Why are the polo grounds irrigated at Cowdray Park Polo Club?
The welfare of our horses is our highest priority. Polo is a high-speed equestrian sport, and maintaining a safe, consistent playing surface is essential to reducing the risk of injury to both horse and rider.
The limited irrigation we undertake is focused solely on the playing surface to ensure safe ground conditions for competition. Unlike many sports, the condition of the ground has a direct impact on equine welfare, and responsible irrigation forms an important part of our commitment to providing the safest possible environment for the sport.
Where does the water used for irrigation come from?
Cowdray Park Polo Club does not use treated mains drinking water to irrigate its polo grounds. Our irrigation water is drawn from licensed non-potable water sources in accordance with the relevant environmental regulations and abstraction permissions.
This means the water used to maintain our playing surfaces does not reduce the supply of drinking water available to homes and businesses.
Are you affected by drought restrictions and hosepipe bans?
We fully recognise the seriousness of drought conditions and the need for everyone to use water responsibly.
Whilst restrictions on mains water are designed to protect public water supplies, our irrigation operates under separate environmental licensing arrangements. We work within the conditions of those licences at all times and continually monitor our water use to ensure it remains responsible and sustainable.
Regardless of the regulatory position, we believe conservation is everyone’s responsibility and have significantly reduced our water consumption wherever possible. All water run off from irrigation returns to source, maintaining a closed system.
What water conservation measures are in place?
During periods of dry weather, Cowdray Park Polo Club implements a range of measures to minimise water usage while maintaining safe playing conditions for horses.
These include:
- Irrigating only the areas of the pitch that are played on, with no watering of surrounding grassed areas.
- Watering only when required to provide safe playing conditions.
- Monitoring ground moisture levels to apply only the amount of water that is necessary.
- Watering during the coolest parts of the day or evening to minimise evaporation.
- Prioritising the grounds scheduled for play and reducing irrigation elsewhere.
- Rotating grounds to reduce the overall irrigation requirement.
- Working with our grounds management team to maintain healthy, resilient turf that requires less water over time.
By restricting irrigation to the playing surface only and eliminating watering of non-essential surrounding areas, we have substantially reduced our overall water consumption.
Isn’t it unfair that sport continues during drought conditions?
We understand why people ask this question, particularly when water conservation is such an important issue.
Polo supports a significant rural economy. Behind every match is a network of professionals including grooms, farriers, veterinarians, horse transporters, grounds staff, caterers, hospitality teams, seasonal workers and many local suppliers whose livelihoods depend on the sport.
Our approach seeks to balance these economic benefits with our environmental responsibilities. By using non-potable water sources responsibly and significantly reducing irrigation, we can continue to support these livelihoods without impacting public drinking water supplies.
How often are the grounds watered?
Our Grounds Team continually assesses the condition of the pitches throughout the season. Irrigation is never carried out to keep grass green for appearance alone; it is applied only where necessary to maintain a safe and suitable playing surface for horses.
Grounds are selected and rotated carefully throughout the season, allowing us to minimise irrigation while maintaining the highest standards of equine welfare.
Our Commitment
Cowdray Park Polo Club is committed to balancing exceptional equestrian sport with responsible environmental stewardship. As weather patterns continue to change, we will continue to review and adapt our water management practices in consultation with experts in the field of water sustainability, ensuring we use every drop responsibly while maintaining the welfare standards expected of one of the world’s leading polo clubs.
