Cable Beach polo roaring success

It was sadly missed after a 12 month hiatus, but polo on Cable Beach came back with a bang last weekend to stamp itself as one of the Kimberley’s most popular events.

Marilynne Paspaley’s Pinctada Cable Beach Polo provided a breath of fresh air for a town suffering from a downturn in tourism.

Everyone who was anyone rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers who flew into town from all parts Australia and the world.

Four matches were played over the two days, with Australia winning the grand finale against India on Sunday 4-3.

The Indians were represented by Major Vishal Chauhan, Gaurav Sahgal and Angad Singh — three of their country’s leading international polo players.

Ms Paspaley said sponsors were queuing up to put their brands on the event next year.

“This has been an interesting and truly satisfying journey because these two days have been worth every bit of,” she said.

“I look forward to planning the 2014 event, which will be staged on May 24-25 next year, and I know from the interest expressed by polo clubs around the world that this will become a highly competitive and much sought-after beach polo tournament.”

The tournament has also spawned a potential indigenous polo star of the future. Kimberley stockman Jimmy Long was awarded the inaugural Swan Valley Polo Club scholarship, which will see him work and train with the club in Perth for about three months.

“The intention is we will see Jimmy competing once again competing on the sands for the Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 2014 tournament,” Ms Paspaley said.