POLO IN AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7016, 3 January 1910, Page 8

POLO IN AUSTRALIA

Writing on polo in "Blackwood's,” Colonel T. A. St. Quintin relates how he introduced the game in Australia. In 1876 ho came out to visit his two brothers, who were " squatting ” in the Western District ofVictoria. - As. they were both keen sportsmen and fine horsemen, ho brought with him some sticks and balls. Enlisting the co-operation of Mr George Ware and Mr Tom Brown, they started a polo club at Warrnambool. The height of the ponies' was -fixed at 14, hands, the standard height of the galloway and pony racing clubs. Colonel St. • Quintin . remarks* tnat there was at that time no difficulty-in obtaining any. number of ponies of a very high class at’ that height. His- brothers told him later that they had many "real clinkers” at the game. They gent him a grey over to India, a very perfect pony, but above the Indian height. Lord Airlic, who was then going home, took the pony off his. hands, and rode it in tournament games at Hurlingham and elsewhere for four or five years. It was-coneidc-red one of the fastest and best ponies in England. From the Western District the game spread rapidly westwards to South Australia, but Melbourne and the neighbouring districts would not for a long time take it up. Colonel St. Quintin says he tried hard, but in vain, to get the then Governor of Victoria to support it. In New South Wales he had better success with Lord Rosmead fSir Hercules Robinson), whom ho describes as "a very fine sportsman, who did much - to encourage, not only the breeding and racing, but the care of horses in his colony.” Ho observes that he had never seen a coach or team better turned out than Lord Rosmead'g was, . nor. a racing stable better thought out and kept. - With his Excellency's aid a largo and influential club was established. Colonel St. Quentin also telle the story of two games played .v during Cup week of 1899, between. English and Australian teams, so far as he.knows the only international polo matches ever, played in Australia. The English . team consisted of Major Neil Haig, then on. the staff in Western Australia of the present Lord Hampden ("Tom. Brand”), who was out on his father's staff in New South Wales; George Bryan, of the 10th Hussars, who was on a visit, and Mr Hill. Haig was the only one. who had any ponies. The others bought and borrowed ponies as best they could, and played only one or two games together before tho first match. Colonel St, Quintin umpired, and of the Australian team he says that it consisted of three brothers, all, as well as the fourth man, fine players, mounted on their own ponies, which were of the. best. They’did not, however, understand the science of the frame, and did not play well together. As they got excited they became rough to the danger point, and the whistle was often in demand. Still it was a splendid same, and Australia won by 7 goals to 6. Colonel St. Quintin says he will never forget tho roar of triumph that wont up from the crowd. Three days later there was a return match, when England won by 6 goale, to 5, after a desperate struggle.