Cowdray Park Polo Club - Season 2023 Yearbook

SEASON 2023

YEARBOOK

CONTENTS 2.................................. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME 2024 3.................................. LIST OF OFFICIALS 4.................................. GET TO KNOW THE COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB TEAM 6.................................. POLO MANAGER’S REVIEW 10.................................. AN INTERVIEW WITH TOMAS BERESFORD 20.................................. GOLD CUP FINAL 26.................................. GOLD CUP SEMI-FINALS 30.................................. MIDHURST TOWN CUP 32.................................. VIVA LA VIDA : THE IBIZA NIGHT 34.................................. THE GOLDEN AGE WITH NO.3 GIN 36.................................. RODA POLO : RIDE THE FUTURE 38.................................. MAIZE MAZE 40.................................. COWDRAY HOUSE 42.................................. ARTIST SPOTLIGHT : HORSES IN SPORTS 46.................................. A BADGE OF HONOUR 50.................................. ALL THE KING’S HORSES 52.................................. AN INTERVIEW WITH KAYLEY SMITH 54.................................. BRITISH LADIES HIGH GOAL FINAL 56.................................. BRITISH LADIES OPEN FINAL 60.................................. DOLLAR CUP FINAL 61.................................. DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CUP FINAL 62.................................. HARRISON CUP FINAL 63.................................. CHALLENGE CUP FINAL 64.................................. HOLDEN WHITE CUP FINAL 65.................................. AUTUMN CUP FINAL 68.................................. TOURNAMENT RESULTS 2023 76.................................. BEST PLAYING PONIES 2023 84.................................. AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER O’RORKE 86.................................. AN INTERVIEW WITH BEN TURNER 88.................................. AN INTERVIEW WITH KELLIE LEACH 91.................................. CHRISTOPHER HANBURY CUP 92.................................. FROM THE SIDELINES 94.................................. DOG SHOW 96.................................. SEASON 2023 PRIZE WINNERS 98.................................. PLAYERS’ MEMBERSHIP LIST WITH HANDICAPS 100.................................. PONY POWER 102.................................. PONY CLUB AND JUNIOR HPA 104.................................. COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB ACADEMY 2023 106.................................. TRIBUTES 110.................................. OUTSIDE THE BOARDS 114.................................. BUSINESS DIRECTORY COW D R AY PAR K P O LO CLU B | 2 0 2 3 SE ASO N Y E AR B O O K

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C H A I R M A N’S WELCOME 2024 Welcome to another wonderful polo season here at beautiful Cowdray Park Polo Club.

2023 was a great year for us with over five hundred games played. The newly resurfaced Lawns 1 performed incredibly well this season, garnering compliments from some of the best players in the world.

The grounds team worked very hard to combat the effects of some par ticularly unusual weather conditions, including dr y Nor th Easterly winds which made irrigation par ticularly difficult. We invested heavily in new equipment, and I am delighted to repor t that the grounds have had an extremely good year.

We continue to have the top three most attended polo days in British polo here at Cowdray Park. The ever-popular Midhurst Town Cup, the semi-finals and the finals of the British Open for the much-coveted Gold Cup drew over 30,000 people this season. We decided to remove entry fees for the Midhurst Town Cup to celebrate the reopening of the high street after the dreadful fire at the Angel Hotel, resulting in a record turnout.

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Fifteen high goal teams vied to lift the Gold Cup this year and the standard of play was extremely high. We saw significant growth in the eighteen and fifteen goal – along with a very high level of play.

Having massively reduced the cost to watch Cowdray Polo TV this year, we saw a doubling of the number of subscribers, thanks to suppor t from our new par tnership with PoloLine TV. I would like to thank the seven hundred plus people who suppor ted us once again this year with their membership. A big thank you, as always to the Cowdray Estate, without whom we would not be able to do what we have done each year for over a century. We are most grateful to the team and suppliers for their tireless suppor t in making all this look easy.

Finally, I would like to say a special thank you to our sponsors, whose highquality brands enhance the experience at Cowdray Park Polo Club. I very much look forward to welcoming you and your families to our beautiful club in the South Downs, once again.

LIST OF OFFICIALS

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN MEMBERS

HONORARY MEMBER

OFFICIALS MANAGING DIRECTOR POLO MANAGER ASSISTANT POLO MANAGER MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER POLO EXECUTIVE GROUNDS TEAM

PROJECT CONSULTANTS VETERINARY CONSULTANT PONY WELFARE CLUB VETERINARY PRACTICE

cowdraypolo.co.uk Viscount Cowdray The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson Andrew Swaffield John Bunn Nick Clague Andre Fattal James Harper Alan Kent The Marchioness of Milford Haven Jonathan Russell Julian Hipwood

01730 813257 Jamie Peel Chris Bethell Matt Sim Mar tine Har tridge Fleur Turner Anthony Lewis Michael Ethrington Lee Bliss Jakob Swiecicki Chris Salmon John Bishop P J McMahon MRCVS Patrick Churchward BVSc MRCVS Blackdown Equine Clinic

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G E T TO K N OW T H E C OW D R AY PA R K P O L O C LU B T E A M ... from Polo Managers to Groundsmen and everyone in between. At Cowdray Park we are proud to employ a huge range of personalities and these pages will introduce them and give you an insight into what they do behind the scenes.

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JAMIE PEEL, MANAGING DIRECTOR As a successful professional polo player for ten years, Jamie attained a UK handicap of 3 goals. His playing highlights include winning the Prince of Wales trophy with Dubai and the 2008 Gold Cup with Loro Piana. During his polo career Jamie enjoyed a variety of management roles with high and medium goal teams here in the UK and at club level abroad, giving him an insight into all aspects of the spor t. For the last eight years he honed his business and management skills in Newmarket, where he established and built a £1m + enterprise with over ten employees. The business was focused on pre-training, boarding, rehab and recuperation of racehorses. Jamie grew up a local boy and first played at Cowdray in the Pony Club. He said: “Cowdray Park Polo Club has always been a very special place for me, and to now be part of the management team is a huge honour“.

CHRIS BETHELL, POLO MANAGER Chris has been at Cowdray for the past 21 years. He began helping out the then chairman while still a player. Then, when the role of Assistant Polo Manager came up, Chris jumped at the chance to apply. He was soon promoted to Polo Manager and has held the role ever since.

“My highlight is always the Gold Cup and getting the two best teams to the final” he reflects. While polo is undoubtedly a huge par t of life for Chris, when he wants to relax you will find him either on the 7th tee looking down over the Queen Elizabeth Oak or spending time with his family.

MATT SIM, ASSISTANT POLO MANAGER Matt joined the team as par t of a university placement and, having experienced that first season, he stayed. He suppor ts the Polo Manager in the running of the club and manages team entries, play dates and scheduling all tournaments played at Cowdray. “I always look forward to the first chukkas of the season – they can be quite entertaining for those of us on the side-line. The Gold Cup is obviously the highlight of the calendar though” says Matt. When he’s not at work you’ll find Matt enjoying Ambersham common with his dedicated hound, Hibou, or blowing off steam out on the water at Bosham.

FLEUR TURNER, POLO EXECUTIVE As a former playing member, Fleur is known to many at the club.

Her new role is all things memberships – including events, presentations and the behind-the-scenes processes that make a polo office run smoothly. “One of my favourite times each year is when CPPC welcomes back the players, grooms, and ponies. The semifinals of the Cowdray Gold Cup are the highlight though; two incredible games showcasing the very best in British polo.” You’ll also find Fleur riding on the common or making beautiful jewellery.

MARTINE HARTRIDGE, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Managing the polo club brand, Mar tine has a broad role, encapsulating everything from the production of programmes, fixtures lists and the CPPC yearbook, to planning and producing all membership communications.

“My background is in marketing strategy, so I also

plan and oversee our social media campaigns, PR and press relations to drive awareness of the club.”

A new member of the team, Mar tine is enjoying getting to know the estate, and par ticularly enjoys any chance to get out to Ambersham and enjoy the games at Brooksfield.

ANITA HOWE, FINANCE MANAGER Anita is responsible for the Polo Club accounts and repor ting systems.

“Working at Cowdray and getting to know the game of polo has been genuinely exciting.

The grounds are simply stunning and it’s an absolute pleasure to work in this beautiful place” she says. Anita’s loves in life, besides her family, are Japanese food, and her dog, Harvey, who regularly keeps her company at the Polo Office.

TITCH LEWIS, GROUNDSMAN Titch’s main responsibilities are looking after the high goal grounds, marking all of the pitches and managing the irrigation at Lawns and Manor Farm. “As part of a small team I usually end up mucking in with any job that needs doing!”

MICHAEL ETHERINGTON, GROUNDSMAN As with the rest of the team, Michael may be a groundsman, but he takes on many other jobs around the club when it’s all hands to the pump.

“I look after it all – mowing, irrigation, general maintenance, even painting boards in the past.”

LEE BLISS, GROUNDSMAN Working with the rest of the grounds team, Lee helps to keep the grounds at their peak throughout the season. From irrigation to seeding, Lee and the grounds team are busy year round maintaining our world-renowned pitches. “Working with the rest of the grounds team is really rewarding, especially when top players compliment the quality of our pitches."

JAKOB SWIECICKI, POLO OPERATOR Jakob is our Polo Operator and a wizard with a paintbrush. He looks after the clocks, kick boards, name boards, and makes sure everything is working. “In the off season I have been busy hand painting the boards for each pitch.

On average there are 160 boards per pitch which is a lot of painting!”

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POLO MANAGER’S REVIEW The 2023 season proved a huge success with a number of long-standing patrons and teams making the jump to higher level polo.

Several of our 4, 6 and 8 goal patrons stepped up to play 12, 15 and 18 goal polo, which is excellent to see and could be a sign of what is to come in the next few years.

We had an increase in the number of teams playing in 18 goal tournaments in par ticular, with 15 teams in the Duke of Sutherland Cup up from 12 in 2022.

The Challenge Cup also saw a lift in teams up to 10 from 6 in the previous year. Interestingly, this included two teams who went on to play the Gold Cup tournament which rarely happens.

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As the season began, David Turner’s DJ Cats star ted strong and raised the Tyro Cup with up-and-coming talent Leon Donoso, Jimbo Fewster and his long-time professional Jake Daniels, beating Confido in a tight, closely fought game. The first Victor Ludorum 12 goal tournament, the Dollar Cup, followed swiftly with a staggering 20 teams entering. Creighton Boyd’s Confido continued their impressive winning streak, not losing a match on their way to lifting the trophy. Since 2019 when Confido first took home the Dollar Cup, they have won an impressive 19 out of the 22 matches they have played in the tournament and in the last 2 years have maintained a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 matches.

The 15-goal season was off to a great star t with 7 entries in both the Cicero Cup and Bryan Bethell Cup and we witnessed some tight matches throughout both tournaments. The final was between 2 Cowdray teams in Ferne Park/ Cowdray Vikings and Valhalla/Madams Farm. We managed to get a glimpse of Lukin Monteverde Jr. playing for Valhalla/ Madam Farm before he went on to his outstanding performance in the Gold Cup. Unfor tunately, they lost out to the experience of Ferne Park/ Cowdray Vikings who beat them 9-4, winning the Cicero Cup for a second year in a row with the same line up. On their way to winning they collected the Paul Withers Memorial Trophy presented by Sheldon Withers to commemorate her late husband and John Cowdray’s long-standing professional, Paul.

The Gold Cup, as always, delivered the high-octane polo that we all love to see.

There were numerous exciting matches out of the 37 played but we must commend the turnout for the Midhurst Town Cup, which coincided with the reopening of Midhurst high street.

Making the event free to all drove the spectator numbers into the 4,000’s which is staggering for the league stages of even the Gold Cup. We were treated to 2 exceptional matches that day in King Power v Park Place and Queens Cup finalists La Magdeleine v Dubai. However, the stand out match of the tournament had to be the first semi-final between Marques de Riscal and Dubai. Marques de Riscal came into the game as underdogs with nothing to lose, going toe-to-toe with the might of Dubai and for 6 chukkas no one could say who would end up in Sunday’s final.

As it was, Dubai snuck a win and ended up against UAE, fresh off their 18-9 win over Park Place in the semi-final. The two Castagnola brothers spent most of the first half battling with one another which gave Tomas Beresford, Lukin Monteverde jr. and Kayley Smith the chance to creep ahead going into the second half. The last 2 chukkas saw the star t of a come-back for the Dubai team, even pulling into the lead at one stage, before UAE equalised.

