Tired of endless days on the golf course?
Looking for that next big challenge?

The Yorkshire Nations Cup is proud to offer six lucky individuals the opportunity to experience the ultimate red-letter day!

With several months before taking the field on Saturday the 7th June as a curtain raiser to The Nations Cup Final itself don't let fitness or horsemanship worries put you off. Believe us when we say that we've recruited the best in the business to look after these details. Our ideal candidates will share three essential ingredients – grit, determination and the will to win! Male or female success must be second nature.

Those who suggest that this is simply 'faking it' are badly mistaken, we don't plan to just let a group of people loose on Polo ponies easily the equestrian equivalent of formula one racing cars. When our six take the field in June in front of an expectant crowd numbering close to 2000 there will be a great deal at stake.

With the closing date for notes of interest on Wednesday 6th February 2008 all interested parties will be invited to attend a meeting at The Grange Hotel in central York on Sunday 10th February to discuss the project in more detail. For those who still believe they have what it takes it's onwards to selection and a distinguished panel awaits you including former Scotland and Bath Rugby Captain Andy Nicol and present Scottish International Polo Captain and renowned exponent of the sport Alasdair Archibald. Our final six will be named at the end of February and from there the real hard work begins, the effort required will be great but so will the rewards.

Polo, the sport of Kings, combines pace, power and passion with unsurpassed skill and accuracy and The Nations Cup provides the ultimate stage. Don't leave yourself asking 'Could I have made the cut'?

You'll never know the answer unless you're willing to throw your hat in the ring.
Our meeting on Sunday 10th February in York is intended to give all interested parties the opportunity to find out about the project in greater detail before deciding to progress to selection it will also allow you to put forward any questions you may have.  If you would like to attend this meeting please contact us prior to Wednesday 6th February 2008 at:

jl@teammanagement.org.uk

Please ensure you include a contact telephone number within your email.

Sarah Holland

Iam very lucky to be a self-employed gardener and the proud mum of two boys Joe and Charlie and daughter Emma.
From the age of eight I rode horses and the comment was often made at school that if I applied myself in the same way to school work as I did to horses I would do very well!
I believe that in life you should not pursue goals that are easily achieved but should develop a hunger and instinct for what can only be achieved through your greatest efforts, commitment  and determination.

I therefore have much respect for Tony and Ben our coaches, myself and the other pro-amers who are a fab bunch of people and have made this experience memorable in many ways.

Huge thanks to my sponsors, Angela and Alex Holland, Gary and Chris Holland of E.W. Brown & Son Ltd, Chris and Julie West of West Building Supplies Ltd and Tom and Gill Mellor of Wold Top Brewery.  Also thanks to the Haynes family for use of their paddock for fitness training and mallet practice.
 

Geoff Ellis,
 
I'm a  36 year old criminal defence solicitor originally from north yorkshire now working in Grimsby and living in Hull.
 
I have always enjoyed sport and play rugby union for a local team, the Riding Vikings. always on the lookout for new sports and challenges i saw the advert for the Nations cup in the Yorkshire Post and was intruiged.
Going from not knowing that polo was played in the area and not having ridden for 25 years to having played in my first chukka yesterday after two weeks of intensive training was an incredible feeling. As a sport it is the most exhilarating experince and is one which is becoming extremely addictive.
 
Physically this has been an extremely demanding time, i thought i was fit for rugby, but the intensity of the training has moved my fitness up a couple more notches and i am now in the best shape i have been in for years.
I think we are all looking forward to the 7th of june with great anticipation, but of course my money is on my team "The Trojan's" to succeed.
 
Proudly sponsored by Flamingo Land.
 

Erin Green

I am 21 and originally from Newcastle upon Tyne but now live in Beverley.  I am about to graduate for Hull University in Sports Rehabilitation.  I have always been a sporty person, playing Netball and Hockey at a senior level as well as being a high board and springboard diver from the age of 7. 

I started riding when I was about 9 and couldn't get enough of it; I got my first pony at the age of 12 and enjoyed the responsibility and hard work that came with it.  Unfortunately I was unable to continue riding when I went to university so getting back on a pony for the first time was a great feeling.
I am a very competitive person who enjoys new challenges and have always wanted to try Polo.  I quickly discovered how different Polo was to any other type or riding.  It requires control, accuracy, courage and lots of hard work.  I have enjoyed every minute of training regardless of the aches and pains and can't wait for the match day to arrive.
Everyone at Beverley Polo club has been so supportive and helpful and they really have made me feel so welcome.  I would like to thank them all.
I would also like to thank my parents for their unconditional support.  I strive to be more like them everyday and to make them proud.  I hope we can give the supporters a decent match to watch and that we are victorious at the end of it.
 

Raeann Greenham

I was born and raised in Hull and am 37 years old.  I have a daughter, Alizabeth Rae, who is 12 years old and attends Hymers College.  I live and work with my fiancé, David, who is now also taking polo lessons.  I am the office manager for two small family run and owned companies – A. B. Rooms & Son Limited (Locksmiths and Safe Specialists) and McHugh Building Services Limited. 

Our home contains a small zoo and comprises 3 dogs, 3 cats, a chinchilla, a bearded dragon and a tortoise.  My interests include scuba diving and the geo-sciences.

I like a mental and physical challenge and strive to keep my body and brain "alive" and, together with my competitiveness, learning polo seemed the perfect solution! Previous horse riding experience was one trek aged 11 and one riding lesson last year.  I really love each and every polo lesson and am looking forward to continuing polo after being part of the winning team on June 7th.

 

Sue Earls

At thirty seven I thought my days of adventure were over.

Seeing the Pro-Am challenge soon changed my mind. I have been around horses on and off all my life and although I am at present a first aid trainer for the St John Ambulance, I couldn't wait to get back in the saddle.

Polo is an addictive drug that I can't get enough off. I only hope all this training pays off and we win on the day!

Jackie Cross

My name is Jackie Cross I am 39 years old and live in East Yorkshire. I have been married to Shane for 13 years and we have two children Bradley and Lauren. I work for Humberside Probation Trust as a Victim Liaison Officer.
 
I started riding when I was five and over the years competed in showing classes, show jumping and cross country at local events. Having not ridden for several years I saw the Pro Am as a challange to combine an interest with learning a new sport.

The experience has been so much fun although intense it has pushed me to gain my fitness again, make new friends and I hope to continue playing polo in the future.  I'm certainly looking forward to playing the match on the 7th June .

Many thanks to my sponsor Kevin McCollin of Linx Electrical Ltd.