"More new blood - Less blue blood"

Club Professional Biographies

2007 was a truly wonderful year with this award being its highlight. I feel that there was a certain irony in collecting it, as only six months earlier I had collected my first Polo trophy, for ’Crash of the Year’ on the very same stage! I remain convinced that whoever counted the votes must have possessed the same mathematical skills as the Floridian muppets that put Bush in power. Well, at least I am only a danger to myself!

I have to be careful when recalling my introduction to polo as I do not wish to appear to be a selfish pig. Clearly I am not a pig and of course this is a family hobby! My daughter has ridden from age two, and has, since that tender age maintained a childhood fascination with horses. Personally I couldn’t see it. I found horses as appealing as licking frogs. 

In 2006 my wife felt that we should visit Sussex Polo to watch the kids at Pony Club. With some predetermined ideas about polo I had expected to meet lots of Rupert’s and a few princes, as lets be honest, I believed the sport justified a reputation for being up its own bottom. The reality could not have been further from this supposed truth! On this first Friday evening I watched dozens of kids from all kinds of normal backgrounds having a wail of time. Jealousy took over and, even though my daughter was at that stage uninterested in polo, I felt it was appropriate ( so as not to waste a good Friday night) to take her place. Feeling rather daft I approached Sallie Anne (SPC Boss Lady) to see if I could ever have a go and amazingly she said absolutely anyone could.  

So off I popped for my first lesson with Harry Tucker, the club professional. For someone so young he has the ‘gift’ with his teaching that inspires and convinces you that you really can and will play polo. I was hooked and at the end of that first day had exchanged a bulge in my wallet for a new bulge of excitement elsewhere!

It felt as if no sooner had I started than the season had drawn to an end. Fortunately I had found Arena Polo to see me through the winter. I had more lessons from an array of other coaches and then booked an Argentina Polo School. That trip became my “I get this” moment. Despite the pleasures of a family holiday in a culture I greatly envied, the sweet moment of understanding the pleasure of living around horses appeared. The penny had dropped. I saw the part of their character that makes the game so unique and so beautiful. Yes, there may be eight over-excited men/women on the pitch but to truly understand the contribution to the game that the horses make, you really have to try it yourself. They make the game and I can honestly say that some horses actually play it for you. Anyway, we retuned with saddles and our first two ponies, unknowingly there were actually three as one was pregnant and as the Argentines say “too forr de price of one, how lucky”! Argentina can give you in two weeks what a season in England can give you and I do feel lucky to have had the experience. If you want to fastrack this is the only way.

So back I came to SPC in 2007 with a new season, new horses, new boots, and some misplaced confidence. This was when I started to fall, and with rhythmic regularity and little grace but to the sounds of my wife’s applause- slightly worrying, that. At first I felt I had come down with narcolepsy but soon realised that my riding skills were still severely deficient. This is where Nick Clague steps in, a young blonde guy bursting with good looks, personality and talent – makes you sick!

Shortly afterwards, I made him a commitment to be the team Pro all season. He has become a great friend to our family and we are very fond of him. He, and others, gave so much time to me on the field, and in the pub, where they tirelessly told me about tactics, rules and gave me tips. I learn like I drink, in great quantities but then can’t remember a bloody thing the next day so it takes the patience of a saint to teach me.

For reasons of space I cannot pick out the many other people that have helped me. I must mention Mario and all our Argentine friends that create such a unique character at this club and all the staff at SPC whom I know work so hard to make it all happen.

I have many highlights from last year’s season. Winning the Champagne Jacquart tournament, having my handicap moved up but this award takes the biscuit. Thank you to all who voted for me. To those who didn’t, you may be proved to be more sensible than those that did. To the founders of SPC, thank you for providing this club.

If my ramblings inspire you a little bit, I suggest you come and watch. On a sunny day there is little better to do than to bring a picnic, some cold beer or wine and then sit back and enjoy. It will only be a matter of time before you will want to give it a go. The biggest danger in life is not taking the adventure.  Leave those predetermined ideas at home and live a little. If I can do it anyone can!

How long have you been playing polo?

