Sport
17 July, 2025
Sapphire Shield Success at Downs Polo
The 2025 Sapphire Shield was played the Downs Polo Club over the weekend, marking the start of the 130th anniversary celebrations for the club, being the first of the three scheduled tournaments in July.
Ten teams converged at the Clifton Showgrounds to contest three grades of polo and the coveted Sapphire Shield, provided by the Fisher family.
Perfect conditions blessed the players who took to the field over the weekend, and as the sun shone, play got underway at the local polo club.
By Sunday the stage was set for a thrilling finals day.
Spectators lined the sideline ready for the polo action.
The B grade and C grade finals were round-robin competitions which continued from the previous day’s play.
In the C grade competition, local side Downs Blue made up of players, Sam Kenny, Sandra Carder, Bianca Coventry and Eduardo Cúneo, were victorious over visiting
sides North Star II and Beaudesert.
In the B grade competition, it would be visiting side Elegant Thoroughbreds, consisting of players Craig Holman, Casey Jackson, Barry Jackson and Charlie Field who would come out on top, victorious over local sides Downs Webster Cavanagh and Downs Hooper Accountants.
The A grade final was a gripping tussle between local side Downs Pursehouse Rural and visiting side Colliers.
Throughout the game it seemed to be anyone’s match as the first chukka ended on a level score.
Downs Pursehouse Rural was able to creep ahead in the ensuing chukka and a half before a strong finish from the Colliers side saw the team ahead on the scoreboard as the final whistle blew.
It would be visiting side Colliers made up of players Simon Beirne, Graham Mann, Charlie Field and Wayne Glennie, who lifted the 2025 Sapphire Shield on Sunday.
Pony prizes were awarded to the best ponies on ground over the weekend.
B grade team of ponies was awarded to Casey Jackson by pony judge Mike Williams, who also handed the B grade pony prize to Damian Allport and Aurora.
A grade team of ponies was awarded to James Hoey, followed by the A Grade Champion Pony awarded to Wayne Glennie and his mare Nina.
UPCOMING POLO
Spectators are welcome at any tournaments throughout the polo season, with upcoming tournaments including the Silvershop Bracelet on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July and the Downs Shield on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July.
But if you were to pick just one, mark your calendar for the Picnic at the Polo on Saturday 26th July, part of the Downs Shield tournament.
The Picnic at the polo will celebrate 130 years of polo on the Downs with country polo on show, alongside fashions on the field and the all-important divot stomp!
The day will get underway at 10am at the Clifton Showgrounds so pack your picnic blanket and head on down for a great day of polo action.
-Jessica Rea
