WEST Somerset could become the focus of the region's prestigious polo scene if a Timberscombe businessman's plans to set up a polo livery and training centre prove successful. Having seen their current equine business decimated by the hunting ban, Kevin Lamacraft and his wife Ruth (pictured) are hoping to diversify into the lucrative world of polo. The couple, who used to hire out horses to visiting hunt followers, have effectively suffered a double blow as demand for hunters has plummeted, while their ancillary farming business has been hit by the recent agricultural CAP reforms. But having lived and worked at Knowle Farm for three generations, the Lamacrafts are not about to give up and have applied for planning permission to create stabling for 24 horses and a sand school to enable polo ponies to be trained for lease, hire and sale. The venture would be based on land to the rear of Knowle Riding School - which is run separately by Mr Lamacraft's mother - with prospective polo players also being able to try their hand at "stick and balling" in fields on the family-run farm. Mr Lamacraft, who was one of Taunton Polo Club's most highly handicapped players in his time, said riders still wanted "an equine buzz" which many believed had been lost in the wake of the hunting ban. He said a polo livery would sit well with the family farm as the fields could be used for grazing, while there were no similar facilities in the area. He told the Free Press: "We have had little to no trade since the hunting ban came into force as everyone who hunted with us was a visitor and people have tended to be showing solidarity with their own hunts rather than travelling to visit places like Exmoor. "The perception of hunting has also changed as people believe it is no longer as entertaining as it was before. "The impact has been far worse than we thought and it is clear the hunting business has no future. "We want to create a secure future and feel we have an obligation to our staff." Unfortunately, the Lamacrafts had to lay off their two full-time and two part-time staff at the end of the last hunting season, but are hopeful the new venture will create new job opportunities, if members of Exmoor National Park Authority's planning committee support their plans when they meet on Tuesday. "You don't have to be a jockey to play polo and this could prove to be a very useful facility to allow people to come in and try riding one of these ponies and to try stick and balling on the field. "From there, if they like it, they can carry on to Taunton Polo Club. "I'm confident we will be able to build on our previous experience," Mr Lamacraft said. However, if permission is granted, he will start his new business venture effectively £10,000 out of pocket. Planning applications alone have cost £4,000, while a polo livery will set him back £6,000 in rates. National park planning committee members are being recommended to approve the Lamacrafts' application. The livery and training school would have a separate access from the riding school, although officers will tell the committee the access road could be improved by the construction of two passing bays. In support of his application, Mr Lamacraft will tell members his family's farming businesses is no longer profitable in the light of CAP reforms. In a statement to the authority he said: "We used to source locally bred Aberdeen Angus cross cattle and the fatten them, mainly on rented land. "This system is no longer profitable without the beef special premium and slaughter payments." He continued: "We have been involved in polo for many years and consider there is significant potential to develop a profitable polo business with a secure future. "To this end it is our intention to diversify into a polo livery and training yard. "We would require 'change of use' of a previously approved farm building with the addition of an adjoining sand arena. "The building would be of the same size and construction as the original application but will be fitted with internal stabling, tack and feed stores and a washing down area. "The sand area will be required to enable the polo ponies to be exercised and schooled, particularly during the winter months when it is our intention to train young prospective polo ponies for future sale." Planning officers will tell the committee a maximum of 24 horses could be stabled in the building, which would also provide livery for horses owned by other people which would be schooled on the site. Photo: Steve Guscott.
