Breathing in the heady smells of leather and hay whilst listening to the sounds of horses as they await their moment of glory, you could easily forget you’re just nine miles from the bustle of central London. Yet this is Ham Polo Club, the last surviving pre-war polo club in London.

Set in 23 acres of glorious Surrey countryside, Ham is one of London’s most historic sporting clubs. Starting life in 1926 it has become one of the most respected polo clubs in the UK, offering a packed calendar of matches and events for both its members and the general public.

The 2019 season was hugely successful for Ham Polo Club, attracting record breaking crowds the clubhouse was regularly alive with members and players enjoying the incredible summer weather.

They say the sweetest victories are won against the oldest adversaries so there was great excitement as a match was organised between Hurlingham and Ham as part of the Hurlingham Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The teams would play for the prestigious Hurlingham Perpetual Challenge Cup, a trophy which has resided in the polo bar at Hurlingham for the last 107 years and held in such high regard and value that it arrived at Ham with its own security team.

It came as no surprise that a storming match ensued, both teams focused on being only the second winners to lay claim to this historic piece of silverware.

With the scores still even in the fourth chukka the packed clubhouse were left in suspense until the final few minutes. A last minute goal from Ed Courage for Hurlingham was the winning move and secured victory for the visitors.

Played for since 1902, The Roehampton Cup is one of the oldest trophies in the UK and Ham’s Victor Ludorum. Under glorious clear blue skies of the August Bank Holiday weekend, spectators were witness to an action packed day of polo in the sweltering sun, with team Cani celebrating the victory in 2019.

Other highlights of the season have been the Friday Night Polo Parties, offering live music and food these popular events give visitors and members a chance to let their hair down and kick off the weekend in style. Ladies Day brought a dash of style and glamour in the form of a fashion show, whilst not to be outdone, Ham Polo Club’s Gentlemen’s Day was packed with competition and a Penny Farthing polo match – the first of its kind!