The New Zealand tour is from March 20 to 27 with Anna and Hamish two of six players who will travel playing two matches each in the three school games.

Hamish and Anna both started to play polo when they were 9-years-old at polo schools in Scone and at Garangula. By the time the pair were 12 they were taking part in open tournaments.

The brother and sister duo have followed in their paternal Grandfather Gordon Dowling’s footsteps, as he too represented his state and country competing in polo during the 1960’s.

Now in his 90’s, Mr Dowling is “absolutely proud” of his grandchildren’s selection onto the Australian team and understands well what the pair will be facing in New Zealand.

Mr Dowling played for New South Wales, which is the equivalent of the now Australian team, against India, the Philippines and twice in New Zealand.

In 1966 when Mr Dowling’s team toured India, he was the captain and manager of the team.

“Professional polo came in and certainly changed the game,” Mr Dowling said.

“The horses got better, the players got better.”

Mr Dowling said that the game was always a social occasion, but back when he was playing the opposition got to know the other team even on an international scale.

Mr Dowling is very modest in his own achievements in the saddle, but cannot be happier to see Anna and Hamish having a go across the Tasman.

“It’s good to see the kids go around,” he said. 

It has been confirmed that Anna and Hamish will play in the side that will take on New Zealand on March 26 in Christchurch.