March 25

Dear Members & Friends

With Spring just around the corner, preparations at the club are in full swing for another busy Summer season.  Mindful that as the days lengthen, members’ thoughts will turn to preparing for the season ahead, we wanted to take this opportunity to summarise what’s been happening over the winter, update you on the various areas of the club and what to look forward to this season.

Farm Update:

During the last few months, Mick Molloy our Farm Manager has been working hard to improve the polo grounds, especially the drainage.  With the very mild autumn, grass cutting continued through November and since then all the grounds have been aerated using Verti-Drain machines. All the ditches surrounding the grounds have been cleared including a major clear out of the main ditch adjacent to Ground 1 – apparently this hasn’t been cleared for over twenty years! This has been a huge task. 

New washdown areas with hard standing have been built adjacent to all three grounds, so we look forward to seeing happy, clean ponies! 

The arena has been busy over the winter with not only polo lessons and chukkas but also arena hire with our new set of show jumps.  We have an ongoing busy calendar of clinics with some of the top equestrian coaches and have enjoyed a steady stream of happy clients using the arena, especially throughout the very cold spells of weather.

Youth Polo Updates:

We have an exciting grass season ahead and we are calling all youth players! In addition to our regular academy polo chukkas on Thursdays at 5pm, we plan to arrange youth single-chukka matches throughout the season. These will follow the same format as Pony Club polo, with players assigned into teams by age and ability.  For riders without their own ponies, we have school master ponies available to hire, and ready to play.  We are also proud to share with you that Cambridge & Newmarket Polo Academy is now a member of the AAP Polo University youth polo program.

We are excited to announce we will be holding an official Pony Club UK polo training day and tournament this summer, on 12/13 July, and will be fielding players and teams for Pony Club events at Black Bears, Longdole, Cirencester and Cowdray again this year. 

For all of the above events, and also for those who just want to have fun with ponies locally, we would be delighted to hear from youth players (and beginners) aged from 6 to 21.  We are planning an "Introduction to Polo" day for pony clubbers across East Anglia, and are also keen to hear from anyone who is not a member of pony club, so we can introduce them to this brilliant team sport. Please contact Victoria Lovatt at ponyclub@camparkpolo.co.uk or Fabio Lavinia, for more information.

Visit to Singapore Polo Club: 

A polo handicap is a passport to the world" and our academy member Clara was delighted to have the opportunity to play at Singapore Polo Club last October. Clara joined fellow CNPC pony club polo player Scarlett Lowndes-Cox to play in a team against junior Semper Anticus players Finn and Cory from Cotswold Pony Club. Chukkas were fast and furious and very competitive, in the beautiful, tropical surroundings of Singapore Polo Club.

CNPC Ladies 2025:

Last year, CNPC had a number of successful Friday evening women’s chukkas and matches. These were especially popular in the run up to the ladies’ tournament which was due to be held in June. Unfortunately, the tournament had to be postponed due to dramatic weather conditions, this saw hail and rain completely flood the pitch. Further competitive games and a round-robin tournament were held later in the month.  Several players from other clubs joined for these matches.

The ladies Friday evening chukkas and matches saw all abilities joining in, including some players’ first ever chukkas - play was kept at a brisk pace with the participation of the Lavinia ladies! Post chukkas, players relaxed with well deserved ‘sun-down’ drinks as well as a delicious paella night at the club house. Many pink rosettes, pink best playing pony and MVP sashes were won! Well done to all the individuals, teams, ponies and grooms for making it such a success.

This year is shaping up to be another fun summer for ladies polo, and fingers crossed for sunny Friday evenings as the ladies polo will continue on alternate Friday evenings. Booking chukkas will be in the same format as last year, via the Poll on WhatsApp.  We would love to encourage new players to join us in these supportive sessions.

There are 2 ladies tournaments this summer - 28/29 June alongside the Phillip Helliar 50th Anniversary tournament and the Capilla Polo Ladies (4 & 8 goal ladies handicap) on the 23/24 August.

Argentina Update:

The Argentine High Goal Season was very exciting. As always, the CNPC polo tour in Capilla takes place in November – December where club members and friends visited the club and had a great polo experience. 

