Kingston Polo Club has remained the premier polo club in Jamaica for many reasons and for one thing, it is the oldest of the local clubs, as while the game was introduced to Jamaica by the British army in 1882, it was not played by civilians until 1886 when the club was formed.

Secondly, the Club has the proud record of having been the first to win the “Senior Cup”, the most coveted trophy in Jamaica’s polo. That was in 1906 when the trophy was presented by the Jamaica Polo Association and then officially known as the “All-Jamaica Polo Challenge Cup”.

Thirdly, the Club went on to win the trophy five times in a row and has been victorious on more occasions than any other club in its history.

Fourthly, it’s the only Club to have had a Governor of Jamaica as its President and an active member of the team. Much of the history of the Club is associated with thoroughbred horse racing as its first three homes were located on the fields of the capital’s racecourses: the first being Race Course, then in 1906 to Kingston’s Knutsford Park, followed in 1959 to Caymanas Park Race Course and finally in 1974 to its present location, made possible as a result of the generosity of the Hamilton family, then owners of Caymanas Estates who donated the land.

In 1938, the Hurlingham Club of England sent out a team with 26 ponies under the captaincy of Lord Louis Mountbatten and after this came World War II. The big “country” clubs practically shut shop, but Kingston kept the game alive throughout.

Players drove their buggies to Knutsford Park – now New Kingston – dropped out the horses and played polo. Members of the “country” clubs were given the opportunity to keep their “hands and eyes in” and immediately after the war and with the resumption of the Annual All-Jamaica Tournament, the country clubs – St Ann and Hanover – dominated the competitions while Kingston experienced some lean years.

Something had to be done. In Jamaica at the time was a great polo enthusiast, Sir Hugh Foot, who had returned as Governor after serving as Colonial Secretary some 10 years previously. On being elected President he boasted that he would see the Senior Cup brought back to Kingston and he made good on this promise: the Club was victorious in 1955, the first year of his Presidency and as a member of the team. The Club tenaciously held on to the Cup for the next five years and has won it on ten occasions since then.

The Club has had its ups and downs, but today there are more playing members than ever before with a collection of horseflesh superior to any of the past.

The current focus of the Club is to increase the number of polo fields and encourage horseback riding, and the Equestrian Centre boasts a dressage and show-jumping facility which hosts local and international events.

Polo is a game largely reserved for the privileged, and the Club’s history is replete with the names of the great and the good. They have left us a treasure trove of memories and a legacy for which our members are truly thankful, and our plan is to ensure that our successors and polo aficianados will continue to enjoy the privilege and pleasure of another century, at least, of polo and friendship.

Since corporate sponsorship now plays a great part in sustaining the sport locally, we are grateful for the generosity of sponsors such as Scotia Private Client Group, who enable us to showcase the best of the best of this most elegant of games, which combines horsemanship and skill and a high regard for sportsmanship and team play.

The Scotia Private Client Group Jamaica Open culminates today 25th April at the Kingston Polo Club at 2.30 pm for the Subsidiary Final Trophy and the Scotia Private Client Group Jamaica Open Trophy at 3.30pm. We look forward to welcoming you to the home of Jamaica Polo, Kingston Polo Club.