Two storylines this week: a women’s trophy defended in Argentina and a Gauntlet semi-final line-up in Florida.
Queen Elizabeth Cup: La Monarchy
On Saturday 18 April, La Monarchy beat Gramercy 9-7.5 to win the third Queen Elizabeth Cup at the Hurlingham Polo Club, successfully defending their 2025 crown. The tournament ran from 14 to 18 April as a 15-goal women’s event with six teams.
The champions were Millie Sanchez (8 goals), Paula Vasquetto (4), Megan Manubay (2) and Sofi Dalmolin (1), a combined rating of 15. Gramercy, with Maite Marre (8), Martina Braun (3), Maru Guerrico and Olivia Bogo (3), were just a goal away at 14. In the subsidiary Hurlingham Cup, Avangard Area 60 beat Camp Polo in the decisive match. Their team was Clara Trino, Dayna Waechter, Mora Erdozia Merchan and Ina Del Carril.
The tournament grows each year, and the organiser, Amalia Sáenz, has said that she wants it to develop a character of its own. That feels exactly right for a competition that marries sport with a social occasion.
U.S. Open: the semi-finalists
At the National Polo Center, the bracket stage of the U.S. Open Polo Championship produced four semi-finalists: Coca-Cola (22 goals), Pilot (23), BTA (23) and La Dolfina/Tamera (23).
- Coca-Cola beat The Dutta Corp 16-13 to win Bracket II
- BTA beat Clearwater by a single goal to win Bracket I
- Pilot beat DUS in a quarter-final playoff, winning the final chukka 6-1
- La Dolfina/Tamera beat La Dolfina Scone 12-11
The semi-finals are on Wednesday 22 April: Pilot against Coca-Cola, then BTA against La Dolfina/Tamera. Note that The Dutta Corp and La Dolfina Scone, the Whitney Cup finalists, are both out, so the Gauntlet’s first winners will not be in the semi-finals.
Polo awards shortlists
Polo Times has announced the public-vote shortlists for four new categories in this year’s polo awards, with the ceremony due on Monday 11 May at the Underglobe in London. The player shortlist is Adolfo Cambiaso, Alfie Hyde, Florencio Merlos and Milly Hine, and the pony shortlist includes Why Not I’m Easy, Lovelocks Glow Worm, Whippet and Bugsy. For clubs, Royal County of Berkshire, Dorset and Silver Leys are in the running.
It is a nice recognition of the grassroots, and we are fond of Royal County of Berkshire’s chances.
Sources: Polo Press (Queen Elizabeth Cup), Polo Times (U.S. Open semi-finals), Polo Times (awards shortlists)
