SEAPIA visits Hertfordshire Polo Academy

Last month, Standing Rock arranged for a group of children from SEAPIA (Sands End Associated Projects In Action) based in Fulham, to spend a wonderful day with polo player and coach Alec Banner-Eve at Hertfordshire Polo Academy.

SEAPIA empowers disadvantaged children and youth through after-school programmes that combine education, creativity and sports. The charity provides low-cost play and childcare provisions for children aged 4-13 years, including a nutritious meal every day, enabling children to engage in many different activities in a stimulating positive environment. 

The shared initiative between Standing Rock and Hertfordshire Polo Academy gave the children the opportunity to take part in a day trip to the countryside, to spend time around horses and be introduced to all aspects of the exciting sport of polo for the very first time. They were able to try horse riding, hitting a polo ball using hand sticks and wooden horses, and they learned about the teamwork side of the game with tug of war and other relay race activities.

As a passionate supporter of the SEAPIA charity for a number of years, Standing Rock Founder and Patron Philipp Mueller was very happy to see the children having so much fun participating in activities with horses, which they would not have had access to otherwise. 

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Alec for organising such a fantastic day for the children,” Philipp says. “At Standing Rock we are very aware of how much of a positive impact horses can have on us as people, teaching us about important qualities such as patience, kindness, resilience and responsibility. I am pleased to have been able to give the children from SEAPIA the chance to spend time with horses and to learn about the sport we love. 

I hope we can partner on many more charitable initiatives involving horses and polo to make a positive difference in children’s lives.” 

David Morley added: ‘I found the whole day very rewarding, seeing the youngsters playing, riding and partying without a care in the world. Enjoying the horses and the freedom of acres of green they may have never experienced before - something we are privileged enough to enjoy every day.’

Philipp and David’s enthusiasm for the initiative was echoed by Alec, who also believes that being around horses and polo can influence children in many uplifting ways:

“Hertfordshire Polo Academy believes that polo schools, coaches and clubs have the opportunity to make immense and positive differences,” says Alec. “From the raw and natural feedback of a horse, team sports, the large green open space as well as the role models and coaches that can have a significant positive influence on many. Even if sharing only one or two of those elements the impact potential is huge. The natural feedback from the horse is something that we are particularly passionate about, as we know Standing Rock is too. We cherished the opportunity to partner with Standing Rock and SEAPIA and were blown away by the kids' reaction, particularly to the sound bath and horses! A big thank you to all of those that volunteered on the day too, particularly Monique Smith for putting on the kids party!”

SEAPIA project manager Julie Cavanagh was delighted that the children had ‘the best day ever at the polo club’. “I can honestly say it was a most wonderful day and the best day trip I have ever done in all my years of working with children,” she said. “The whole day was filled with fun and positive experiences which was made more special in the fresh country air, where the children were able to feel free to run around in a large open space. The team at the polo club were so friendly and engaging, which made the children feel safe and comfortable. 

There were so many different activities for the children to take part in, of course the favourite part for all the children was having the opportunity to ride the horses, which the majority of the children have never experienced. Most of them fell asleep on the way home which proves they had the best day!”

Feedback doesn’t get better than that!

To find out more about the Standing Rock Foundation and the charities we support, please visit: https://standing-rock.com/foundation/

To find out more about SEAPIA, please visit: https://www.seapia.org

To find out more about Hertfordshire Polo Academy: https://www.hpapolo.com