With seconds left Lukin came back out screaming for the pass from Bar to before the ball was out of the line out and scored an incredible tournament winning goal.

In all the excitement, we must commend Kayley for being the second ever woman to win the Gold Cup, an amazing achievement.

Despite thinking we had gotten away with only having rain at pre-season chukkas, the bad weather returned late in the season, to the annoyance of our playing members and their hard-working grooms. Torrential rain and dropping temperatures in late September meant the Autumn Cup and Farewell Cup felt incredibly autumnal.

Congratulations to Four Quar ters Orange for the second year running and Cheds on battling the adverse weather and securing some end of season silverware.

As always, my congratulations go to the 2023 Award winners, the Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson for Most Successful Patron and Rufus Uloth for the Most Promising Young Player for the second year, Nick Clague for winning the Large Cup for Pony Welfare for the second time and finally John Mar tin for taking home the Millennium Plate for Umpiring.

I must also thank the Cowdray Park Polo team on delivering this season, the grounds team for working tirelessly to keep our grounds in such great shape to provide our members with the best playing surface we can. Also, to our patrons, playing members, social members and sponsors for their continued suppor t throughout the season.

Here’s to more of the same in 2024!

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TOMAS BERESFORD BASE: Midhurst, West Sussex CURRENT HANDICAP: 7 TOP TIP:

Learn to play in different roles, how to lead your team and bring the best out of them.

Then invest all your profits in horses to be as best mounted as possible.

FAVOURITE COUNTRY TO PLAY IN:

San Cristobal, Santiago, Chile. The atmosphere at the club and playing with the Andes mountain range behind is incredible.

BEST POLO PONY:

Kenya, he’s a black gelding and is usually the star of the show. I know I can count on him when it matters most.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

TO M A S B E R E S F O R D UAE TEAM, 2023 CHAMPIONS BRITISH OPEN FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP It’s no exaggeration to say that polo is in the blood of Midhurst local and polo star Tomas Beresford.

His Father and two Uncles on his Mother’s side were all professional players. His Grandfather and Great Uncle both won the Gold Cup, so Tommy learnt the game from playing with polo legends.

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When he was fifteen, his parents gave him the oppor tunity to be homeschooled, enabling the fledgling player to make polo a priority and practice year-round.

While some disagreed, their suppor t for Tommy and his determination paid off.

Playing his first tournament - a 4-goal at Knepp Castle - at the age of 9, he rode out alongside his father Charles Beresford, Charles Seavill and Nick Johnson and continued to practice at Great Trippetts Farm with family and friends, witnessing many of the game’s top players based there over the years that followed.

Now at the end of a superb 2023 season and with a Gold Cup win under his belt, we caught up with Tommy to find out how he prepares to play his best polo, the experience of playing to elite level at his local Club and achieving his childhood dreams.

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TOP LEVEL POLO IS ALL IN THE PREPARATION “Polo has many variables to get right before the game” explained Tomas. “Working hard in the gym to improve strength, flexibility and reaction time is just the start. Then I need to prepare the 10-12 horses I expect to play. And not least, get together as a team to review game tapes, go through our strategy and practice.”

“As we approach game day, eating well and getting enough sleep are key. I don’t like to be too active on the day, so I usually go to the stables and polish my boots, which isn’t common amongst other pros, but I’ve always used it as a way to concentrate, it helps me to focus.”

“The adrenaline I get when I’m preparing for an important game still excites me” enthuses Tommy, who also has an eye on the rising stars and future competition. “Leon Donoso and Rufino Laulhe are both only 13 years old, but they read the game well and they are very tactically aware. It’s difficult for young English pros to be at their level, especially at that age, but the HPA are working on pathways to help the younger generation.”

FROM ENGLAND CAPTAIN TO GOLD CUP CHAMPION The promotion to England Captain has not changed Tommy’s pre-game routines or attitude. “I try to be a team player and a leader, on and off the field, in any team I play for. Luckily, whenever I play for England, there are always more experienced players on the team, so I try and learn as much as possible from them.”

“I’m very proud to have won the Coronation and Westchester Cups as England Captain, but this year’s Gold Cup definitely tops the list. Riding out on Lawns on a sunny day with friends and family on the sidelines is the best feeling in the world. I’m very lucky to have a tight-knit support group who follow my career very closely. Even when they can’t be there to watch in person, they don’t miss a chukka.”

“Winning the Gold Cup has always been my childhood dream. Being local to the Club, it was an incredible feeling to have support throughout the tournament. Winning the Cup with UAE made it even more special. Sheika Maitha and Lucas Monteverde have helped me so much over the past few years, and it’s always extra special when the team achieves the results everyone works so hard for.”

NEXT SEASON AND BEYOND “I’ll be playing with UAE Polo Team again,” confirms Tomas as we look ahead to the 2024 High Goal season. “Lukin and I went up a handicap this season, so we will be playing with a 7-goaler.”

“I want to keep competing in the most important tournaments around the world.

I’m yet to play the Argentine Open*, but I am working hard to get there. I aim to compete with a major team one day.” * A FTE R THIS IN T ERVI EW TO MMY PLAY ED FO R LA HACHE LA ROC A IN THE IR O PENI NG AR GENT I NE O PEN GAME BEAT I N G LA E SQUINA LA MASCOTA 18 - 7.

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U.S. POLO ASSN.

LA RESERVA SOTOGRANDE

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA) since 1890. The spor t-inspired lifestyle brand is proud to be the Official Apparel Par tner for the 2023 Cowdray Gold Cup. U.S. Polo Assn. is a multi-billion dollar spor ts brand with a global footprint that spans across 190 countries and over 1,100 U.S. Polo Ass. retail stores worldwide, offering apparel, footwear and accessories to men, women and children across the United States, United Kingdom and around the globe.

Overlooking the Mediterranean and surrounded by the stunning Andalusian countryside, La Reserva Club is an elegant, rare, and sophisticated community at the hear t of celebrated Sotogrande. Created to deliver the very best in family lifestyle, the Club offers its Members and Residents private access to a remarkable selection of leisure activities and services amidst its rich and sumptuous landscape.

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ASPINAL OF LONDON PRIZE SPONSOR

Aspinal of London is the quintessential English lifestyle brand. With their Head Office located a few miles from the Club, the brand offers handcrafted luxury leather accessories including handbags, wallets and gift ideas. aspinaloflondon.com @aspinaloflondon

EQUINE MANAGEMENT

SPONSOR OF THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CUP

Offering the highest quality equine products to trade, including the Stephen’s Polo range, Stephen’s Leatherwork and the “Gonzalito” saddle. UK Bomber Bits distributor and inventors of Gel Eze. equineman.com @stephenspolo

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SPONSORS COW D R AY PAR K P O LO CLU B | 2 0 2 3 SE ASO N Y E AR B O O K

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U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to be the Official Apparel Partner of the Cowdray Gold Cup!

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@USPOLOASSN

U.S. Polo Assn. is built on authenticity, heritage of the sport, and classic style.

With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through some 1,200 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores, hundreds of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, the sport-inspired brand offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories, fragrances, and footwear in 190 countries worldwide. In the U.K., a longstanding partnership with industry leader Brand Machine Group (BMG) has brought even more exposure for the brand in recent years, with the opening of its first two stores at Cheshire Oaks and East Midlands, and a plan for many more stores to launch in the market over the next five years. Growth in the U.K. across e-commerce and social media has exploded over the past few years and continues to build as the brand gains popularity across the U.K. U.S. Polo Assn. has been a longstanding Official Apparel Sponsor of the illustrious Cowdray Gold Cup. The brand even created a customdesigned Cowdray Park Capsule Collection which included Cowdray colors and emblems sold exclusively on-site at the event. Major sponsorships of other important polo events in the U.K. include the Westchester Cup which is one of the oldest rivalries in polo dating back to 1886, between England and the United States, as well as Polo in the Park.

More highlights in 2023 include the global, multi-billion-dollar sports brand winning multiple awards and recognitions! First, U.S. Polo Assn. climbed License Global magazine’s prestigious list of 2023’s Top Global Licensors and for the first time is ranked in the Top 25 global licensors and considered one of the largest sport licensors in the world. In addition, for the very first time, U.S. Polo Assn. received two Gold Stevie® International Business Awards® for Achievement in Growth and Achievement in International Expansion. U.S. Polo Assn. was also nominated as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards for Best Sports Licensed Brand. Global Polo Entertainment also won the 2023 Platinum LIT Commercial Award under Broadcast & Television: Sports for Breakaway: Women in Polo.

U.S. Polo Assn. continues to grow and connect with consumers in the U.K. through its new store openings, philanthropy, and sponsorships like Cowdray. Further highlighting the heritage and authentic connection between U.S. Polo Assn. and the sport of polo, the brand is proud of its partnership as the Official Apparel Sponsor of the iconic Cowdray Gold Cup.

Visit: uspoloassn.co.uk Follow: @uspoloassnuk

The mission of U.S. Polo Assn. is to give back to the sport of polo and to the communities the brand serves. In addition to being a top sponsor of polo events around the world, U.S. Polo Assn. supports many charitable events such as being the Official Apparel and Team Sponsor for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was team captain for the U.S. Polo Assn.

Team. The Royal Charity Day event raised over £1 million, and global awareness for multiple charities across the U.K. It’s with great pride that U.S. Polo Assn. announces another outstanding and historic partnership, this one with ESPN. Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), the media arm of USPA Global, which manages the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, now partners with ESPN and beIN Sports globally to share the sport of polo broadcasts on television and on-demand to millions of viewers around the world. The global leader in sports entertainment will air multiple championship games, ranging from high-goal tournaments to women’s and collegiate, exposing millions of sports fans and consumers to the sport across ESPN’s broadcast and streaming platforms.

U.S. Polo Assn. once again served as the Official Apparel Partner for the 2023 Cowdray Gold Cup. The Cowdray Park Capsule Collection was brought back and sold exclusively on-site at the U.S. Polo Assn. merchandise store.

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GOLD CUP FINAL Dubai met UAE Polo Team in Sunday’s heady final set against the romantic backdrop of the iconic Cowdray ruins.

The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup has always been and continues to be the highlight of the English high goal season and the spectacular turnout on Sunday 23 rd July proved the point.

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The match was anticipated to be one of the best in living memory, with not only two of the best line-ups of this year’s high goal season, but also featuring the talented Castagnola brothers on opposing teams.

There was all to play for this year, with 2022 finalists Dubai seeking their sixth Cowdray Gold Cup win, while UAE Polo were chasing their first with a near perfect journey to the final.

Despite gusty wind and heavy cloud in the morning, the sun came out on the immaculate grounds of Lawns 2 as the two teams rode out for a tense final.

Within minutes, UAE had raced into action, holding Dubai scoreless while they lead by 3 goals in the opening chukka to much surprise from the crowds and Dubai players alike. The second chukka began in UAE’s favour with Lukin Monteverde (6) lofting a lovely shot to increase the lead to 4-0. Camilo Castagnola (10) managed to break free of UAE’s marking to take the ball down the ground, assisting Rashid Albwardy (2) to get Dubai on the score board 4-1.

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From the third chukka onwards, an exchange of attacks ensued between the two teams. Strong offensive saw the third chukka star t with a goal from Bensadon (8), followed by a conver ted penalty from Camilo Castagnola. Dubai seemed to have found their form, however Beresford swiftly regained the lead for UAE. Bensadon managed to conver t another goal despite UAE making them work for it with players marking everywhere. The four th chukka began with a penalty oppor tunity for UAE, ably scored by Tomas Beresford.

UAE knew the key to their success was to keep Camilo Castagnola heavily marked which they skilfully achieved, despite the 10-goaler testing UAE’s defence at every oppor tunity.

Dubai opened the fifth chukka with a combination goal from Camilo Castagnola and Beltrán Laulhé (3), but with every goal, UAE gave a reply, and with Beresford’s cool conversion of another penalty, UAE’s score entered double digits, 10-8.

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Camilo Castagnola got the ball rolling in the final chukka with a penalty conversion, despite the wind, as the score levelled to 10 a-piece, seeing Dubai’s persistence pay off. In a last chance turning of the tide, Camilo Castagnola found a way through to take Dubai into the lead for the first time, but, to his team’s relief, Beresford conver ted another penalty to level the score 11-11.

