A horseback polo ground needs the same loving care and attention to a golf green, which made it a perfect extension of the work done at Barnbougle and Lost Farm.

About five years ago the first professional polo event was held at Barnbougle to a crowd of just more than 1000 spectators.

Fast-forward and Barnbougle Polo has become synonymous with a laid-back elegant day out with more than 3000 people expected to attend the 2019 event.

RELATED STORY: Looking back at Barnbougle Polo from 2015 to 2017.

Organiser Penelope Sattler said nearly 50 per cent of ticket sales for last year’s event had come from mainland Tasmanians and believed it was Barnbougle’s inclusive, rather than exclusive atmosphere that brought people flocking.

“If you go to Portsea, it’s really quite exclusive, you need to be invited, basically,” she said.

“You have to have some connection to the sport or be an influencer, but that was never our style.”

Ms Sattler said Barnbougle wanted to make their summer polo event inclusive to everyone, for anyone looking for a nice day out to watch the fast-paced spectator sport.

She said the polo offered a more laid-back alternative to the summer racing carnival but was a chance for people to dress up and enjoy the sport.

Polo is a sport played on horseback and is a team sport. It is one of the world’s oldest known team sports.

The game is played by two opposing teams who try to score goals by hitting a small ball with a long-handled wooden mallet. 

RELATED STORY: Barnbougle sets date for 2019 event

Each team has four mounted riders and the game usually lasts one to two hours, divided into periods called chukkas.

Play is continuous and is only stopped for rule infractions, broken tack (equipment) or injury to horse or player.

Polo has become a spectator sport for equestrians and society, often supported by sponsorship.

Last year’s event was marred by the revelation that 16 horses died in transit when they were transported from Tasmania to New South Wales after the polo event in 2018.

The horses were owned by player Andrew Williams, who subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Spirit of Tasmania and QUBE Holdings.

Mr Williams is a former captain of the Australian Polo Team and was devestated to find the horses dead in the back of his truck.

Barnbougle owner Richard Sattler expressed his condolences at the time and said the ponies were “loved like children” by their owners.

However, Barnbougle Polo is looking to put the past behind them and create a vibrant and exciting atmosphere for the 2019 event.

Miss Sattler said the event schedule remained similar to last year’s event but that the calibre of the polo teams was better than previous years.

“Last year we had teams where the first game’s action was a bit lower than the second game, but this year we have four high-calibre teams ready to play,” she said.

She said the four teams were playing a round-robin tournament prior to their attendance at Barnbougle Polo, with the finals of the round-robin to be the matches played at the event.

“It’s a wonderful spectator sport because you are so close to action,” she said.

She said the horses are run at full speed and there are often close calls or collisions.

“People fall off all the time, but there’s a lot of rules and safety regulations in place to ensure horses and riders are treated respectfully and are safe if they fall,” she said.

However, if polo isn’t really your thing, but you are interested in the fashion, food and drinks on offer, there is plenty to cater for those people too.

Miss Sattler said it was a great option because it allowed those who wanted to, to immerse themselves in the sport, but for those who didn’t, there were plenty of other entertainment options.

One of the things the polo is also known for, is its fashion, but the fashion styles are slightly different than for a day at the horse races.

Country Road head of strategy Catherine Williamson, a fashion guru former Tasmanian, said attendees needed to think about location when choosing an outfit.

“You need to remember where you are, Barnbougle is an amazing location but it’s a farm, that meets the ocean,” she said.

“You need to take cues from the setting, that’s the first thing.”

Miss Williamson said polo games offered a “laid-back elegance” as opposed to the horse races, which was an opportunity to dress to the nines.

She said pared-back with clean fabrics were always a classic combination, but don’t be afraid to experiment with prints and colour.

“One way to experiment would be to pair up shades of the same colour, with a top and skirt for example,” she said.

A nautical colour scheme was a classic combination, but so were polka dots and stripes.

For women, flats or wedges are the go-to footwear of choice, with boaters or loafers the best choice for men.

Hats are the perfect polo accessory for both men and women, or women can choose to add hair accessories like ribbons or bows – but fascinators are a no-no.

It’s important to remember that the polo is first and foremost a sporting event, and the man responsible for ensuring all the horses are in ship shape is Lach MacKinnon. 

About 20 horses from Mr McKinnon’s stud at Wickford Cattle Company, near Longford, will compete in the Barnbougle Polo event. 

Mr McKinnon, also a competitive polo player, who has played internationally, said what the Sattlers had done at Barnbougle was “world series.”

“I’ve played all over the world, and what they’ve done there, the field, it’s absolutely world class,” he said.

WHAT: Barnbougle Polo 2019

WHEN: January 19, 2019

WHERE: Barnbougle, Waterhouse Road, Bridport

TICKET PRICES: general admission: $40; car boot premium: $40; car boot parking: $195; Stella Artois marquee (must be 18+): $210.

General admission: Bring your own chair and picnic blanket and enjoy the polo from the reserved general admission area. Food and beverages are available throughout the day. No BYO alcohol.

Car boot premium: Secure a car boot parking site and book a ticket for each person who will enjoy the polo from the premium field side location.

Car boot parking: A premium field-side car park located adjacent to the polo ground, car boot parking is the perfect option for entertaining friends and guests, or enjoying time with the family. Pack a picnic and spend the day taking in all the action. You may self-cater food and beverages (incl alcohol). Car entrance only. Admission tickets MUST be purchased per person.

Stella Artois marquee: A stylish and energetic lounge setting, the Stella Artois marquee invites guests to sip premium beverages and enjoy delicious canapes while appreciating all the on field action from the finest location. The marquee offers expert host commentary and the opportunity to meet the star players of the day. 

For more information go to the Barnbougle Polo Facebook page or 2019 event page. Tickets are selling fast.

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