THE BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE
COWDRAY GOLD CUP FINAL
SUNDAY 21 ST JULY 2024
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honour and privilege to welcome you all to the 2024 British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, held here at the prestigious Cowdray Park. I am thrilled to see so many familiar faces as well as new enthusiasts who have come to witness the pinnacle of British polo. This event is not only a celebration of the sport but also a testament to the rich heritage and tradition that Cowdray Park has upheld for generations. Our grounds have seen some of the most exhilarating moments in polo history, and this year promises to be no exception.
The dedication, skill, and sportsmanship of the teams competing this year are truly remarkable, and I am confident that we are in for a series of thrilling matches.
To our players, I extend my deepest admiration for your hard work, passion, and the spirit of competition you bring to the field. Your talent and determination are the heart of this event, and we are here to celebrate each of you.
To our spectators, whether you are joining us for the first time or have been part of our community for many years, thank you for your enthusiasm and support. Your presence adds a vibrant energy to this event, and it is your passion for the sport that makes the Cowdray Gold Cup such a special occasion.
Welcome to the Cowdray Gold Cup 2024. Let the games begin!
Michael Cowdray
09:30 Gates open
TIMINGS
13:15 U.S. Polo Assn. Longest shot competition
13:30 Roda Polo Final
15:00 Cowdray Gold Cup Final
15:45 Half time competitions
17:30 Prize giving (estimated time)
WHAT’S ON TODAY
SHOPPING
» BeachBound Co
» Blue Water International AG
» Boat Club Trafalgar
» Butternut Box
» Casablanca
» Debbie J Harris Art
» Ednerat | Weskit
» Encompass Furniture Ltd
» Equestrian Art International
» Estribos Argentina
» Finishing Touches
» Finlay
» Frangipani
» George and James Architects
» Hook Polo
» Hortons England
» House of Poochie London
» IMV - Capazos
» Koy Clothing - Inspired by Kenya
» Mantis Art Studio and Gallery
» Memsahib Collections
» Misty Cashmere
» Newmarket 875
» Pioneros
» Robusto House Cigars
» Rosetta Equestrian
» Serena Organics
» The Well Heeled Hippy
» The Natural Edge - Health Nag Collagen
» Ware Collective
FOOD & DRINK
» Gusbourne
» No.3 Gin
» The Three Cockerels Bar
» De Luca’s Ice Cream
» Forest Hogs
» Howie’s Coffee
» Lisa’s Pizza Oven
» SWA Burger
» Ollie’s Loaded Fries
» Symonds Event Bars
PARTNER ACTIVATIONS:
Our Official Gin Partner No.3 will be giving two lucky spectators at the Gold Cup Final the chance to win a range of No.3 Gin gifts. Look out for their iconic key, dropped on the field during the treading of the divots to win. There are two keys available during the match, return the keys to the No.3 Gin bar to claim a bottle of their awardwinning Gin and a set of beautiful highball glasses. The winners must be aged over 18 to redeem the key. ID will be requested.
Gusbourne are giving spectators the chance to win an exclusive collectors’ membership worth £800. Look out for the QR code to enter by visiting the Gusbourne terrace. The winner will receive a yearlong membership with quarterly deliveries of fine and limited-edition wines. Terms and conditions apply.
The U.S. Polo Assn. token drop returns for 2024. During half time, one token worth £250 in apparel will be dropped on the field for our lucky spectators to find. Find the token and return it to the U.S. Polo Assn. tent to claim the coveted prize. The famous ‘Longest Shot’ competition will also return giving children aged 3 to 16 the chance to win £100 to spend at the U.S. Polo Assn. pop-up shop, as well as a free child polo lesson.
Information Point
Pearson Private Pagodas
Lawns Enclosure
Grandstand
Members’ Enclosure
Private Enclosure
Public Picnic Areas: F, G, H, I, J
Public Gazebo Areas: K, L, M, N
Horseboxes and Grooms’ Parking
Players’ Front Row Parking
Players’, Press and Disabled Parking
Pearson Pagodas
Members’ and VIP Parking and Pearson guests
Non-viewing Reserved Gazebo Enclosure
Trade, Staff and Contractors’ Parking
Coach Parking
Public Parking
Disabled Parking Enclosure
Jubilee Pagodas
John Cowdray Enclosure
First Aid
THE GOLD CUP TROPHY
The Gold Cup is made of a good quality silver gilt. The cup has two acanthus scroll handles, decorated with fine quality ornate leaf. Gold leaf is also applied to the decoration of the bowl and around the rim. It has an ornate knapped stem and circular decorated base which is mounted on a black wooden square plinth that has three tiers which are surrounded by silver plates.
