The Courtauld Trophy on Sunday 19 May 2019  saw a day of thrilling high-octane polo, great hospitality….providing a wonderful day out for all the family.

Alec Banner Eve, the Felsted coach, and everyone else at Silver Leys Polo Club strived to ensure the whole weekend was a great success. Alex Rayner's (felsted parent) drive and vision secured a record crowd of 750 spectators (babies in arms upwards). Parfums de Marly, sponsors of the day, provided much coveted prizes. Rippling muscles, sweat, lamborghini versus a polo pony, live music, marching band- the day had it all! It was wonderful to have two teams of OFs competing this year, but most importantly the event celebrated polo being played by pupils and an ongoing commitment to the sport after school.
 

The winning Felsted team 

The Yr9/10 Beginner team of Rita Myakova/David Ying, Johanna Prange, Franziska Merzyn and Louisa von Weiler thoroughly enjoyed the experience but were defeated by the stronger MHF Development squad. However, highlight of the day was definitely Felsted School raising the Courtauld Trophy which was presented by Lady Mary Courtauld-Rayner. The team of Justin Dennert, Hugo Benz, Sam Wisbey (OF) and Anthony Schroeder (capt) overcame University of Cambridge 5-1. Many thanks to all those who came to support the four Felsted teams and everyone else who played.

Two talented OF teams also provided some thrilling action on the day. The Felsted Storm team of Emil Benz (ec 09-14), Miles Dennert (c 10-12), Olivia Houlder (fg 97-07), Grant Polkinghorne (hc 08-13) and Claudia Seers (fmn 01-15) enjoyed a brilliant win against the Silver Leys team in the morning after a hard-fought competition.
 
Later in the afternoon, Felsted Thunder (Will Almond (e 03-25), Emil Benz (ec 09-14), Will Hopkins (ac 09-11), Grant Polkinghorne (hc 08-13) and current parent Alex Rayner) played a nail biting game against Old Stortfordians which resulted with the team losing by a very narrow margin of just half a point, with the final score of 5.5 to 5. OF Sam Wisbey (dc11-18) also played on the day and celebrated success with the Felsted School team by winning the coveted Courtauld Trophy. A huge thank you to the teams and supporters who provided an electric atmosphere!