Accession Magazine Feature: High Society At Ham Polo Club

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.