The Florida season is over, the Argentines are packing, and the English season is almost upon us. If you want to see polo in Britain this summer, here are the dates we are circling.
June
The Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park is one of the main high-goal events of the English summer. The tournament dates from 1960 and Cartier has sponsored it since 2012. Guards, based at Smith’s Lawn, plays its season from April to mid-September, and the club says it has the largest membership of any polo club in Europe.
On Saturday 14 June, England play the USA for the Golden Jubilee at the Beaufort International, a 16-goal international. Later in the month, on 24 June, the Gold Cup for the British Open begins at Cowdray Park, and it runs until Sunday 20 July.
July
The big day is Saturday 26 July. The HPA’s International Day returns to Guards, with England facing Brazil in the Coronation Cup. It is the fourth meeting between the two countries, and England have won the previous three. The day will also include the Whitbread Tankard for young players. The HPA’s International Day has in the past drawn crowds of more than 30,000, so book early.
August
From 7 to 10 August, the Pony Club Polo Championships are held at Cowdray Park. The Pony Club describes them as the largest youth polo event in Great Britain, and they are a great chance to see the next generation.
At a glance
- 14 June: England v USA, Golden Jubilee, Beaufort International
- 24 June to 20 July: Gold Cup for the British Open, Cowdray Park
- 26 July: Coronation Cup, England v Brazil, Guards Polo Club
- 7 to 10 August: Pony Club Polo Championships, Cowdray Park
Off the field
The HPA is also holding its first Coaching Conference at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, which was scheduled for 14 April with sessions on safeguarding, welfare and the HPA qualification. Coaching is an area where the sport has plenty of room to grow, and a conference for coaches is a welcome step.
If you are new to polo, we recommend a first trip to a smaller club tournament before the big days. The smaller clubs run low-goal and medium-goal events all summer, and they are a lovely way to learn the game up close.
Sources: HPA news, March 2025, Wikipedia, Guards Polo Club, Pony Club
