Where it all began… Philipp and Pierandrea's first polo lesson

Following the close father-and-son finals match between Phillip and Pierandrea in the Gerald Balding Cup, it is fitting to reflect on how both of their polo journeys started 11 years ago…

On 4 July 2015, Philipp and Pier had their first polo lesson ever, with Georgiana Crofton in Lacey Green, near High Wycombe - and they never looked back! 

James Rogerson, an English friend of Philipp living in Switzerland and longstanding polo player, recommended Philipp should try polo instead of going on a foxhunt in Ireland. So, he organised the first polo lesson for Philipp and his youngest son Pier with Georgiana, and straight after the first lesson, they booked another lesson the very next day. 

Philipp and Pier both knew immediately that this was going to be their sport the minute they got on the polo horses. Georgina’s enthusiastic way of teaching inspired them even more. It was actually Georgiana to whom they owe a huge thanks, as without her, they would have never had such a joyful start to polo, and Pier would not be where he is today without her.

When they arrived for their first lesson, Georgina asked Philipp: “Has your son ridden before?“ To which Philipp replied “Yes of course, he’s a very good rider…” So set off cantering straight away. The truth was, Pierre had never sat on a horse before! But they we were both so eager to get going straight away. 

Not only did Georgina also teach them in Rosario, Argentina, at Ivan Rubinich‘s wonderful place, but she also looked after them in the following years in England and Argentina, where she helped them find the right place for a gap year for Pier.

After the initial lessons in England, Philipp and Pier took further lessons at a small polo club in Zug, Switzerland, before going to Rosario in February the following year. From then on, they joined a polo club in Switzerland, until they realised the best polo season was happening in England.