With a final minute left to go and all to play for, Bar to Castagnola sent the ball flying down the field to Lukin Monteverde, who picked up the ball to score 12-11 securing the victory for UAE Polo Team.

With both teams at the podium, the glittering Gold Cup trophy was presented to a delighted Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum by Amanda Pearson, a member of the Cowdray family. The Most Valuable Player title was presented to Bar to Castagnola by Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing Inc. The Best Playing Pony rug was presented

by The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson to Sola, played by Bar to Castagnola and owned by the UAE Polo Team.

The King Power Best Playing Patron Pony rug was awarded to Chalo Galaxy

by Liz Higgins, played and owned by Rashid Albwardy.

The Rober t Graham Umpires Trophy was presented by Betsy and Vanessa Graham to Jason Dixon, Peter Wright and Tim Bown.

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GOLD CUP SEMI-FINALS Spectators enjoyed two exhilarating semi-final matches on Lawns 1 on Wednesday 19 th July as four teams battled to secure places in the Final.

With a rare appearance from the glorious British sunshine, Dubai overcame Marques de Riscal 15-12 in a close contest to secure The Ellerston Cup. UAE Polo Team were victorious against reigning champions Park Place to claim The Tramontana Cup 18-9.

The semi-finals of the 2023 British Open Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup began with a thrilling match between Dubai and Marques de Riscal for the Ellerston Cup. An extremely close game throughout with both teams battling for possession of the ball. Dubai led by three goals into the last minute with a final score of 15-12 to the Dubai Polo Team.

In the second game of the Cowdray Gold Cup semi-finals, Park Place faced UAE on Lawns 1 for the Tramontana Cup. Amazing teamwork by UAE put victory into their hands with a final score of 18-9, securing their place in the Final.

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Midi London Tote in Cherry Pebble

Mount Street Laptop Bag in Tobacco Pebble Midi London Tote in Tan Woven Leather (opposite page)

MIDHURST TOW N CUP With Midhurst high street reopened and the sunshine out in full force, crowds flocked to Cowdray Park Polo Club’s beloved family event, the Midhurst Town Cup, on Sunday 2nd July at Lawns. Open to all, families and polo fans alike enjoyed tractor rides, face painting, a gundog display

by Jason Mayhew and demonstrations celebrating the countryside. Picnic rugs down the edge of the field and Cowdray hampers full of food, everyone settled in to watch the match which featured return champions - Dubai and their top goal scorer Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola.

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La Magdeleine took on Dubai in a much-anticipated match, both teams demonstrating a huge amount of horsepower. Dubai dominated the play in the first chukka with goals by Camilo Castagnola, Rashid Albwardy and Rufino Bensadon in quick succession, broken only by a lone goal from La Magdeleine’s 9-goaler Pablo Mac Donough. After a shaky star t, La Magdeleine came out fighting in the second chukka, trading goals back and for th between Castagnola, Mac Donough, Albwardy, and finally Fernandez-Llorente to close score going into the third chukka 4-7 to Dubai.

The adrenaline fuelled match didn’t lose pace as they neared the halfway point, once again scoring goals one a piece in a game of cat and mouse. Santiago Laborde at Back brought home a seventh goal for La Magdeleine, maintaining the 3-goal difference between the two teams.

The crowd descended onto the field to help tread in the divots and meet the Cowdray Park Polo Club Academy ponies, ridden by some of the youngest members of the Cowdray Hunt Pony Club. With spectators safely back to the sidelines, the

second half of the game got underway, with Dubai’s offensive continuing thick and fast, managing to break away from La Magdeleine in the four th chukka. Rufino Bensadon conceived two successive goals to widen the lead for the team in green, followed swiftly by Castagnola’s sixth goal of the match to bring the Dubai team well into the lead with 13 points to La Magdeleine’s 7.

Quickly answering the run, Pablo Mac Donough found the mark to put two goals away for La Magdeleine, before lofting a third into goal in response to Albwardy’s point for Dubai. The gap was closing fast between the two teams as they entered the final chukka, Mac Donough determined to turn the game in his team’s favour with a two-goal offensive blitz, but alas it was

not enough to take the lead as the final bell declared Dubai victorious with 14 goals to 12.

Following a brief rest from such an intense final, the players headed to the podium, where Carol Lintott (exiting Chair of Midhurst Town Council) presented the glittering trophy to a delighted Rashid Albwardy who also scooped the Most Valuable Player prize-hamper. The Best Playing Pony rug went to Olivia, played

by Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola. After the prize giving the day continued in much merriment as children headed back onto the field with dogs and e-wheels in tow, to make the most of this memorable early summer day.

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V I VA L A VIDA: THE I B I Z A S TO RY Spanish culture weaves seamlessly into polo at Cowdray Park, whether at our Gold Cup launch par ty with Faustino’s bar or relaxing in the elegance of the La Reserva Sotogrande Lawns enclosure.

Yet nowhere is the Spanish sunshine brighter than at the sold-out annual Ibiza Night at Cowdray Park. Here we take a look at the origin of the world’s par ty capital and its mesmerizing draw on par tygoers of all ages.

The holy grail of Spanish par tying is none other than Ibiza, par ty capital of the world.

It's where house music and pop remixes reign supreme - from the early 2000s Benny Bennasi and Basshunter tracks to the more recent Dua Lipa hits.

Ibiza nights are as much par t of the culture as the beaches. Unsurprisingly, Ibiza par ty culture dates back to hippies, creatives, and artists fleeing conformity in the '60s and '70s.

While the public might see Ibiza as just a scene for electronic house music, the sound of Ibiza is so much more multi-faceted.

As with most music scenes shaped in the '70s, rock'n'roll is a big par t of Ibiza's early par ty history. The Ibiza experience is renowned worldwide for its vibrant and diverse nightlife. It's a destination known for hosting some of the best electronic dance music (EDM) events and DJ performances in the world. People are drawn to the island's unique par ty culture, which is characterized by beach par ties, SuperClubs, and a generally carefree and hedonistic atmosphere.

For those who have visited Ibiza or dream of going there someday, Ibiza Night evokes nostalgia and helps recreate the cherished memories of their experiences on the island. It's a way to relive those moments and share them with others.

Cowdray Park’s Ibiza Night will return in 2024, with tickets launching in early March.

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THE GOLDEN AGE WITH NO.3 GIN Throughout history, Gin and Jazz have always been known as a par ticularly harmonious pair. In the 1930s, they were brought together in their raw forms for teenage dances, as the popularity of both coincided with the Prohibition era in the United States. This year, Cowdray Park Polo Club hosted their second Gin & Jazz evening with No.3 Gin to celebrate their shared appreciation of history and craftsmanship.

Gin and jazz's association has several historical and cultural foundations, giving them a strong bond. During Prohibition, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were banned, but speakeasies continued to serve cocktails with jazz music often the enter tainment of choice.

Gin was a commonly used base spirit at this time, as it was easy to procure and mixed well with a variety of flavours to produce many now iconic drinks.

No.3 Gin was created by Berry Bros. & Rudd, London’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, based at No.3 St James’s Street since 1698. In 2008 Berry Bros. & Rudd set the ultimate challenge: to create the perfect London Dry Gin and set a new benchmark for quality.

It took two years; working with the ultimate masters in gin to refine the perfect recipe, including Dr. David Clutton – the only person in the world to have a PhD in gin. The result was a perfect balance of juniper, citrus and spice made possible 34 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

by craftsmanship, passion and precision.

To meet their exacting standards, No.3 is distilled in a unique 100-year-old, brickencased copper pot still in Holland - the home of gin.

It is their relentless pursuit of perfection, passion and precision that makes No.3 Gin a perfect par tner for Cowdray Park Polo Club and its dedicated spor tsmen and women. Sophie LeButt, Cowdray Park Polo Club’s Par tnership Manager perfectly describes the relationship between the two brands: “The No.3 Gin partnership with Cowdray Park Polo Club is a fabulous showcase of two British brands coming together with a shared goal of being ‘the world’s best’. Cowdray is internationally recognised as the ‘Home of British Polo’, attracting the best players in the world to play on some of the best grounds in the world. As a four-time winner of the ‘World’s Best Gin’ at the International Spirits Challenge, No.3 Gin has swiftly landed world class recognition since its inception. The rich heritage of both brands also contributes to the synergy of this partnership. The Club is delighted to be partnered with No.3 Gin, and to be offering their award-winning product to our polo audience."

BESPOKE COCKTAIL The mixologists at Berry Bros. & Rudd created a bespoke cocktail at this year’s British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup; The No.3 Gin Royal Rose Spritz.

Containing No.3 Gin, Rose & Raspberry Syrup and Sparkling Wine, this twist on a classic Spritz takes inspiration from the Estate’s Tudor links. The Royal Rose pays homage to the iconic red Tudor rose through the use of rose & raspberry syrup and the garnish of rose petals.

TO RECREATE AT HOME INGREDIENTS: » » » »

35ml No.3 London Dry Gin 15ml rose and raspberry syrup* sparkling wine such as Cremant rose petal to garnish

METHOD » » » »

fill up a tall glass with ice add No.3 Gin and the rose and raspberry syrup top with sparkling wine stir and garnish with a red rose petal

* created by mixing a rose and a raspberr y syrup

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RO D A P O L O : RIDE THE FUTURE The otherworldly e-wheels of Roda Polo have been a feature of many of the larger tournaments on the polo circuit this season. This polo variant retains many of the qualities, the speed and techniques of its namesake but sees horses replaced by electric wheels, resulting in plenty of fast and furious action.

Cowdray Park Polo Club hosted a number of exhibition matches in 2023. To discuss the origins and inspiration for this new spor t and the future of polo on e-wheels, we sat down with former England Polo Team captain Henry Brett, one of the three founders of Roda Polo UK, a team that includes entrepreneurs and polo enthusiasts Andrew Ward and Tom Fletcher.

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“Roda Polo is a tremendously exciting, fastpaced team sport,” says Henry, who is as enthusiastic about the spor t as the young players that Roda Polo UK suppor t at exhibition matches around the country.

The spor t originally began with founder, Javier Tanoira. The son of the extraordinary Gonzalo Tanoira, the legendary 10-goaler who was a member of Mar del Plata, in the days of the historical clashes between Coronel Suarez and Santa Ana, Javier is a curious and restless man. A former Triple Crown player, he has always contributed great ideas to improve a spor t he is both fond of and has grown with.

Javier’s latest creation was born in 2019 with the desire to design a platform for players that would allow them to enjoy the speed and dynamics of polo without the need for costly investment in pony management. A design team, backed by investors and headed by Javier, star ted working on the first prototype in Cordoba, Argentina. Unexpectedly, it turned out the future of the “electric polo game” envisaged by Tanoira was already here.

A CHANGE OF DIRECTION Having spotted the children of professional polo players in Argentina riding their e-wheels on the polo field, happily stickand-balling while their parents played on horseback, Javier saw they were on to something.

This realisation gave rise to Javier’s creation of the new spor t of Roda Polo and the formulation of a set of rules that has allowed the ever-growing base of players to safely enjoy and compete in the spor t.

Since then, the spor t has continued to gain momentum in Argentina and is now gaining many fans in the UK too through the effor ts of Henry, Tom and Andrew.

Played as a three-a-side, non-contact team spor t, polo on e-wheels requires less space and no access to polo ponies, making it very accessible to children and adults alike.

As well as being a tremendously exciting new spor t in its own right, Roda Polo is also proving to be an excellent tool to improve balance, hand eye coordination and timing for young equestrian polo

players as well – providing an easy way to practice these skills at any hour, with or without a pony to hand.

For the team at Roda Polo UK, it is the vibrant culture and thrill of the game that is at the hear t of their passion for the spor t. Henry continues, “Our mission is to launch Roda Polo across the UK, allowing as many people as possible to take part and enjoy the thrill and excitement of this fantastic new sport. We hope to bring Roda Polo to the masses, including those who may know little about the traditional sport.”

The Roda Polo UK team can facilitate sessions at schools, universities and corporate sites, for fur ther information please contact Roda Polo UK at www.rodapolouk.com or email the team at info@rodapolouk.com To purchase e-wheels, mallets and other Roda Polo equipment please email shop@rodapolouk.com Follow on Instagram @rodapolo.uk

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MAIZE MAZE

The setting for Cowdray’s inaugural Maize Maze was spectacular.

