BEAUFORT POLO CLUB is to host the official start of the Audi International Polo Series at the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo (June 16-17).

The series, in conjunction with Audi and the Hurlingham Polo Association, features three international matches played throughout the polo season.

The first match will feature the Audi England side competing against a Commonwealth team for the Golden Jubilee Cup.

The match will be the last run-out for England before they face South Africa on July 22 at Guards Polo Club in Windsor for what is arguably the biggest polo event in the UK, when they will be looking to win the Coronation Cup.

The third and final test will see England take on South America at Chester racecourse.

After the England v Commonwealth match at Beaufort, there will be an U21 match featuring Nina Clarkin, the highest handicapped female player in the world.

The finale on Saturday sees students from the University of the West of England take on The Royal Agricultural College.

On Sunday June 17, the polo will continue with a charity match played to raise funds for Tusk, Child Bereavement and WellChild. In last year's game, Prince Harry's Royal Salute team defeated the Beaufort team and helped to raise £60,000 for the various charities.

CHELTENHAM show jumper Rosanne Hegarty has qualified for the Blue Chip Feed Balancer Pony Newcomers Championship Final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Hegarty finished second at the Pony Premier Show hosted at Weston Lawns in Warwickshire.

Only 11 combinations (from 66) produced two clear rounds to make it through to the final jump-off and three combinations then went on to produce the treble clear.

Hegarty, 15, rode her mother Jill’s pony Minison clear over the course in a time of 52.60 seconds.

BLENHEIM Horse Trials has unveiled a new website ahead of its 2012 event on September 6-9.

Advance tickets are now on sale for the Oxfordshire event with some costing just £8 for general admission.