Photo by Lens & Hound Photography
Steph and I then went down to the round pen and started getting the horses ready for their match against the Mansfield Advisers at 4pm.
I spy a Cal Rei numnah
A quick pony swap and onto the third Chukka. I walked Boo off to get her breath back so while walking off I watched from the very side of the pitch. Not long after the whistle Jakeira scored again making it 3 to 1/2. Then great teamwork between Francis Molyneux and Phil Seller they scored again making it 4 to 1/2. The pressure was on the Buccaneers and to their credit they did score to bring the tally to 4 goals to Jakeira and 1 1/2 to the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers weren't going down without a fight, but with the earlier rain and the pitch a bit slippy, play was halted when Justin Bird for the Buccaneers pony slipped, legs went from underneath it, which threw Justin and then pony rolled over the top of him. Play was obviously halted and umpires and first aiders rushed onto the pitch to access the player. Much to his credit Justin walked it off and got back on, much to many applause from the viewers on the sidelines.
Not long after the whistle went to signal the end of the third chukka with Jakeira leading.
With nerves getting tenses and players getting tired it was final pony swaps and onto the forth and final chukka. With players having the accident fresh in their minds the last chukka was intense but not as quick. Jakeira keen to keep their lead, scored again, making their lead sizable.
After a foul from a Buccaneer, team Jakeira were given a penalty and up stepped team captain Carl Harris to take the shot. With a little less oomph than i'm sure he'd of liked Carl swung and hit the ball with it rolled into the goal, it counted and it was a goal and Jakeira were now firmly ahead at 6 goals to 1 1/2. Lot's of great defending by team Jakeira meant that Buccaneers were unable to score again and with final whistle blew meant they'd won their match.
I'm sure I can say that Jakeira were pleased with their win, they learnt a lot by working together and will discuss tactics for their next tournament match together.
They should be very proud with how they did and both matches were very exciting to watch.
All photos expertly taken by Michael Lake from Lens & Hound Photography
Onto the next one!
Sophie x
I'd been very kindly sent some more products to review by Smart Grooming so we had great fun sprucing polo ponies and making them look like they should be turned out for the show ring! They looked the best ponies of the field with French plaited tailed and glossed hocks, eyes and knees!
After tacking up the ponies and putting on the very fancy team numnah's they were all set.
The sun slowly started to come out, the heat rose and preparations for the match were underway. The team, made up of Phil Seller, Francis Molyneux, Jade Nunn, and Paul Clay looked effortlessly smart in their team kit and made their way onto the field.
Phil Seller, Paul Clay and Carl Harris
Jakeira started with a 1/2 goal advantage due to the goal difference between teams as Mansfield advisors had higher goal players.
The first chukka didn't quite go to plan as Francis got a stick in the face by the opposing team, resulting in a frustrating fat lip which isn't going to put anyone in the best frame of mind.
And with a couple of penalties just gone wide Jakeira started the the last 2 chukkas 1 goal down.
Third chukka went more to plan with the team working better. Loads of amazing blocking done by Jade keeping Victor well away from his 4 goal player Fabio, thus keeping him from feeding the ball to him to score. And Francis working well all the time to keep on Fabio at all times, making his life hard work on the pitch.
Into the last chukka and there's a 1/2 goal in it.
I'm watching from the sidelines walking off horses when I hear from the commentary box that Jakeira fly the ball from through the goal, and they're a goal ahead! I whoop to the ponies who probably think I'm mad!
Then as I turn the corner, they're back in play and Mansfield take the lead with a goal. Gutting but it's not over yet!
Then Jakeira score again..
It's all to play for and with only a few minutes left now and everyone is sweating and puffing in the muggy heat!
Then it happens, Mansfield score again, and again. There's hardly any time left on the stop watch to make up the difference..The horn sounds and it's all over. Mansfield win 8 to Jakeira's 6 1/2.