Visitors were greeted by scenes of green and golden yellow maize rippling in the summer sunshine, a field of brightly coloured cheery sunflowers and views of the world-renowned Lawns polo fields stretching out towards Cowdray Ruins.

Planted over two hectares by Cowdray’s farming team in the fields above Cowdray Lawns, the Maize Maze proved very popular with all ages providing a fun challenge for all the family.

Opening in Mid-August 2023 and luckily coinciding with better summer weather, visitors were able to enjoy the maze through to the star t of September. Over 6,500 visitors took the oppor tunity to explore the trail and enjoy the sunflower picking patch.

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Farmer Barney who had lost his animals and some of his impor tant machinery within the maze. The children were asked to find a ‘high tech’ tractor, the drone he uses to map weeds and the worms that create healthy soil, among other items.

At the star t, young maze-goers were given a stamp sheet to complete collecting eight hidden stamps along the way. If they answered the questions correctly a stamp could be added to their sheet.

“This was a community focused project which taught children about farming as well as being a bit of summer holiday fun,” said Nick McDonald, the Estate’s Land and Environment Manager, who worked with a Cowdray team including Head of Farming Barney Tremaine, whose team have been instrumental in the project.

“It was a massive group effort from so many people across Cowdray to ensure the Maize Maze was a success, and the feedback has been unanimously positive – it’s been a great opportunity to introduce the Estate to many people who have never been here before.”

The project took a long time in the planning with many logistics to sor t out. In the Spring the maize was planted. Barney and his team loaded the design of the bee, cow and chicken into the tractor’s GPS enabling the drills to turn on and off at the appropriate time to create the walkways.

The Maize was then constantly checked ensuring that it was growing and ready for visitors in the late summer.

There was also a photo frame for visitors to take pictures against the stunning backdrop of the sunflowers as well as a piano and hay bales for children to play on. There were plenty of refreshments and a marquee to sit under to enjoy them, again with picturesque views towards Cowdray Ruins.

“It was such a pleasure to see so many people having fun over the summer and enjoying an environmentally friendly project. Wildflower strips were planted around the outside, and afterwards, at the end of September the maize was cut and taken for cow feed, so that nothing is wasted. The sunflowers were also harvested for seed.”

“We were very lucky that there was glorious sunshine on the opening evening, and it was a real buzz seeing children running around the maize, playing on the hay bales and picking giant sunflowers that were often bigger than them!” said Nick.

Tickets were available both online and on the gate with a percentage of ticket sales going to Cowdray’s nominated charity for 2023 Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex and a propor tion of the sale of sunflowers was donated to Ukraine Sunflower Aid.

Once through the maze, there was a giant Sunflower Picking Patch, where children can pick these giant flowers to take home.

The Maize Maze will take place again next summer.

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C OW D R AY H O U S E With a buzz in the air, polo players, committee members and Patrons among others gathered at Cowdray House on a beautiful sunny evening in June for the eagerly anticipated Gold Cup Draw hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club.

Guests were welcomed on arrival to Cowdray House before they walked into Buck Hall, an impressive room at the hear t of Cowdray House with its vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows and arched minstrel’s gallery.

The stage was set for the 15 teams to find out who was taking on who in the fiercely contested British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup. The draw was also streamed live on social media as well as via PoloLine to Cowdray TV so that polo enthusiasts and players not able to attend could watch the draw from wherever they were in the world.

“This year we wanted to transform the Gold Cup Draw into a really fun event bringing together the polo community to enjoy music, socialising and most importantly to find out who plays who in the opening stages of this world-class tournament,” said Jonathan Russell, CEO of Cowdray Estate. “It was also a great opportunity to showcase Cowdray House and demonstrate what a fabulous and versatile events space it is.”

The Drawing Room was conver ted into the ‘Winglet Bar’, so named because the bar was made up of a wing tip of a Boeing Business Jet. The bar opened onto the terrace and croquet lawn where guests not only socialised in the summer sunshine but also enjoyed music from a DJ, who played to the crowd from the Diamond Suite balcony.

Over the years, Cowdray Park Polo Club has had a longstanding connection with Cowdray House. The Estate was bought by the esteemed businessman Sir Weetman Pearson in 1909, who was made the First Viscount Cowdray in 1917, and his original intention was to restore Cowdray House and live there but this dream was not achieved as the First World War intervened.

In 1919 Harold Pearson became the second Viscount Cowdray, and his love of polo resulted in the ‘House Ground’ being laid out at Cowdray House, which is still in use today both for polo exhibition matches and for polo lessons for the more adventurous. In 1933 Harold was succeeded by his son, Weetman John Churchill Pearson and during the war, the polo fields were ploughed up in favour of food production. After the Second World War, polo began again and in 1956 the Cowdray Park Gold Cup was played for the first time.

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To preserve this magnificent house and to ensure that the Estate is sustainable for future generations, the Four th and current Viscount, Michael, took the decision to launch an events business in 2015. With 22 bedrooms and 110 acres of private landscaped gardens, Cowdray House has become a celebrated exclusive use venue for private stays, celebrations and corporate events.

“Following the Gold Cup Draw, we have been in full swing hosting an array of different events from multi-generational families gathering here for private stays to drinks parties, corporate events and weddings,” said Neil Georges, Director of Events and Hospitality at Cowdray. “Every stay and event is different, and each one is tailored to meet the client’s individual needs.”

As well as enjoying everything that the House has to offer including a bowling alley, indoor and outdoor swimming pool and tennis cour t, a range of different and unusual activities can also be arranged such as visiting the House beehives in the valley behind the lake.

“Stargazing is very popular; guests wrap up in cashmere blankets and enjoy hot toddies while having the constellations of the Cowdray night sky explained to them,” commented Neil.

“As are expeditions with the Cowdray Estate forager where guests can explore this beautiful landscape learning about wild food and the world of foraging.

We have also arranged for a fireside dining experience where Cowdray chefs cooked for guests on an Asado grill with tables laid out in the beautiful Wellingtonia Avenue in the grounds of the house.”

With the English seasons being so unique, the feel of the house and the gardens change depending on the time of year ; however, be it winter, spring, summer or autumn Cowdray House is a home away from home at any time of year.

Christmas is an especially magical time with the house decorated with wreaths as well as foliage foraged from the Estate, and a 25-foot Christmas tree cut from Cowdray’s woods delivered by the forestry team forms the centrepiece of Buck Hall.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back the polo community for Christmas drinks,” said Neil. “Whether on the terrace in the summer sunshine for the Gold Cup Draw or in the magical surroundings of Buck Hall at Christmas, the house suits all seasons.”

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A RT I S T S P OT L I G H T: H O R S E S I N S P O RT S

Featured ar tist Askild Winkelmann’s paintings subtly capture the dynamism, charisma and athleticism of the majestic polo pony.

Her work was exhibited at this year’s Gold Cup, and she is often found pitch-side, working on her latest equine masterpiece. We caught up with her to discover why she finds such inspiration in horses and Cowdray Park Polo Club.

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“I have been an enthusiastic fan of Cowdray Polo for many years, it has been a great source of inspiration,” says the ar tist Askild Winklemann, her bubbly personality bursting through in her highly detailed por traits of horses and equine spor ting tableaux. “A deep affection for horses has accompanied me throughout my life. I grew up surrounded by these majestic animals in the countryside of Northern Germany, playing and learning in close proximity to them.”

Askild is an emerging ar tist who studied ar t in many guises, from contemporary ar t in Barcelona to The Old Masters in Florence. She received her MFA at West Dean College in West Sussex, before moving to and working from her studio in London. No stranger to locals with an eye on the ar t scene, Askild exhibits regularly in Midhurst, and has suppor ted many local causes such as painting and raising money for The Pony Club Finals at Cowdray. This year, Askild was proud to exhibit her work for horses in spor t at the Cowdray Gold Cup Final, bestowing one of her original pieces on King Power CEO Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. “I’ve exhibited my paintings at the Gold Cup twice, it brings me immense joy to give something back,” she says of her gift.

INSPIRATION STRIKES AT COWDRAY PARK Askild’s love of horses and equestrian spor ts grew as she attended polo matches at Cowdray Park. “I admire the dichotomy between the settled calmness of the horses on the one hand and their raw and explosive power on the other.” This passion drove her to experiment with combining figurative horse paintings with abstract techniques, breathing new life into her work. Experimentation quickly morphed into a serious study of horses with a focus on their detail and emotion. “I realised the souls of the horses are reflected in their eyes and can be shown through the medium of a detailed painting,” she reflects. “To me, depictions of a horse and its rider should reflect their passion and energy, as well as their rationality and focus.”

In her pieces she emphasises the exchange

between these two entities. The abstraction in her art highlights the movement of the horse and rider, while the realism displayed in the horses’ faces show their raw emotion and soul. Askild strives to capture not only the movement of the game-play in her work, but also the strength and elegance of the horses’ movements.

“I am absolutely captivated by the historic relationship between horses and humans.

We appear fragile next to their strength, and yet we have harmonised in intimate interdependence for centuries.” Her passion for these majestic animals is evident in both her words and her work.

Askild is available for commissions at horsesinsports.com horsesinsports@gmail.com Instagram: @horsesinsports Photography by Philip Behrends

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P E R F EC T LY B R I T I S H

CL A S SIC CUVEE A N E L EG A N T C O M B I N AT I O N O F I N T E N S I T Y, D E L I C AC Y A N D L E N G T H

N Y E T I M B E R .CO M # PE R FEC TLY B R I T I S H EN JOY R E S P O N S I B LY

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england’s finest sparkling wine

Proud champions of sporting talent and the best of British craft, Nyetimber is thrilled to be the Official Sparkling Wine Partner of Cowdray Park Polo Club. As the Official Sparkling Wine Partner of Cowdray Park Polo Club, Nyetimber has been available to social members and visitors and presented to victorious teams throughout the season.

about nyetimber

tillington

For over 35 years, Nyetimber has had a single aim: crafting exceptional English Sparkling Wine that rivals the very best in the world. A true pioneer, Nyetimber was the first producer of English Sparkling Wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Regarded as England’s finest sparkling wine, Nyetimber is made from one hundred percent estate-grown grapes.

Owner and Chief Executive, Eric Heerema, works together with Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and Senior Winemaker Brad Greatrix to produce wine of extraordinary elegance and quality. Cherie Spriggs was named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge 2018 – one of the most highly-regarded wine competitions in the world. She was the first woman as well as the first person outside the Champagne region of France to win this prestigious award. Nyetimber has 11 vineyards spanning 372 hectares in West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent.

While the stunning Sussex countryside provides the perfect backdrop for the Gold Cup, it is also the land of the grapes used to create one of Nyetimber’s rarest and exclusive cuvees.

Tillington 2014 originates from a single vineyard – aptly named Tillington – a Nyetimber site that neighbours Cowdray Park. This elegant sparkling wine is made from a Pinot Noir - Chardonnay blend from a small set of vines that produce grapes of distinctive flavours. With beautiful red fruit and floral perfume, Tillington 2014 is a true expression of place.

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A BADGE OF HONOUR The concept of membership badges has a long history that dates back centuries as a way to identify groups or distinguish individuals. As we discovered, the Cowdray Park Polo Club badge draws on historical iconography and symbolism to illustrate the kinship, values and shared passions of the Club’s members.

In medieval times and during the Renaissance, badges were used to signify allegiance to a noble family or military unit.

Often made of metal or cloth, they were worn on clothing or carried as tokens to help individuals identify themselves and their social status or affiliation. During the 18th and 19th Centuries, badges became common among fraternal organizations, societies, and clubs. They featured elaborate designs, rich with symbolic meaning related to the values, goals and rituals of the organization. Freemasons, for example, used various symbols on their badges to represent ranks and degrees of seniority within the organization.

A STATUS SYMBOL As societies became more organised and urbanised in the 20th Century, membership badges continued to be used by various social and spor ts clubs to signify belonging, rank or allegiance. Now, even in the digital age, online communities have evolved the membership badge into the digital realm to indicate a user’s status or achievements.

Earned through par ticipation, contributions, or specific accomplishments within the online space, these badges carry much of

the same prestige and significance of their physical counterpar ts.

Even within an organisation or society, the badge can change and evolve over time to refine not only its aesthetic appeal, but to incorporate symbols more representative of the group’s changing goals and values, refining the message of the wearer to the world around them.

