Jessica Rea, On Our Selection News

Cambooya’s Dan O’Leary and his pony Nelkie were two of the stars of the Cooke O’Leary Cup, a polo competition hosted by the Downs Polo Club in Clifton last weekend.

The champion off the track pony prize, sponsored by Edwards Saddleworld Toowoomba, was awarded to Nelkie, owned and played by O’Leary.

The Cooke O’Leary Cup welcomed twelve teams to the Clifton Recreation Grounds who battled it out across three grades of polo.

In the A grade final, between two visiting sides, Rosewood had a win over Colliers Blue.

A further two weekends of polo are set to be hosted at the Downs Polo Club, with the Sapphire Shield running over two days on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July.

The Sapphire Shield is followed by the Downs Shield on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July.

Also hosted on Sunday 30th July is the Picnic at the Polo Event, part of the Downs Shield polo Tournament.

Pack your favorite picnic snacks and pick out a spot on the sideline for a day of action-packed polo.

The day will also include a winter fashions on the field competition and classic divot stomp.

Follow the Downs Polo Club Facebook page for full details on all events hosted at the Clifton-based club.

A thank you goes to the Nobby State School P&C for catering over the weekend.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 20 July 2023.