These plates are engraved with past winners from 1955 to the present day. As beautiful as this cup is, it is not the original Gold Cup, which was stolen in a burglary at Lord Brecknock’s Lodsworth House in 1968. Despite the offer of a reward, it was never seen again.
The silver plaque on the front of the plinth is engraved with ‘The Cowdray Park Gold Cup presented by the Martini International Club.’
This cup is played for in the British Open Polo Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. It is not only the premier trophy in Europe but, after the Argentine Open, the British Open is the most coveted title in the polo world.
THE ROBERT GRAHAM UMPIRES TROPHY
The polo community will fondly remember Robert Graham who sadly died unexpectedly back in August 2019.
Robert forged a successful career as a professional player reaching a handicap of 6 goals and played in several Gold Cup tournaments. He later became a Grade A umpire in the high goal and was appointed as Chief Umpire for the HPA in November 2003. He remained in this role for 16 years and played a key role in bringing in rule changes to help improve the sport on both a playing and spectator level.
Robert received an HPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 for his work. As well as being a highly respected figure in the sport, he was also widely regarded as being the nicest man in polo. In further recognition of his contribution and services to polo, from 2022 onwards the Robert Graham Umpires Trophy, commissioned by the Graham family in collaboration with the HPA, will be presented annually to the two umpires of the Gold Cup Final as part of the prize giving ceremony.
The stunning silver salver, which is etched with a silhouette of Robert playing in Sotogrande will be presented by Vanessa Graham and Will Healy.
BEST PLAYING PONY RUGS
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing.
RoR’s Vision is for all former racehorses to enjoy a good life. ‘A life wellloved is a life well lived’ and our Mission is to safeguard the wellbeing of all former racehorses by:
» Setting and assuring retraining standards to support their successful transition out of racing and provide training and education for their new owners to help develop lifetime partnerships.
» Creating an engaged and engaging RoR community.
» Increasing the demand for former racehorses by promoting their versatility in a wide variety of equestrian activities and provide opportunities for participation in competitions.
» And on behalf of the racing industry, we will keep track of them and support any former racehorse in need.
RoR annually stages over 40 separate competition series across 15 different disciplines, catering for all levels of ability, from grassroots to elite. For the 10,000 plus thoroughbreds currently registered with RoR, there is an abundance of opportunities to compete against one another in disciplines such as dressage and showing, as well as bespoke series and classes in another dozen activities. Consequently, there is now an increasing demand for former racehorses among the wider equestrian community.
1956 Los Indios 9, Cowdray Park 4
1957 Windsor Park 5, Casarejo 3
1958 Cowdray Park 10, Woolmers Park 3
1959 Casarejo 7, Cowdray Park 6
1960 Casarejo 8, Centaurs 7
1961 Cowdray Park 7, Laversine 6
1962 Cowdray Park 8, Sao Silvestre 5
1963 La Vuici 8, Cowdray Park 7
1964 Jersey Lilies 10, Centaurs 3
1965 Jersey Lilies 9, Cowdray Park 5
1966 Windsor Park 13, Cowdray Park 9
1967 Woolmers Park 13, Chequers Manor 3
1968 Pimms 8, Chequers Manor 7
1969 Windsor Park 7, Pimms 6
1970 Boca Raton 13, Windsor Park 10
1971 Pimms 11, Columbia 10
1972 Pimms 7, Stowell Park 6
1973 Stowell Park 12, Cowdray Park 6
1974 Stowell Park 8, Cowdray Park 7
1975 Greenhill Farm 9, Jersey Lilies 5
1976 Stowell Park 10, Cowdray Park 7
1977 Foxcote 12, Cowdray Park 7
1978 Stowell Park 8, Cowdray Park 7
1979 Songhai 6, Les Diables Bleus 4
1980 Stowell Park 10, Cowdray Park 7
1981 Falcons 13, Ipanema 3
1982 Southfields 7, Les Diables Bleus 6
1983 Falcons 8, Centaurs 7
1984 Southfields 9, “B.B.s” 2
1985 Maple Leafs 11, Les Diables Bleus 10
