According to event organisers, the first polo match to be staged in Bendigo was played in front of a large crowd at Chateau Dore.

Polo players from across Australia were joined by two players from England for the match played between the Chateau Dore City To Surf team and the Grant Thornton Jeep Melbourne Polo Club.

Melbourne won the game 8-7, but the result was not what the day was about.

“The players and the crowd really enjoyed it,’’ said Bendigo polo enthusiast Paul Banks, who played on the Chateau Dore team.

“It was a great setting. Chateau Dore established it this year and I think they’re very keen to continue it.

“Hopefully, it will only get bigger and better each year.”

England’s Annabelle Elliott was named best player and the best pony award went to Mrs Burns, a horse owned by AFL deputy chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan.

Former Queenslander Todd Edwards captained the winning team and was impressed with his first experience of playing polo in central Victoria.

“The heat was a bit difficult, but overall it was a great day,’’ Edwards said.

“It was a good game and the crowd seemed to really enjoy it.

“It would be great to play here again.”