Spring 2013 Saddle Club Newsletter - Honourable Artillery Company

I cannot ignore the cost of all this and, unfortunately, there is no such thing as cheap polo. Ihave already mentioned the inescapable costs which cover membership of a poloclub and ofthe HPA. So far as Fifield is concerned the season’s subscription for HAC playing (asopposed to social) members will be the same as last year ( about £400). On top of that willbe the compulsory subscription to the HPA of £120. The variable costs are, of course, thehire of ponies by those who need to. That, of course varies between hirers and if not for useat the hirer’s base will be enhanced by the cost of transport. One should be anticipatingsomething like £70 per chukka at Fifield of which there are four chukkas to a game. (One ofour members, Georgiana Crofton, runs a business (Adrenalin Polo) of hiring out polo poniesand very generously has constructed a price package specifically for HAC members and Igive the details below.) Then there are team fees for entering individual tournaments ormatches and these go to the hosting Club for such things as the maintenance of the pitchesand, maybe, the provision of umpires and an ambulance. Typically, last year, we paid about£200 per team per session of several games. I set it out like this because I do not wantanyone to enter this sport with closed eyes and there are two things I always say to newplayers: “First, beware – this game is addictive and, secondly, into it you can pour endlessmoney - if you are not careful”. The established players know all this but I sincerely hopenewcomers will not be deterred but they must be informed.I think we are looking ahead to a really good season. Please let me know by e-mail(whether you played last season or not) if you would like to be part of it. Registering aninterest is not a commitment but merely an interest in receiving further information.Commitment comes at the point of deciding to join a polo club.Bob SheddenSaddle Club Polo Captainrobert.shedden@o2.co.ukAdrenalin Polo FeesWithout Pre-payment packageWith pre-payment packageStick & Ball per hour £65 £55Instructional session per hour £90 £85Combined session £115 £100(half-hour practice/instruction + 2 chukkas)Club chukkas £70 per chukka £65 per chukkaTournament chukkas £85 per chukka £75 per chukka24