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L A R G E R T H A N L I F E
When a polo fall almost ended Peter Barfoot’s life, writing his
autobiography helped set him on the road to recovery
COURTESY OF PETER BARFOOT; ©ANTHONY HATLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Hampshire farmer Peter Barfoot’s love
of horses can be traced back to his youth
when he rode in the New Forest near his
home village of Botley and, later, as joint
master of the New Forest Buckhounds,
but it was polo that became his true
passion. It was also polo that was set to
change his life dramatically.
Peter’s introduction to the game came
by chance when the president of the New
Forest Polo Club, Jack Broughton,
suggested:‘Come along on your hunters and
join in’. The line was cast and Peter was
quickly hooked and reeled in.
Peter soon realised, if he was going
to play seriously, he needed some lessons.
On his ex-racehorse and expert polo pony
Maui, and under the watchful eye of trainer
Paul Dukes, Peter made rapid progress.
By this point, Peter was in his 40s, and
for him, polo offered the chance to play,
at a competitive level, a high-adrenaline
sport unencumbered by what would be
considered advancing years in most
other games.
Peter’s playing went from strength
to strength, as did his passion. He acquired
a string of ponies, moved up the rankings
and found himself playing both in the
UK and across the world.
His polo career culminated in his
appointment as chairman of Cowdray Park
Polo Club and the establishment of the
