Polo in the Park? We’d rather play at Dart!

The Durham Invitational Polo Tournament, May 2026

Day 1

The splendid spring sun, the last for a little while it seems, shone down on the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, home of the Dart Polo Club and Academy, and sanctuary of ‘DUPC’, Durham University’s Polo Club, as it prepared to host its second invitational tournament of the year.

The sound of summer grass polo, the strum of a guitar, hum of a harmonica, and the chorus of Wagon Wheel (DUPC’s anthem), sounded from the club’s various chariots, serenading everyone within 10km of the A1. The frostbitten toes and mulled wine of soggy winter polo were swapped for unlimited post-polo Pimm’s, and atrocious farmers tan lines (the trademark of any horseman or woman).

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural invitational at Dart, which celebrated Durham’s first year at Dart Polo, we welcomed budding players down all the way from St Andrews, with Glasgow also fielding teams, combined with players from Edinburgh, Nottingham and Newcastle.

Carefully scheduled two weeks before SUPA summer nationals, which for those less familiar with the superior variation of hockey (hockey on horseback) is comparable to ‘Super BUCS’. With nationals right around the corner, the largest and most high stakes tournament on the polo calendar for university students, bringing together over twenty universities from across the country, the Durham Invitational provided a unrivalled opportunity for 52 keen Durham players, of all abilities, with the opportunity to hone their skills; coordinating their neck shots and backhands, and well.. at least attempting the dreaded ‘nearside’.

The grass was freshly cut, marquee assembled, divots stomped, and ponies preened ready for a jam-packed weekend of university polo. But a Durham invitational certainly isn’t just for the polo players. Friends and family were warmly greeted by a mixologist, barbequed treats and cold coronas, keeping them refreshed and in high spirits ready to cheer and wave their home-made signs from the sidelines.

For many of those watching it was their first taste of somewhat ‘proper’ polo (unfortunately, no, it doesn’t count as watching polo if you’ve been to polo in the park, and occasionally lifted your head from your jug of Pimm’s when a goal is scored (sorry!!)), just with a few more swings and misses, but we prefer to keep it real – believe me, it’s harder than it looks!!

Stomachs rumbled after a hard day of hot chukkas, but before the evening could commence, we were treated to a spectacular 0-goal exhibition match between competitive Dart and Durham sides, featuring numerous talented players, comprised of present DUPC members, alumni and professionals alike.

Representing team Dart was Westminster University’s Neil Malaney (-2), former DUPC captain (’25) Lily Grimwade (-1), DUPC’s coach Danielle Blackwood (0), and Dart’s owner Ed Morris (2).

The equally fierce and skilful opposition was comprised of Imogen Longhurst (-1), fellow former DUPC captain (’23) Henry Morris (0), Anna Kinge (0) and DUPC’s own Hector Roytberg (1).

Intense chukkas unfolded, each team hurtled up and down the pitch, sibling rivalry peaking between the competitive Morris brothers, and a new generation gave the old timers a run for their money.

But as the sun set it was the Dart team who came out on top, wiping the floor with a 7-2 victory, inspiring our current generation of members and demonstrating what might be possible after their university days.

With ponies dismounted, washed off and put out to graze, a delicious Greek-style meal was devoured al-fresco under the cool evening air, and evening entertainment was in full swing, with a few bottles sank and the night danced away to the backdrop of a live band, with solos debuted by the club’s very own musicians Miles Packard and captain, James Dunford.

Day 2

The campsite, or more accurately ‘car site’ stirred, beauty sleep was caught on the backseats, or forty winks (probably far less) obtained vertically in the passenger seat of someone else’s parked car. McDonalds shuttles were made to refuel our athletes with cheesy bacon flatbreads, and caramel frappes, for a second, albeit slightly more lethargic day of polo.

For the club’s younger members, it was a 9am kick off, enabling the exec and returners to get their well-deserved beauty sleep, a rite of passage, after years of uncountable crack of dawn wakeups. But if there’s one strength of DUPC it’s the ability to play, probably even better than when well-rested, whilst sleep deprived and nursing a headache. Goal after goal was scored, with noticeable improvement in many players from the day before, with the referee even crowning the smoothest chukka of the weekend to the head-off between two of the the Upper Novice teams.

Chukkas were finished ahead of schedule, after a clockwork day of play, scores tallied, and prizes handed out, with Durham teams victorious in every category.

It was a fantastic weekend for all involved, from spectators to jockeys, beginner to more established players, and a chance to celebrate the close-knit environment that characterises DUPC. Gratitude must be extended to the clubs President and Captain, Amy Bell and James Dunford, not just for their organisation of a memorable invitational, but for their year-round support, inclusivity, and encouragement to all those thinking of picking up a mallet. The club is truly a family to so many, and we look forward to welcoming many new joiners next year!

By Lauren Hewett