Buenos Aires vs South Africa
(Photo : Karen Pilling)

Hola Amigos! Bienvenido 

They were hard to miss as they came through the arrivals hall - seven people loaded with stick bags, kit bags and suitcases - The BA Amigos ladies polo team had just landed from Argentina! 

Led by team manager, Mariano Etchevvery, and his fiancé, the BA ladies team of Natascha Baechar, Veronica Posse, Sofia Taylor and Anne Rodger, supported by Veronica’s husband Mattias arrived in South Africa on the 4th of June for a two-week tour. Their first weekend was spent in the Highveld, hosted by Nigel and Karen Pilling, Marius and Alida Vermaak, and the East Rand Polo Club. 

A mini tournament was held at East Rand with a view to encouraging as many new players as possible to join in and play with and against the BA ladies. The response from Highveld ladies was superb and at least nine newer from the Rocking Four and East Rand Clubs joined in, including Charlotte Bekker who flew all the way from Cape Town to play. 

On the Friday evening all the players were hosted by Ambassador Dr. Carlos Sersale di Cerisano at a cocktail party at the Argentinean Embassy in Pretoria. After the games on Saturday evening, everyone got to let out their musical (or not!) sides with drumming arranged at the club. This provided great entertainment and hilarity! On Sunday the Buenos Aires (BA) ladies polo team, representing Hartford House, took on the local ladies, representing Vuma Horse Feeds. It was a hard-fought game but under the talented captaincy of Sarah van Wyk, the Vuma SA team, of Candice Kane-Berman, Catherine Uys, Erin Jones and Sarah van Wyk, prevailed. The touring BA team then enjoyed the hospitality of the Macrae family at Horseback in Africa, near Cullinan, where they experienced close encounters of animal kind while walking with lion and riding in the bush. They also had a chance to visit the elephant sanctuary before spending a night at Oaklands Polo and Country Club at van Reenen. Chef Cathy’s dinner, especially the Corn Chowder, was a highlight of the trip.

Unfortunately, the very wet and cold weather during the week put paid to any chances of even playing arena polo, so the time at Oaklands was spent relaxing and staying warm! From Oaklands, the BA Amigos headed down van Reenean’s Pass into the rolling green hills of KwaZulu-Natal to spend a memorable afternoon and evening at Hartford House and Summerhill Stud near Mooi River. From viewing top stallions of the champion breeders, Summerhill Stud, to enjoying 5-star dining at the award winning Hartford House restaurant, the team was well rested and ready to play their final tournament on Friday morning. The Karkloof Classic ladies polo tournament, incorporated the BA Amigos into their four teams and this gave the BA ladies a chance to play with other SA ladies and try out horses for their match on Sunday. 

On Sunday the 14th of June, The BA ladies again took on the SA ladies (Sarah van Wyk, Candice Kane-Berman, Jean Hackland and Kate Robinson) in a tightly contested match enjoyed by many spectators while savouring champagne, cocktails and sushi sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Mumm Champagne. Although the BA ladies put up some strong opposition, the SA ladies were the eventual winners by two goals. The BA Amigos tour was a fun-filled two weeks for the visitors and all the SA girls who had an opportunity to play with and against them. Our Grateful thanks to all players and SAPA members who assisted with lending horses, vehicles and giving their time to make it such a success. Our very special thanks to all our sponsors who made this possible : Horseback Africa, Oaklands Polo and Country Club, Hartford House, Summerhill Stud, Vuma Horse Feed, Mumm Champagne, Absolut Vodka, La Martina and TWP.