Sherriff played in his first tournament at 11 and his talent and keen eye were soon recognised culminating in him winning New Zealand’s most promising polo player in 2005 and 2006.
Since turning professional, Sherriff has notched a huge tally of wins at home away including two New Zealand Open titles and the prestigious Savile Cup national championship and, in the UK, the Duke of Wellington, Prince of Wales and County cups.
Sherriff has also won the Dick Black Trophy for best playing pony at the Savile Cup and the Welfare Team of Ponies Award at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
For the past 10 years, he has been following the sun, spending six months in New Zealand and the other six months in the United Kingdom, where he plays out of Cowdray Park Polo Club. Now 28, Sherriff and partner Lottie Lamacraft base themselves in Auckland for the New Zealand season.
“I’ve been back visiting family in Gisborne a lot over the years but I haven’t played at the club for a while. The polo calendar in Auckland is absolutely hectic so it’s hard to get away. I’m only in New Zealand for six months during the summer season and then I go overseas, so it’s a lot to pack into a short time.”
Sherriff’s main business in New Zealand is teaching young horses how to play.
“Getting to compete the horses in good polo here is a fortunate by-product of that industry,” he said. “I aim to sell a couple of the horses I produce overseas each year, usually to the UK.”
Lamacraft, off a five-goal handicap, is one of the sport’s most sought-after women’s players. A regular on the women’s global circuit, she has a been member of three winning teams at the 18-goal Cirencester International women’s tournament in England, along with wins at Cowdray and the French open.
New Zealand-born Lamacraft has represented England including a victory over their New Zealand counterparts.