Polo 2022 – Sat 9th July

Almost £10,000 raised at the Charity Polo!

After a pandemic gap since 2019, INSPIRE’s charity Polo took place on Saturday 9^th July at Tedworth Park Polo Club.  Main sponsors Quilter Cheviot fielded one team, captained by Zanna Stanning beaten by 5 goals to Nil by the Baylis & Harding Jockeys, captained by Piers Fletcher.  In the fast and furious HENCHMAN Two Furlong Dash (2FD) professional jockey Oisin Murphy romped home on ‘Juicy’ beating Page Fuller on ‘Tayto’ and Brian Toomey on ‘Soft Love’ and more importantly raising over £1100 for INSPIRE!

The event was entirely dependent on volunteers and in particular, our thanks to Daphne Smith, Carole Ann Michels, Chris Cann and Lt Col David Steevenson MBE who put in long hours on Friday ensuring our marquee was pristine and bedecked with beautiful flowers.  Also joining us on Saturday 9^th, were the 2FD raffle ticket sellers Werner Stroud, Trustee Jo Suddaby-Smith, Prof Paul Taylor and with his wife Karen Hitchcock and Dr Earl Merson. In the pony lines ready to receive no less than 19 ponies and 11 players and jockeys, Martin Giles and Chris Cann were hard at work before starting and judging the ‘Dash’.

In all, 120 players, guests, patrons, trustees and scientists enjoyed INSPIRE hospitality, a sumptuous lunch prepared by Emma Harrison, MD of Complete Catering, excellent wines generously provided by Sovereign Wines of Tavistock in a lovely marquee supplied by Andy George of Occasions Marquees.

Our grateful thanks to all who participated, attended or gave so generously.  A special note of thanks to In-Pensioners Andrew Kay and Ken MacDonald from the Royal Hospital Chelsea who added a little colour and INSPIRE Patron & Injured Jockey Freddy Tylicki who joined us from Newmarket and made the day complete, not least as it was his birthday and to Trustee, Emeritus Professor Peter Ellaway who presented Freddy’s birthday cake!

Delightful photographs of the event were taken by Sue Ford and are available on request - suzie.ford@hotmail.co.uk