1986 Tramontana 11, Cowdray Park 4
1987 Tramontana 9, Windsor Park 5
1988 Tramontana 15, Hildon House 8
1989 Tramontana 13, Cowdray Park 8
1990 Hildon 10, Cowdray Park 9
1991 Tramontana 11, Ellerston White 7
PAST FINALISTS
1992 Black Bears 10, Santa Fe 9
1993 Alcatel 9, Ellerston Black 8
1994 Ellerston Black 13, Pegasus 11
1995 Ellerston White 12, Black Bears 9
1996 CS Brooks 14, Ellerston White 13
1997 Labegorce 10, Isla Carroll 8
1998 Ellerston 13, CS Brooks 6
1999 Pommery 12, Ellerston 8
2000 Geebung 13, Black Bears 8
2001 Dubai 14, Los Tamaraos 9
2002 Black Bears 8, Emerging 7
2003 Hildon Sport 6, Labegorce 5
2004 Azzurra 17, Dubai 9
2005 Dubai 11, Black Bears 10
2006 Black Bears 9, Ellerston 8
2007 Lechuza Caracas 11, Loro Piana 19
2008 Loro Piana 11, Ellerston 10
2009 La Bamba de Areco 13, Dubai 10
2010 Dubai 14, Lechuza Caracas 12
2011 Zacara 12, Les Lions 11
2012 Cortium 10, El Remanso 9
2013 Zacara 11, Dubai 8
2014 Dubai 13, King Power 11
2015 King Power Foxes 14, UAE 8
2016 King Power 9, La Indiana 5
2017 King Power 13, El Remanso 8
2018 El Remanso 13, La Bamba de Areco 12
2019 Dubai 13, King Power 12
2020 Next Generation 14, Les Lions/ Great Oaks 12
2021 Thai Polo NP 9, UAE Polo Team 7
2022 Park Place 12, Dubai 9
2023 UAE Polo Team 12, Dubai 11
COWDRAY GOLD CUP FINALISTS
RODA POLO TOURNAMENT 2024
WHAT IS RODA POLO?
A 3-a-side sport where you can experience the speed, teamwork and dynamics of polo in the UK - riding an e-wheel.
WHERE DID IT START?
In 2019 former Argentine polo player Javier Tanoira spotted kids riding their eWheels on the polo field and enjoying tapping the ball - Javier thought they might be on to something. After giving it a go himself, he became instantly hooked. Javier is keen to promote the new sport to the UK and has teamed up with former England Polo Team Captain, Henry Brett, to help expand Roda Polo to the UK.
RODA POLO FINALISTS
LAWNS 2 | 13:30
UNTOLD
Teo Zevaoglu
Pedro Sola
Florencio Lanusse
Indalecio Pieres
Vincente Di Paola
Inigo Heguy
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP
Social membership at Cowdray Park Polo Club offers a relaxed and beautiful setting for all to enjoy the ‘Game of Kings’. As the home of British polo, Cowdray Park Polo Club prides itself on making polo accessible to all.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
» Free entry to all polo matches, including the Gold Cup semi-finals and final, for a member and guest (excluding junior membership)
» Over 25 reciprocal sporting events – full calendar to be launched pre-season
» Access to the Clubhouse and Members’ enclosure at all matches
» Complimentary diary, a commemorative badge and car pass
» Invitations to all the Club’s social events and exclusive members events throughout the season
» Regular e-newsletters with match reports, club updates and the seasons latest news
» Preferential rate at the Clubhouse at Ambersham
» A complimentary copy of the CPPC Yearbook
Join us at cowdraypolo.co.uk/membership
OPEN EVERY DAY 1 ST - 26 TH AUGUST 2024
After the success of last summer’s event, the Maize Maze is returning this year with a theme of ‘Farming Through the Ages’. It features a stamp trail, viewing platform as well as teas, coffees and light refreshments provided by the Farm Shop Café.There is even a Cowdray Lifestyle pop-up to browse in.
£6 per person | Three year olds and under go free Book your tickets www.cowdray.co.uk/maize-maze
FOLLOW THE ACTION
KEEP UP TO DATE
» COWDRAY TV
Purchase your tournament pass via our website to watch all the games in the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup 2024.
» SOCIALS
Instagram / Facebook / X: @cowdraypolo
LinkedIn: Cowdray Park Polo Club
» WEBSITE
Follow all the action leading up to the final stages of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup on our website cowdraypolo.co.uk
GUIDE TO POLO
The object of Polo is for a team to score more goals than its opposition to win the game. Each team of four is made up of attackers and defenders, but all members of a polo team are expected to be flexible and make any play whether offensive or defensive and change position as necessary to benefit the team.
