Hepburn could lead Mwirigi to handicap promotion

Handicap 0 Mike Mwirigi (left) of Davis and Shirtliff in action. [Ben Ahenda, Standard]

Eight year-old Hepburn is a pony that has made in-form Mike Mwirigi proud in recent different polo championships.

And the pony could play a vital role in making him earn a handicap promotion from Kenya Polo Association if her performance in the Kinsman Cup held at Timau Sports Club over the weekend is anything to go by.

Mwirigi led Astep alongside Vishal Somaia, Philip Arunga and Silke Hampson to win the Sunday Subsidiary Cup after they managed five points in the round-robin tournament.

In their last match, they defeated Huskie team of Raph Nzomo, Nick Millar, Nikki Barlow and Sacha Gross 3-0.

Prior to that match, Astep were held to a 3-3 three all draw by Vellum Prime.

“It was good to emerge victorious and I must say a big thank you to my pony christened ‘Hepburn’, which is home-trained for leading me and the team to this victory,” Mwirigi said.

In another Subsidiary match, Vellum Prime dismissed Huskies 4.5-3 but that was not enough to win them the title.

Sivanto Prime team of Casimir Gross, Will Millar, Nick Millar and Fredd Kambo walloped Hussar 5-3 to win the Kinsman Cup.

They won the title steadily and Casimir was a proud player at the end of it after leading his team to three successive victories.

“It was a good day for us, but we played well from the first to the last whistle,” said Casimir, who is Kenya's top polo player.

In the Marania Cup, Skywaypro lost their final match against Prosaro 4.5-5 after starting the match at the advantage of fraction of a goal from their low handicap.

Beazi Burden, Bobby Kamani and Callum Shaw (two) scored for the losers with Kelvin Jumba (three) and Lemi (two) replied for the winners.