UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championships

Earlier this year, nine university Officer Cadets with the North West Officer Training Regiment (NW OTR) polo team set off for the Universities’ Officer Training Corps (UOTC) Arena Challenge at Druids Lodge Polo Club in Salisbury. The team consisted of seven Officer Cadets and two Second Lieutenants, who have been training together throughout the year.

Training kicked off with a tactics lesson from Giles Ormerod, the instructor. All players listened intently as he explained how to excel in a polo chukka and outwit the opponents, whilst playing within the rules. The players were then matched up with ponies and began to practise basic swings and riding techniques. Polo ponies are very responsive to slight changes in weight, or small movements of the hands and legs, and those at Druids Lodge are particularly well trained. The team practised manoeuvring their ponies in walk, trot and canter, then began to practise swinging the mallets. Giles explained how to correctly swing the mallet and hit the ball, and the team practised both forehand and backhand hits. The lesson progressed from hitting the balls at a walk to a canter, with all players improving greatly throughout the lesson.

The team then headed to Larkhill Camp, where they dined in the Officers’ Mess with Officer Cadets from other UOTCs, as well as resident Second Lieutenants from Larkhill. The evening gave the Officer Cadets a chance to experience an evening in an Officers’ Mess and relax before the competition.

It was an early start on the day of the Challenge! After a hearty breakfast at Larkhill, the team returned to Druids Lodge and the chukkas began. The teams rotated through a series of tightly-contested chukkas, with some excellent polo playing by all teams. After some intense finals, Northumbria UOTC took the winning spot, with NWOTR taking 4^th place.

The event was well run by Druids Lodge and was thoroughly enjoyed by all players. The team are all looking forward to further lessons in preparation for the Sandhurst Cup in July!