Loads of horse power
INANDA – A drag hunt and horse vs car race entertain guests at polo tournament.
This year’s Cell C Inanda Africa Cup had all the polo a fan could ask for, as well as some surprises.
While the continent’s best players of the sport saddled up their horses at Inanda Club on 16 June, the Rand Hunt Club conducted a drag hunt demonstration.
First, a rider dragged a cloth bearing the scent of jackal faeces on a route around the field. When the hounds were let loose five minutes later they worked as a team, using their ‘cry’ to communicate with each other and follow the scent accurately from start to finish, to the applause of all in attendance.
After this, a horse versus machine race was held. Polo manager at the club, Craig James raced on one of his fastest horses against drivers of a BMW Z4 across the length of the field.
While the horse got off to a quick start, the car caught up and it was deemed a tie when they reached the finish line.
So the horse and car turned around and raced the length of the field again, but this time the horse was warmed up and, with the car perhaps struggling for grip on the grass in the beginning again, the horse gained such a lead it could not be caught, and won easily.
It was then time for the polo. The theme for the event was #ArtandAfricanSpirit and many spectators dressed accordingly. As they sat back with a glass of something tasty, they watched players from across Africa give their all for glory.
Titan Law Zimbabwe won the overall tournament.
“This prestigious annual event on the polo calendar will see some great polo from the continent’s most exceptional polo players as well as development players,” said Inanda Club general manager, Paul Oosthuizen, in his welcome address.
“Over the years, together with associations with numerous sponsors and partners, we have grown this polo tournament extensively and we envisage an even greater growth margin in size and visibility with our new partnership with Cell C.”
