a. Introduction
Polo falls under the direct jurisdiction of the Polo Captain whose duty is to improve the standard of polo at the Club, arrange tournaments and Club Cups, ensure that the ground is maintained in as good a condition as possible, and try to make sure that all players get as much and as enjoyable polo as their respective standards permit.
The Constitution states that:
“The Captain shall, subject to the Committee’s direction, control the play on practice days and generally shall have the management of the play, ponies and players, on the field, and be responsible for the enforcement of the regulations governing polo.”
No member may start to play polo without passing the Polo Test, or in the case of visitors and members who already play polo when they become members, without the express approval of the Polo Captain or his nominee.
b. Conditions for Club Cups
(i) Club Polo Cups
Every reasonable effort should be made for a date to be selected when the greatest possible number of players of the type specified for a particular cup are available. There are constraints of time and circumstances; the weather being an overall imponderable.
a. Internal (Domestic) Tournament Club Cups and their playing conditions, which must be followed as closely as possible, are in:
1. MYRA CUP
Presented by Messrs J H Dredge, J M Sasoon and R S Motier in 1936; to be played for yearly, as an American Tournament.
Conditions:
(a) Teams to consist of members who play regularly at the Club.
(b) Each player is limited to one pony, which may only be changed by sanction of the tournament committee.
(c) Each match limited to two chukkas.
(d) The number of teams accepted and the standard of teams accepted to be at the discretion of the Polo Captain.
2. ISMAIL (SENIOR) CUP
Presented by H H the Tunku Mahkota, Johore in 1947 to be played for under the same conditions as for the MYRA CUP.
3. (ERNEST KEENE CUP)
Presented by E E Keene in 1951 to be played for yearly by the two highest handicapped teams in the Club.
Conditions:
(a) Teams to consist of members who play regularly at the Club.
(b) Each player limited to two ponies which may only be changed by sanction of the tournament committee.
(c) Each match to consist of four chukkas.
4. ROYAL ARTILLERY CUP
Presented by Brigadier J M Hailey D S O in 1956. Originally to be played for between a team representing the S R Saddle Club and a team representing the Singapore Polo Club under the same conditions as the ERNEST KEENE CUP. Since the closing of the R A Saddle Club, the cup is played under the same conditions as the ERNEST KEENE CUP.
5. RUNME SHAW CUP
Presented by Tan Sri Runme Shaw in 1969 to be played for yearly; either
(a) Under the conditions of the ERNEST KEENE CUP; or
(b) As a four-chukka match, players limited to two ponies, between a club team and an invitation team or amongst club teams and invitation teams.
(c) Where possible to be played in conjunction with the Singapore Pesta Sukan.
6. (WONDERSCOUT CUP)
Presented by Mrs. P G Baker in 1974. To be played for yearly amongst teams of members who play regularly at the Club and are in the medium range of Club handicaps. Particularly to include those excluded from the high handicap and low handicap Club Cups.
Conditions:
Either
(a) To be played as a “knock-out” tournament amongst four teams. Each match limited to two chukkas and each player limited to one pony,
or
(b) If 16 eligible players are not available to be played as a four chukka match between two teams; each player limited to two ponies.
or
(c) To be played between two teams as a two chukka match; each player limited to one pony.
(d) Not to be played as League or American Tournament.
7. PENDEKAR CUP
Presented by Brian Kelly in 1968 to encourage young players; to be played for yearly between two teams selected by the Polo Captain comprising the eight youngest players in the Club who are, in his opinion, ready for tournament polo.
Conditions:
(a) The match to be played under the same conditions as the ERNEST KEENE CUP if a majority of the players eligible have two ponies.
(b) Otherwise to be played under the same conditions but as a two chukka match with players being limited to one pony.
(c) If played under (a) above, those not having two ponies may substitute so as to make up a four chukka match.
8. NORTH JUNIOR CUP
Presented by Bill North in 1971 to encourage young players; to be played for yearly under the same conditions as the PENDEKAR CUP.
9. DE SILVA CUP
Presented by B.P.De Silva & Co in 1955 to be played by two teams selected by the Polo Captain comprising the eight lowest handicap members of the Club who are, in his opinion, ready for tournament polo.
Conditions:
(a) The match to be played under the same conditions as the ERNEST KEENE CUP if a majority of the players eligible have two ponies.
(b) Otherwise to be played under the same conditions, but as a two-chukka match with players being limited to one pony.
10. ISMAIL (JUNIOR) CUP
Presented by H H Sir Ismail Tunku Mahkota D.K., S.P.M.J., K.B.E., C.M.G. in 1955 to be played for under the same conditions as for the DE SILVA CUP.
11. (PIXTON CUP)
Presented by Colonel A G Pixton, United States Military Attache, in 1959. To be played for yearly under the same conditions as the DE SILVA CUP.
Other Polo Cups:
1. MONGOLIA SHIELD
This trophy was presented by the late Mr. Chua Wan Hin. Wan Hin was a tremendous character and good polo player.
The trophy was presented to be competed for as often as possible between two teams of no more than a two-goal handicap difference. Pony power decides the number of chukkas in the match but each pony must play two chukkas. The winning team can be challenged by any other team of no more or less than a two-goal handicap difference.
2. ARGENTINE CUP
To be competed for against visiting teams on conditions to be determined by the Polo Captain.
3. VICTOR’S CUP
To be played for at the discretion of the Polo Captain.
4. THAI CHAY CUP
Presented by Thai Chay, the Club’s fodder supplier for many years. To be played for at the discretion of the Polo Captain.
5. SYCES’ CHALLENGE CUP
6. TENGKU MAHKOTA PAHANG PLATE
7. BEAUJOLAIS CUP
Presented by J P Poelmans in 1988.
8. MERCEDES BENZ CUP
9. SINGAPORE MALAYAN AMATUER RACING ASSOCIATION CUP
10. CENDERMAKA SHIELD
International Tournament Challenge Cups:
In order of “seniority”, these are :
1. Rolex Gold Cup
2. Rolex International Cup
3. MacDougal Cup
4. Jumabhoy Cup
Presented by R Jumabhoy, CBE, MCH, JP in 1967
5. Turf Club Plate
Presented by the Singapore Turf Club in 1959
6. Mackray Cup
Presented by the Selangor Turf Club in 1922.
The Rolex Gold Cup, donated by Rolex is normally played for in the “A” Division of our International Tournaments.
The Mackray Cup is a challenge cup to be played for after the conclusion of our annual International Tournament on a “North versus South” basis if possible or, if not, at the discretion of the Polo Captain.
General Club Cups for Polo
1. The Woodroffe Cup for the Most Improved Player of the polo season.
2. The XV. XIX King’s Royal Hussars Challenge Cup for Best Trained Polo Pony of the season.
3. Club Cup for the Best Turned Out Polo Pony and Syce.
Other Club Cups
1. Tent Pegging Plate
Presented by Rory Cochrane-Dyet, Mike Palmer and John Turner in 1962.
2. Inventory of Cups
The cups must not be removed from the Clubhouse except with the express orders of the General Manager.