While today, badges are a universally accepted positive, displaying loyalty, unity and camaraderie, there have been darker moments in its history where badges were used to mark individuals as ‘other’, as not belonging and as of a lower status to the non-badge wearer. Thankfully this stain on its history has not derailed the popularity of badges to convey a positive message of belonging, whether it be self-awarded, as is the case with a pin badge representing a team or band, or bestowed, as with exclusive clubs and societies.

THE COWDRAY GRIFFIN At Cowdray Park, as with other spor ting clubs, the members badge identifies people with a common passion. The Cowdray Park Polo Club emblem evolved from the Coat of arms of Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray. The demi-griffin, featured across the Cowdray Estate on its buildings and in the well-known logo, holds between its claws a millstone and perches above a sun in splendour. The motto “Do It With Thy Might” appearing frequently alongside the coat of arms. This iconography now modified to include a scroll is the symbol of the polo club, reproduced on the badges of members and drawing on this rich history of kinship to represent those who choose to join the Club’s ranks and suppor t the future of polo at Cowdray Park.

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ALL THE KING'S HORSES As we review a year in which many teams were crowned victorious at Cowdray Park, we cannot neglect the crowning of the Prince of Wales on Saturday 6th May as he ascended in his Coronation to become the King of England.

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The archives at Cowdray hold the letters of a lasting friendship between 3rd Viscount John Cowdray and His Majesty King Charles III and, as we discovered, a lasting affection from the new monarch for his time at The Club.

Polo, as a spor t in this country, faced a bleak future in the post-war era due to a lack of ponies and players, not least because of the mechanisation of the Cavalry and Hurlingham’s loss of its grounds as par t of the war effor t. It was at Cowdray Park that perhaps the most valiant attempt to revive the game took place. Due to the untiring enthusiasm of the third Viscount Cowdray, John Pearson, and a band of equally devout pre-war players, ponies were found, and oppor tunities provided to play chukkas.

Young, far from well-off players were encouraged and public interest far exceeded initial expectations. In a few shor t years Cowdray had become the home of polo in the United Kingdom.

THE KING AND I The then Prince of Wales, His Majesty King Charles III, was encouraged to take up polo

by Lord Mountbatten, like his father before him. King Charles began stick-and-balling during school holidays in 1963 playing on San Quinina, a pony given to him by Prince Philip. It was around this time that King Charles was to benefit from Sombra, a gift from John Cowdray. “I remember his particular kindness in giving me one of his old and experienced polo ponies,“ declared King Charles in a letter from Kensington Palace.

“She was a kind of Rudyard Kipling’s Maltese Cat and one of the best teachers you could have.”

The King took par t in the British high-goal season from 1973, and on three occasions reached the final of the Gold Cup at Cowdray Park. In 1982 and 1985, he played for Guy Wildenstein’s Les Diables Bleu and in 1987 for Windsor Park, revived under the sponsorship of Geoffrey Kent. This time, they were gallant runners-up to Tramontana, who were capturing the cup for the second of their record-breaking five wins.

FOND MEMORIES King Charles was to retire from the Windsor Park line-up in 1990, though he continued to play the annual charity match in aid of King Edward VII Hospital.

At Cowdray in 1991 he lined up with Geoffrey Kent to face a Cowdray Park squad who, after a hard fight, rode out the winners 11-8.

In 2001 – that annus horribilis when a foot and mouth epidemic saw Guards closed and polo elsewhere cur tailed – Cowdray Park hosted the Coronation Cup, with the then Prince of Wales arriving to make the presentation to victorious England.

“I have the happiest memories of my long association with The Club and developed the deepest respect for Lord Cowdray, who did so much to promote and develop polo after the war”, recalls King Charles in a letter from Clarence House. “Polo owes an enormous amount to the enthusiasm and generosity of Lord Cowdray.”

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KAYLEY SMITH BASE: Midhurst, West Sussex CURRENT HANDICAP: 0 (ladies handicap 4) TOP TIP:

Practice is everything and then a good attitude helps win tough games.

FAVOURITE COUNTRIES TO PLAY IN:

I travelled to Dubai with the UAE Polo Team and loved the culture and what the country has to offer. I visited Thailand when I played for King Power and their polo pitches were like playing on carpet!

ONES TO WATCH:

Hope Arellano – she’s an absolute weapon and I believe will make it to the top very soon. Leon Donoso is also unbelievable.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

K AY L E Y S M I T H UAE TEAM, 2023 CHAMPIONS BRITISH OPEN FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP As the members of this year’s Gold Cup winning UAE Team celebrated on the pitch, Kayley Smith joined a very select group.

At that moment she became one of only two women to ever win the British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup.

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On its own that’s an incredible achievement. To reach this level in only her third professional season is extraordinary. Her opportunity came when she was called in as a substitute for team patron, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and she cer tainly rose to the occasion.

We caught up with Kayley to find out all about her route into polo, the Gold Cup experience and why Midhurst and Cowdray hold special places in her hear t.

FROM FOOTBALL TO POLO AND SETTING UP IN MIDHURST “I was originally an avid football player” explained Kayley. “When I saw my first polo match I was mesmerised by the agility and ability of the horses and the way their movement was incorporated into team play.

That was it - I was hooked!”

“I also knew that all the best polo and players could be found around Cowdray so, if I wanted to have a career in polo, the Cowdray area was where I needed to be. Then I had a stroke of luck because Martin Glue had space for me to have my two horses at his farm.

Shortly after that I was gifted a third horse and then loaned a fourth by a friend and suddenly I had my own little string to play.”

PROGRESSING THROUGH THE RANKS “I started 2019 playing off a -1 handicap and had a pretty busy season. I got picked up for some good polo in both England and abroad and I knew I wanted to keep improving from there. 2020 was my first professional season, playing for Monterosso Ladies – we won everything we played and that gave me the boost I needed to continue to grow my career. There are so many female players out there encouraging younger girls to take up the sport and the growing number of women’s tournaments is making it possible for women to play almost anywhere in the world.”

THE GOLD CUP EXPERIENCE “Just being part of the UAE Team for the championship was an amazing experience but then to be subbed on for the final was incredible and I’m very grateful to Sheika Maitha for the opportunity. She’s an incredible sportswoman and person so she’s a real inspiration. Winning was the proudest moment of my life so far. It was also a huge relief – all the stresses and nerves disappeared and I was just so, so happy.”

NEXT SEASON AND BEYOND “I really want to continue competing in High Goal and play as much top-level polo as possible. Looking further ahead my dream is to compete in the Women’s Argentine Open one day and I hope to be back at Cowdray on a winning team before too long as well!”

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BRITISH LADIES H I G H G OA L FINAL The British Ladies High Goal Championship saw five teams battle it out, with Semper Anticus qualifying for the final once again, boasting much of their successful 2022 lineup including Clarinda TjiaDharmadi (1) and Nina Clarkin (10). Taking them on for the trophy were King Power, on a winning streak from their qualifying matches and buoyed by the return of Lia Salvo to the helm, following the bir th of her daughter in April.

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Opening the match with 2 goals from Catalina Lavinia (6), King Power had Semper Anticus on the back foot in the first chukka. 9-goaler Tamara Fox (6) scored the first of her side’s goals to end the first chukka only slightly behind their rivals 1-2.

King Power continued their successful offensive in the second chukka, widening the goal difference 1-4 in their favour with scores on goal from Sarah Wiseman (6) and Lia Salvo (8). Despite their unbeaten road to the final, Semper Anticus struggled to regain ground in the third chukka. Nina Clarkin brought home a goal for her team raising the Semper Anticus side to 2 on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough to quieten the roar to victory of King Power with goals from Wiseman and Salvo, taking them into the final chukka with a lead of 6-2.

Although Semper Anticus’ Back Nina Clarkin fought hard with another two goals in the final chukka, it was too late to change the for tunes of her team, leaving King Power to take the win 7-4 with a final goal from Catalina Lavinia.

A delighted Ploy Bhinsaeng stepped down to receive the trophy from Aspinal of London Creative Director Mariya Dykalo. The Most Valuable Player was awarded to Lia Salvo. The Best Playing Pony rug was provided by Lila Pearson and awarded to Open Attractivo, played by Lia Salvo, owned by King Power.

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BRITISH LADIES OPEN FINAL The British Ladies Open Championship tournament was once again split into two handicaps levels leading to two action-packed finals on Saturday 22nd July, the second of which saw Semper Anticus return to take on Cowdray Vikings at Lawns.

Cowdray Vikings took to the field with Antonia Eddy (0) in position 1, alongside The Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson (2) in 2 and 6-goaler Lottie Lamacraft in 3 with Lia Salvo (8) at Back. As the rain continued to pour defending champions Semper Anticus played Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (1) in position 1, Imogen Blake-Thomas (0) in 2 and Lucy Coddington (5) taking position 3.

Playing at Back for her second final of the day was 10-goaler Nina Clarkin.

It was a vigorous star t for Cowdray Vikings despite the weather, as Lia Salvo scored two goals in the first chukka, keeping

Semper Anticus from the scoreboard.

Luck was not on their side in the second chukka either as Cowdray Vikings’ Lottie Lamacraft scored a third goal, taking the lead to 3-0 before Lia Salvo widened the goal difference fur ther with a four th goal in the third chukka. Having been kept goalless until half time, Nina Clarkin for Semper Anticus managed to score in the third chukka taking the teams into the four th and final chukka 4-1 to Cowdray Vikings.

As with their earlier match, Nina Clarkin delivered with another two goals but was met with a reply each time from Lamacraft and Salvo, ending the final with victory for Cowdray Vikings 6-3. Lia Salvo was once again par t of the winning line-up, meaning she secured both prestigious trophies on the same day.

A thrilled Lila Pearson received the plate from Aspinal of London Creative Director Mariya Dykalo. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Fachera played by Lia Salvo and owned by Pedro Ferrero. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Lottie Lamacraft.

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DOLLAR CUP FINAL CPPC's first HPA tournament of the season, the Dollar Cup, saw Confido face Snakebite in the final on Sunday 4th June.

Ed Hitchman (4) wore the number 1 shir t for Confido with Creighton Boyd (1) at 2, Hissam Ali Hyder (4) at 3, and South African 3-goaler Shaun Brokensha at Back.

Positioned at 1 for Snakebite was Max Kirchoff (1), alongside Toby Bradshaw (2) at 2, 6-goaler John Paul Clarkin at 3 and David Ashby at Back. With return victors Confido showing good form in the early stages, the final resulted in a tightly fought match.

The sun was shining down on Brooks field when Confido secured the victory, with a final score of 7-5, beating Snakebite. The 60 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

first chukka alone saw 4 of the 12 goals, with Hissam Ali Hyder and Ed Hitchman piling the pressure on Snakebite from the off. Clarkin and Bradshaw scored to make ground, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap on Confido as Hitchman and Brokensha added another 3 goals to their lead in the second chukka. John Paul Clarkin pushed back with another 3 goals for Snakebite before conceding defeat in the four th chukka with final goal from Hissam Ali Hyder.

A delighted Creighton Boyd stepped down to receive the Cup from his wife Charlotte Boyd, who also presented the Most Valuable Player prize to Ed Hitchman. The No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Honey, played and owned by Ed Hitchman.

DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CUP FINAL The Duke of Sutherland Cup suppor ted by Stephen’s Polo Division saw Ojo Caliente and La Irenita Polo Team secure their places in the final on Lawns 1 this June 11th. The Club’s first 18-goal of the season resulted in a nail-biting final for both teams following an evenly matched route to the final.

Ana Escobedo (0) played in the number 1 position for Ojo Caliente alongside 5-goaler Felix Esain in 2, Facundo Sola (7) in 3 and 6-goaler John Paul Clarkin at Back. La Irenita Polo Team’s Gilber to Sayao (0) rode out in position 1, with Will Harper (4) in 2. 9-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr. played in position 3 subbing for Pablo Mac Donough, followed by Matias Mac Donough Jnr. at Back.

