Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day – Wallace Ashton.
© Hannah Brooks
“Build it and they will come”, the line made famous by Keven Costner in the 1989 film, Field of Dreams could well be the inspiration for Goulburn resident and founder of the Muddy Flatt’s Polo Club, Wallace Ashton’s ambitious plan to bring polo back to the bush.
“Polo has gotten away from its grass-roots in Australia and we must enable more people to play. The sport has lost its connection with the community because we just don’t ride horses like we used to’, Wallace said.
In his quest to revive bush polo, Wallace has built a no-frills polo field in the centre of rural Goulburn. Taking us all back to a time where community polo fixtures were the centrepiece of country life.
The Ashton family have a rich history with the game of polo and deep ties to the Southern Tablelands.
Wallace’s father was a founding member of the Goulburn Polo Club and one of Australia’s first polo internationals. Taking a team of twenty-five horses by boat to England, and then later to the USA in the 1920’s.
“Ninety-eight years later I’m trying to get another type of Polo going, a far more accessible form of polo. With Polo 3’s we don’t need a beautiful playing field, we can play on a sheep paddock like they used to. When you come and watch us play it will be exciting and we can live with the bounce”, Wallace said.
Wallace is campaigning to popularise the sport with his Polo 3’s initiative – an exciting, fast and furious derivative of the game. Hoping the spread of Polo 3’s will encourage participation in club polo for a whole new generation of riders who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to try polo.
“I designed the new Polo 3’s concept around the polocrosse model. The idea being you need less horses and expenses are far lower to encourage new players to polo.”, Wallace said.
Wallace plans on using his new facility in Goulburn to showcase the Polo 3’s format and will debut his bush “Polo Field of Dreams” at the Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day.
This charity event will honour polo international, Robert Bell and his mission to raise awareness and funds for MS Research Australia.
The day will be a festival of equestrian pursuits with Robert’s sons and nephew, Henry Bell, Sinclair Bell and Ed Archibald playing for Goulburn, taking on the Muddy Flatts team of Wallace Ashton, Henry Jones and Guy Higginson in the main match of the day.
If you would like to witness Polo 3’s or experience bush polo firsthand, all in the name of a good cause then attend the Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day Saturday October 6.
L to R: Wallace Ashton, Robert Bell, and Sam.
AUSTRALIA’S TOP POLO FAMILIES SADDLE UP TO FIGHT MS
The Bell, Ashton and Archibald polo families are banding-together to raise awareness and funds for MS Australia at a charity polo match in Goulburn, NSW, this October.
Goulburn local, Wallace Ashton with be hosting the Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day in honour of fellow resident, Robert Bell, and his brave battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Generations of the Bell, Ashton and Archibald families have played for the Goulburn Polo Club and the Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day will honour Robert Bell’s contribution to the sport while celebrating the club’s rich history with the Goulburn community.
Fresh from their recent success at the Mongol Derby, Henry Bell, Sinclair Bell and Ed Archibald will play for Goulburn, taking on the Muddy Flatts team of Wallace Ashton, Henry Jones and Guy Higginson.
Founder of the Muddy Flatts Polo Club, Wallace Ashton, said “the Kiss Goodbye to MS Polo Day will be a nod to yesteryear, a time where community polo fixtures were a central feature of country life, even though many of the Goulburn players have gone on to play internationally”.
“It’s always families that support a sport and we enjoy the rivalry of playing each other as a family in polo. My Dad started playing here in 1920. Although it’s a pretty rough old field, that’s what we used to play.
“We’re want to invite you all and give you a wonderful day as a contribution to MS Australia, because Rob has always been a great supporter of the game”, Wallace said.
The Polo community has been touched by MS and inspired by Robert’s attitude towards the disease.
“Rob has shown so much courage and such a great attitude for someone with a debilitating sickness. I’m so impressed with him – it’s an opportunity for some of us who have been really lucky in life to be able to do one small thing to support him”, Wallace said.
The event will showcase the sport’s latest innovation, a modified ‘Polo 3s’ format and will provide an opportunity for equestrian enthusiasts to experience this fast and furious derivative of the game, firsthand.
Pack a picnic and support a great cause while enjoying a day of fantastic polo and family fun.
Help the Polo community Kiss Goodbye to MS.
When: From 11am Saturday October 6 2018
Where: The Health Hub, 37 Ross St Goulburn 2580
Who: Goulburn vs. Muddy Flatts
Time: First match starts at 11am, main match at 2.45 pm, with festivities kicking on until 8pm.
Parking: Directions will be provided at the gate, with car boot spots available with pre-bookings.
Buy tickets or donate: HERE
Contact: Hannah Brooks on hannah@hannahbrooks.com.au
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