Juana, Bella and Cata have all had a good season playing on different teams.  Cata’s La Dolfina team had a successful Ladies Open, losing the final against a very strong El Overo UAE team.  The final of the 16 goals La Dolfina Zafiro cup had La Dolfina team lined up with Lia Salvo, Cata, Mia and Poroto Cambiaso, a great 16 goals experience for the girls.  

Events Update:

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the CNPC 2024 calendar was the East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity Day. Blessed with glorious weather, quality polo and fabulous equine demonstrations from Bubby Upton and the Portuguese Lusitano Riding Display, it was a truly wonderful day.  We were so delighted to be able to present a cheque for £10,000 to the EAAA and this will now become a biannual event so roll on 2026!  EAAA will also be putting on First Aid courses for CNCP staff and members at the club so if this is something you are interested in please let us know at events@camparkpolo.co.uk

CNPC will be showcasing arena polo to the general public on Saturday 10 May at 11am/2pm at Palace House, Newmarket as part of their Horse Lover’s Events programme, do come and support us!

We are continuing to secure sponsors for 2025 and 2026 tournaments.  Building on the success of last year’s corporate hospitality packages this is an area that we are continuing to push in 2025.  We can offer a delicious lunch either in a gazebo or marquee, during a tournament weekend or with a private exhibition game on a day to suit you.  The feedback we get is always so positive and that it is a truly memorable event. 

If you know anyone that is looking for a venue for an event be sure to pass on their details to Emma our Events Manager emma@camparkpolo.co.uk.  

A note from Maria Ferguson, our Welfare officer.

How nice to be almost through winter and heading into Spring, with an exciting season ahead!  Niamh has done an excellent job looking after the club ponies. 
Just a reminder that this is quite a crucial time for encysted red worms in horses. It is really important to deal with any larval small redworm that could be harbouring in the gut wall as a mass emergence, most likely as temperatures start to rise with the onset of Spring, can be so dangerous to horse health and difficult to treat. I highly recommend Westgate Labs for information on testing, managing & treatment. 
Now is also a good time to make sure jabs are up to date to cover the season, backs and teeth pre-season maintenance.  Don’t forget ALL passports are HPA stamped to be covered for insurance.

An enormous thank you goes to Charles Coldrey our photographer who has covered our fixtures for the last year.  Please contact Charles directly if you’d like to buy any of his images.

2025 Membership Fees

Membership is now open for the 2025 season, including HPA outdoor membership that need to be updated on the HPA sports80 platform.

Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club - Full membership

Summer Season (April to September 2025) 
Membership fee: £1,250 - Professional players 2 goals and above £600.

Full membership benefits:

• Discounted entry fee on P&P’s and tournaments. 

• Club chukkas on Wednesday evening and on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

• Use of arena (when available)

• Use of stick and ball field.

• Use of canter track at Cam Park.

• Use of clubhouse facilities.

Non-members tournament entry fees will be of £250 inc umpire fees, and £ 110 for P&P’s.

Members tournament fees will remain at £200 per player inc of umpire fees, and £80 for P&P’s.

Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club - Cambridge Polo Academy - Academy membership - Under 18’s and Students on full time education. 

Summer Season (April to September 2025) 
Membership fee: £500

Academy membership benefits:

• Instructional chukkas/chukkas.

• 10% discount on Club merchandise.

• Use of arena (when available).

• Use of stick and ball field.

• Use of canter track at Cam Park.

• Use of clubhouse facilities.

Social Membership

Membership fee: £ 200

• Discount on all ticketed events and functions from The Chukka Club

• Access to club facilities, club house, and to Club tournaments and matches.

• 10% off on Club merchandising.

CNPC 2025 Fixture Calendar:

Our 2025 fixture list is now published and we hope to see you all on our polo events. Weather permitting, grounds will be open for Stick and ball on 12 April and chukkas will start on 16 April. Please keep Friday 9 May free for our opening season party.

Look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Very Best Wishes,

Directors:

Fabio Lavina : Andrew Burke : Bridgi Lavina : Clare Burke:

Cambridge & Newmarket Polo Club

Cam Park, Lode CB25 9HF