Pre-season training in Spain 2009



Pre-season training in Southern Spain Whilst the remainder of Europe was ankle deep in snow, the south of Spain was experiencing sensational spring conditions. Lt Will Harris and Hugh Arbuthnott (9th/12th Royal Lancers) were able to escape Lower Saxony and head off on a pre-season skills camp near the picturesque village of Jimena de la Frontera, just up the road from the European polo hot spot, Sotogrande. Here is Hugh's report: The aim of the four day package was to be given a short sharp refresher course as it had been some time since either of us had been able to play due to the fact that the credit crunch had taken its toll on Basra City Polo Club. Under the watchful experienced eye of Nick Williams (an ex professional high goal player) we started off in the classroom going over rules and set plays. We wanted to be taken right back to basics to eradicate any unfortunate habits we have picked up, not only with the rules but at every level from tactics and tricks to umpiring and riding. As much of our polo will be spent on hired ponies Nick put us through a working package on schooling and development to give us the best advantage for the upcoming season. We ended the first session with instructional chukkas, and as with each day, restrictions were put on which shots we could play to really force us to concentrate on tactics before hitting the ball and play with our heads. If only we could have played with our heads rather than our thighs as we were both feeling the effects of having not ridden for over ten months. Luckily 20 minutes up the road led us to deep hot baths, large whiskies roaring fires and the comfort of la Almuña where we were staying. After supper, tactics were discussed long into the night with the use of cutlery and empty wine bottles as props. The second and third days were concentrated on consolidating on the foundations of our horse handling and stick skills. Nick was determined to ensure that we would not fall foul of the usual low goal traps and was pleasantly pleased with the development and enthusiasm we were making and commented that we were the best Army polo players he had ever instructed! The culmination of the course took the form of a match against extremely talented players out on half term, that did not quite take us to the cleaners but very nearly, and gave us a great game, making us work on every aspect of our polo. Other than create the foundations of the 9th/12th Royal Lancer polo team we have come away from our pre-season training with an intensive riding and schooling programme to work us, the players and unknown ponies. This will be of great benefit to us for this season, the future and helping to pass on to other players in the Regiment. We have been very lucky being able to get away and play in blissful conditions, on very good ponies, staying in gorgeous settings and have four days in which to concentrate solely on our polo. Our next step is to build upon our skills, try and play as much as possible in Hohne, getting more players into the saddle and set our sights on the Mabway Captains and Subalterns in July.

Pre-season training in Southern Spain

Whilst the remainder of Europe was ankle deep in snow, the south of Spain was experiencing sensational spring conditions. Lt Will Harris and Hugh Arbuthnott (9th/12th Royal Lancers) were able to escape Lower Saxony and head off on a pre-season skills camp near the picturesque village of Jimena de la Frontera, just up the road from the European polo hot spot, Sotogrande. Here is Hugh's report:

The aim of the four day package was to be given a short sharp refresher course as it had been some time since either of us had been able to play due to the fact that the credit crunch had taken its toll on Basra City Polo Club.

Under the watchful experienced eye of Nick Williams (an ex professional high goal player) we started off in the classroom going over rules and set plays. We wanted to be taken right back to basics to eradicate any unfortunate habits we have picked up, not only with the rules but at every level from tactics and tricks to umpiring and riding. As much of our polo will be spent on hired ponies Nick put us through a working package on schooling and development to give us the best advantage for the upcoming season.

We ended the first session with instructional chukkas, and as with each day, restrictions were put on which shots we could play to really force us to concentrate on tactics before hitting the ball and play with our heads.

If only we could have played with our heads rather than our thighs as we were both feeling the effects of having not ridden for over ten months. Luckily 20 minutes up the road led us to deep hot baths, large whiskies roaring fires and the comfort of la Almuña where we were staying. After supper, tactics were discussed long into the night with the use of cutlery and empty wine bottles as props.

The second and third days were concentrated on consolidating on the foundations of our horse handling and stick skills. Nick was determined to ensure that we would not fall foul of the usual low goal traps and was pleasantly pleased with the development and enthusiasm we were making and commented that we were the best Army polo players he had ever instructed!

The culmination of the course took the form of a match against extremely talented players out on half term, that did not quite take us to the cleaners but very nearly, and gave us a great game, making us work on every aspect of our polo.

Other than create the foundations of the 9th/12th Royal Lancer polo team we have come away from our pre-season training with an intensive riding and schooling programme to work us, the players and unknown ponies. This will be of great benefit to us for this season, the future and helping to pass on to other players in the Regiment.

We have been very lucky being able to get away and play in blissful conditions, on very good ponies, staying in gorgeous settings and have four days in which to concentrate solely on our polo.

Our next step is to build upon our skills, try and play as much as possible in Hohne, getting more players into the saddle and set our sights on the Mabway Captains and Subalterns in July.