Roehampton Trophy

The Roehampton trophy is the oldest polo trophy in the United Kingdom. The trophy was first played for at the Roehampton Club in 1902 and was won by Buccaneers. Today it is played for at Ham Polo Club, the tournament is played for at an 8-goal level and the finals are held in August.

History

The Roehampton Cup is the oldest cup still played for in the United Kingdom, the earliest date on its plinth is the season of 1902 and it was the premier trophy at the Roehampton Polo Club until its demise in 1955. The Trophy itself was donated by Mrs Alison Cunninghame of Craigends upon the opening of the Roehampton Club in 1902.

Roehampton, before the great war, was one of eight metropolitan clubs and the third largest, with over 300 playing members and 550 non-playing members. Those were the days in which an estimated 10,000 polo ponies were stabled in and around London during the season and Roehampton, with Hurlingham and Ranelagh, was the base for one of the three Open Championships of the time.

Roehampton

Coordinates: 51°27′22″N 0°14′09″W / 51.4561°N 0.2359°W / 51.4561; -0.2359

Roehampton is a suburban district in southwest London, forming the western end of the London Borough of Wandsworth. It lies between the town of Barnes to the north, Putney to the east, and Wimbledon Common to the south. The Richmond Park Golf Courses are west of the district, and just north of these is the Roehampton Gate entrance to Richmond Park — the largest of London's Royal Parks. Roehampton is 6.3 miles (10.1 km) southwest of Charing Cross.

Etymology

The Roe in Roehampton is thought to refer to the large number of rooks that still inhabit the area.

Description