Hickstead to host International Arena Polo Test Match
The All England Polo Club at Hickstead is delighted to announce it will host the prestigious International Arena Polo Test Match on Saturday 3rd March.
As the only arena polo game played at an international level in the UK, the match is not to be missed - with teams from America and England battling it out in Hickstead's state of the art arena for the coveted Bryan Morrison Trophy.
The USA is sending a 21 goal side across the water, including Tommy Biddle (only the fourth player in arena polo history to attain a handicap of 10), John Gobin (6) and Brad Blake (5).
The home team will be selected later this month, and is likely to include Chris Hyde, one of only two English players to have an arena polo handicap of nine goals.
Previous test matches have seen England see off challenges from teams from South Africa in 2008, the USA in 2009, Scotland in 2010 and Argentina last year. Hickstead has hosted all of the international test matches with the exception of 2011, when the game was played at London’s O2 arena.
Having been responsible for introducing test match arena polo to the UK at international level in 2008, we're delighted that Hickstead has once again been chosen as the test match venue. It promises to be a very competitive match, featuring some of the best handicapped players in the world. Arena Polo is incredibly exciting to watch as it is played in a 100x50m arena and spectators are extremely close to the action.
John Bunn, Hickstead polo director
Tickets will go on sale shortly, and further information about the line-up, hospitality and the après polo entertainment will be announced on www.hickstead.co.uk