Wealden Times Farewell Trophy Match 20.09.09
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago at 2:52 pm. 4 comments
Sadly this was the Farewell Trophy in more ways than one, this is the end of the season and the end of Polo at Burwash/Brightling as next year the team will be at their new home in Barcombe.
It all finished off with a fantastic “friendly” match between the usual La Fuerza Verde team split with husband and wife Mark and Caroline Owen playing numbers 2 for the red and green teams and the Argentinians Lucho and Fernando playing against each other at number 4 and the four visiting players taking the 1 and 3 spots.
Maybe because it was a friendly but I have never seen such a smooth flowing game before at the Brightling Polo ground with very little whistle blowing for “unlawful conduct” being necessary by the umpire Caroline Giles. Caroline also gave an informative explanation about the game and tactics for the spectators prior to the match with Lucho and Fernando demonstrating (or showing off )
One of the pictures that really got to me from this game was the red No. 3 who I believe was Caroline Giles’ sister, when she scored her first goal, her expression just says it all. There are many others that I particularly like but the competitiveness between Caroline and Mark really came to the fore in this match as you will see as you go though the images.
If you wonder about the gentleman playing the bagpipes – it was Lucho’s twenty-first birthday which was well celebrated with Max playing Happy Birthday on the bagpipes and the grooms’ arranging for 21 young ladies to give him a birthday kiss
As usual I also managed to get quite a few dog pictures – especially at the end.
I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures as much as I enjoyed this match – although tinged with much sadness as it will no longer be at this venue.
Hi Christine, I’ve found your page via Facebook ( and a mate of mine). Stunning action shots I must say, so hard to get action neddies without blur. Now the background of the Polo match looks a bit familiar to me being an E. Sx ex pat. Is it by chance Socknersh Manor, Fontbridge Lane, Brightling. Because that place used to belong to the Hallaways back in the day (my Gt Gt Gt Grandparents). Or is it the Equestrian place down the road going east but before the fork in the road. Burwash would now be behind you by about 6 miles.
Please put me out of suspense here.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, Thank you for your messages and compliments on my Polo pictures. These were taken at the Brightling Polo Club whose ground is/was at Riverdell Farm which is almost opposite the little lane that goes to Batemens, not the one from the main road but the one that goes on up towards Fontridge lane so they are right at the bottom of the valley in a most beautiful spot. I was watching Buzzards and something I think might have been a Red Kite down there the other day although I could not swear to the latter. Maybe you will come back to this area one day.
Christine
Christine, I got ya!! Do plan to come back as the chap that now owns Socknersh has allowed me to come call (with a bit of prior notice). I shall also be visiting a mate up in Folkington (nr Polegate), if the Manor hasn’t sold by now. And maybe take the walk from there to the Long Man, a ride I used to do when my horse was stabled at the Manor. The Cornish coutry is one of its own, but my heart is forever Sussex.
The Polo season has now finished for the year (down here anyway) but I am often around the village