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INTERNATIONAL TOURS 2004

 

FIP CHILDRENS TOURNAMENT 2004

The selected players were Patrick Selfe (South Dorset), Ruth Davidson (Scotland), Giles Bromley-Martin(Scotland) and Mark Baldwin (Beaufort)

Four players were selected from throughout the Pony Club in the UK and Scotland. From the Beaufort was Mark Baldwin (winner at Cowdray 2003 of the Young Telegraph Award for the most promising Pony Club player aged under 14); from The South Dorset Patrick Selfe, and from Scotland Giles Bromley-Martin and Ruth Davidson. Accompanied by two luck chaperones Michele Price and Georgina Stewart.

 

 

Players arrived at their kind hosts exhausted having travelled for over 30 hours. Temperatures most days ranged from 85-100 degrees.

After trying several ponies each, players were allocated three ponies each and then put into mixed teams.

Other children came from Jamaica, Guatemala and Canada, and the US children from Beverley Hills, Malibu, San Diego, Santa Barbara and other mouth watering places

 

 

All players played four chukka a day against different teams, with no scores being officially kept. Mark Baldwin came away with the prize for the "most improved International player"; Patrick Selfe with the "Best International Sportsman's Prize"; Ruth Davidson with the "Best International Sportswoman's Prize"; and Giles Bromley-Martin was in the most successful team

Sincere thanks to the FIP and Ambassador Glen Holden and his wife Gloria, who were both most generous and entertained us for a day at the largest and armest water park imaginable!

Our thanks also go to Susan Stovall, the Director of the Eldorado Polo Club, to Janet Ludwig, wife of trainer Rege Ludwig who put together the programme, and to our wonderful hosts and hostesses: Lisa and Doug Blumenthal, Kevin and Sally Ittig and Cindy and Alfonso Giannico.

A wonderful trip, perfect weather, no clouds, new riding experiences, new polo ponies, trips to polo stick shops where you watch your mallet being made in front of you, and many new friends.

Just the way polo should be.