This article has appeared previously in Equestrian Life. To see what is in our latest issue, please click here.

Polo in the snow at St. Moritz.

For all those equestrians, who are also snow enthusiasts, you may just wish to consider St. Moritz as your holiday destination next year. St. Moritz is the place to be seen and the venue to experience some of the most spectacular horse sport in the world. Bringing together the glamour of polo in conjunction with the traditional sport of skiing a trip to St. Moritz will please lovers of snow and equestrian sports alike.

On a wonderful winter’s day, set against the backdrop of St. Moritz, this fabulous location at almost 2000 metres above sea level, reveals its attraction more intensely than usual and helps to make the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow the most atmospheric winter polo event. Nowhere else on earth are polo and glamour so seamlessly conjoined as here in Switzerland’s high-class winter resort par excellence. The growing number of enthusiastic supporters, and a constantly increasing interest from the media – on finals day alone, over twenty camera teams from around the world gathered on the lake – proof enough that this tournament has established itself as one of the most prestigious events in the sport of polo.

The St. Moritz Polo Club was founded in 1959 and has staged numerous summer and winter polo matches. Since 1984, St. Moritz has been the venue for the world’s most exclusive winter polo tournament. As a sporting event, the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow, ranks second to none. During January, four high-goal teams with handicaps between 18 and 22 goals, battle for the coveted Cartier Trophy on the frozen surface of the St. Moritz Lake, attracting more than 20,000 spectators (in fur-lined designer wear and sun-glasses) to watch the games and to enjoy the outstanding and magnificent surroundings of the Engadine.

The competition attracts some of the world’s top polo players from Argentina, Chile, the UK, Australia and other nations. The tournament, held over four days, required the highest concentration, strength, courage and endurance from both riders and polo ponies. Riding on snow and ice requires special attention to hoof care, including the use of ice nails, hoof pads, borium and/or snowball pads. Ice nails have a chiselled head that extends beyond the plane of the shoe, acting much like the spikes on a golf shoe. Hoof grips are semi-pads placed between the shoe and the horse’s foot; ideally, they’re riveted to the shoe to keep them from sliding and tearing. The most versatile of the extra-traction options is borium, a substance containing tiny chips of super-hard steel that bites into virtually any surface such as concrete, as well as ice and snow. It can be used by itself in varying amounts to give shoes added purchase on ice, or in combination with pads for both extra traction and snowball protection. Snowball pads cover the entire bottom of the foot and are the best choice if snow collecting in your horse’s feet is a major problem. The pad’s convex bulge tends to grip the ground, providing a bit of extra traction too. Extra protection is also in place to ensure the horse’s wellbeing around lungs and limbs.

The Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow is an amazing destination for your next skiing trip or a holiday in the snow. Take advantage of the range of tours and activities, experience the magnificent mountain views, art and culture, ‘shop ’til you drop’ or just ‘people watch’ at the fashionable metropolis St. Moritz.

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE