Description
Cowdray Park, otherwise known worldwide as the home of British polo since the end of the Second World War where the equestrian sport of polo has been played competitively for over a century. Many Polo pitches in the UK now have this range of timber boards around them.
The product itself is designed and manufactured in the UK and is sustainable and safe for both players and ponies, with a rounded top edge, recessed the fixing holes and fixed an arris rail to the bottom of it on the pitch side to deflect balls. As a bonus, these timber polo boards are far more stable and environmentally-friendly than recycled plastic versions. Made from homegrown merchantable-grade Douglas Fir, a durable softwood that offers a higher impact resistance than Scandinavian whitewoods and will last years. Each board is partially dried to enable the treatment to work efficiently and increase its stability.
The polo boards are sold individually but 156 of them would complete a standard polo field. Each board is 3.6m x 245mm x 45mm, planed all around and usually treated to ensure extra longevity.
Polo Boards are made from locally grown Douglas Fir timber from a sustainable source in West Sussex. Timbers are air dried then part kiln dried to offer maximum stability and opportunities for greater wear and tear. Douglas Fir offers a high impact resistance and natural good durability which ensures this product will be in use for some years to come unlike its imported white wood competitors, and will not expand in Summer and go brittle in Winter as can be the case when using plastics, which is also very difficult to recycle. Polo boards are 3.60m long, finished at 45mm x 245mm planed all round. Based on a standard full size 300 yard Pitch, 156 boards are required. Cross cut to uniform dead lengths of 3.60m. Counter sunk and then drilled with 14mm holes for 12mm steel pins [to ensure the head is not exposed and hidden from the ponies]. Total of 3no in each board length. The top long edge chamfered or rounded to avoid any sharp angles or corners. Ends of boards machined with a big tongue and grooved for easy fixing and to increase stability on the pitch. Planned all round and supplied untreated to give a paintable surface for club colours.
ARRIS RAILS
Home Grown Douglas Fir to match Polo Boards
2ex [Split] 75mm x 100mm @ 3.60m long
Supplied separately to be fixed on site.
PINS
Mushroom Head Pins 12mm x 600mm Long (3 required per board)
Why Douglas Fir?
Using Douglas Fir for polo boards has a wide range of benefits:
• Extremely durable
• High impact resistance
• Attractive appearance
• Unlike plastics, boards will not expand in summer and go brittle in winter. The moisture content of our boards is geared to fit the end environment.
• Recyclable
• Sustainable Douglas Fir comes from the Cowdray Estate in Sussex whose woodlands are certified under international sustainable management standards in accordance with the (UKWAS) UK Woodland Assurance Standard. This means that their Douglas Fir carries the FSC mark of responsible forestry.
• Reduced carbon footprint the Cowdray Estate is only 2 miles from W L West so the product is local and transport miles are minimal
• Value for money (savings over the long term due to reduced replacement costs).
Specifications & Manufacture
• 156 boards for a full pitch (other quantities are available) are selected and milled at W L West. The boards are air dried and then part kiln dried to offer maximum stability and the ability to cope with greater wear and tear.
• Cross cut to uniform dead lengths of 3.6m. Finished at 45mm x 245mm and planed all round.
• Counter sunk and then drilled with 14mm holes for 10/12mm steel polo pins 3 per board length. This ensures the polo pin head is not exposed.
• Tanalith Copper Micronised Treatment available if required. NOTE: Treated boards can be painted afterwards.
Benefits
• The boards are round-topped and/or chamfered to avoid any sharp angles or corners (minimising injury to the ponies)
• The ends of the boards are machined with a big tongue and groove for easy fixing and to increase stability on the pitch
• Boards are planed to minimise chafing and allow for painting in club colours.
Quick Installation
Installation is swift and painless. We drill recessed securing holes to pin the board to the ground and ensure the steel pins are safely hidden. Pins can be supplied if required. We are also able to tongue and groove the ends for greater pitch stability, or groove both ends for steel securing plates.
