The English summer season is here. The Justerini and Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy opened on Wednesday 6 May at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, and the 22-goal circuit is now properly under way.
Prince of Wales Trophy
Kazak beat Signet/Segavas 13-10 in the first match. Twelve teams, each rated at 22 goals, are playing in the competition, and the grand final is on 16 May. Among the entries are Jehangiri, Black Bears, Sujan Indian Tigers, two La Dolfina sides, Park Place, Akasha, Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus, Dubai Polo Team and Aureus.
Some of the line-ups are worth a closer look:
- Kazak: Sebastien Aguettant, Nicolás Pieres, Francisco Elizalde and Leon Donoso
- Black Bears: Tomás Panelo, Benjamin Panelo, Guy Schwarzenbach and Estanislao Darritchon
- Dubai Polo Team: Bartolome Castagnola Jr, Antonio Heguy, Santos Merlos and Tariq Albwardy
Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy at Guards
At Guards Polo Club on Sunday 10 May, Don Tancredi beat Amanara Polo Team 9-6 in the final of the La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy. Amanara led 5-1 at half-time, which makes the comeback all the more striking. Don Tancredi were Orson Clarke, Hazel Jackson, Felix Esain and Teodoro Lacau, and Jackson was MVP. Amanara fielded Nicky Sen, Pedro Chavanne, Oliver Cudmore and Santiago Chavanne.
La Hechicera beat Tempest 6-5 in the subsidiary final. A four-goal deficit at half-time is a big hill to climb, and it is a reminder that polo can turn in a single chukka.
The Queen’s Cup draw
The 22-goal Cartier Queen’s Cup draw has been made at Guards Polo Club, placing teams into three groups. The tournament runs from 19 May to a final on 14 June. Matches will be free to watch on Guards TV, which is welcome news for those who cannot attend in person.
The season in a nutshell
- Prince of Wales Trophy: final 16 May
- Trippetts Challenge at Cowdray Park: final 16 May
- Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards: 19 May to 14 June
- Warwickshire Cup at Cirencester Park: 11 to 20 June
- British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup: 23 June to 19 July
With 19 teams in the Queen’s Cup, 22-goal polo in England has rarely had a deeper field. We will report on the Prince of Wales Trophy final next week.
Sources: Polo Times (season under way), Polo Times (Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy), Polo Press (Prince of Wales Trophy teams)
