Beaufort Charity Polo Day 

WHAT A SUCCESS! 16 PLAYERS, 2 MATCHES AND 1 CAUSE, MENS MENTAL HEALTH

On Sunday 4^th July as the storm clouds loomed over the Beaufort Polo Club, 16 players took to the field in two matches to battle it out in front of hundreds of spectators, whilst raising awareness for men’s mental health. The HMA Tax No.1 Ground not only featured a charity polo match but also played centre stage to the Frasers England vs Ireland International Test Match. 

The action-packed day kicked off with the Even Keel Foundation Charity Polo Match where The Army went head-to-head with the Even Keel Invitational Team. The Army charged through the first two chukkas, putting distance between them and Even Keel Invitational Team with a 2 ½ goal lead. However, before the second chukka was all said and done the Even Keel Invitational team made their first play for the trophy, bringing the score at half time to 1 – 2 ½ to The Army. Swiftly moving into the third chukka Even Keel levelled the playing field and sored through with two goals. Although, The Army still had their sights set on a win, making it even with a last-minute goal before heading into the final chukka. 7 Minutes left on the clock and it was all to play for, with one goal in mind, raising awareness for men’s mental health. Spectators were on the edge of their seats, after the triumphant efforts of both teams, the trophy was anyone’s for the taking. However, Even Keel Invitational team started the last chukka as they meant to go on, sending through two more goals. The Army made a final attempt at closing the gap, bringing the score to 5 – 4 1/2. Nevertheless, the Even Keel Invitational Team were just that extra step ahead and claimed the trophy in the Even Keel Foundation Charity Polo Match. Best Playing Pony, sponsored by Polo Times and British Polo Gin was awarded to Chalina played by Gustav Rausing and Most Valued Player, sponsored by Bud Polo was awarded to Adebayo Karim, chosen by Andrew Parker Bowles.

Shortly following the charity polo match, Beaufort’s very own Polo School Manager, Mhairi Gould guided the audience through an in depth look into what goes into the high-performance sport which is polo. Accompanying Mhairi was Beaufort’s second coach Seb Testa Damele and Frasers England player Luke Wiles. Together the trio broke down the game of polo and demonstrated to all the ins and outs.  

Next up after a spot of lunch, despite the slight down pour spectators rallied round pitch side ready for the Even Keel Foundation Charity Auction. There were 8 auction lots up for grabs including a day at the races, private training session with Yogi Breisner, 7-night stay in a Ski Apartment in Les Houces, Chamomix and more. In true British fashion, everyone braved the elements and dug deep in an effort to raise money for the foundation, finishing with a whopping £9,700.

The Even Keel Foundation said “We are absolutely delighted with the support we received for our charity polo match against the British Army at Beaufort Polo Club this weekend. Both teams put on a fantastic competition, and it was wonderful to see such a great crowd really getting behind the players, and of course the real focus of the day which was raising awareness for men’s mental health and male suicide – still the biggest killer of men under the age of 45.

The auction that followed really demonstrated the huge level of support from everyone there, raising an incredible £9700 for our Foundation, and we cannot wait to begin organising our next event and doing all we can to keep making a difference.”

To round up the Beaufort Charity Polo Day in aid of the Even Keel Foundation, spectators sat on the edge of their seats alongside the HMA Tax No.1 Ground in readiness for the feature match of the day, Frasers England vs Ireland. Charlie Hanbury kicked off the match in the first chukka putting Ireland ahead with a two-goal lead. However, Frasers England were quick on their tails with a goal of their own to close the gap. The second chukka gave Frasers England an opportunity to even the playing field as the ball sored through the goal posts from a penalty. However, Charlie Hanbury yet again pushed Ireland that extra step ahead with a goal as they were awarded a penalty, sending them into the third chukka with a one goal lead. Nevertheless, the third chukka saw Frasers England start their crusade for the Golden Jubilee Cup. James Emlyn was quick to close the gap with Ireland in the start of the third chukka. After another goal for Frasers England, it was Tommy Severn that finished off the third chukka ensuring that Frasers England were ahead of Ireland with a halfway point score of 5-3. The storm clouds that gathered over head did not deter the spectators as they all took to the field and played their own part in the match at half time ‘treading in’. Only two chukkas were left, and Frasers England were on a role, dominating the fourth chukka and sending through two more goals doubling their lead with a score of 7-3 going into the final chukka. Ireland took everyone by surprise in the final chukka as they made their final play for the Golden Jubilee Cup. All fired up, it was Max Hutchinson who scored first for Ireland in an attempt to close the gap, shortly followed by two penalties in Ireland’s favour taken by Freddie Horne. Regardless, despite the one goal difference, it was Frasers England that proved victorious and claimed the win taking home the Golden Jubilee Cup with a final score of 7-6. The Best Playing Pony sponsored by Polo Times was awarded to Lovelocks Cubic played by Charlie Hanbury and the Most Valuable Player sponsored by British Polo Gin was awarded to Tommy Severn, chosen by Mark Tomlinson. The Best Retrained Racehorse sponsored by Lycetts was awarded to Wannabe played by Ollie Cork.