Oxford University Polo Club
| Oxford University Polo Club | |
 |
|
| Official website | |
| University | University of Oxford |
| Location | Oxford, England |
| Founded | 1874 |
| First Varsity Match | 27 November 1878 |
| Known as | Dark Blues |
| Home Grounds |
Kirtlington Park Polo Club East End Farm, North Leigh |
| Affiliation(s) |
Hurlingham Polo Association SUPA |
| Chairman | Issa Dasu Patel |
| Captain | Louis Maddison |
| Secretary | Martyna Zelek |
| Social Sec | Heather Winsor |
| Treasurer | Aurelia Vandamme |
| Polo Manager | James Coates |
| Fixtures | Charlie Hitchman |
| IT & Publicity | Sally Schwartz |
| Ball Presidents | Sarah White & Martyna Zelek |
| Senior Member | Jim Hall |
| Head Coach | David Ashby |
| Trophies | The Varsity Trophy given by the Hurlingham Club in 1920 Winter League Trophy Summer Cuppers Trophy |
| Team Colour | Dark Blue #002147 |
The Oxford University Polo Club (often referred to as OUPC) is the Discretionary Full Blue sports club for competitive polo at Oxford University. Founded in 1874 it is one of the four oldest continuing polo clubs world wide. Its annual Varsity Match against Cambridge established in 1878 is the 2nd oldest continuing Polo Fixture in the Western World. It is played at Guards Polo Club, England, usually at the beginning of June.
The last Varsity title won by Oxford was in 2016 at the Polo Varsity Match, defeating Cambridge 19-0.
The Oxford University Polo Club was founded in 1874 by Walter Hume Long (1854–1929), later Viscount Long of Wraxall and First Lord of the Admiralty. Together with his group of friends going up from Wiltshire to Oxford, he founded this new club with matches on a cut hay-field in Port Meadow near Wolvercote (Oxford). This field, which was 280 yards long by 170 yards wide was to become the foundation for the club’s own pologrounds for decades to come. The ground was later on prepared with old turf and could be played on in all weather conditions as it hardly ever cut up (from 1930 on as well boarded). During the winter months, matches took place on the Bullingdon Club cricket ground (Cowley) as the summer pitch in Port Meadow was near the river and subject to flooding. The club played all year round, mostly on hirelings; playing days were Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the number of playing members seems to have averaged about a dozen. First records show that the club was playing in Hurlingham in 1876 as well as organising an exhibition match between Christ Church and Brasenose College at Christ Church Meadow on 1 July 1877.
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