The English season has come to an end, and at Guards Polo Club the closing weeks were warm, sunny and full of good polo. Here is how the club’s 2018 season closed.
Major General’s Cup: Los Alquimistas 6, Mad Old Dogs 2½
On the penultimate week of the season, Anthony and Louisa Donovan’s Los Alquimistas won the Major General’s Cup final, beating the holders, Alan Fall’s Mad Old Dogs (receiving a half-goal), by 6 to 2½. Los Alquimistas dominated, with some impressive play from Spencer McCarthy and Charlie Wooldridge. McCarthy was named Most Valuable Player, and Wooldridge’s 15-year-old mare Corollo received the Best Playing Pony prize. Major General Ben Bathurst CBE himself presented the prizes.
The day reflected the club’s military roots. Twenty-four former or serving members of the Armed Forces played. It began with an inter-regimental mini tournament between the Welsh Guards, Life Guards, Foot Guards and Blues and Royals, which the Welsh Guards won, beating the Foot Guards 3-1½ in a two-chukka final. For the first time, the RAF Polo Team played on the day, taking on the Past Grenadiers in a match to celebrate the RAF’s centenary and winning 6½-5, with Officer Cadet Jonathan Parry named MVP on his birthday.
Autumn Nations Trophy: Four Quarters Orange 6, El Rosario 4½
The final day of the season on 21 September saw Simon Arber’s Four Quarters Orange beat Alejandro Peñafiel’s El Rosario (receiving a half-goal) 6-4½ in the final of the 10 to 12-goal Autumn Nations Tournament. Four Quarters were in command from the first whistle and led 5-0 at half-time. El Rosario found form in the second half and scored four, but it was too late. Juan Ambroggio took the Most Valuable Player prize, and one of his string was named Best Playing Pony. Eleven teams entered the tournament, and the sub-final, played earlier in the day, was won by Shoreline, who beat Christopher Bruckner’s Asian Art/Cool Hooves 9-4.
A farewell
Chairman Jock Green-Armytage retired from the role on the final day and presented the prizes. More than 500 games were played at the club this season, and the players and social members lingered on the terrace in perfect September sunshine, reluctant to say goodbye.
The season may be over in England, but the polo calendar never stops. Argentina’s Triple Crown begins soon, and we will be following that closely.
Sources: Guards Polo Club (Major General’s Cup), Guards Polo Club (Autumn Nations)
