The origins of polo can be traced back to ancient Persia, where it was initially played as a training game for cavalry units. The game eventually spread to other regions, including India, where it gained popularity among the royalty and aristocracy.
Polo was introduced to the Western world in the 19th century, primarily through British military officers who had been stationed in India. The sport quickly caught on among the elite in England, leading to the establishment of the first polo club in the country in 1869.
As polo continued to gain popularity, efforts were made to standardize the rules and regulations of the game. The Hurlingham Polo Association, founded in 1875, played a significant role in establishing the modern framework for the sport.
Throughout the 20th century, polo continued to expand globally, with the establishment of polo clubs in countries such as Argentina, the United States, and Australia. The sport became increasingly accessible to a wider audience, leading to a surge in its popularity.
1987 saw the forming of the Hilditch & Key polo team, captained by Julian Hipwood, Captain of the England polo team. The team competed for several seasons at Palm Beach in Florida but its greatest achievement was the winning, at the first attempt, in 1989, of the Queen’s Cup at Windsor, one of the most sought-after trophies in the polo world.
Hilditch and Key win Queen’s Cup
By John Watson
The stands on both sides of the ground at Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, were packed to capacity yesterday to witness Galen Weston’s squad, Hilditch and Key, win the Queen’s Cup with a 7-6 victory over Cowdray Park, following nearly three week’s tussle for the trophy between 20 teams.
This was an exceptionally fast, open match with good classic, open po1o displayed by both sides, with the exception that Hilditch and Key were prone to crossing their opponents’ line, and were lucky that Cowdray only contrived to convert three penalty awards.
Hilditch and Key’s No 1, Andrew Hine (who was looking throughout, more like a 5-handicap than the 4 at which he is rated), opened the account with a dashing goal from the saddle of his speedy bay mare, Belinda. Then Cowdray went onto the offensive, galloping ahead to 4-2 (including two penalty conversions). But, by treading-in time, at was four all, Julian Hipwood chalking up the equaliser.
It seemed that Hilditch and Key brought on some of their best ponies in the fourth chukka when that also went strongly in their favour, Rob Walton putting them in the lead from a magnificent run down the pitch. Near the end of that chukka Cowdray’s 8-goal Argentinian
No 3, Juan Badiola, suffered a serious knee injury, but although he was below par from then on, his side attacked very gallantly in the fifth and sixth, many of their goal-shots being thwarted by the vigilant Hipwood.
After presenting the cup to Galen Weston, the Queen also presented him with the prize for the best playing pony in the duel, his New Zealand mare, Mary, which was brought over here by the New Zealand horsemaster, Tony Devcich.
