An ancient game said to have its origins in the 13th century when Genghis Khan and his Mongol warriors surged south from the Central Asian steppes through the tribal lands of the Hindu Kush.

Called ‘buzkashi’ it bears but little resemblance to Polo as played today except that it is played on horseback. Instead of a ball ‘buzkashi’ is played with a decapitated carcass, normally of a goat. Each team is made up of about forty Afghan horsemen, none under the age of thirty years, warriors of legendary, often brutal skills and undoubted strength. The horses cross-breeds from generations of Mongol and Arabian stallions trained specially for cavalry combat, stamp and bite to force their way through the melee, to the inner circle, the object of the game that can last for hours.
( From ‘7 Days’ Sunday Telegraph February 26, 1989)

Polo comes from the Tibetan word ‘pulu’, a woody root from which the ball was made, it passed through various forms from 1854 to 1859 when Major-General Sherar witnessed the game of ‘Chaugan’ (mallet) and brought it to Calcutta.
By 1861 British Officers had introduced ‘Polo’ in Punjanb, later to Madras and Cylon and the game became general throughout India.

In his book Modern Polo, Second Edition, by Captain (later Colonel) E.D. Miller D.S.O. He says,
“To a large section of His Majesty’s servants, polo in India is not merely an amusement and a game, but is also a serious occupation, to which a great deal of time money and trouble are devoted. Polo is now recognised by the majority of our military authorities as one of the most important parts of the training of an officer ; for there is no better riding school than the polo ground.”

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In 1869 the first polo match was played in England and in 1872 Captain Herbert started polo at Lillie Bridge in London and in 1874, Hurlingham Club opened.
Miss Imogen Collier was born in 1872 just at the dawn of the polo age in England, and by 1885 it was the first year of the County Cup at Huringham.

In the 1890’s and early 1900’s hunting was a prominent past time for Miss Imogen Collier. Miriam and Dream were two of the horses frequently ridden, and since riding and horses were her passion it is easy to understand an interest in polo, her painting would have projected her into the polo world.

Miss Collier’s abilities, (in the training of polo ponies) are confirmed by The Third Lord Carnock 1952 -1982, who said he thought her greatest contribution was “the schooling of Polo Ponies before the Americans made it such a galloping game. Every little garrison played a chukka or two, then went to their club. (In 1913 Miss Collier tried to teach Lord Carnock how to train polo ponies on “long rein”.)
Further confirmation comes from Margaret Simms, a long time friend of Mrs Muntz, who said she was “ Fantastic with Long Reins.”

Honeysuckle. 1st Prize, Challenge Cup and Gold Medal (Best Polo Pony in the riding classes) in the London Show 1913

She was fortunate enough to visit the late E.D. Miller’s Stud at Rugby Ranelagh and Roehampton, ride some of his celebrated ponies and paint the portraits of many of the more outstanding of them.
(she painted a picture date unknown, of Mr Walter Jones’ Polo Pony “Billy.”Mr. Walter Jones was a leading Polo player of the day.)
Abroad, the Boar War was having profound effects on the Army and many young men found themselves in South Africa. Captain Joseph Oscar Muntz was one of them, and at the cessation of hostilities he found himself in Devon.
Imogen Collier first met Captain Joseph Oscar Muntz early in the 1900’s (she married him many years later in 1916).
His interests were centred in agriculture, and particularly in the improvement of breeds of livestock, everything from Dartmoor Sheep to Large Black Pigs. He was on the council of the National Polo Society and officiated in the capacity of judge at Islington Smithfield. (It is said he was a very good polo player.)
Before the Great War, a list of retired Officers willing to help in the horse mobilization programme had been drawn up. These gentlemen received urgent telegrams on 3rd August 1914 – Joseph Oscar Muntz was one of them. Within twelve days the British Army had successfully impressed 165,000 horses.

Captain Muntz gave up his own horses, amongst them was his Polo Pony Bush Girl, who was ultimately considered unsuitable for the Army as she was too highly strung. After strenuous efforts Mrs. Muntz was able to track her down and get her returned to Foxhams with permission to breed from her.

Miss Imogen Mary Collier at the Sale of Horses in 1914 thought to be riding Entente Cordiale – Photograph in private collection

As the number of horses now available in the United Kingdom was nowhere near the number required, after August 1914 the British Army did not attempt to make further large-scale compulsory purchases. Horses by the thousands were imported from Australia and America, Mules were used in great numbers. Later Mrs Muntz was to purchase ponies from Sir John Barker, a leading figure in the equestrian world, notably Arthur’s Pride, who was sire to New Love and Love Song the heart of her Stud.