Stapleford Park Polo

The Stapleford Park Assam Cup 2007

Rutland Polo Club in Langham played host to one of the prestigious polo tournaments, The Stapleford Park Assam Cup.

The tournament attracted 8 strong teams from various counties around the UK including Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire. During the tournament, four teams manage to secure a place in the final round. The weekend was blessed with beautiful weather, seeing Rathbones, local team from Rutland winning the tournament defeating the Harlequins from Cheshire 5 to 3 ½ in the final. Third placing went to Beverley of Yorkshire defeating Stapleford Park of Leicestershire with a score of 8 to 3.

Kenneth Sharp, Hotel Manager of Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, presented the prizes. This is the third consecutive year Stapleford Park Country House Hotel is sponsoring the prestigious tournament to support the local sporting event. Steeped in history, the Assam Cup dates back to 1897 when it was originally commissioned as a challenged cup known as the ‘Sibsagar District Polo Challenge”. The cup came to British soil in 1975 courtesy of Mr and Mrs Leetham who, at that time, donated the cup to Rutland Polo Club.

During the day of the tournament, The Rainbows Charity took centre stage to raise money for their foundation. After a charity lunch, which attracted more than 200 people, an auction was held, helping to raise a staggering £17,000 for The Rainbows Charity on that day.

Stapleford Park has also kindly sponsored the marquee for the charity lunch. Rainbow’s is now 12 years old and continues to help over 250 families every year within the East Midlands. They provide palliative, respite and terminal care for children and their families. This year they their aim is to raise in excess of £2.4 million for the Hospice in order to remain open. Only 5 % of the money needed last year came from government funding.

Pictures from Assam Cup 2007

Email polo@stapleford.co.uk or call 07920 060 577 for more information on polo