Hay on the sideline, sun beating down, plenty of places to pitch a marquee and lay down picnic blankets and chairs, food and coffee truck and an international women’s polo test.
Ava Bell, 13, about to start at Cambridge High School after finishing at Cambridge Middle School, sang the New Zealand national anthem before the polo test match between New Zealand and Zambia. Photo: Michael Jeans
What more could you want in Leamington on a late Friday afternoon?
New Zealand lost to Zambia 4-3 having fought back from 3-0 down after a nervous start at Cambridge Polo Club’s grounds on Lamb Street.
All eyes were on timekeeper award-winning farmer Estee Browne as the time ran down in the last chukka. Because of a gremlin in the loudspeaker there was no commentary, which for those in the crowd unused to the rules of polo, was a slight hitch given how entertaining and informative it had been.
Timekeeper Estee Browne, right, with scorer Margot McCutcheon. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Two of Zambia’s goals came from Kayleigh Clayton, 18, making her debut while Nunu Henderson, 24, and Mary Jellis, 18 got the others.
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls’ boarder Niamh Ainsley, 17, scored two of the Kiwis’ goals while captain – renowned Rangitikei rural artist Harriet McKelvie – slotted the other.
Grooms were kept busy preparing horses for action and hosing down the ones who had competed. Given action on the field was fast and furious, horses were changed regularly with Zambia using ones provided by the Clevedon-based Duncan family.
Hannah O’Donnell from Queensland but based in Clevedon for the summer hoses down one of the horses used by Zambia. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Georgie Duncan, 23, who has played in England, Argentina, Africa, Australia and soon Zambia was in the New Zealand team for the test watched by her proud father Ken Duncan holding veteran Ricky Baker, a former Australian stock horse now a regular in polo matches around the north. He was a spare for the test and to his annoyance did not make the field.
Zambia’s captain Emily Paterson, 21, currently studying in the UK, won the most valuable player award while the champion pony was Alice Dunmoor’s Kanye. “He’s for sale,” she excitedly told the crowd.
Kanye, the champion pony, with Alica Dunmoor. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Best playing thoroughbred was John-Paul Clarkin’s Bramble from the Mystery Creek Polo Club off Kaipaki Road.
The Zambian team received the prestigious Women’s Internationals rosebowl, presented by Duke St star of famer, Cambridge’s Jim Watson and wife Ann and traditionally presented to the winning team in the Waikato.
Zambia and New Zealand after the match, from left: Niamh Ainsley, Kayleigh Clayton, Harriet McKelvie, Nunu Henderson, Greta van den Brink, Emily Paterson with the Watson International Rosebowl, Georgie Duncan and Mary Jellis. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The match and prizegiving wrapped up in just under two hours only to pick up again with club action the following day.
The two teams play again next week in Hawke’s Bay and the New Zealand men play England at Mystery Creek on January 31. The event is the highlight of Polo Week at the club.
Proud father Ken Duncan whose daughter Georgie was playing in the test with ‘spare’ horse Ricky Baker, a 15-year-old former Australian stock horse. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Georgie Duncan may be only 23 but she has already packed in years of national and international polo playing. She heads out on a fresh horse. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Several horses are needed for a polo match as are groomers including from left Jess Bonkovich of Te Atatu and Hannah O’Donnell of Queensland. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
New Zealand captain Harriet McKelvie, second right, chases the ball early in the test. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Bramble, the best playing thoroughbred with owner John-Paul Clarkin at left. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Georgie Duncan prepares to play the ball upfield during the test. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Georgie Duncan prepares to play the ball upfield during the test. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
While the polo was being played, children gathered up the hay on the sideline to play in. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The New Zealand team after their 3-4 loss to Zambia, from left captain Harriet McKelvie, Georgie Duncan, Niamh Ainsley and Greta van den Brink. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Say cheese: enjoying the polo were from left Michelle Haliday, a visitor from Auckland, and Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton. NZ v Zambia polo. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
NZ v Zambia polo
NZ v Zambia polo
NZ v Zambia polo
NZ v Zambia polo
NZ v Zambia polo