I started learning to play polo in 2004 and it took a whole season of learning the game before I was let loose in competitive tournaments. 2007 will be my third full playing season.

What handicap are you?

I have recently had my handicap raised to a minus one player, although like everyone who is new to the sport, I started at the bottom level of minus two or ‘S’.

How were you introduced to the sport?

Back in 2003 I worked for an asset management company in the City of London. The department I worked in used to go on team building days which were hosted by the firm. These corporate days ranged from treasure hunts through London to attending seminars on team productivity. However possibly the best team building day I ever took part in was a ‘learn to play polo’ day. The format of the day was for everyone to learn the basics of how you swing a polo stick, the basic shots and how to ride and control a polo pony. The day ended with a mini chukka pitching one team against another. Everyone was pleased with how the day panned out. After having this basic introduction to the sport, I decided that I wanted to have another go. I got in touch with Sussex Polo Club, which is obviously very near to London and easy to get to, and had some group and private lessons to start, and then moved on to instructional chukkas and finally ended that year with my first club tournament.

What do enjoy most about polo?

Polo is unlike any sport I have played before. They say it is the fastest ball game in the world and when you are on horseback it is quite easy to believe. You need to be competent rider, have a good understanding of the game and know how to hit the ball effectively – I hasten to add, none of which I am any good at. The game is both mentally and physically demanding as you have to think about tactics as well as having the strength to control the horse. I am convinced that you could play the game for 50 years and still not have mastered it and that is the appeal for me; you can always do better!

What do you enjoy about Sussex Polo Club?

I have visited other polo clubs both as a player and spectator. However I have yet to find a club that is as welcoming as Sussex Polo Club. I think it is quite a unique setup in that Sussex Polo Club have managed to attract a friendly and supportive membership base which is obvious to many people who come to the club. Although the club has been very successful and has grown in size over the four years I have been there, the typical Sussex Polo Club member has remained the same. For me, playing in an informal, fun and friendly setting is important.

What was your favourite moment in 2006?

2006 was a year of mixed results on the polo field. I started the year playing a tournament on a team where we didn’t score one goal whilst the opposing team went in to double digits. To the opposite, I ended the year on a high by playing on a team which won the lower league Terrence Lent Trophy. However the crowning moment for 2006 was winning the Player of the Year award at the end of season party. It was something that I genuinely didn’t expect and would like to thank to everyone who voted for me to win.

And finally, what do you want to achieve in 2007?

2007 for me will be about having fun and enjoying myself. Hopefully I will improve my polo and I aim to win a few tournaments.

“I began playing polo when my wife bought me a lesson for a surprise birthday present in 2003. This was at Landfall House-pre Sussex Polo Club. I was instantly addicted, riding Chocco against the polo pro’s pony. I soon wanted a faster pony and somehow managed to steal Montana (she was like driving a Ferrari after driving a mini) from under Sallie-Anne’s nose, who has since been stolen from me by my wife.

By the next season Sussex Polo Club had been born and I decided I wanted to be a ten goal player! By the end of that season I had bought a lorry and another pony (not from Sussex ) which can only be described as a pain in the backside.

She would always try to kick me when putting her studs in and when I eventually got on her the blasted thing wouldn’t stop! I spent a whole season believing that she would come as good as Montana -but it never happened. That pony got the blame for me not becoming a ten goaler, but it did bring me back to reality.

I have such fond memories of evenings spent at Landfall in the early days getting very drunk and planning the way forward, which included getting rid of that pony! I then bought Rosaura from Memo-the perfect pony to make a man feel he is so much better than he really is. Before I knew it another season was over but we had a holiday at Memo’s farm in Argentina to look forward to.

The holiday was fantastic and we brought back two more ponies, an Argentinean puppy and a groom-we were set for the next season. The 2005 season was fantastic for me apart from being out of action for a few weeks from a dislocated shoulder which was so frustrating. Over the past three years we have made some fantastic friends through polo and I feel there are now so many good players at Sussex . I would like to thank everyone that voted for me as “Player of the Year” as I feel that there are a good many people that should have won it. I would also like to thank all the boys at Sussex who work so hard behind the scenes and who bend over backwards to help you if you have a problem.” David Revell November 2005