I thought a blog about my role as the British Army Polo team photographer would be interesting and be a chance to put some of the last few season's photos together on one place.

Enjoy.

Some years ago, I found myself in the right place at the right time and to cut a long story short, was invited to photograph polo at Sandhurst.

It was the second time I’d seen polo, the previous experience had been, well, equine croquet. I took the photos and thought some were OK. I must have done something right because I was invited back. By the end of that season I was hooked on polo photography and some work had been published. Later I was approached by regimental teams, then I was photographing the army team, and then I was the "official" army polo photographer.

The first big public tournament for the army team is in mid June during the Sandhurst open day. It's a great day to look around the academy and a great day for the players to perform in front of thousands. At other times there are few spectators. 

Army polo at SandhurstSANDHURST HERITAGE DAY 2013<br/>The Heritage Open Day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Held on 16 June 2013.<br/>Polo matches were RMAS Polo Club blue team and the RMAS Polo Club red team and RMAS vs the Hackett Army Polo Team<br/><br/>Further photos are available at www.petermeadephotography.com/shd13

9461748809_73c21c6213_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 4th August 2013. This tournament was started in 2012 to showcase polo at the Academy and Army Polo. The Event was sponsored by EFG International. The matches were the Hackett Young Army Team vs The Varsity Team from Cambridge and the EFG/British Army Select team vs The Cambridge Select team. Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efg2013

14545270757_7c9eef352d_oThe Leadership and Excellence Tournament 2014 was the first tri-forces tournament to be organised and played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In the first game, RMA Sandhurst played RAF Cranwell and in the second, RMA Sandhurst played the Royal Navy. For further photos see http://www.petermeadephotography.com/lande14 For licencing or purchasing enquiries, use this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

14640261387_05a234796c_oEFG International Bicentennial Trophy 2014 Played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Bicentennial Trophy was conceived as a celebration of 200 years at Sandurst, the sport of polo and the role of British institutions in the sport’s history. Game 1 - The Varsity Team vs. Hackett Young Army The Cambridge side, which is sponsored year-round by EFG International, features players from the team that defeated Oxford 6 - in the Varsity game. Game 2 - Cambridge Select Team vs. British Army Select. Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efgb14 To discuss licencing contact Peter on this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

14640098580_529f59f2b8_oEFG International Bicentennial Trophy 2014 Played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Bicentennial Trophy was conceived as a celebration of 200 years at Sandurst, the sport of polo and the role of British institutions in the sport’s history. Game 1 - The Varsity Team vs. Hackett Young Army The Cambridge side, which is sponsored year-round by EFG International, features players from the team that defeated Oxford 6 - in the Varsity game. Game 2 - Cambridge Select Team vs. British Army Select. Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efgb14 To discuss licencing contact Peter on this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

14545083559_54912f3b6c_oThe Leadership and Excellence Tournament 2014 was the first tri-forces tournament to be organised and played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In the first game, RMA Sandhurst played RAF Cranwell and in the second, RMA Sandhurst played the Royal Navy. For further photos see http://www.petermeadephotography.com/lande14 For licencing or purchasing enquiries, use this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

9461722063_a32eb3f2c2_oSandhurst polo club ball held on 3rd August was preceded by an exhibition match. Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/sap

14708725926_b91bfb3b1b_oThe Leadership and Excellence Tournament 2014 was the first tri-forces tournament to be organised and played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In the first game, RMA Sandhurst played RAF Cranwell and in the second, RMA Sandhurst played the Royal Navy. For further photos see http://www.petermeadephotography.com/lande14 For licencing or purchasing enquiries, use this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

14823717651_ca0616eacc_oEFG International Bicentennial Trophy 2014 Played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Bicentennial Trophy was conceived as a celebration of 200 years at Sandurst, the sport of polo and the role of British institutions in the sport’s history. Game 1 - The Varsity Team vs. Hackett Young Army The Cambridge side, which is sponsored year-round by EFG International, features players from the team that defeated Oxford 6 - in the Varsity game. Game 2 - Cambridge Select Team vs. British Army Select. Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efgb14 To discuss licencing contact Peter on this link http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

My experience may be limited and perhaps a bit parochial, but I think the Round Ground at Sandhurst is the most spectacular and perhaps also the most historic setting for polo. Coupled with the British military's ability to get things right and to do it in style, a tournament there is sport at its best. The ground has a lake at one end and New College at the other. Overlooking the ground is the Old College, dating back to 1812. The scene is spoiled a bit in another direction by the somehow award winning and brutalist Churchill Hall. People and teams love to be photographed in front of the colleges.

