Yorkshire polo legend John Nash aims to break Guinness World Record by becoming the sport's oldest active player at Toulston Open in Tadcaster

John Nash, who recently celebrated his 86th birthday, is preparing to take part in a qualifying match at Toulston Polo Club, near Tadcaster, in a bid to break the Guinness World Record currently held by Brazilian Armando Klabin.

Mr Klabin set the existing record when he played in a polo tournament in Rio de Janeiro on October 22, 2017 at the age of 85 years and 149 days.

Guinness World Records currently lists him as the oldest active polo player.

Mr Nash is now in line to break the record at the Toulston Open, which will be held on September 5 and 6.

A long-standing figure in Yorkshire polo, Mr Nash has been president of White Rose Polo Club and played for more than 55 seasons.

He has supported clubs and players in the Yorkshire region and is still a high-profile character, seen at many events through the season.

“I recently played chukkas at Toulston and realised that even at 86 I still loved the game,” he said.

“This is why I have decided to play in the upcoming Toulston Open, both through the love of the sport and to show that you can have fun playing polo at any age.”

He added: “I don't really think about my age when I'm playing. I just get on the horse and try to hit the ball, hopefully in the right direction.”

Toulston Polo Club was established in 1913 by the Riley-Smith family, who created the polo field in the eastern half of the Toulston parkland. The Haigh family continued its development from 1991, when a second pitch was added, and the land continues to be used for polo to this day.

The record attempt will be independently documented, with the club gathering the evidence required for submission to Guinness World Records.