NZ reps shine at polo open

PONY UP: Izzy Kelsey (Wanstead A) and Laura Gavin (Harvest Transport PB) look on as Rob Telfer (Harvest PB) puts the ball between the uprights. Picture by Paul Rickard

POVERTY Bay Polo Club’s Open saw almost 50 competitors from Gisborne and out of town battle it out for supremacy of the chukkas, last weekend.

Hawke’s Bay dominated the upper divisions. Their A team won the Eastland Vets 6-goal final over Kihikihi 7-4, their B team won the 6-goal plate final over Christchurch 5-2 and their C and D teams won the low goal final and low goal plate final respectively.

The Harvest Transport Poverty Bay team defeated the EJ Gordon Livestock Poverty Bay team 5-1 to take the Wilencote Polled Herefords 0 goal final.

Hawke’s Bay’s based New Zealand team member Lochie Hunter was awarded player of the tournament and the champion senior pony prize.

Local Fern McIldowie, also a New Zealand representative, won the champion team of ponies and the Guy Kirkpatrick Memorial prize for Best Horseman/Horsewoman of the tournament.

Cody Clark won the champion junior pony award.

Results ­–

Farmlands Low Goal Plate Final: Hawke’s Bay D defeats Birchleigh, 7-3.

Farmlands Low Goal Final: Hawke’s Bay C defeats Ballance Poverty Bay 5 ½-0.

Wilencote Polled Herefords 0-Goal Plate Final: Wanstead A defeats Kahurau Poverty Bay 5-4 ½.

Wilencote Polled Herefords 0-Goal Final: Harvest Transport Poverty Bay defeats EJ Gordon Livestock Poverty Bay, 5 – 1.

Eastland Vets 6-Goal Plate Final: Hawke’s Bay B defeats Christchurch, 5-2.

Eastland Vets 6-Goal Final: Hawke’s Bay A defeats Kihikihi, 7-4

Champion Senior Pony Prize: Lochie Hunter

Champion Junior Pony: Cody Clark

Champion Team of Ponies: Fern McIldowie

Player of the Tournament: Lochie Hunter

Guy Kirkpatrick Memorial prize for Best Horseman/Horsewoman of the tournament: Fern McIldowie.