TWO North-East businessmen are working to bring a sport usually associated with the rich, the famous and royalty to Bridport.
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Musselroe wind farm project manager Justin Couper and Barnbougle and Lost Farm golf course developer Richard Sattler have plans before the Dorset Council for a polo field and facilities to be developed on Mr Sattler's Lost Farm property.
They expect to hold their first polo exhibition game around October.
Mr Couper said yesterday the polo ground would be world class to attract players from Asia, India and Iran.
He said it would be the first public polo field in Australia of the calibre to entice players who now travel to places like the US or Argentina to compete.
Most of the Australian tournaments are on private land.
Mr Couper, who plays competitive polo, will provide the first stable of 40 specially bred and trained horses to get the facility off the ground and Mr Sattler will provide the land.
He already has a team of horses at Cape Portland being prepared for the new North-East field and international tournaments.
``I've been trying to get it (polo) started in Tasmania for some time - it's different to polocrosse,'' Mr Couper said.
``It's a pretty wild sport - it's the fastest ball sport in the world and the oldest team sport.''
Mr Couper will call on the expertise of some of his polo-playing friends like Andrew Williams, former captain of the Australian team, to help develop the Tasmanian facility.
``He ( Williams) shares my dream to bring it to Tasmania,'' Mr Couper said.
``We think it goes hand-in-glove with what already exists at Barnbougle.''
The North-East property already attracts visitors from around the world to play golf at either the Barnbougle or Lost Farm courses.
Mr Couper won't put a price on the cost of the development at this stage.
``We will develop it in stages,'' he said.
``The field will come first - it has to have a top quality surface.
``Then we will think about a clubhouse and practice field.''
It is being planned as a public facility available to the local community as well as the anticipated international players.
Mr Couper also wants to form a competitive local team.
Work will start on the polo field and facilities as soon as the council application is approved.
