POLO - Fast, furious ... and it's right royal fun

POLO is one of the fastest and most dangerous games in the world.
It attracts the rich and the royal, notably Prince Charles, who in turn attract their own fans. This Saturday's polo tournament at Barge Park in Whangarei is likely to be more low key but will lack nothing when it comes to excitement and speed.
Northland polo club president Paula McMillan has led the charge to re-establish the club after a long absence in the region.
McMillan was in England about six years ago competing on the showjumping circuit when she spied polo players galloping about on another pitch.
"I looked across the field and saw them playing and I thought that's more like me. So I swapped to polo," McMillan said.
"The adrenaline takes over when you are out there playing. It's a great game."
She competed in an number of English tournaments and qualified as a umpire.
On returning to Whangarei the former national power lifting champion and talented hockey player has thrown her weight behind getting the Northland club up and running.
Backed by a dedicated committee including secretary Anne Baker, Nigel Stewart and Jayden Chase, McMillan has boosted the membership to 15 and has more riders who are keen to be on the books.
The ranks have been boosted by two South African players, who are based in Auckland but don the Northland colours for matches.
On Saturday the tournament will be a round robin and teams will compete for the Paddy Mason trophy. Mason, a vet at Ruakaka, was a member of the club but passed away late last year.
Former top polo player John Taylor, father of former Northland rugby captain Glenn Taylor, will be back in the saddle to umpire the tournament.
At the top of his game John Taylor was ranked as a five-goal player and was one of the best in the country.
Now the Tangiteroria farmer has agreed to coach the Northland club.
The Northland club will compete in the Saville Cup, which starts at the end of February and is deemed the premier polo event in the country.
McMillan hopes the tournament at Barge Park will inspire some people to pick up a mallet and get on a horse.
"It's a great sport if you love horses and it opens plenty of doors to great social networks."
The Northland club is affiliated to the NZ Polo Association.
" The first game at Barge Park on Saturday starts at midday.