IMG_3953The CSPA Polo Day held at the Royal military Academy Sandhurst, on 9th July 2009. featuring the Sudan Cup and Inter Regimental semi-final

7774012220_e367b0ecaa_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sponsored by EFG International. Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

9478594098_546ddf8243_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 4th August 2013. This tournament was started in 2012 to showcase polo at the Academy and Army Polo. Further photos are available from http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efg2013

9478590978_059b14ae3e_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 4th August 2013. This tournament was started in 2012 to showcase polo at the Academy and Army Polo. Further photos are available from http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efg2013

Reception in Old CollegePolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sponsored by EFG International.<br/><br/><br/>Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

7774018044_8b490f0822_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sponsored by EFG International. Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

9475805815_f358f04b07_oPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 4th August 2013. This tournament was started in 2012 to showcase polo at the Academy and Army Polo. Further photos are available from http://www.petermeadephotography.com/efg2013

3756520455_47d492603b_oThe Leadership and Excellence Day at Sandhurst on Friday 24th July 2009

The main tournament to the military polo calendar is the Rundle Cup at Tidworth, and is played between the Army and Royal Navy. Players have another chance to play in front of thousands.

This is the one occasion when the national press will turn out.

9285001497_2d2955108b_oTidworth Polo Club’s most prestigious event is the annual Army vs Navy match for the Rundle Cup.
Games included a charity polo match between celebrities and jockeys in aid of the Inspire Foundation, which helps people with spinal injuries.

The Second polo match was between the CSPA and a visiting American side for the Indian Army Cavalry Officers Trophy.

The third match was the Rundle Cup, the annual fixture between the Army and the Royal Navy.


Further photos are available at www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc13

However their attention is usually limited.

7588851476_1b65412c69_oThe Rundle Cup 2012 played at Tidworth Polo Club

Photos are available from

www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

But they do stay if there's royalty on site.

The polo is usually pretty good although there can be the odd heart stopping moment.

Prince Harry at TidworthPolo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014<br/>The polo matches played were:<br/>Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys<br/>Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match<br/>Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa<br/>Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy<br/><br/><br/>Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc14<br/><br/>For information about licensing, go to<br/>http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

IMG_7529Polo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014 The polo matches played were: Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy

9287772422_4332a49b5a_oTidworth Polo Club’s most prestigious event is the annual Army vs Navy match for the Rundle Cup. Games included a charity polo match between celebrities and jockeys in aid of the Inspire Foundation, which helps people with spinal injuries. The Second polo match was between the CSPA and a visiting American side for the Indian Army Cavalry Officers Trophy. The third match was the Rundle Cup, the annual fixture between the Army and the Royal Navy. Further photos are available at www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc13

Pitch invasionPolo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014<br/>The polo matches played were:<br/>Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys<br/>Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match<br/>Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa<br/>Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy

As one of the two photographers for Tidworth Polo Club, I can get to the front of the queue. Presentations are not always the most interesting shots but do get used. But I can also get behind the scenes.

Army Polo TeamPolo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014<br/>The polo matches played were:<br/>Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys<br/>Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match<br/>Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa<br/>Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy<br/><br/><br/>Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc14<br/><br/>For information about licensing, go to<br/>http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

14648192971_3056cc9d66_oPolo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014 The polo matches played were: Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc14 For information about licensing, go to http://www.petermeadephotography.com/contact.html

IMG_7075Polo Played at Tidworth Polo Club on 12 July 2014 The polo matches played were: Inspire Foundation Celebrity Match between Eventers and Jockeys Pony Club Jorrocks Exhibition Match Indian Cavalry Polo Trophy between the CSPA and South Africa Hackett Rundle Cup between the Army and the Royal Navy

The Army Polo Team has also turned out Ham Polo Club for the HAC 105 Invitational, that marks the end of the season. In 2013 they won it.

British Army PoloThe IG HAC polo invitational played at Ham Polo Club on august 31st 2013<br/>Games were<br/>IG HAC Bullecourt vs Iconiq Army Reserves<br/>IG HAC Arras vs Hackett Army Polo Team<br/>IG HAC Veterans vs Royal Air Force<br/><br/>Commentary by Col Simon Ledger<br/><br/>Further photos are available at http://www.petermeadephotography.com/105hac2013

HAC 105 InvitationalThe IG Index HAC 105 Polo Invitational played at Ham Polo Club, Richmond on 8th September 2012. The main event of the HAC’s polo calendar.<br/><br/>Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

Army Polo Team with the HAC 105 TrophyThe IG Index HAC 105 Polo Invitational played at Ham Polo Club, Richmond on 8th September 2012. The main event of the HAC’s polo calendar.<br/><br/>Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk

Finally, there is the "without who" part. The main sponsor of the Army Polo Team is Hackett of London, so here's Jeremy Hackett and Muffin and Kieth Gap of EFG International. Also there's Col Simon Ledger, chairman of the Army Polo Association and voice of polo. Without them I would have less to photograph and would have a great deal less fun.

Jeremy HackettTidworth Polo Club’s most prestigious event is the annual Army vs Navy match for the Rundle Cup.<br/>Games included a charity polo match between celebrities and jockeys in aid of the Inspire Foundation, which helps people with spinal injuries.<br/><br/>The Second polo match was between the CSPA and a visiting American side for the Indian Army Cavalry Officers Trophy.<br/><br/>The third match was the Rundle Cup, the annual fixture between the Army and the Royal Navy.<br/><br/><br/>Further photos are available at www.petermeadephotography.com/hrc13

Kieth Gap EFG InternationalPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sponsored by EFG International.

Col Simon LedgerPolo played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Sponsored by EFG International.<br/><br/><br/>Further photos are available from www.petermeadephotography.co.uk