THAT must have been good gas as the cream of Irish jockeys went back to a very special bootcamp this week to retrain as polo players in order to play in a one off jockeys v trainers match at the 2018 International Ladies Polo Tournament in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund at the All Ireland Polo Club in the Phoenix Park next Saturday.

The day, run by Polo Wicklow, will also feature some of the best riders in the world who will be flying in from Argentina, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Spain competing along with Northern Irish and our own home riders on 85 of the best polo ponies in Ireland. This is the 19th year of this annual tournament which to date has raised just over €200,000 for various charities.

There’s no escape for some of the well-known figures from the world of racing including Noel Meade and Jessica Harrington as the managers, Joseph O’Brien, Conor O’Dwyer and Charlie Swan as well as jockeys Paul Carberry (captain), Nina Carberry, Barry Geraghty, Patrick Mullins, Lisa O’Neill, Sean Flanagan, Kate Harrington (captain), Davy Russell, Andrew McNamara and broadcaster Tracy Piggott and all of whom will be trained by Ireland’s only full-time professional female polo player Siobhan Herbst.

A Summer Stylish Lady competition will be judged by Dancing With The Stars judge and Ireland’s best known professional choreographer Julian Benson, sponsored by the Design Centre who will style a dress for the winner worth €1,000.

The fundraiser lunch will take place at the All Ireland Polo Clubhouse, Phoenix Park with a champagne reception to live jazz music, a sumptuous four-course lunch followed by a BBQ and evening music and dancing. Tickets and information available on www.ladiespolo.ie