L-R: Blake Clark, Robert Stenzel, Mike Matz, Cody Offen, Nick Keyte, Sam Hunt, Kit Brooks and Tom Hunt.

It was with great excitement that Polo Canada accepted an invitation for a reciprocal tour to New Zealand and Australia. The Canadian Team was represented by Blake Clark of Calgary, Mike Matz originally from the Montreal Polo Club, Cody Offen and Robert Stenzel both from the Toronto Polo Club. The team was accompanied by Dave Offen who acted as the Coach, Julie Parsonage the Program Director for Polo Canada and a small group of supporters: Leslie Grice, Tom Offen and Jeff Diegel.

The team was hosted by Chele Clarkin owner of the Mystery Creek Polo Club located south of Auckland, New Zealand and the Managers of the Mystery Creek Polo Club, Paul and Nicola Hunt and their sons. What a great time and outstanding hospitality! The first match was held at the Cambridge Polo Club on Sunday, November 21st. A huge luncheon was organized and a great day of polo was played.

The Canadian Team squared off against the Mystery Creek Team: Sam and Tom Hunt, Kit Brooks and Nick Keyte in a 5 chukker match. After an exciting match the Mystery Creek Team emerged with a 6 to 3 victory. The Most Valuable Player of the match was awarded to Sam Hunt and the Champion Pony was awarded to a horse that Mike Matz played called “Venus” owned by Alan Brownes.

The next few days of the tour were filled with some stick and ball, another match against the Mystery Creek team but only this time on the paint ball field plus, some great sightseeing and BBQs. Unfortunately, the second polo match which was to be held at the Mystery Creek Polo Club was rained out after two chukkers.

On November 25th the team arrived in Sydney, Australia and were greeted by Marlene MacFarlene and Lew McDonnell. Let the tour begin! Marlene and Lew lead the team through a whirlwind, jam packed day in Sydney - what a great time! The following morning at dawn, it was on the road to Orange where the team was interviewed by the local TV station and then northwest to Millamolong Station where they were hosted by James and Susan Ashton over the following three days. What a beautiful station! Everyone had a great time sightseeing and socializing. "Where are the kangaroos?" was the favorite saying.

The first match was played at the Millamolong Polo Club on Nov. 27th against the Young Australian team of Angus Gunn, Henry Bell, Sam and Tom Hunt. With the sun beating down and the temperature exceeding 30 C degrees the Young Australians out-scored the Young Canadians 6-3.

November 28th was the Fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, The Will Ashton Memorial Tournament and the match between Young Australia and Young Canada. In total, there were seven matches of varying lengths played on the Sunday. A great day of polo!

The match between Young Australia and Young Canada proved to be a very competitive game. Both teams were on fire. Not only was it 30 C plus, but the young players on both teams demonstrated outstanding skill and determination. At the end of the final chukker the score was 6 - 4 in favor of Young Canada. Mike Matz was named Most Valuable Player and the pony "Ghost" played by Robert Stenzel was named the Champion Pony.

Polo Canada and the Young Canadian Team would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this tour an unforgettable experience!