The teams are in for Friday’s Olympic Trophy, and the line-ups promise a close contest. England and Argentina meet at Chestertons Polo In The Park in London on 6 June in a three-a-side international.
The teams
The HPA announced the England squad last week:
- England: Max Charlton (6, captain), Jack Hyde (5) and Milly Hine (2).
- Argentina: Alfredo Bigatti (7), Manuel Plaza de Ayala (5) and Catalina Lavinia (2).
The handicaps are close enough that this should be an even contest, and each side includes a female player, which reflects how much the women’s game has grown. Milly Hine is a rising figure in the English game, and Catalina Lavinia is a well known name in Argentine women’s polo.
The format
This is not a standard match. The HPA describes it as a unique arena-style game played on grass, with three players per side and some arena rules, such as a change of ends after each chukka. The outdoor handicaps apply. The compressed format tends to produce fast, high scoring play, and it can swing quickly.
What is at stake
The previous meeting for the Olympic Trophy came in 2022, when the match was settled in a run-down after a 4-4 draw. England will also want to avenge the loss in January, when Argentina beat them 18-17 in the Bryan Morrison Trophy at Hickstead after extra time.
It is also the curtain raiser for a busy England calendar:
- 14 June: Golden Jubilee, England v USA, Beaufort International
- 26 July: Coronation Cup, England v Brazil, Guards
Polo in the Park
The event takes the sport to an urban audience, and for many of the spectators this will be their first polo match. The three-a-side game suits the setting, because it is easy to follow and relentlessly quick. If you have friends who have never seen polo, this is a very good place to start.
We will have the result on Monday, and we will be watching to see whether England’s captain can lead from the front.
Sources: HPA, England team events, HPA news, May 2025
