NEW FOREST POLO CLUB TROPHIES
Chaplin Cup
This cup was originally presented to the Dhekelia Polo Club, Cyprus by Lieutenant Colonel Chapman. The Dhekelia Polo Club closed and the cup found its way to the New Forest where it was originally known as the Dhekelia Cup. It was subsequently renamed the Chapman Cup with Lt Col Chapman’s approval and has become established as the cup played for first in the season with the players generally being limited to members of the club.
Clitherow Cup
The Clitherow Cup was presented by the Clitherow family, a playing family of Derek, Val and daughter Roxanne. It is played for annually by a visiting team from Tidworth, the Clitherows having been members of both clubs.
The Holly Hill Cup
This trophy was presented by the late Lieutenant Colonel Cash of Holly Hill near Ringwood and first played for in 1952. It is played for in an annual one-day tournament towards the end of the season and designed for players with one pony but not limited to them. A player requires at least two ponies to play in most tournaments. The names of many old Forest families appear on this cup. The tournament consists of three one-chukka matches in the form of an American tournament with each team playing each of the other two teams. Points are awarded, two for a win and one for a draw. In the event of a tie the winner is the team which has scored the most goals. Each match finishes on the first stroke of the first bell.
Kings Garn Cup
This cup was presented by Peter and June Bruxner-Randall in 1971. It is played for against a visiting team, the club fielding the highest handicap team possible on the day.
Kuseyo Memorial Cup
This is for a 4-8 goal tournament is played in memory of Simon Kuseyo who died in the Kenya Airways crash in Abidjan in February 2000. A Masai by birth Simon came into polo through his skill and talent with horses. He came to England in 1986 to play with Alan Kent at Cowdray and in Florida. He went on to play for Roger White at the New Forest and Tidworth clubs and later joined John McCarthy at Ansty. Simon achieved a handicap of 5 goals, was an inspiration to watch play and always charming and courteous both on and off the field of play.
Parkinson Cup
Carola Curtis, then Parkinson, presented this cup to the club in 1984 for an annual match between the lady players and the gentlemen players of the club. It has been won far more often by the Valkyries than by the gents.
Rudkin Cup
Bob and Babs Rudkin presented this cup to the club. Their purpose was to provide a trophy to be played to introduce one-pony players to tournament polo. This tournament is played over two days on a knock out basis when there are sufficient players.
Spring Tournament
The County Galway Cup
This cup, originally a tennis trophy in Ireland, was presented by the late Mrs M Buxner-Randall to the club to be used in the club’s early season tournament and goes to the winners.
The Little Poet Cup
This cup was presented by Mrs John Guiness, formerly Mrs Bleasby, who was a distinguished player forced into retirement by a back injury. ‘Little Poet’ was a favourite pony of hers. The cup is for the plate match.
Junior Spring TournamentThe Salisbury Cup
This cup is for the junior spring tournament and was presented by the McCarthy family.
Stick and Ball Trophy
This is a trophy featuring a polo mallet and polo ball made and donated by John McCarthy. John was a playing member at the club for many years and has children and grand children who currently play at the club. Club members play it for at the end of the season.
Summer Tournament
The Blue Jackets Cup given by the Royal Naval Equestrian Association and goes to the outright winners of the tournament.
The Gieves Cup also given by the Royal Naval Equestrian Association and is played for by the losers of the quater finals of the Blue Jackets Cup.
The Wilde Cup was presented by Mr and Mrs Wilde and is played for by the losers of the semi-finals of the Blue Jackets Cup.
The Cadnam Cup was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Crouch and is played for by the losers of the semi-finals of the Gieves Cup
West Country Shield
This shield was originally given by Taylor Woodrow, the builders, and first played for in 1991. This trophy has been adopted to be played for annually between the New Forest and teams from the West Country.
The Dunlop Cup
This very attractive little trophy was first played for in November 1929 at the Nowshira Club in India. In 1966 Major Dennis Dunlop and his wife Eleanor, both playing members of the club, found it in the auction rooms in Lymington, bought it and presented it to the club. Each year a 4 chukka match is played for the cup with the aim of introducing young or novice players to match polo.
The Mawaz Khan Cup
Brigadier Gul Mawaz Khan MC of Pakistan presented this cup to Millfield School in 1976. He had a polo-playing son at the school and was a distinguished player himself. The cup has always been played for in the annual match between the school and this club which alternates between Millfield and New Forest. Over the years several pupils at Millfield School have also been members of the New Forest Polo Club. One such was Alan Kent who went on to play for England.
The Portman Cup
This trophy was presented by the Portman Building Society in 1985 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the club. It has been adopted for the annual visit of the Taunton Vale Polo Club.
The Siamese Cup
This cup is played for in an annual tournament designed for players with one pony but not limited to them. A player requires at least two ponies to play in most tournaments. Traditionally a one-day tournament consists of three one-chukka matches in the form of an American tournament with each team playing each of the other two teams. Points are awarded, two for a win and one for a draw. In the event of a tie the winner is the team which has scored the most goals. Each match finishes on the first stroke of the first bell.
Ellisdawe Cup
This cup was initally presented to the New Forest Polo Club by Claire Ellis and Graham Dawe as a ladies tournament. In 2006 it is an Invitation Challange tournament. |
