Sport
28 April, 2025
Easter polo enjoyed at Clifton
Over the Easter weekend, beautiful conditions saw the Downs Polo Club hosted its Club Tournament, with local teams going head-to-head in Clifton.
There was even a surprise visit from the Easter bunny!
The Downs Polo Club welcomed players from across the Darling Downs over the weekend for its Club Tournament, a feeder tournament to next weekend’s Eager’s Shield which has been contested for over 60 years.
The sun shone all weekend for the local teams, providing a spectacular setting for a spot of polo at the Clifton recreation grounds.
Sunday’s final saw the Downs Pursehouse Rural side, made up of players Jack Mantova, James Reid, Katie Porteous and Justin Rous, take on Downs Blue, consisting of players James Hoey, Declan O’Rourke, Cameron Byrne and Phillipa Gilmore.
The Downs Pursehouse Rural side held on to a steady lead throughout the match, pulling away in the final chukka to secure an 11 goal to 5 win over the Downs Blue side.
Over the weekend the Downs Polo Club also awarded the Pat MacGinley Memorial Prize for Champion Off the Track Thoroughbred for the Autumn polo season.
The prize was presented in memory of the late Pat MacGinley, a local polo player whose passion for polo and the Downs Polo Club is well remembered across the district.
The prize represents Pat’s commitment to off the track thoroughbreds and their retraining for the sport of polo, as well as the horsemanship and sportsmanship it takes to get them on to the polo field.
It was awarded to Eclipse (by Better Than Ready), owned and played by Downs Polo Club member, Declan O’Rourke.
Players will have a chance to secure silverware in one more tournament for the Autumn polo season at Clifton, in next weekend’s Eager’s Shield.
The season will then return to Clifton in June for the Cooke O’Leary Cup and again in July for a run of three tournaments, the Sapphire Shield, the Silvershop Bracelet and the prestigious Downs Shield.
- Jessica Rea
