Polo’s ‘All Blacks’ have landed in Wellington

Bringing young players into the sport of polo is a mission in motion this week as the PTF Holden International Cup showcases players of school age from host nation USA and visitors, New Zealand.

The New Zealand visitors: ‘All Blacks’ being the name given to the national rugby team – a sport they all play as well as polo. (l to r) Max Dormer (captain), Will Seavill, Max Parrott, Hagen Thompson and Jacob McDonald (reserve)

“It’s a huge deal [for the boys] and we’re grateful for the PTF [Polo Training Foundation] for putting us up and organizing horses,” said Emma Dormer, team manager and secretary of the New Zealand Polo Association, whose son Max is the Kiwi Captain.

“It’s my first time in Florida,” said Max Dormer, 17, who has played previously in Boston and New York as part of this polo exchange between the two countries. Based out of the South Island’s Christchurch Polo Club, he is planning to play in Australia and the North Island – where his teammates are based – when he and the team return home from the USA on Monday. “It’s very professional and of a very high standard,” he said of his impressions of the Wellington polo scene. “I’d love to bring some horses over here in the future and play.”

Max Dormer’s teammates are experiencing the USA for the first time by getting to play in the international, which is a feature match of the PTF exchange program. Being in Florida at this time of year they are enjoying the opportunity to watch the world’s leading high goal players in action in the 22-goal Gauntlet of Polo, highlighted by spectating on Sunday at the USPA Gold Cup final.

“I love it,” said Max Parrott, who comes from a polo-playing family – both his father, Alex and uncle, Andrew were regular professionals in the England season during their careers. “It’s great polo and great people. It’s incredible – we can’t see those players in New Zealand, so watching them here is just great.”

Max Parrott – like his teammates – comes from polo stock, with his father Alex and uncle Andrew, both former polo professionals. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Marc and Melissa Ganzi – renowned for helping mount visiting international teams – are providing horses for the New Zealanders, which they tried out in practice chukkers this afternoon. Quick decisions will be made on who plays which horse before Friday’s game at 10.30am at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington. “They look great,” said Max Dormer, “and we are very grateful to the Ganzis. I’ve been making a list and watching these horses and we’ll just talk about it tonight and see…Today we just want to feel them out.”

The host team consists of 12-year old Antonio Villamil, Santos Teves, Rohail Khan and Joaquin Vilgre who has the most polo experience on the field, having played in the past in the high goal for Valiente. Julio Arellano coaches the home team and Jesse Bray will coach the Kiwis all of whom bring an element of the All Blacks to the field as rugby, as well as polo, players.Jesse’s father Graham Bray is a former New Zealand professional polo player, making the seven-goaler a great fit for the visitors.“We are so lucky to have him,” said the New Zealand Captain.

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