I'm gutted for them, but everyone played amazingly! There were some very obvious fouls missed by the umpires but a lot can be taken from this match and improved upon tomorrow..
Ponies are washed off, bandages rolled, tack put away and talk of tactics and what can be done different are chatted about over a BBQ and beers.
We watch the final match of the day and see that Jakeira will be up against the Buccaneers. Fingers crossed for day 2!
Day 2 - Jakeira vs The Buccaneers
The second day of the Graceland Tournament started with extremely muggy weather, over cast, hot and constantly threatening to rain. Jakeiras match was due at 3, just when we were due showers.
Ponies has been rested overnight and were tacked and ready to go. Umpires made their way onto the pitch followed by the teams, they lined up and the whistle blew to start the first chukka. Both teams were determined to try and score, riding off players and defend their goal against the opposing team so when the whistle blew to signal the end of the first chukka the Buccaneers were still on their 1/2 goal handicap advantage.
Second chukka commenced and with the whistle, the rain came. Not just a light drizzle bit proper rain. Worried for slipping ponies this chukka wasn't as fast, but having swapped onto fresh ponies and Jakeira being absolutely adamant to score this time the whole team worked together and within no time they scored not once, but twice. Leaving Jakeira 2 goals to Buccaneers starting of 1/2 goal.
Ponies has been rested overnight and were tacked and ready to go. Umpires made their way onto the pitch followed by the teams, they lined up and the whistle blew to start the first chukka. Both teams were determined to try and score, riding off players and defend their goal against the opposing team so when the whistle blew to signal the end of the first chukka the Buccaneers were still on their 1/2 goal handicap advantage.
Phil Seller and Francis Molyneux firmly holding off competition from the Buccaneers
Second chukka commenced and with the whistle, the rain came. Not just a light drizzle bit proper rain. Worried for slipping ponies this chukka wasn't as fast, but having swapped onto fresh ponies and Jakeira being absolutely adamant to score this time the whole team worked together and within no time they scored not once, but twice. Leaving Jakeira 2 goals to Buccaneers starting of 1/2 goal.
A quick pony swap and onto the third Chukka. I walked Boo off to get her breath back so while walking off I watched from the very side of the pitch. Not long after the whistle Jakeira scored again making it 3 to 1/2. Then great teamwork between Francis Molyneux and Phil Seller they scored again making it 4 to 1/2. The pressure was on the Buccaneers and to their credit they did score to bring the tally to 4 goals to Jakeira and 1 1/2 to the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers weren't going down without a fight, but with the earlier rain and the pitch a bit slippy, play was halted when Justin Bird for the Buccaneers pony slipped, legs went from underneath it, which threw Justin and then pony rolled over the top of him. Play was obviously halted and umpires and first aiders rushed onto the pitch to access the player. Much to his credit Justin walked it off and got back on, much to many applause from the viewers on the sidelines.
Not long after the whistle went to signal the end of the third chukka with Jakeira leading.
With nerves getting tenses and players getting tired it was final pony swaps and onto the forth and final chukka. With players having the accident fresh in their minds the last chukka was intense but not as quick. Jakeira keen to keep their lead, scored again, making their lead sizable.
After a foul from a Buccaneer, team Jakeira were given a penalty and up stepped team captain Carl Harris to take the shot. With a little less oomph than i'm sure he'd of liked Carl swung and hit the ball with it rolled into the goal, it counted and it was a goal and Jakeira were now firmly ahead at 6 goals to 1 1/2. Lot's of great defending by team Jakeira meant that Buccaneers were unable to score again and with final whistle blew meant they'd won their match.
Phil and Carl discussing the match after the whistle
I'm sure I can say that Jakeira were pleased with their win, they learnt a lot by working together and will discuss tactics for their next tournament match together.
They should be very proud with how they did and both matches were very exciting to watch.
All photos expertly taken by Michael Lake from Lens & Hound Photography
Onto the next one!
Sophie x
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