World-class polo at Kaipaki event
New Zealand’s world-class polo players, along with an Australian and an Irishman will showcase their talent at Kaipaki on Friday night.
Christmas at the Mystery Creek Polo Club, 419 Kaipaki Road, features a curtainraiser at 4.30pm, followed by the main game between Mystery Creek (Kit Brooks, Alan Browne, Jack Archibald, Hamish Ormand) and Delaval (Simon Keyte, Nick Keyte, Dean Fullerton, Thomas Hunt) at 5.30pm.
Event organiser, Simon Keyte has no doubt that the teams for the annual Christmas Charity Polo are as good as any previous year.
Teams for the curtainraiser match will be captained respectively by Paul and Edward Kay, well known local sporting identities.
New Zealand based Australian brothers Ross and Kel Ainsley will show off not only their polo skills but also their world-renowned polo ponies which they develop here in New Zealand and sell all around the world.
Another drawcard for the early game will be Lord Beresford’s son, Marcus Beresford whose grandfather, the Marquis of Waterford, was a pioneer of Irish polo.
Marcus will also commentate the main game. He represented Ireland against New Zealand two years ago at the International Day at Kihikihi. The Beresford family has played polo worldwide.
“Don’t be late. The curtainraiser will be a ripper of a game,” says Keyte.
Australasia’s best player, John Paul Clarkin, will not feature in the main game for his beloved Mystery Creek team due to commitments in Argentina. He has been replaced with the best young player from Australia, Jack Archibald whose skills and hitting should enthral all who attend.
Allan Browne, from the Cambridge farming and equine business scene, will play alongside Archibald, Kit Brooks and Hamish Ormand.
Brooks’ quick stickwork and excellent ponies are always a drawcard. Ormand will be making his debut appearance in the annual Christmas event. He played for New Zealand against South Africa.
Keyte says he is looking forward to leading his team sponsored by Delaval in the main game.
“While still playing in the UK and Australia, our own Christmas event is special. Locals have a real appreciation of the horses and riders compared to many countries — little wonder with equine and agriculture so strong in our immediate local areas.”
Keyte has invited his brother Nick, to join him in the team. Nick manages and plays these days in New Zealand and Australia.
“He is a marvellous horseman and will have many supporters on the night.”
Another regular to Mystery Creek is Thomas Hunt, Simon’s cousin, one of New Zealand and Australia’s top marquee players and a regular test player for NZ the past decade.
Dean Fullerton rounds out the Mystery Creek line-up. From a well-known local farming and sporting family, Fullerton (20) has already featured for New Zealand in test matches and has played in USA and Australia. Coached by Simon Keyte since he was 14, Fullerton is a future star of NZ polo.
Beneficiaries from this year’s Christmas Polo Charity night will be the O¯ haupo¯ Sport and Recreation Centre project and jockey Maija Vance who has spent the last few months at the Spinal Unit in Auckland after a racing accident.
“Hopefully, Maija can be with us on Friday night,” said David Fullerton, president of Mystery Creek Polo Club. “We will support Maija in any way we can to assist her with any rehabilitation needs.”
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