SUCCESSFUL WEEK WITH SO MANY NEW FRIENDSHIPS MADE. THE SOUTH AFRICAN BOYS WERE GOOD AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR COUNTRY AND THEIR ABILITY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE IN-SPIRED ALL THE YOUNG CANTERBURY SCHOOL PLAYERS. WE HAD 2 TEST MATCHES AND BOTH NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH AFRICA WON 1 EACH SO WE WERE ALSO PLEASED WITH OUR NZ ABILITY TO MATCH THE SOUTH AFRICAN BOYS.

THE INTERST FROM ALL IN THE SOUTH ISLAND POLO COMMUNITY WAS IMMENSE AND THE 100 OR SO SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT PLAY POLO IN CANTERBURY LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM PLAYING WITH THEM AND WATCHING THEM.“

“THANK YOU for the SUPPORT: SENIOR PLAYERS SUPPLYING HORSES, SUPA COMMITTEE, and WAIREKA POLO FARM OWNED BY RODDY WOOD, WHO MOUNTED OVER 46 RIDERS ON SUNDAY AT OUR SUPA TOURNAMENT BEFORE THE TEST MATCH ON 22ND MARCH.”

Report and photos: DAVIDSON WILLIAM, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH ISLAND SUPA POLO ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NZPA

New Zealand hosts South Africa’s top 4 school players playing 3 New Zealand Schools

private resort located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Play was set

up for all three days with the first day of practice so the players could try out horses – the host club – Car-

eyes - mounted 8 of the visitors- Play was 2 days of round-robins with the score carrying forward from the

first day. The tournament ended with each team a net goal of ZERO so the winner had to be decided by

most goals scored. The players were able to play 4 chukkers each day. Umpires were provided by the host

club as well as a clinic the first day with Andrea Vianini, Miguel Goes de Parada, Guillermo Li and Nico Millan.

Teams were: Blue – Careyes – Milo and Lulu Ardissone, Giancarlo Brignone and Carlos Zamora Pink – Pan-

thers – Gatsby Moelhaussen, Coco Sandhu, Adrian Beltran and Nico Millan White – Snowbirds – Andreas

Beltran, Dario Zamora, Paulino Valdes and Miguel Gomez Social events were hosted by Giorgio Brignone

family and Alberto and Kari Ardissone and a camp out on the Teopa beach was the highlight of the event

beside, of course, the polo.

Next year the tournament will again follow the Agua Alta polo event which is always the week before Easter.

Careyes is located on the Pacific Coast with 2 mature polo fields – please see www.careyes.com

COSTA CAREYES HOSTS JUNIOR FIP TOURNAMENT

FIP SPONSORED GRANT PROGRAM

Page 6

About the United States Polo

Association ®

Founded in 1890, the United

States Polo Association (USPA) is

the national governing body for the

sport of polo in North America and

is the second oldest sport govern-

ing body in the United States pre-

ceded only by the United States

Tennis Association. With nearly

300 member clubs and 40 national

tournaments, the USPA governs

polo handicaps, tournament rules

and safety regulations, to ensure

the welfare and being of both pony

and player.

Funded by sales from the officially

licensed consumer brand, U.S.

Polo Assn., the USPA purposefully

re-invests revenue by underwriting

numerous development programs

to expand and sustain the sport of

polo.

#USPA125

Social media programs in honor of

the 125th anniversary of the United

States Polo Association are al-

ready underway and will continue

throughout 2015.

#USPA125, has been designated

to trend, inform, and engage polo

fans of anniversary related news

and events throughout the year.

Photo courtesy of: The Museum of

Polo and Hall of Fame

USPA CELBRATES 125 YEARS

April 7-9 Players gathered from

all over Mexico to compete in

the Federation International de

Polo sponsored tournament for

juniors at the Costa Careyes

FIP SPONSORED GRANT PROGRAM