News - Polo.ie - Premier polo site in Ireland

Wicklow. Ireland and USA each held a win as Sunday's final game line-out of Sean Reynolds, Siobhan Herbst, Martin Iturraspe Ireland), Eileen Flynn, Jennifer Costain, and Jim De Angeles with alternate Liz Brayboy (USA) took their positions in the arena to begin six final chukkas of fast, 8-goal arena polo.

USA drew first blood, but Siobhan Herbst quickly tied it up, then drew Ireland ahead early in the first chukka. Umpire Chris Murphy had his work cut out for him as hot-blooded power-player professional Jim De Angeles slammed through a goal to tie it up again, then Ireland's Sean Reynolds neatly took out Yale University Polo Manager Eileen Flynn, leaving it open for Ireland professional Martin Iturraspe to sscore his first goal of the final game. That goal wass the first of many to earn him the honour of player of the match game, and the title, Mr. Mercury, so like quicksilver was his flawless playing throughout the game.

Iturraspe set out in the second chukka as he meant to finish the game, drawing Ireland further ahead of USA WITH EACH GOAL. Siobhan Herbst backed him up, and Sean Reynolds played strong defense, cleaning up lost balls and keeping them for the dynamic Irish duo. An Irish foul helped USA, but not enough to catch up with Ireland ahead on five goals to USA's 2 at the end of the second chukka.

Ireland kept the pressure on in the third chukka, matching goal for goal despite Eileen Flynn's strong coaching and De Angeles' powerful plays on goal. The chukka closed with Ireland ahead on 8 goals to 5.

De Angeles opened the fourth chukka with a spectacular 50-yard goal. Ireland matched that one again, then committed a series of fouls during the chukka that USA could not cash in on as each free goal went wide of the mark. Iturraspe shot one through, then De Angeles nailed a goal despite Iturraspe's quicksilver actions at chukka's close.

Ireland took over the game during the fifth chukka and never looked back. A short-lived American rally began with De Angeles' bouncing-hit goal and ended as first Iturraspe scored, then Herbst and Reynolds double-teamed a free-hit to the goal. Iturraspe final-seconds-of-chukka goal put Ireland ahead on 17 goals to USA's 8.

Herbst and Iturraspe flowed across the arena as sixth chukka play got underway. Iturraspe scored, then chased the ball to the Irish goal after the throw-in, then galloped it back to the American goal to score again. De Angeles scored a high-flying free-hit after an Irish foul, then Iturraspe and Herbst teamed up, but let a nice goal by De Angeles and Flynn through. Iturraspe and Herbst finished up with one more goal as the final bell went. Ireland won on 21 goals to USA's well-earned 10, and the Winter Cup remains in Ireland at least for one more year!

5-Apr-2002 Eileen Flint with her "Hitteam" Polo Manager of Yale Polo USA arriving in Ireland April 11th to 15th 2002 to fight for the USA - Ireland "all weather Open Air Arena" Cup.

Ireland - USA

Eilleen Flint (3) Elizabeth Brayboy (2) James De Angelis (5) for USA

Micky Herbst (1) Siobhan Herbst(2) Hugo Iturraspe(6) for Polo Wicklow

Mehram Miramad(1)i Sean Reynolds(1) Martin Ituraspe (5) for Ritz

Neville Keegan(1) Mehram Miramadi(1) Juan Ituraspe (4) for Genie

All is prepared for the highlight of the winter Season when Yale USA will challenge for the 11th Year the USA Ireland Cup only once the cup left Ireland with Danny Keatings Newport Team. But news from Boston says that Eileen and Liz are well trained and fit and James De Angelis has a good season last year.

Eileen is the Polo Manager of Yale University and plays all Year round Polo Elizabeth Brayboy a great horse woman also plays mainly in New Haven. James De Angelis is a very cool team player and one way always close to the ball. The team will come with their partners and stay at Polo Wicklow for 5 days.

The Irish Teams had plenty of time during the winter to get ready for this event and we all look forward to look for the result. The American team is disadvantaged as they have to win all three matches to keep the cup, but it has happened before..........

Tickets for the Sunday "Wendy's Brunch" 13 p.m. before the match book siobhan@herbst.ie

3-Apr-2002 This is the start of exciting things to come!

