POLO-A RAPIDLY GROWING SPORT IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 22

POLO-A RAPIDLY GROWING SPORT IN CANTERBURY

Introduced as a feature to last year’s centennial show, polo created widespread interest in Canterbury after the show. The sport had been “dead” for many years in the South Island, but as a result of the matches played at the show, interest flared and clubs were formed. Now, a year later, polo is a rapidly growing sport in North Canterbury, with about players in the teams of the three branches of the North Canterbury Polo Club. Club matches are played regularly during the summer week-ends and every third Saturday teams from the Amuri, Cheviot and Ashley branches compete against each other at Amberley. A club was also formed in Ashburton and there is talk of other clubs, at Kaikoura and Blenheim, being formed as well. Contrary to popular belief, polo is not an expensive sport, when compared with flying, ski-ing, jet boating, gun club shooting, and other such sports. People from all walks of

life, such as shopkeepers, truck drivers and welders, as well as farmers, comprise the teams. A reasonable polo pony can be bought for as little as £4O to £6O, though a very good one may cost as much as £2OO and, in cases, more. At every meeting it is quite usual to find another one or two new persons ready and keen to join up and the response has been better than most people imagined. The ponies used in polo are usually thoroughbreds which are too small to race. They are ideal because of their speed and quick reactions. No local teams will be appearing at this year’s show but some good exhibitions between North Island teams should be witnessed. For the coming year, the Polo Association of New Zealand has invited a team from South Africa. If it accepts, the matches will probably be played at Hamilton, and will be one of the major highlights of the year for polo enthusiasts.