Dear Members
I had promised you all fun and "mix and match polo" for the two weeks starting the 1st March. I had planned to be away for the Millamolong weekend on 16th & 17th which is on - and now due to the weather I can't come to the basin till the 18th March. Our original program still stands from the 18th March till 6th April – again, weather permitting. And as you know, polo happens all year round at Muddy Flatts. That is what we are about.
I am now also planning a Club Week starting Tuesday 20th May. I will organise for rated players to form the backbone of our Club Week. It will give all full members the opportunity to play with quality players. Currently I am considering organising the Peru Polo Club (The Gabriel and Gonsalas and perhaps another to visit) and the week to have a Peruvian theme. There will be a variety of events that we all can participate in. We are a Club and I am keen to do my best to deliver what I intended - all of which would have happened but for the weather.
I am hoping all members will get behind this. In the past (with the exception of 2012) this has been a great time of year to play polo. It is a time when there are enjoyable activities associated with polo that I have learnt in my over 50 years of playing.
I was never a very good player, but that is the point; there is so much more to polo than a tournament-based program shows you. Fact is, I don't want this spate of bad weather to in any way defeat what we are all about. Fun but competitive polo mixed in with other skills-based activities for everyone - across all levels. We may even have a period day and do the movie. I will give the players (the pros) and horses and ideas but we all need to pull in and work together if we are to succeed.
In addition to Club week, we will do all we can to make our Spring plans run to plan. I intend to see the momentum we have all created continue.
I also want to recognise the contribution Andrew Williams is making. Among other things, his Kings School Coaching Clinic is also what Muddy Flatts is about. Getting new young players into the sport. The boys are progressing at a great rate. This is what our sport needs to make sure it has a future.
Wal Ashton