This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On Sunday, the Kenyan Ladies Select side will face off against Zambia in an international friendly match at Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil. The match marks a significant moment in Kenyan polo, with the team set to use a new international handicapping system to select its players.
Four players will be chosen from a pool of 15 experienced riders on Saturday to compete in the high 16-goal match. The selected players will be led by experienced handicap seven Izzy Parsons and handicap four Aisha Gross.
Other players in the running include 11 handicap three players such as Hiromi Nzomo, Megan Griffiths, Cindy Voorspuy, Sacha, Craig, Phylippa Gulden, Georgina Millar, Cheza Millar, Natasha Tisminieszky, Kailla Millar, Izzy Stichbury, and Rowena Stichbury. Handicap two players Silke Hampson and Eva Kamau will also be competing for a spot on the team.
Players who do not make the final squad will be divided into two teams to compete in curtain-raiser matches during the three-day tournament.
The Zambians are expected to arrive on Thursday, giving them two days to familiarize themselves with the Kenyan horses before the match. This new rule was set by the International Polo Association (IPA) according to Kenya Polo Association chairman Gordon Millar.
