Sport
20 April, 2023
Historic polo trophy returns for 65th anniversary
The Downs Polo Club has a long history in the Clifton community. This weekend the club will battle it out for the historic Eagers Shield Trophy in this, its 65th anniversary year.
The Shield was first commissioned in 1958 by Eagers Retail Pty Ltd Toowoomba & Country and named the Associate Dealers Trophy.
Today it bears the names of some of the greatest polo players Queensland has ever produced, who have claimed victory for the trophy after showing their skill on the Downs Polo fields at the Clifton Recreation Ground.
The trophy itself is quite the masterpiece, centered around a hand carved sketch of polo players on the field, the shield bears eight horse heads each watching over two polo mallets and a ball, the same number of horses and riders that take to the field each chukka.
A polo team is made up of four players who generally play a fresh horse each chukka.
A polo game is made up of four to six chukkas lasting seven minutes and thirty seconds each.
The first Eagers Shield was awarded to local team of Dave MacGinley, John MacGinley, Herb Cook, Pat O’Sullivan and Hoey Cook in 1958.
Generations of polo players are etched into the history books of the Eagers Shield.
This year is no different, with Club President Will Gilmore taking to the field alongside his father, Derek, as well as seasoned players and newcomers to the sport.
The Shield is hard fought for over two weekends, the first of which will take place on Saturday 22nd April and Sunday 23rd April.
The Downs Polo Club would like to welcome all spectators to enjoy a weekend of polo at the Clifton Showgrounds.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the sport which is steeped in Darling Downs history.
The Eagers Shield is the first in a succession of tournaments to be played at the Clifton grounds this year.
Weekend two of the Eagers Shield follows on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April.
The Silvershop Bracelet is close behind, played on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of June.
The season will wrap up on the Downs with an impressive run of tournaments in July consisting of three weekends back-to-back; The Cooke O’Leary Cup on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July, The Sapphire Shield on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July and culminating with the Downs Shield played on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July.
The Downs Polo Club welcomes all spectators and new players to the field for its 2023 season.
- Jessica Rea