PLAYERS HANDICAPS
Each player is given a handicap from -2 to 10 goals depending on his ability. The lowest handicap is -2 and 10 is the highest. A team’s handicap rating is calculated by adding together the 4 players’ handicaps. The handicap of teams entering the Cowdray Gold Cup is 20-22 goals.
THE TEAM
A team is made up of 4 players with each numbered 1 to 4. Each position has a purpose; No.1 and No.2 are the forwards, No.3 is the pivot position (usually the best player in the team) and No.4 (or Back) is the goal defender.
DURATION OF PLAY
Matches are divided into chukkas. In the UK, there are between 4 and 6 chukkas in a match, the number of which depends on the level of the polo (low goal – 4 chukkas, medium goal – 5 chukkas, high goal – 6 chukkas). Each chukka lasts 7 minutes, with an interval of 3 minutes between each one. At half time, the interval is extended and spectators are invited onto the pitch to tread in the divots. The bell is rung at the end of each 7-minute period. Play continues until the ball goes out of play, the umpire stops play for a foul, or the bell is rung for a second time 30 seconds after the first bell. In the final chukka, the match ends after the first bell.
UMPIRES & MATCH OFFICIALS
There are 2 mounted umpires on the pitch following the game and a third man (or referee) in the stands who acts as the arbitrator if the umpires cannot agree. There is a goal judge behind each goal and they will wave a flag when a goal is scored. The scorer and the timekeeper record the goals and track the timing and sound the bell at the end of each chukka.
CHANGING ENDS
Polo is probably the only game in which the teams change ends when a goal is scored, thus equalling out any ground or weather advantage.
THE START
Play starts with the umpire throwing in the ball between the two teams lined up in front of him. In the same way play is restarted after a goal is scored or if the ball goes out over the side boards. If the ball goes over the back line, there is a hit-in by the defending team. There is no offside in polo.
GUIDE TO POLO CONTINUED
RULES OF PLAY
Right of Way – During play there is an imaginary “line of the ball”, which is generally the direction in which the ball is travelling at any one moment. When a player has established the right of way along that line, it may not be crossed by an opposing player if there is the slightest risk of collision. Crossing – Any player who crosses the player holding the right of way close enough to be dangerous or cause a player to slow up, commits a foul.
Riding Off – pushing another player and his horse out of the way using your horse is permitted, whether the other man is playing the ball or not. But it must not be done by charging in at a dangerous angle, nor must the man in possession of the ball be crossed.
Hooking sticks – A player may hook an opponent’s stick provided he is on the same side of the opponent as the ball, or directly behind him, and provided the stick is below the level of the opponent’s shoulder. Players must not attempt to hook an opponent in front of the pony’s legs.
PENALTIES
Different types of penalties are awarded depending of the nature of the foul:
• Penalty No 1 – Automatic goal
• Penalty No 2 – 30 yd hit to an open goal
• Penalty No 3 – 40 yd hit to an open goal
• Penalty No 4 – 60 yd hit to a defended goal
• Penalty No 5 – A hit from the spot where the foul was committed
• Penalty No 5B – A hit from the centre of the ground. This is used when the defending team are attacking from their own half.
HEALTH & SAFETY
We very much hope that you will enjoy your day at Cowdray Park Polo Club, where accidents are very rare BUT polo is a dangerous sport.
Neither CPPC nor the Cowdray Estate can accept any responsibility for injuries to persons or property on this ground. The following safety rules must be observed:
» Please ensure that you watch the movement of the ball during play at all times and keep yourselves, friends, family and dogs out of the safety zone area.
» Please ensure you supervise your children who will not be as diligent as you.
» Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
» All guest access to the pony lines, lorry parking areas and agricultural machinery is strictly forbidden.
» Alcohol may be consumed only by those aged eighteen or over. We operate a ‘Challenge 25’ policy in all bars.
» No private barbecues allowed.
» Vehicles are admitted on condition that Cowdray Park Polo Club shall not be liable for damage to any vehicle. Anything in or on or about any vehicle howsoever such a loss or damage may be caused.
» Please report any suspicious packages to a member of staff
Cowdray Park Polo Club has a duty of care to all Gold Cup attendees and wishes everyone an enjoyable time. Anyone judged to be putting themselves or others at risk may be asked to leave the grounds by officials of the club.
Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AQ
COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB