Polo, Ponies and Parachutes

And just like that we were at the end of the polo season. The months of polo had gone by in a flash. In southern Germany the field season ends with the Charity Cup in Fürstenberg Polo Club. "This is a charity that is close to my heart" said Kirsten. Kirsten Tritschler is the secretary to Haus Fürstenberg in Donaueschingen, one of the oldest noble houses in Europe. And she,together with Nina Strasser, polo player and captain of polo team Haus Fürstenberg, were the motors behind this tournament. Each year they both work very hard to make it not only a super sport event but also a financial success with all the proceeds going to:-

Kinderhospiz Sternschnuppe in Villingen-Schwenningen. When you go onto the Hospiz's website you can see why extra funding is needed. This Hospiz wants to give seriously ill children some brightness, lightness and fun. Going beyond the basic care and needs of each child requires that bit extra, not just in work but also in costs. So this is where Kirsten, Nina and Haus Fürstenberg come in.

The Charity Cup has been running for a few years now. This year, rain was causing havoc with the preparations. Teams and players were pulling out last minute but, with thoughtful coordination and support from all sides, Kirsten and Nina could expect four teams to start on the Saturday. It was decided to give the field a bit more time and delay the games until 15:00. By 14:30 it had clouded over again with light drizzle. So came decission time - play or penalty shoot-out? Umpire, Thomas Winter, with team captains inspected the field,and they unanimously agreed it safe and playable. So the afternoon's entertainment could commence with Team Il Salotto Resorts versus Reuther Automobile. Both teams wrestled for game control with Il Salotto Resorts managing a last gasp victory and setting themselves up for the finals.

In the second game of the afternoon Haus Fürstenberg defeated Il Salotto Wines with Anja Gutbrod proving to be a woman on a mission, grabing her chances and slicing through the surprised defence on her fast little ponies scoring three of the team's goals. Helwig Falch for Il Salotto Wines was having an incredible game too, but was disappointed with his penalties.

With the games finishing later than originally planned, players and guests had a very quick break before heading to the courtyard of Haus Fürstenberg's Marstall. Here Tommy Blackwedel of @latradition.cook and his team were busy preparing empanadas and succulent roast beef over an open fire. A gala dinner held in these almost overwhelming surroundings is something to remember! Red wine, roast beef, masses of salads and we were ready for the Charity Auction. This year Nina took on the role of auctioneer and, with the help of Martin Reuther's enthusiastic motivation, the evening drew in €15,000. Kirsten was beaming.

Finals day dawned with a bit of autumn sunshine and a spectator crowd began to gather at the sidelines to watch Reuther Automobiles versus Il Salotto Wines with Reuther Automobiles coming in at third place. Young Max Reuther, at twelve years of age, was having his first tournament and was well pleased with this win, also earning a giant dose of valuable experience.

Despite massive work on the Saturday eveinig with huge thanks to green keeper Philip Tritschler, the field cut up quickly on the Sunday and gave the players some difficulty, divots stopping the flow of the ball. This was noticeable in the finals between Il Salotto Resorts and Haus Fürstenberg where perhaps a well-placed backhand might have been a better option than the high-risk tactic of tapping and turning the ball. Max van Eupen, playing back for Il Salotto Resorts, caught hold of this and with his back hands found space to set up his brother, Chris, for goal getting action. For Haus Fürstenberg Nina Strasser played at back, combining with Alice Boldis for some runs to goal but could seldom stretch clear of the opposition's defense. Il Salotto Resorts powered through to win Fürstenberg Charity Cup 2025.

Before the prize-giving our attention was drawn to the skies and we could watch five sky-divers float towards us landing "on point" on the polo field surrounded by clicking cameras.

Players managed to assemble for the prize-giving. Kirsten gave a huge vote of thanks to team sponsors and sponsors for the charity auction. Il Salotto Resorts lifted the trophy and the champagne shower denoted the end of the field polo season in southern Germany.

Thank you Haus Fürstenberg.

Winners

Il Salotto Resorts:- Clarissa Clavey, André Hiebeler, Chris van Eupen, Max van Eupen

Haus Fürstenberg:- Anja Gutbrod, Valentin Ulrich, Alice Boldis, Nina Strasser

Reuther Automobile:- Martin and Max Reuther, Maximllian Kling, Lupita Böttcher, Henri Dold

Il Salotto Wines:- Ian Walker, Marta Gabrin, Julika Purvis, Helwig Falch

Best Playing Pony:- India from Chris van Eupen/ Comanche Gallardo with thanks to @brpoloeq for the rug.

MVP Anja Gutbrod

MVP junior Max Reuther