Anna Dowling, the Australian polo player currently catching the eye of the world’s best players at the British Ladies Open Championship, will play her next match in the Tournament on Monday 14 July at 11.00am BST (8pm AEST). Held at Cowdray Park, the British Open is the most prestigious high goal tournament in Europe and attracts teams fielding the very best polo players, both men and women. Anna is playing for Team Emita, whose first match did not go entirely to plan after an injury kept Helouise Wilson Smith, their highest ranked player, on the sidelines but as none of the teams have managed to dominate thus far, it’s still all to play for and a win against opponents UAE Polo Team could totally change the semi final picture. The UAE team does include the not inconsiderable talent of Hazel Jackson, one of the two ten-goal lady players in the contest. Unfortunately Heloise is not cleared to play today due to a suspected concussion, and Lucy Coddington (five-goal handicap) will be playing in her place on Team Emita.
We spoke to Heloise about polo and about riding with Anna. First for those who don’t know much about the game, here are some very basic details:
Polo is one of the most ancient equestrian sports, originating in 6th century Persia (now Iraq) and then being developed in India from a military training exercise into a game.
The British got involved during the 19th century when they were occupying parts of India and brought it back to Britain. The rules of polo, still followed to this day, were published in 1873 by the Hurlingham Polo Association, which also hosted matches at its London headquarters. One of those matches, in 1878, was the first sporting occasion of any kind to be played under floodlights.
The modern game consists of seven minute sections (four to six as a rule) known as ‘chukkas’, with four players in each team. A player usually changes their ‘pony’ (which may well be a horse!) after each chukka, which means each player needs a ‘string’ of ponies (although ponies may be played more than once), hence why the sport is mainly supported by the wealthy who may play themselves, or sponsor a team, or both. The sponsor is generally known as the team ‘patron’. Games are won by scoring goals, which is achieved by striking a ball between goal posts with wooded ‘mallets’. Players are given rankings according to how good they are at doing this, from one to ten goals; ten-goal players being the best. The rankings of the team players are added together to give the team a total ranking/handicap so, for example, a team with four three-goal players would be a 12-goal team and this ranking affects which matches and tournaments they may play in.
Helouise, together with husband Sean, run the Hampshire Polo Club near Winchester in England. She is a qualified Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) instructor and an extremely successful player who has captained the England ladies team.
Is there a massive difference between ladies’ and men’s polo?
HWS: “There is quite a big difference, on a multitude of levels, the energy and dynamics on the field is one of the major differences. There is probably a higher volume of contact in the ladies’ polo. I really enjoy playing in both, however I am more at home in the mixed, which reflects me being a 2-goal player in mixed competition and a 6-goal in ladies’. I believe the gap is closing at the higher levels of ladies’ polo, with more experienced players, better horse power and more funding for the sport. One team in particular that entered into the men’s tournaments over the years here in the UK consisted of Emma Tomlinson, Tamara Fox, Nina Clarkin and Lucy Taylor, who were a successful all-female team in mixed polo winning many mixed tournaments together. This is a great example of women being able to use their ability, skill and female intuition to achieve their goals.”
What makes a good player?
HWS: “Physically there is no stamp, as you get tall and slim players, such as Tommy Beresford, and then you get smaller players, such as Sapo Cassette, then you get big guys, such as Capella. All of them are equally exceptional players. I think it’s possibly more of a mind-set than a physicality, reading the game ahead of the plays and being able to handle pressure in various situations as well as you possibly can. That mind-set helps a lot, and if you are a second or third generation polo player, such a mind-set is establish earlier. I am a first generation polo player, so it has taken me a long time to create that optimal mind-set for my abilities.”
How did you start off playing polo? Have you tried any other equestrian disciplines?
HWS: “I used to do basic eventing when I was little and then around 13, I started polo, grooming for my older sister. I thought it looked like fun, and it was available at my school so I gave it a go and that’s where it all began. I had one pony in which I had for years, and as soon as I could drive a truck, I was off on my way.
How do you pick a team? Is it just get together with mates or sign up the best possible players like a manager would with a football team?
HWS: “I think it’s really important that you have a good relationship and familiarity with your teammates. So that often does influence picking teams, however fundamentally, their ability and skill must supersede your friendship/relationship with them, as you do want to put together the strongest combination you can.”
What are the qualities that impress you about Anna as teammate and player?
HWS: “Anna is straight off the bat… you can’t ignore her positive outlook on life, which is infectious and refreshing to those around her. As I player I first spotted her when she did a season working for Sarah Wiseman at Knepp Polo Club. Our 16-goal ladies’ team later that season needed a three-goal player and Anna was available to play with us at Beaufort and Guards, and that was that.”
Anna is protected by KEP Italia helmets www.kepitalia.com
Match overview: Team Emita vs UAE Polo Team
Date & Time: Monday, 14 July 2025, at 11:00 AM BST (8:00 PM AEST)
Venue: Cowdray Park Polo Club, West Sussex, UK
Tournament: British Ladies Open Championship – Group A Match
Team Emita lineup:
Anna Dowling (4 goals) – Rising Australian star, known for her agility and tactical awareness.
Emma Wood (5 goals) – Experienced player with strong midfield control.
Rosie Ross (6 goals) – Solid defender and playmaker.
Tamara Fox (6 goals) – Team captain, known for her leadership and strategic play.
Substitution: Due to Heloise Wilson Smith’s concussion, Lucy Coddington (5 goals) will step in.
UAE Polo Team lineup:
Sheikha Maitha (3 goals) – Brings royal flair and competitive spirit.
Ashley Gleenie (3 goals) – Reliable in transitions and support play.
Micaela Saracco (6 goals) – Strong attacker with good field vision.
Hazel Jackson (10 goals) – One of the world’s top female players, known for her explosive scoring and game-reading ability
Tournament information:
The British Ladies Open is the most prestigious high-goal women’s polo tournament in Europe, featuring six elite teams.
Semifinals: Scheduled for Thursday, 17 July
Final: Set for Saturday, 19 July
Current Standings: No team has dominated yet, making this match crucial for semifinal qualification.
Tournament – Cowdray Park Polo Club
Daily Play – Cowdray Park Polo Club
Cowdray TV – Cowdray Park Polo Club
Source: Showjump Info press release
