How it all began
In 1999 the idea of an all women's
polo match was hatched, I had just started to play polo and my
brother had begun a new business. A perfect alliance, ladies polo
and some publicity for both! That first year we chose to support a
local charity, then for the next ten years we supported the Bubble
Gum Club which is a children's charity.
From shaky beginnings the
tournament just grew and grew, ladies polo became serious, and the
standard became higher ,teams travelled from the U.S.A. Argentina,
Germany, Spain, France, Holland, South Africa, Australia and
England to Ireland to compete. The event has become the biggest and
the most talked about in the Irish Polo calendar.
In 2007, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa took on the title
sponsorship for the next three years and we raised over £70,000 for
the Bubble Gum Club. They were the most exciting years with as many
as eight teams participating and 200 lunch guests.
In 2010 we decided to change the
format to make the day into a more family orientated occasion
following the example of the Newport Polo Series in the U.S.A.
where as many as 4,000 spectators come to watch the matches! We
want to encourage picnics beside the field, (tailgating ),and lots
of people to take part in a Day with a Difference. There is now a
shopping mall, snacks, bouncy castle and this year a massive clown
hot air balloon. Spectators will be watching some of the world's
best female players in the beautiful surrounding of Polo Wicklow's
summer ground in Ballyhenry Estate, Ashford Co. Wicklow.
I look forward to seeing you at the
match, lunch or picnic it will be a great day out.
Siobhan Herbst, Polo Manager.
|
