Sport
2 August, 2023
Polo wows record crowd
Sunday’s Picnic at the Polo event, hosted by the Downs Polo Club as part of its Downs Shield polo tournament, welcomed record crowds to the Clifton Recreation Grounds.
Unseasonably warm weather set a glorious tone for the day that saw families and friends take their spot on a packed-out sideline to watch local and visiting teams battle it out for the top spot.
Sixteen teams played across four grades of polo in last weekend’s 50th annual Downs Shield polo tournament.
The Picnic at the Polo event is hosted alongside the Downs Shield inviting spectators from across the Darling Downs to pack a picnic and enjoy the equine sporting action.
The day was packed full of action including eight polo games running across two fields, a divot stomp, and Ladies Fashions on the Field.
The action got underway with the D grade final which saw visiting team AEC take on local team Downs Hooper Accountants.
Both teams went head-to-head to claim first place in their grade, but it would be AEC who would take the win upon the final whistle.
The winning team was made up of father and daughter duo Lily and Steve Urquhart, Angus Taylor and Indi Bennetto.
Games on the main field progressed quickly as the growing crowds were treated to an excellent display of country polo.
Taking the win in the Webster Cavanagh Rural C grade final was visiting team Primo White, made up of players Kat Pedersen, Michael Roberts, Phillipa Fitzhenry and Aiden Nunn.
As the day warmed up, so did the crowd engrossed in the polo action.
Players made their way out for the Bentley’s Finance B Grade final played under the midday sun.
Goondiwindi went head-to-head with Brinks, in an excellent display of skill and horsemanship.
A close game ensued, with Brinks claiming the win by the narrowest of margins.
The B Grade winning team, Brinks, was made up of Steve Urquhart, Steve Vanderbrink, Indi Bennetto and Nick Keyte, with Steve Urquhart and Indi Bennetto claiming their second win of the day.
During a short break in play before the final game of the day, the Downs Polo Club welcomed all spectators out to the main field for a Divot Stomp.
The Divot Stomp is one of the longest-running traditions in polo whereby the crowd makes its way onto the field to pack down the divots and level out the field before the following game.
It’s a great time to socialise and enjoy your surroundings!
The club also took the opportunity to announce the winners of the ladies Fashions on the Field competition.
Local fashion designer, Lucy Mantova from L by Mantova, had been on the lookout for the best dressed ladies of the day.
She settled on winner Alison de Wilde, in a mid-length patterned dress and accompanying felt hat, and Brigitte Low, in a pair of Spinnifex and Co. patterned linen trousers, white linen blouse and straw hat.
The winning ladies received a $100 voucher to Binny Bowe Boutique Clifton or a $100 voucher to Toowoomba-Based boutique Raw Moda.
Soon it was time for the main event, the AEW Horse Walkers A Grade final which saw Colliers battle it out against North Star for the Downs Shield trophy.
A hard ridden game ensued with both teams giving it their all.
Players and horses alike put on an outstanding display of athleticism and skill.
The teams were three goals apiece heading into the third chukka of the four-chukka match.
With their eyes firmly on the prize the North Star side charged ahead to take the win upon the final whistle and lift the 2023 Downs Shield.
The winning team was made up of players Chris Slack, Damian Allport, George Hill, and Angus Gunn.
The day was wrapped up by a prize-giving led by Club President Will Gilmore.
A host of perpetual trophies was handed out to the winning teams and individual players and horses were recognised for their contribution to the weekend’s games.
A fantastic day was had by the record crowd in attendance at this year’s Picnic at the Polo.
Glorious Darling Downs weather and spectacular equine action proved a magical combination that entertained crowds all day long.
The Downs Polo Club would like to extend their thanks to the Clifton community for their support of the club over the past three weekends of polo, hosted at the Clifton Recreation Grounds.
The polo season now moves on Goondiwindi where players from the Downs will take to the field once more.
Polo will return to the Darling Downs in April 2024.
- Jessica Rea
