Claire Tomlinson 1944 – 2022

Polo legend passes away surrounded by family (exert from The POLO TIMES)

On Wednesday 12 January, the polo community lost one of its trailblazers with the sad passing of Claire Tomlinson at the age of 77-years-old. Claire suffered from advanced dementia and died peacefully at home with her three children, Luke, Emma and Mark, at her side. 

Claire began playing polo at Oxford University and was the first female player to reach 5 goals (mixed handicap) winning some of the most prestigious titles in the country including: Cowdray Park Challenge, Cheltenham Cup, Apsley Cup, Harrison Cup, Junior County Cup, Smith’s Lawn Cup, Royal Windsor Cup, Duke of Wellington, Mountbatten Cup, Archie David Cup, Kingscote Cup, Stockland Cup and County Cup.Claire was instrumental in securing the right for women to compete in high goal tournaments from the HPA and played in the 22 goal herself, winning The Queen’s Cup and Warwickshire Cup. She was also one of the first ever polo coaches and coached the English international team in Australia, Argentina and Mexico. Mark, the youngest of Claire’s children commented on his mother’s achievements, “Mum reached a 5-goal handicap in the 1980s, something no one else achieved at the time. She was the highest rated player in history. She was also the first woman to play 22 goal in England, at a time when a woman was not allowed to compete in high goal. She had to get a letter signed by all the professionals of the time to make sure she was able to play, and the rule had to be changed. She also was one of the first ever coaches. She was a pioneer in many ways by doing remarkable things for a woman by that time – she claimed The Queen’s Cup, The Royal Windsor Cup. She had strong bonds with Argentina. Many Argentine players spent numerous British seasons at home – Milo Fernández Araujo, Juni Crotto, Pepe Araya, Sergio Boudou, Martín Aguerre among others. Around 40 years ago, she bought a farm in 25 de Mayo, in Argentina. Argentina had a special place in her heart; she spoke like an Argentinian and that’s why we speak like Argentinians as well. She was one of the few successful horse breeders in England. She started 40 years ago, with Argentinian bloodlines.” The details for Claire’s memorial will follow shortly and a full obituary will be included in the February issue of Polo Times. Photograph: Claire Tomlinson has passed away aged 77. Courtesy of Beaufort Polo Club

Article added: Tuesday 18 January 2022