Prestige & Village International Opportunity for Polo Youth

International real estate agents, Prestige & Village Group (PV), are offering an incredible opportunity for four under 15 players to train and play at Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai next year for one week’s coaching and polo experience. This will culminate with a test match for the PV Youth Dubai Cup, featuring the four players against Desert Palm’s Junior Team. The trip of a lifetime will be heavily subsidised by PV who are extremely excited to present this experience to the lucky selected youngsters. Working together with Hertfordshire Polo Academy (HPA) and The Pony Club (PC), PV will select youth polo players this summer, culminating with an announcement of those selected at the 2023 Pony Club Polo Championships (11-13 August).

Any polo player under 15 on 1st January 2023, that is a registered Pony Club Centre or Branch member may register to apply for the incentive. Entries will be via the Hertfordshire Polo Academy website (hpapolo.com). The criteria for selection will be based not only on skill, playing attributes and passion for the game, but also for sportsmanship, knowledge of all aspects of the game, particularly what is required off the pitch, and a great attitude to helping others.

Hertfordshire Polo Academy, which is also a PC Centre, will offer a base for players to learn and play, as well as a season of polo tournaments from which two players will be selected. All competitions at Silver Leys Polo Club (where Hertfordshire Polo Academy is based) will be open to young players from across the country in order to give visiting players the opportunity to be seen and considered. The remaining two players will be selected from The Pony Club by their Polo Committee who will review players throughout the PC Polo competitions this summer. All players selected will need to have also completed, or be working towards, their PC YELA Bronze award volunteering at a charity or Pony Club Centre/Club Branch in order to showcase their wiliness to give back and help others.

Matt Dixon, CEO of Prestige & Village Group, commented, “We are delighted to support the youth of polo in the UK. Together with Hertfordshire Polo Academy and Silver Leys Polo Club, we have given children access to polo, some of whom have never seen a horse before. Building on that, we are excited to offer playing youngsters the opportunity to learn more about the sport in a very different setting and gain international experience to assist them in their desire to be a polo player.”

Alec Banner-Eve, Proprietor of Hertfordshire Polo Academy, said, “Prestige & Village are an extremely generous supporter of youth polo and we are very grateful to be working with them and The Pony Club on what promises to be a special trip. We are passionate about youth polo and giving young players as many opportunities as possible to improve and grow their polo. We are proud to work alongside The Pony Club in selecting four young members who are not only committed players but also great sportsmen and women who are considerate and appreciate all those involved in equestrian sport, whether it be the horses, grooms or side line supporters.”

Charles Whittington, Chair of the Pony Club Polo Committee, said, ”This is a unique opportunity for committed Pony Club players to benefit from polo coaching and competition overseas, and will also offer the opportunity to learn important skills off the field as visitors to an international club. The Pony Club is very grateful to Prestige & Village for their support. The Pony Club provides opportunities for all young players to learn and play polo aged 6 to 20 years. Polo is provided for players with only one pony as well as players with multiple ponies.”

Full details of the criteria, how to register and a parent information sheet please visit  hpapolo.com