Fun Sport with a Proud History

DUNCAN Macintyre said the Macintyre Cup polo match being played this weekend in Scone, is a great opportunity for people to get together and enjoy watching ‘rugby on horseback’.

Duncan’s great, great grandfather Donald Macintyre was one of the founders of polo in the area and the Cup is named in his honour.

“It’s just a good weekend to watch a few horses, and there is some good horse flesh ridden by some of the best players in the country,” said Duncan Macintyre.

“Some people call it rugby on horseback and there is nothing like galloping down the field and people can get fairly close to the action,” he said.

“This year we have the boards up to stop the ball running out, so it makes for a much quicker game,” he said.

“It’s one way farmers and people in the area can get their horses together, get away and have some fun,” Mr Macintyre said.

Today the Scone Polo Club is the largest in the country, with 50 adult playing members and 50 child playing members.

Duncan said his family are honoured to still be part of the game and keep the history of the game alive the valley.

The number of children playing the sport is a sure sign that the game will remain strong, however this year the dry conditions have meant the children’s polo school has been cancelled.

“We usually have 80 or 90 children at the Scone Polo school and it’s been running for about 10 years,” said Duncan Macintyre.

“It is usually held at Ellerston and while the good players are there we get them to help out with the polo school, but because of the drought there is not enough water to hold the Ellerston tournament and so the players are staying in Sydney and we’ve had to cancel the school,” he said.

“But that number of young players coming through is very positive for Scone polo,” he said.

“And there are some outstanding players that come through from the junior ranks here,” Duncan Macintyre said.

Other trophies that will be played during the tournament this weekend include the JRC Davies Cup and the Hunter Valley Cup.

A coffee cart will be on the ground and lunch is available.

“We can’t say the fields will be green, but it’s great to go and enjoy the atmosphere,” said Duncan Macintyre.

WHEN:

• Saturday: Games begin at 11am with the last game played at 3pm.
• Sunday: Games begin at 10:30am with the Macintyre Cup played at 3pm.

WHERE: Scone Polo Fields, Waverley Road, Gundy. Directions: Turn off Gundy Road, into Waverley Road, cross a small bridge and the polo fields are on the right.

COST: Free – bring yourselves along and have a good lunch.

Winners of last year’s Mcintyre Cup: Gus Boonzier, Jack Keiley, Nikki Macintyre, Doug Archibald and Ed Archibald.