Polo

Key Information

Student Polo in Scotland is hosted by either Thom Bell at the Kinross Polo Club or James Douglas at the Dalmahoy Marriott Country Club in Edinburgh. Uniquely Thom Bell, is the coach of multiple teams including St Andrews, Stirling and Aberdeen. All three teams practice at his facility in Kinross.

Scottish Student Polo matches happen four times a year, twice in the first semester and twice in the spring semester. At every league day, each club brings a Beginner and a Novice team. Over the course of the four league days, each of the clubs will play each other to determine the winner. At the final league day, the winners are announced and the league trophies, which are stored at Thom Bell’s venue, are engraved.

Students playing polo also have a chance to compete at the Edinburgh Annual Tournament in mid-November, SUPA Winter Nationals in mid-February and the St Andrews Charity Polo Tournament in late-April.

Whether you have been riding your whole life or never been on a horse before, if you are interested in Polo as please contact the Scottish Student Polo chair.

Sport Chair: Mhari Campbell

Contact: ssspolo@outlook.com

Governing body: Hurlingham Polo Association Main contact for Polo in Scotland is Thom Bell on thom@thombell.co.uk

Upcoming Polo Events

You might want to know…

SSS Polo matches happen four times a year, twice in semester 1 and twice in the semester 2. Students playing polo also have a chance to compete at the Edinburgh Annual Tournament in mid-November, SUPA Winter Nationals in mid-February, and the St Andrews Charity Polo Tournament in late-April.

2023-24 League Rules and Regulations – Please click HERE

Polo is one of the oldest sports still played today. It dates back to the 6^th century BC in Persia, where it was originally played by the king’s guard and other elite cavalry troops. It was not until the mid-1800s that it was brought to Europe by British cavalry units that had learned the game while deployed to India.

Polo is governed in the U.K. by the Hurlingham Polo Association.

Meet your Sports Chair

Mhari Campbell

After starting polo when I was 8, I have had the opportunity to play for Scotland, GB and UK throughout the years. I have always had a love for the sport and helping to develop polo throughout the Scottish student community will further my knowledge of the game.

I’m going into my final year at University of Stirling, studying Environmental Geography, whilst also being the President of the Stirling University Polo Club for the second year in a row. I hope to increase the number of students involved with in the sport whilst also increasing the enjoyment of all students taking part in the league. I look forward to working with my Vice-Chair Neamh and the rest of the Scottish Student Sport team in the coming year and increase the level of Scottish Student polo.

SS Polo Development Group

Mhari is joined by Neamh Unwin (Vice-Chair) to form the SS Polo Development Group