We went to a polo match and the teams were called La Dolfina and Ellerstina.  It was the final of the Tortugas Cup. It was a baking hot day and we sat on tiered benches with no cover. Â
It was a very close match. The ponies galloped across the pitch trying to hit the ball. We were amazed how fast they went and how tightly they turned. Â
Sometimes the horses ‘bump’ each other to get the ball:
There are 4 players in each team. Â All the players in team Ellerstina are related, and 3 of them are brothers. Â La Dolphina is a mix of players. The 8 players on the field were all 10 goal (that is the highest handicap), and are in the top 10 skilled players in the world. Â
It got really close in the end and we were all shouting for the teams we wanted to win.  In the end the scores were 10:8 to Dolfinas. We were cheering for Ellerstina because for the last 6 years they have got in the same match as La Dofina and never won.  They didn’t win again this time but it was excitingly close.
After the match we went over to Ellerstina’s base and stroked one of the ponies.  They felt very oily and sweaty! Their tails got plaited and rolled up so that they could go faster without their tails getting in the way. Â
It was a really special experience to go and watch the match. Â
5 thoughts on “La Dolfina vs Ellerstina”
Dinnie
Goodness, that sounds really exciting, it must have been so frustrating for Ellerstina to get so close but lose again. Still , it will make them even more determined next time, to have got so near. If it was hot for you sitting still and shouting it must have been boiling for the players and ponies screeching round the field, but I expect they get too excited to notice. Thank you very much for telling us about it – and the excellent photos!
Grandpa Suffolk
Wow Bella, what a great day out. We used to bicycle from School to Windsor Great Park to watch the Polo on Sunday afternoons. I can remember what fun it was and how exciting. We did though have to leave our seats between Chuckas (have I spelt that right) and heel in all the divots in the grass that the ponies had kicked out, did you do the same? It did look amazing and it is such fun sharing your life with you all. Yes, I guess the ponies were really sweaty and sticky (almost “yuk” but not quite, they are ponies after all!) Brilliant photos and thanks for sharing this with us, Grandpa.
Matteo Marzano
What a nice report, and beautiful pics ! I think that Polo is the most funny riding game !
Thanks !
Auntie Heather
Wow how fun to go to a polo match. I used to be a polo pony groom and found the polo ponies were extraordinarily fit, you could see their muscles under their coats and their coats where always so glossy and beautiful. I really did enjoy taking care of them but I don’t think I would have been a good enough rider to play polo. Do you think you’ll play polo one day?
Charlotte
Wow – would love to hear more about what it was like to look after polo ponies. Where did you do that? We are going to try to learn to play a little tomorrow for my birthday treat – can’t wait!