Trading goals to begin play, Facundo Sola scored the first goal of the chukka followed swiftly by an equaliser from Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr. The second chukka was no different with another goal apiece from Cambiaso Jnr. for La Irenita Polo Team and John Paul Clarkin for Ojo Caliente. The two teams remained deadlocked as they

ended the third chukka with 3 goals each, setting the tone for a close match. In a sudden break to the back-and-for th battle, a penalty goal followed swiftly by another goal for Felix Esain saw Ojo Caliente take the lead to 5-3. Cambiaso Jnr. pushed back with a goal for his team but was unable to change the tide in his team’s favour with John Paul Clarkin scoring the 10th goal of the match ending chukka 4 on a score of 6-4 to Ojo Caliente. A strong star t to the final chukka had everyone on the edge of their seats as La Irenita Polo Team scored two successive goals from Sayao and Cambiaso Jnr. The final push was not, however, enough to stop Ojo Caliente’s Facundo Sola from scoring the winning goal in the final minute to take the trophy title with a score of 7 to La Irenita Polo Team’s 6.

Ojo Caliente were crowned winners of the Duke of Sutherland Cup, with a thrilled Ana Escobedo stepping down to receive the trophy from Stephen Biddlecombe.

Stephen’s Polo Division kindly provided prizes to all players including the Most Valuable Player prize, a beautiful Stephen's Polo bridle set, was awarded to Felix Esain.

The No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection Best Playing Pony rug, which was awarded to La Pulca, played by Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr.

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HARRISON CUP FINAL A postponed Harrison Cup Final between Estancia Lamar and White Crane got underway on Monday 7th August thanks to a break in the weather. A fast game ensued in this 15goal tournament final with five goals in the first Chukka.

Estancia Lamar’s Rayyan Al Ajaji (0) played in position 1, alongside George Pearson (2) at 2. 6-goaler Marcos Araya played in position 3 with Tomas Beresford (7) at Back. Alexie Calver t-Ansari (0) played at 1 for White Crane, George Meyrick (5) took position 2, with Andrew Blacke Thomas (4) in position 3. Mackenzie Weisz (6) made up the side at Back.

The first chukka of the most impor tant 15-goal cup final kicked off with a bang as five goals were scored within the first 62 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

ten minutes of play cour tesy of Tomas Beresford and George Meyrick, ending the chukka with 3 goals to Estancia Lamar versus 2 goals for White Crane. Tomas Beresford maintained his strong form from the star t, sailing home a fur ther 4 goals to total a storming lead of 7 goals to White Crane’s 2. Mackenzie Weisz worked hard to conceive a third and four th goal for his team but there was no stopping the team in green. By the end of the four th chukka the scores stood at 10-5 to Estancia Lamar.

The fifth and final chukka of the Harrison Cup final saw goals from Mackenzie Weisz and Rayyan Al Ajaji handing an undeniable victory to Estancia Lamar with 11 goals to 6.

The Harrison Cup was presented by Laura Van Harpen to a delighted Rayyan Al Ajaji.

Most Valuable Player was awarded to her fiancée Tomas Beresford, and the No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Lionela, played by Marcos Araya.

CHALLENGE CUP FINAL The oldest trophy at the club, introduced by Harold Pearson in 1911, the Challenge Cup was the club’s top tournament until the inauguration of the Gold Cup and remains one of the most coveted trophies in British Polo. Vikings met Murus Sanctus on Sunday 6th August, to play for the title on a surprisingly clear afternoon following Saturday’s match cancellations due to bad weather.

For Vikings, Kayley Maria Smith (0) played in position 1, subbing in for Siri EvjemoNysveen. Sam Browne (2) played in 2 subbing for Hazel Jackson, while 8-goaler Diego Cavanagh played in position 3. The line-up was completed by Juan Mar tin Zubia (8) at Back. The Murus Sanctus team played Matt Perry (5) in position 1,

alongside Barbar Naseem (0) at 2. Marcos Araya (6) took position 3 with 7-goaler Tomas Beresford at Back.

Murus Sanctus took an early lead of 3 goals in the first chukka thanks to a team effor t scored by Marcos Araya and Matt Perry, with an early goal from the 30-yard mark by Tomas Beresford.

Vikings’ Juan Mar tin Zubia closed the gap by two goals in the second chukka, putting the pressure back on Murus Sanctus in the third and four th chukkas. By the star t of the fifth chukka the teams were level with 7 apiece, leading to a tensely fought end to the tournament. The winning goal was scored

by Diego Cavanagh in extra time, awarding Vikings the victory with a final score of 8-7.

The Challenge Cup was presented to a delighted Siri Evjemo-Nysveen by Inez Bethell, who awarded MVP to Juan Mar tin Zubia, and the No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Emezeta Rhodesia, played by Juan Mar tin Zubia.

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HOLDEN WHITE CUP FINAL Commemorating American journalist and polo player, Windsor 'Mike' Holden White, the Holden White Cup was played for by finalists Limitless/ Delaney Polo Team and Strategic Help for Heroes on Sunday 6th August across four fast paced chukkas.

Peter O’Rorke (0) in position 1 for Strategic Help For Heroes, played alongside Phillip Seller (2) in 2 and Edward MorrisLowe (3) in 3. Matt Evetts (3) completed the team at Back. Limitless/Delaney Polo Team played Lucho Aguirre (4) at 1, Oscar Mancini (3) at 2, alongside Ramzy El-Ashkar (1) at 3. Rashid El-Ashkar (0) played at Back for this 8-goal cup final.

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Lucho Aguirre took his team straight into the lead with three goals in the first chukka, before Mancini scored a four th to widen the gap fur ther despite Matt Evetts’ effor ts in the second chukka. By the end of the third chukka Lucho Aguirre had once again pushed his team forward with two more goals to Matt Evetts’ one, creating a fourgoal lead for Limitless/ Delaney Polo Team.

In an extraordinary turn of fortunes, Strategic Help for Heroes closed the gap with three goals in a row, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead with the final score landing at 6-5 to Limitless/Delaney Polo Team.

The Holden White Cup was presented to Rashid El-Ashkar by Inez Bethell, while Most Valuable Player was awarded to Lucho Aguirre. The No.3 Gin Pursuit of Perfection Best Playing pony rug was awarded to Fachera, played by Lucho Aguirre, owned

by Pedro Ferrero.

AU T U M N CUP FINAL Four Quar ters Orange and Ice Craft emerged as the finalists in the closing 12-goal tournament of the season for The Autumn Cup. The teams went headto-head on Ambersham 1 on Sunday 24th September.

In a close battle, Four Quar ters Orange lined up with Segundo Darritchon (3) in the number 1 position, Simon Prado (5) at 2, Simon Arber (0) in the number 3 shir t and Tom Morley (4) at Back. For Ice Craft Emma MacRae (0) rode out in position 1, alongside Leaon Donoso (2) in 2, 6-goaler Jack Richardson in 3 and Jose Donoso (4) at Back.

Four Quar ters Orange secured the first chukka as Simon Prado equalised an early goal from Leon Donoso, followed swiftly by a second from Segundo Darritchon.

Organised defence on both sides of the ball made for a competitive first half.

Darritchon and Arber traded goals with

Jack Richardson in the second chukka, keeping a close gap between the teams in chukka 2 with the score on the board showing 4-3 to Four Quar ters Orange.

In a change of pace Ice Craft pushed into the lead with an impressive three successful goals from Richardson. In a tense final chukka, Simon Arber scored the first of his team’s 3 goals. Richardson kept applying the pressure with his 6th goal of the game, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Ice Craft. Simon Prado completed a tidy run to goal for his 4th goal bringing the scores level once again. Prado’s final goal of the match followed swiftly and secured a final win for Four Quar ters Orange with 8 goals to Ice Craft’s 7.

Simon Arber was delighted to accept the Autumn Cup Trophy from Oli Foss, Air Char ter Services Director of Private Clients.

The x-zony Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Chickpea, played by Jack Richardson. Most Valuable Player was presented to Simon Prado.

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TO U R N A M E N T R E S U LT S 2023 RESULTS ARE DISPLAYED ACCORDING TO THE DATE THE TOURNAMENT FINAL WAS PLAYED

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TYRO CUP 10-12 Winners: DJ Cats DJ Cats Confido 1 David Turner 0 1 Ed Hitchman 2 Leon Donoso 2 2 Creighton Boyd 3 Jimbo Fewster 5 3 Hissam Ali Hyder Bk Jake Daniels 5 Bk Shaun Brokensha 12

4 1 4 3 12

MAY 4 GOAL SPRING CUP Winners: TLC Polo TLC Polo FINALISTS: Stonehurst 1 Tony Lorenz -1 1 Dominic Jones 2 Duncan Hotston 1 2 Leon Allen 3 Nick Van Oppen 1 3 William Rober ts Bk Matt Evetts 3 Bk Nick Clague 4

0 1 0 3 4

TRIPPETTS CHALLENGE 20-22 Winners: La Magdeleine La Magdeleine Murus Sanctus 1 Alexandre Garese 0 1 Corrine Riccard 2 Facundo Fernanez-Llorente 7 2 Alejandro Muzzio 3 Pablo MacDonough 9 3 Pablo Pieres Bk Santiago Laborde 6 Bk Marcos Araya 22

BARRETT CUP 4-8 Winners: Cowdray Vikings Cowdray Vikings HB Lions 1 Lila Pearson 0 1 William Millard 2 George Pearson 2 2 Hugo Baldwin 3 Marcus Cork 3 3 Harry Muddle Bk Nick Clague 3 Bk John Mar tin 8

JUBILEE 6 GOAL CUP 0-6 Winners: FWP & Co FWP & Co Hincha Pelota 1 William Millard 2 1 Lucy Bowman 2 Finn Jones 0 2 Charles Taylor 3 Rufus Uloth 1 3 Daniel Batchelor Bk Nick Clague 3 Bk Niall Donnelly 6

0 7 9 6 22

2 0 3 3 8

1 0 1 4 6

CICERO CUP 12-15 Winners: Fern Park/Cowdray Vikings Fern Park/Cowdray Vikings Valhalla/Madams Farm 1 Vere Harmswor th 1 1 Justin MacRae 0 2 George Pearson 2 2 Marcus Cork 3 3 Tom Brodie 5 3 Lucas Monteverde Jr 6 Bk Joaquin Pittaluga 7 Bk Jack Richardson 6 15 15

TILLINGTON TROPHY 0-2 Winners: Bandidos Bandidos Team AG 1 Andrew Forester -1 1 Olivia Whittle 2 Ashleigh Robertson -1 2 Kiryon Skippen 3 Maximiliano Fernandez 1 3 Harry Revell Bk Harry Muddle 3 Bk Alice Servaes 2

-1 0 2 1 2

DOLLAR CUP 10-12 Winners: Confido Confido Snakebite 1 Ed HItchman 4 1 Max Kirchhoff 2 Creighton Boyd 1 2 Toby Bradshaw 3 Hissam Ali Hyder 4 3 John Paul Clarkin Bk Shaun Brokensha 3 Bk David Ashby 12

1 2 6 3 12

ROBERT FRASER CUP 10 -12 Winners: La Hechicera La Hechicera Yaguara 1 Pablo Galante Escobar 0 1 Mar tina Lowe 2 Alfie Hyde 3 2 Pedro Ferrero 3 Hugo Taylor 4 3 Andrea Vianini Bk Malcolm Borwick 5 Bk Jaime Huidobro 12

0 2 4 6 12

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EASEBOURNE CUP 4-8 Winners: Bamboleo/Madams Farm Bamboleo/Madams Farm Strategic Help For Heroes 1 Maya Staubach-Bentler 0 1 Peter O'Rorke 0 2 Rufus Uloth 1 2 Ber trand Caffi 0 3 Nick Johnson 4 3 Glenn Sherriff 5 Bk Josh Cork 3 Bk Matt Evetts 3 8 8

DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CUP 15-18 Winners: Ojo Caliente Ojo Caliente La Irenita Polo Team 0 0 1 Gilber to Sayao 1 Ana Escobedo 4 5 2 Will Harper 2 Felix Esain 7 3 Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr 9 3 Facundo Sola 6 Bk Matias Mac Donough Jnr 5 Bk John Paul Clarkin 18 18

TATHAM CUP 15-18 Winners: Bel Polo Team Bel Polo Team Emlor 1 Henry Lunn 0 1 Spencer McCar thy 24 2 Edward Banner-Eve 5 2 Hugo Taylor 4 3 Sebastian Merlos 8 3 Max Charlton 6 Bk Santos Merlos 5 Bk Paco O'Dwyer 6 18 18

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JERSEY LILIES CUP 0-6 Winners: Soanza Polo Soanza Polo Bandidos 2 -1 1 Diego Valeriani 1 Lee Taylor 1 2 Andrew Forester -1 2 Duncan Hotston 2 3 Maximiliano Fernandez 1 3 Harry Revell 3 3 Bk Harry Muddle Bk Matt Evetts 5 5

