POLO PONIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17978, 25 March 1930, Page 8

POLO PONIES.

SIXTY LEAVE FOR FEILDING, SAVILLE CUP TOURNAMENT. Sixty polo ponies, valued at over £2OOO, were consigned to Feilding last 'night to be used in the annual Saville Cup tournament by three teams of polo players from Te Aroha, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Matangi and Waimai. It is considered unlikely that all these ponies will return to the Waikato, as tempting offers will no doubt be made for them after the tournament. In the past local ponies have commanded up to 150 guineas, illustrating the possibilities of breeding on the right lines. The consignment that left last evening is considered to be perhaps the best that has ever left the Waikato. Polo is becoming increasingly popular in certain parts of the world, and it was only a deflation in wool values that prevented an Australian team from visiting New Zealand this year. The possibilities of breeding polo ponies have been realised by an Englishman, who recently purchased an estate near Auckland for this purpose. There is every likelihood of a big polo tournament being held in the Waikato in the near future, when the cream of New Zealand ponies should he seen in action. PERMANENT CENTRAL GROUND A WAIKATO PROPOSAL. TROTTING CLUB'S OFFER. (By Telegraph—Special to Times.) CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. 4 The question of securing a permanent central polo tournament ground for the province has been under consideration by the Provincial Association for some time. Following consideration at the provincial tournament recently held at Te Aroha, when one enthusiast offered to donate £IOO towards the cost of preparing a ground if a suitable site could be obtained, a committee was set up to inspect likely areas. This inspection has been carried out during the last few days, areas being inspected at Hamilton and Cambridge. Finally Hie committee met the Cambridge Trotting, Club, when it was decided lo recommend to the provincial association that the Trotting Club's offer of a lease of 18 acres in the centre of the local racecourse for a number of years, with the right of renewal for a further 21 years, subject to revaluation be accepted. * The ground is well situated. It is J anticipated that- it will cost £350 to bring it up to the standard required, for provincial, also the Savile Cuptournament play. Subject to the Auckland Associa*. lion’s confirmation of the proposal i> will be sent on to the New Zealand polo Association for approval.