We should have a very active Polo Site bringing all the followers and "activist" of Irish Polo together with the purpose of promoting the fastest and most enjoyable horse sport. Like everything else it needs the input from the clubs. Share your enjoyment and pass on the message!

3-Apr-2002 The dates are fixed for the Irish annual International Ladies Tournament in Dublin Phoenix Park hosted by the All Ireland Polo Club and Polo Wicklow.

The time has come for us to plan our annual take over of the All Ireland Polo Club by the ladies. I have been allocated the week end of August 16th 17th and 18th f or the Ladies Polo Tournament and this year we have lots of time to prepare.

Firstly I would like to know as soon as possible if you would like to take part. As things stand at the moment all arrangements would be similar to last year, but there will be an increase in the entry fee to �100, which in the case of the players also covers the lunch. I am expecting at least two teams from abroad which will give our tournament an International flavour this year.

Some players might like to put together their own teams which this year should be -2 to 2, I would welcome any comments in this regard.

Players would be expected to wear their sponsor�s shirts. As last year, individual players entering would be designated teams as evenly handicapped as possible. There will be a few horses available for hire but priority will be given to players from abroad. Assistence with livery and hotels is available if booked in time. More Polo in other Irish Polo clubs can be provided for International teams who wouldlike to extend their visit.

In the event of six or more teams being entered the matches will be spread over three days and maybe in alternative grass venues with the Finals being played in the Phoenix Park. Polo will be guaranteed, so if rain prevents play on grass, the affected matches will be transferred to Polo Wickow�s arena.

Sponsorship would be most welcome and would help towards the hiring of horses etc for players from abroad, so if you know anyone who might be interested do please approach them. All proceeds will be going to the Bubblegum Club as before.

Please let me know if you if you are interested as soon as possible so that I have an idea of how many teams there will be. If you telephone me and have to leave a message would you also leave your telephone number, so that I can return the call.

Please contact for more details

Polo entries: wendy@polo.ie or Wendy Herbst 00 353 404 67164

Livery etc :Siobhan Herbst siobhan@polo.ie 00 353 87 286 9691

Sponsorships event tickets etc: Jackie Rafter Jrafter@polo.ie 086 811 7650

1-Apr-2002 St Patrick's day Tournament

Glorious weather on Saturday was the background for the Herbst Shipping Cup. Neville Keegan�s Longfield team and Micky Herbst�s Wicklow team were the main contenders for the eight goal match.

Lining up with Keegan was Martine Iturraspe and his cousin Juan Iturraspe, lining up with Micky Herbst were Siobhan Herbst and Hugo Iturraspe. From the first throw in the gloves were off, Keegan peeled out of the line for the first touch of the ball, back up from Martine gave him enough space to head for goal but a surge of power from Hugo intercepted the final shot and the ball screamed towards the East gaol. The ever quickening game changed direction constantly, the boards were hammered to create new lines which were taken at full speed. Tight marking , heavy riding off and some amazing bad luck at the goal mouth of both ends, kept the final goal tally to 8 for Longfield and 9 for Wicklow with the second match to play the next day.

The Pony of the match: Petra (Irish born 8 year old mare reared and trained by Polo Wicklow)

St. Patricks Day provided rain, sleet and wind for the Final match but arena polo players are never deterred by the elements. Well wrapped up the horses waited for their turn in the arena and in driving rain the two unchanged teams lined up. First touch to Siobhan who wheeled away and sliced a backhand up to Hugo, under huge pressure he angled his shot to a free Herbst senior, and the Wicklow team was two ahead. As the game developed the pace increased, this was not a match for the faint hearted as Martine gathered impossible shots from the air and Hugo swept up every ball and made it count.

Attack and counter attack as the game switched from East to West and back, the few who braved the balcony watched sibling rivalry produce some spectacular infringement free team polo.

Wicklow had one goal in hand as the match entered the final chukka. Power shots and deft touches ensured non stop action, two Wicklow goals from behind the fifty yard line and two stunning goals for Longfield, from the flying cousins kept up the tension. In a front of goal melee the ball was kicked by a pony and into the Wicklow goal making an even score line with 30 seconds left on the clock. A fast hit in from Keegan up to Martine who was at full throttle, hammered by brother Hugo the ball lost direction but was pounced on by a following Juan, a connecting shot up to Martine who passed the goal at a forty five degree angle to the ground and with an under the tail shot won Longfield the Cup.

Editor: wh