Ciara's season is off to a great start!
My season has got off to a good start with a narrow second place in a 0 goal this weekend just gone, and some good performances in games representing Rugby School. However, due to exams I don't have any major events coming up until June. Young England trials take place on June 4th, and if I am selected there are various test matches in late June/early July so I will let you know how all that goes. In other news, my new pony failed the vet as she had a bruised sole on that particular day, but will be re-vetted next week, so with any luck she will be with us shortly! I have also secured a working pupil place with a professional 3 goal player in New Zealand, beginning in November, which I hugely excited about!
The latest!
Two weeks ago I had a fantastic day playing high goal practice chukkas with 8,9 and 10 goalers. It was a fantastic experience and a real privilege playing with some of the best in the world. Very inspiring and the most fun I've had in ages!
Chilli made a miraculous recovery from her knee injury, and amazed all the vets who saw her. (Good old Maxaflex helping with the joints I think...) I was able to have her with me for trials, which went well. I had the fasted time in the Dawnay Test and a solid performance in practice chukkas. Team will be announced imminently so fingers crossed.
This weekend I'm heading to Newmarket to play in the 0 goal down there, which will be my first outing with Zigi, which I'm really looking forward to.
Italy Games!
I was thrilled to be selected as part of the Young Britain team lining up against Italy this year. The team was myself, Robin Spicer (18), Ed Batchelor (22) and Tom Meacher (19). The first game took place on Tuesday 6th June at Guards Polo Club on the world famous Dukes Ground. The Ground is usually reserved for high goal and senior international games so it was a real privilege to play on it. Italy had some very talented players in their team, but we had the edge over them in terms of team play and tactics, winning 7-4. Although it was an excellent team victory, I wasn't overly happy with my individual performance and felt I was somewhat outshone by the boys! However, after the match, Glen Gilmore (a very well respected 7 goal Australian International) was very complimentary and said he felt that in terms of handicap, I put in the best performance of the day. Very unexpected but a real boost!
Saturday's game was at Cirencester Park, the feature game of the SUPA International Polo Festival and playing for the Pidgely Foundation Junior Gold Cup. I unfortunately had to work that day as Rugby had a number of other young players featuring in earlier games, and were hiring out horses to overseas players. We were all up at 4.30am so it was a long day to say the least. However, once we were there the day wasn't too busy and I managed to find time to have lunch with the Italian team. After some coaching from Jason Dixon the previous day, the Italians came out much stronger. Although the result was 6-3 in favour of Britain, play was much more even and the score remained close until the final chukka. I was much happier with my own performance, scoring two goals and making a much bigger contribution to the team as a whole. Chilli and Zigi were in great form and played fantastically, so a good week!
A Setback!
After the successful test matches against Italy, I was feeling very confident about the coming weeks, and had a 4 goal club tournament lined up as well as a number of Pony Club friendly and qualifer matches. However, three days after Cirencester I was stick and balling a livery horse at work, when it slipped over and came down on top of me. Fortunately, I was virtually thrown clear and the horse just landed on my foot. It didn't seem serious but my boss insisted I went to hospital. On arrival I wasn't in any pain so hobbled off to X-ray, expecting the outcome of a broken toe at worst. However, the consultant told me my foot was badly broken and I would need 8 weeks in plaster plus rehabilitation. To say I was upset is an understatement! By the time I would have recovered, the season would be all but over and the horses very fat and unfit. However, the following day a fracture consultant said it was infact only a broken metatarsal and if I was extremely lucky would get away with 2 1/2 weeks in plaster and be back in action in a month. This means I will at least get to play for a month at the end of the season. For now, the horses are going to have two weeks off, and then if I'm able I will be back riding, just without stirrups to keep them fit. Although I can't work as a groom for the immediate future, my boss has kindly offered me a temporary position in the polo club office so at least I will still have some money coming in. Hopefully I will still get in enough polo in September to get up to 0 goals at the end of season handicap reviews.
The latest
I'm finding life more than frustrating with my broken foot. I've sent my horses to my Young England team mate, Robin Spicer, where they will be kept in work and played lightly so they come back to me fully fit for the final month of the season. I really miss having them around but I have enjoyed watching a more accomplished player putting them through their paces! Whilst I hate not playing and being active, I am making the most of working 9-5 hours and having some resemblance of a social life again. Every cloud has a silver lining...