BRYAN BETHELL CUP 12-15 Winners: Four Quar ters Black Four Quarters Black La Berta 1 Romilla Arber 0 1 Bruno Bensoussan 0 2 Hazel Jackson 2 2 Santiago Araya 4 3 Gonzalo Ferrari 7 3 Jeronimo del Carril 7 Bk Benjamin Urquiza 6 Bk Juan Cruz Araya 4 15 15

PETWORTH CUP 10-12 Winners: Gallagher Gallagher DS Equine 1 Antonio Sorzana 0 1 David Spragg 2 Terence Lent 4 2 Ben Crowe 3 Tomas Garbarini 5 3 Ollie Cork Bk Nick Clague 3 Bk Jake Daniels 12

0 3 4 5 12

JUNE 4 GOAL CUP 0-4 Winners: Gould Gould Stonehurst 1 Gussie Gould 0 1 Dominic Jones 2 Zoe Reader 0 2 Rufus Uloth 3 Ralph Robson 0 3 Nick Clague Bk Jimmy Wood 4 Bk William Rober ts 4

0 1 3 0 4

CARLOS GRACIDA MEMORIAL TROPHY 20-22 Winners: Scone Scone Vikings 1 David Paradice 0 1 Siri Evjemo-Nysveen 0 2 Matias Gonzalez 4 2 James Beim 6 3 Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr 9 3 Diego Cavanagh 8 Bk Tomy Panelo 9 Bk Juan Mar tin Zubia 8 22 22

SMITH RYLAND TROPHY 20-22 Winners: UAE Polo Team UAE Polo Team Black Bears 1 Kayley Smith 0 1 Guy Schwarzenbach 2 5 2 Lucas Monteverde Jnr 6 2 Antonio Heguy 6 3 Bartolome Castagnola 9 3 Ollie Cudmore 9 Bk Tomas Beresford 7 Bk Juan Mar tin Nero 22 22

BENSON CUP 4-8 Winners: Strategic Help for Heroes Strategic Help For Heroes Tattinger 1 Peter O'Rorke 0 1 Tomy Ballesteros 2 Phillip Seller 2 2 Archie Heseltine 3 Edward Morris-Lowe 3 3 Leon Donoso Bk Matt Evetts 3 Bk Will Emerson 8

COOCH BEHAR CUP 20-22 Winners: Green Gates Green Gates Park Place Vaara 1 Noor Khadra 1 1 Henry Lunn 2 Cesar Crespo 6 2 Mar tin Podesta 3 Francisco Elizalde 8 3 Hilario Ulloa Bk Isidro Strada 7 Bk Santos Merlos 22

1 0 2 5 8

JACK GRANNON TROPHY 20-22 Winners: Park Place Park Place King Power 0 1 Aiyawatt Srivhadhanaprabha 1 1 Andrey Borodin 5 2 Manuel Elizalde 6 2 Matt Perry 10 3 Nico Pieres 8 3 Facundo Pieres 7 Bk Jeronimo del Carril 7 Bk James Harper 22 22

CENTENARY CUP 20-22 Winners: Talandracas Talandracas Scone 1 Hughes Carmignac 0 1 David Paradice 0 2 Alejandro Muzzio 7 2 Matias Gonzalez 4 3 Pablo Pieres 9 3 Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr 9 Bk Marcos Araya 6 Bk Adolfo Cambiaso 9 22 22

TEXACO TROPHY 10-12 Winners: Ankora Anningsley Park Ankora Anningsley Park DJ Cats 1 Khalid Alomran 0 1 David Turner 2 Ricardo Garros 5 2 Leon Denoso 3 Jose Ramon Araya 5 3 Jimbo Fewster Bk Rufino Laulhe 2 Bk Jake Daniels 12

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HEYSHOTT CUP 0-6 Winners: Bad Boys Polo Team Bad Boys Polo Team Strategic Help For Heroes 0 1 Mathieu Van Delden Jnr 0 1 Peter O'Rorke 1 2 Mathieu Van Delden 0 2 Duncan Hotston 2 3 Ollie Cork 4 3 Harry Revell 3 Bk Marcus Collie 2 Bk Matt Evetts 6 6

ARGENTINE AMBASSADOR'S CUP 20-22 Winners: Monterosso Monterosso Park Place 1 Luiz Aznar 1 1 Andrey Borodin 2 Ignacio Toccalino 7 2 Felix Esain 3 Lucas Criado 6 3 Facundo Pieres Bk David Sterling 8 Bk Gonzalo Deltour 22

0 5 10 6 21

ASHTON SILVER CUP 20-22 Winners: La Magdeleine La Magdeleine Twelve Oaks 1 Alexandre Garese 0 1 Charlie Wooldridge 2 8 2 Facundo Fernanez-Llorente 7 2 Cristian Laprida 3 Pablo MacDonough 9 3 Matias Mac Donough Jnr 5 7 Bk Santiago Laborde 6 Bk Joaquin Pittaluga 22 22

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JULY 4 GOAL 0-4 Winners: Stonehurst Stonehurst Gould 1 Dominic Jones 0 1 Gussie Gould 2 William Rober ts 0 2 Zoe Reader 3 Rufus Uloth 1 3 Ralph Robson Bk Nick Clague 3 Bk Jimmy Wood 4

0 0 0 4 4

VICHAI SRIVADDHANAPRABHA MEMORIAL TROPHY 20-22 Winners: Park Place Park Place Scone 1 Andrey Borodin 0 1 David Paradice 0 2 Matt Perry 5 2 Matias Gonzalez 4 3 Facundo Pieres 10 3 Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr 9 7 Bk Tomy Panelo Bk James Harper 9 22 22

ELLERSTON CUP 20-22 Winners: Dubai Dubai Marques de Riscal 1 Camilo Castagnola 10 1 Alejandro Aznar 0 2 Rashid Albwardy 2 2 Santiago Cernadas 7 3 Beltran Laulhe 3 3 Guillermo Caset 9 Bk Rufino Bensadon 7 Bk Chris Mackenzie 6 22 22

TRAMONTANA CUP 20-22 Winners: UAE Polo Team UAE Polo Team Park Place 1 Kayley Smith 0 1 Andrey Borodin 2 Lucas Monteverde Jnr 6 2 Matt Perry 3 Bartolome Castagnola 9 3 Facundo Pieres Bk Tomas Beresford 7 Bk James Harper 22

0 5 10 7 22

1921 CUP 4-8 Winners: Cowdray Vikings Cowdray Vikings Bad Boys Polo Team 0 1 Mathieu Van Delden Jnr 1 Lila Pearson 2 2 Mathieu Van Delden 2 Harry Revell 3 3 Terrence Lent 3 Marcus Cork 3 Bk Ollie Cork Bk Nick Clague 8

0 0 4 4 8

BRITISH LADIES HIGH GOAL CHAMPIONSHIP Winners: King Power King Power Semper Anticus 2 1 Clarinda Tija-Dharmadi 1 1 Ploy Bhinsaeng 6 2 Alice Serveas 5 2 Catalina Lavinia 8 3 Tamara Fox 6 3 Lia Salvo 6 Bk Nina Clarkin 10 Bk Sarah Wiseman 22 22

BRITISH LADIES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Winners: Cowdray Vikings Cowdray Vikings Semper Anticus 0 1 Clarinda Tija-Dharmadi 1 1 Antonia Eddy 2 2 Imogen Blake-Thomas 0 2 Lila Pearson 6 3 Lucy Coddington 3 Lottie Lamacroft 5 8 Bk Nina Clarkin Bk Lia Salvo 10 16 16

MIDHURST TOWN CUP 20-22 Winners: Dubai Dubai La Magdeleine 1 Camilo Castagnola 10 1 Alexandre Garese 0 2 2 Facundo Fernandez-Llorente 7 2 Rashid Albwardy 3 3 Pablo Mac Donough 9 3 Beltran Laulhe Bk Rufino Bensadonn 7 Bk Santiago Laborde 6 22 22

COWDRAY PARK GOLD CUP 20-22 Winners: UAE Polo Team UAE Polo Team Dubai 1 Kayley Smith 0 1 Camilo Castagnola 10 2 2 Lucas Monteverde Jnr 6 2 Rashid Albwardy 3 3 Bartolome Castagnola 9 3 Beltran Laulhe 7 Bk Tomas Beresford 7 Bk Rufino Bensadon 22 22

HARRISON CUP 12-15 Winners: Estancia Lamar Estancia Lamar White Crane 0 1 Alexie Calvert-Ansari 0 1 Rayyan Al Ajaji 2 2 Andrew Blake Thomas 4 2 George Pearson 6 3 Mackenzie Weisz 6 3 Marcos Araya 7 Bk George Meyrick 5 Bk Tomas Beresford 15 15

AOTEA CUP 12-15 Winners: Four Quar ters Orange Four Quarters Orange Confido/Madams Farm 1 Yolanda Arber 0 1 Rufus Uloth 1 2 Cruz Novillo Astrada 4 2 Mateo Lalor 3 3 Ignacio Negri 6 3 Alfredo Cappella 8 Bk Simon Prado 5 Bk Shaun Brokensha 3 15 15

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MAIDENSGROVE CUP 12-15 Winners: Cowdray Vikings Cowdray Vikings Farrington 1 Lila Pearson 0 1 Louisa Watt 2 Ollie Cork 4 2 Jimmy Wood 3 Marcus Cork 3 3 Glenn Sherrif Bk Juan Gris Zavaleta 7 Bk Chris Mackenzie 14

0 4 5 6 15

HOLDEN WHITE CUP 4-8 Winners: Limitless/Delaney Polo Team Limitless/Delaney PoloTeam Strategic Help for Heroes 0 1 Lucho Aguirre 4 1 Peter O'Rorke 2 2 Oscar Mancini 3 2 Phillip Seller 3 Ramzy El-Ashkar 1 3 Edward Morris-Lowe 3 3 Bk Rashid El-Ashkar 0 Bk Matt Evetts 8 8

RUINS CUP 4-8 Winners: DJ Cats DJ Cats Kulin Rock 1 Lottie Lamacraft 1 1 Charlotte Pykett 2 Hazel Jackson 2 2 Richard Bailey 3 Ashley Glennie 0 3 Nico Fontanarrosa Bk Jake Daniels 5 Bk Vieri Antinori 8

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0 0 4 4 8

AMBERSHAM CUP 4-8 Winners: Bavarian ASB Bavarian ASB Bad Boys Polo Team 0 1 Mathieu Van Delden Jnr 1 Marc Linder 2 2 Mathieu Van Delden 2 Benjie Davis 4 3 Ollie Cork 3 Juan Cruz Araya Bk Manuel Perez-Altuna 2 Bk Terrence Lent 8

0 0 4 4 8

CHALLENGE CUP 15-18 Winners: Vikings Vikings Murus Sanctus 1 Kayley Smith 0 1 Matt Perry 2 Sam Browne 2 2 Barbar Naseem 3 Diego Cavanagh 8 3 Marcos Araya Bk Juan Mar tin Zubia 8 Bk Tomas Beresford 18

5 0 6 7 18

STOCKLANDS CUP 15-18 Winners: Four Quar ters Black Four Quarters Black Emlor Black 1 Yolanda Arber 0 1 James McCar thy 2 2 Simon Prado 5 2 Ben Crowe 3 3 Gonzalo Ferrari 7 3 Juan Gris Zavaleta 7 Bk Benjamin Urquiza 6 Bk Juan Ambroggio 6 18 18

LODSWORTH VILLAGE CUP 0-4 Winners: Bandidos Bandidos Stonehurst 1 Andy Forester -1 1 Dominic Jones 2 Leo Stuar t 0 2 William Rober ts 3 Tom Dalton-Morgan 2 3 Rufus Uloth Bk Harry Muddle 3 Bk Nick Clague 4

0 0 1 3 4

MIDSUMMER CUP 8-12 Winners: Bamboleo Bamboleo Farrington 1 Christian Staubach 1 1 Louisa Watt 2 Josh Cork 3 2 Marcus Cork 3 Nick Johnson 4 3 Ollie Cork Bk Jimmy Wood 4 Bk Glenn Sherriff 12

