Some of the world’s best polo players will return to Tasmania on January 19 for the 2019 Barnbougle Polo Tournament.
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Bringing high level polo back to the state, the event will see Australian and international polo players descend on the world-class links destination for a sophisticated day of networking, entertainment and fashion.
Held at Barnbougle polo fields in the state’s North East, the event will also mark a historic return for Tasmanian bred polo ponies, with Northern Midland’s based Wickford Polo Ponies to provide 25 horses for the tournament.
Wickford have been breeding polo ponies for more than 25 years, competing internationally in the UK, Argentina, Dubai and the USA.
Event organiser Penny Sattler said it had been more than 100 years since Tasmanian bred polo ponies had played in a Tasmanian polo event.
She said the decision to source more state-based ponies was influenced by the 16 horses who died in transit from Tasmania to NSW, after competing at last year’s event.
“That was such a tragic end to what had been a fantastic tournament,” she said.
“It is hard to comment on because there is still so much we don’t know about what happened.
“Going forward we just wanted to make sure we were working with Tasmanian-based polo people as much as possible.
“There will still be horses coming over from the mainland, but we are really happy to be working closely with Wickford.”
Last year’s Barnbougle Polo Tournament attracted crowds of more than 3500 people, with the main marquee, corporate marquees and car boot parking set to return to next year’s event.
Following on from the success of The Examiner’s inaugural fashions on the field, Ms Sattler said the popular feature would also return bigger and better in 2019.
“Fashions on the field was just so much fun,” she said.
“There is just something really special about a day at the polo and getting all dressed up. This event is quite unique for Tasmania.
“I think it is just a great day out to have with the family, in a beautiful part of the state at a great time of year.”
Tickets for the 2019 Barnbougle Polo Tournament will go on sale at the start of November.
More information can be found here.
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Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
