Fri 22nd Jan 2016FIP Snow Polo World Cup ImminentTianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club to Host 14-16 Goal Snow Polo Tournament Between 25 – 31 January 2016 Tianjin Goldin Metropilitan Polo Club will be hosting the Snow Polo World Cup endorsed by The Federation of International Polo. With a last minute endorsement from the FIP after much toing and froing, cancelling and un-cancelling the tournament is on, leaving six countries to scramble together teams and the FIP to send officials to coordinate the last minute tournament. The FIP’s Tournament Director Peter Abisheganaden is thrilled to have the tournament back up and running, writing on his blog, “It’s hard to believe we are actually doing it after the twists and turns. I’m glad to be doing it as the Snow Polo has been a very good tournament. Mr Pan [Hon. Vice President Mr Pan Su Tong of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club] has been a fantastic supporter of polo and I am happy that FIP has shown him face. It was the right thing to do.” Peter Abisheganaden will be joined by official Steve Evans, Qubilai Alam, John Fischer and Karen Gan. Quickly assembled teams from England, France, Hong Kong China, Argentina, Chile and Canada must now head to Tianjin to take part in what has previously been a successful and fun tournament. Horses, players, coaches and managers will be logging many air miles as they wend their way to snowy Tianjin in eastern China, with the start of the tournament just days away. An all-England line-up includes some of Britain’s best and brightest with Jack Richardson, George Meyrick and Alastair Paterson competing for their nation, while Henry Fisher will be playing for the Hong Kong, China team with back up from John Fisher and James Harper in as reserves. The FIP Snow Polo World Cup teams: Argentina (14): Bautista Arrastua (4), Juan Cruz Gregouli (4) & Horacio Fernandez Llorente (6) – Reserve: Martín Orozco (3) Chile (15): Francisco Martinez (5), Ignacio Vial Mazieres (4) & Alejandro Vial (6) – Reserve: Andres Vial (3) England (16): Alastair Paterson (4), George Meyrick (6) & Jack Richardson (6) – Reserve: Alan Kent (2) France (15): Pierre Henri N’Goumou (5), Brieuc Rigaux (5) & Clement Delfosse (5) – Reserve: Thibault Guillenin Canada (14): Scott Weir (4), Robert Stenzel (5) & Brendon Stenzel (5) – Reserve: Derek Sifton (4) Hong Kong, China (16): Henry Fisher (4), Santiago Cernades (6) & Matias Vial Peres (6) – Reserve: James Harper (6) & John Fisher (4) Photograph: The triumphant England team in 2014 with Alan Kent |