THE Irish Polo team claimed the bronze medal at the first ever European arena polo championships held in Azerbajan last week. One of six nations invited to contest the event based on performances at the last World Equestrian Games, Ireland took on teams from Azerbajan, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

The Irish clinched their podium finish with a half point victory over Spain in the play-off for third and fourth places. The gold medal went to the hosts who defeated Germany in the Final. Coach James Kennedy said: “This was a wonderful result from a young Irish team playing for the first time in a European arena championship. We had players from a number of polo clubs north and south, and the only lady in the tournament - Siobhan Herbst from Wicklow Polo Club.”