PSI TROPHY 4-8 Winners: The Crane The Crane Oriflamme 1 Jasmine Calvert-Ansari 0 1 Benn Shepherd 2 Stephanie Haverhals 1 2 Tom Dalton-Morgan 3 Marcus Cork 3 3 Jack Berner Bk Andrew Blake Thomas 4 Bk Jason Warren 8

0 2 3 3 8

BRECKNOCK CUP 4-8 Winners: Vendetta Vendetta Strategic Help For Heroes 0 1 Garrie Renucci 0 1 Peter O'Rorke 2 2 Maximiliano Fernandez 1 2 Phillip Seller 3 Jimmy Wood 4 3 Edward Morris-Lowe 3 3 Bk Nick Clague 3 Bk Matt Evetts 8 8

PARK HOUSE CUP 0-4 Winners: Tancredi Minerals Tancredi Minerals TLC Polo 1 Orson Clarke -2 1 Tony Lorenz 2 Nick Clarke 0 2 Lottie Lamacraft 3 Leon Donoso 2 3 Duncan Hotston Bk Jose Donoso 4 Bk Josh Cork 4

-1 1 1 3 4

SELHAM TROPHY 0-2 Winners: Tancredi Minerals Tancredi Minerals Stonehurst 1 Orson Clarke -2 1 Dominic Jones 2 Rufus Uloth 1 2 Atticus Burnett 3 Leon Donoso 2 3 William Rober ts Bk Maximiliano Fernandez 1 Bk Nick Clague 2

0 -1 0 3 2

FAREWELL CUP 0-6 Winners: Cheds Cheds Maiz Dulce 1 Tani Darritchon 0 1 Millie Barfoot 2 William Berry 0 2 Jemima Walker 3 Lottie Lamacraft 1 3 Alfie Hyde Bk Will Emerson 5 Bk John Mar tin 6

0 0 3 3 6

0 2 4 0 6

AUTUMN CUP 10-12 Winners: Four Quar ters Orange Four Quarters Orange Ice Craft 1 Segundo Darritchon 3 1 Emma MacRae 2 Simon Prado 5 2 Leon Donoso 3 Simon Arber 0 3 Jack Richardson Bk Tom Morley 4 Bk Jose Donoso 12

0 2 6 4 12

WEST SUSSEX CUP 0-6 Winners: Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club Camb and Newmkt P C Madams Farm 1 Andrew Burke 0 1 Matt Kenna 2 Juan Tarmgo 1 2 John Kent 3 Fabio Lavinia 3 3 Nick Johnson Bk Frederick Farquharson 2 Bk Mack McCaffery 6

0 3 4 5 12

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BEST PLAYING PONIES

 C OW D R AY G O L D C U P

CARLOS GRACIDA MEMORIAL TROPHY DOLFINA SOLARI

PLAYED BY: ADOLFO CAMBIASO JNR

COOCH BEHAR CUP DS CLARIDAD

Owned by: Adolfo Cambiaso

PLAYED BY: FRANCISCO ELIZALDE Owned by : Francisco Elizalde

MIDHURST TOWN CUP

VICHAI SRIVADDHANAPRABHA MEMORIAL TROPHY

OLIVIA

OPEN IMPUNTUL

PLAYED BY: CAMILO CASTAGNOLA

Owned by: Dubai Polo Team

PLAYED BY: FACUNDO PIERES Owned by : Park Place

GOLD CUP SEMI-FINAL ELLERSTON CUP

GOLD CUP SEMI-FINAL TRAMONTANA CUP

PLAYED BY : GUILLERMO CASET

PLAYED BY: TOMAS BERESFORD

TUCHA

Owned by: Guillermo Caset

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PRIMERA DAMA

Owned by: Tomas Beresford

GOLD CUP FINAL

PLAYED BY : RASHID ALBWARDY

PLAYED BY : BARTO CASTAGNOLA

CHALO GALAXY

Owned by: Dubai Polo Team

SOLA

BEST PLAYING PONIES

GOLD CUP FINAL BEST PLAYING PATRON PONY

Owned by: UAE Polo Team

 C OW D R AY

TRIPPETS CHALLENGE

DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CUP

PLAYED BY : PABLO MAC DONOUGH

PLAYED BY : ADOLFO CAMBIASO JNR

IRENITA KIOSQUERA

Owned by: Pablo Mac Donough

LA PULCA

Owned by: Adolfo Cambiaso

NO.3 GIN

'PURSUIT OF PERFECTION' DOLLAR CUP HONEY

RIDER: ED HITCHMAN

Owned by: Ed Hitchman COW D R AY PAR K P O LO CLU B | 2 0 2 3 SE ASO N Y E AR B O O K

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BEST PLAYING PONIES

HARRISON CUP FOR THE BROOKE JOYNSON CUP LIONELA

PLAYED BY: MARCOS ARAYA Owned by : Marcos Araya

CHALLENGE CUP FOR THE VICKERS TROPHY EMEZETA RHODESIA

PLAYED BY: JUAN MARTIN ZUBIA

Owned by: Juan Mar tin Zubia

HOLDEN WHITE CUP FACHERA

PLAYED BY : LUCHO AGUIRRE

Owned by: Pedro Ferrero

AUTUMN CUP

CHICKPEA PLAYED BY : JACK RICHARDSON Owned by: Jack Richardson

 X - ZO N Y

TYRO CUP

HEY ISSY PLAYED BY : JAKE DANIELS Owned by: Lach Mackinnon 78 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

MAY 4 GOAL SPRING CUP BEAR

PLAYED BY : MATT EVETTS

Owned by: Matt Evetts

BEST PLAYING PONIES

BARRETT CUP

JUBILEE CUP

BELLA PLAYED BY : NICK CLAGUE Owned by: Nick Clague

PLAYED BY : WILL MILLARD

CICERO CUP

TILLINGTON CUP

PLAYED BY : JOAQUIN PITTALUGA

PLAYED BY : HARRY REVELL

EASEBOURNE CUP

JERSEY LILLIES CUP

PASACALLE

Owned by: Joaquin Pittaluga

DAZZLE PLAYED BY : MATT EVETTS Owned by: Matt Evetts

RED

Owned by: Will Millard

STEVE

Owned by: Harry Revell

GRETA

PLAYED BY : HARRY MUDDLE

Owned by: Harry Muddle

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BEST PLAYING PONIES

BRYAN BETHELL CUP

PETWORTH CUP

SARTEN PLAYED BY : BENJAMIN URQUIZA Owned by: Benjamin Urquiza

PLAYED BY : OLLIE CORK

JUNE 4 GOAL CUP

BENSON CUP

PLAYED BY : ZOE READER

PLAYED BY : WILL EMERSON

TEXACO TROPHY

HEYSHOTT CUP

TWIZZLE

Owned by: Zoe Reader

CASITA PLAYED BY : LEON DONOSO Owned by: Jose Donoso 80 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

SHIMMER

Owned by: Ollie Cork

HOPE

Owned by: Will Emerson

PAYSASO

PLAYED BY : OLLIE CORK

Owned by: Ollie Cork

BEST PLAYING PONIES

JULY 4 GOAL CUP

1921 CUP

MAISY PLAYED BY : NICK CLAGUE Owned by: Will Rober ts

PLAYED BY : MARCUS CORK

THE BRITISH LADIES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

THE BRITISH LADIES HIGH GOAL CHAMPIONSHIP

PLAYED BY : LIA SALVO

PLAYED BY : LIA SLAVO

LODSWORTH VILLAGE CUP

MIDSUMMER CUP

FACHERA

Owned by: Pedro Ferrero

DAISY PLAYED BY : NICK CLAGUE Owned by: Nick Clague

IMPRESS

Owned by: Marcus Cork

OPEN ATTRACTIVO

Owned by: King Power

FLOWER GIRL

PLAYED BY : NICK JOHNSON

Owned by: Alan Kent

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BEST PLAYING PONIES

BRECKNOCK CUP

SELHAM TROPHY

BELLA PLAYED BY : NICK CLAGUE Owned by: Nick Clague

PLAYED BY : LEON DONOSO

WEST SUSSEX CUP

PSI TROPHY

ARMONICO

CHISPA

Owned by: Leon Donoso

PREMIER WHITHORN

PLAYED BY : FABIO LAVINIA

PLAYED BY : ANDREW BLAKE THOMAS

PARK HOUSE CUP

FAREWELL CUP

Owned by: Fabio Lavinia

TALINDA PLAYED BY : JOSE DONOSO Owned by: Jose Donoso 82 C OWD RAY PAR K PO LO CLU B | 2023 SEASO N Y EAR BO OK

Owned by: The Whithorn Estate

AVENTURA

PLAYED BY : WILL EMERSON

Owned by: Will Emerson

Official Photographer for

COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

markbeaumont.co.uk

+44(0)1730 816442 +44(0)7812 766337

BEAUTIFULLY BESPOKE SPECIALIZING IN PERSONALISATION AND TEAM KITS

XZONY CLOTHING Gorehill Stud, Haslingbourne Lane, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JJ Pete 07930307502 | Eddie 07837797482 www.x-zony.com

COW D R AY PAR K P O LO CLU B | 2 0 2 3 SE ASO N Y E AR B O O K

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AN INTERVIEW WITH

P E T E R O ’ RO R K E PATRON OF STRATEGIC HELP FOR HEROES Being a polo patron requires an eye for talent, a passion for the spor t and a lot of patience. We sat down with Peter O’Rorke, patron of Strategic Help for Heroes, to find out how he balances his career with this demanding spor t and what the future holds for his team.

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BECOMING A PATRON Peter’s family have been playing polo since the late 1890’s, mostly in India and New Zealand. His grandfather was a Ghurka and lived for polo. “My mother was always nagging me to start,” remembers Peter, who joined Ham in 1986 when he got back from the Middle East and has played every season since. Having found his passion, Peter eventually star ted his own team, Strategic Help for Heroes, playing in the Holden White tournament for many years before joining Cowdray as a member in 2021.

As the Director at Strategic Shipping Company Ltd, Peter O'Rorke must strike a difficult balance between an exacting professional life and an equally demanding role as team patron. Acknowledging the difficulty in this duality, Peter confirms; “The first and most important step is to have a wholly professional polo manager or teammate to ensure that the logistics of horses, tack, team structure, entries and so on is taken care of.” Once this dynamic is in place it’s time to relax and enjoy the game, the real reason for being a patron.

Aside from the organisational aspect, there is still a lot of unseen work for a patron to under take. “For me, this is all about motivating the players and getting the best from them, not only great play, good behaviour and sportsmanship but also to appreciate their own exceptional skills.”

CHOOSING PLAYERS As a rule, Peter’s team has comprised of mainly British players. “I feel it is right to develop and help home-grown players. I look for individuals whose skills and ponies are natural for their position on the field, i.e. a strong defensive player with steady horses and a General’s tactical eye at the back, or a nuclear missile at number 2!” Aside from

natural aptitude, Peter values a player’s attitude. “They must be unselfish, very hard working at all times in the game, and with good sporting manners. It’s never win-at-allcosts for me.”

With polo there is always someone young and hungry waiting in the wings to join a team, not least at Cowdray Park where Peter has seen exceptional talent rising up this season. “There are quite a few talented young players at the moment. I’m particularly fond of Rufus Uloth, who has played with us for two or three years and has come on so well to get to 2 goals next year. Rufus embodies the qualities I pick in a young player.”

PLAYING THE SEASON Strategic Help for Heroes had a successful run this season getting to the final of five of Cowdray’s 8-goal tournaments. They went on to win the Benson Cup in an unbeaten run, a season highlight for the team; “It was a perfect day. We sat around after the win with beers, wives and girlfriends in the glorious evening sunshine overlooking Ambersham 1.”

WHAT’S NEXT Having committed to suppor t the Help for Heroes charity again next season, Strategic Help for Heroes will return to the 8-goal tournament run in 2024, with potential to enter some 10 or 12 goal tournaments as well. “The objective in partnering with this charity is to raise awareness of the exceptional work they do.”

As he looks ahead to the new season, Peter O’Rorke is in no doubt where he is looking forward to riding out. “I’ve played all over the place in the UK and overseas and there’s no question that Cowdray is the best.

I’m so honoured to have been able to play polo here and the thrill never fades.”

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AN INTERVIEW WITH

BEN TURNER UMPIRE Polo is a game that owes much of its appeal to the fact it should be played not only within its rules but also within the spirit of the game.

While the spirit of fair play rests with the players, those chosen to impar t justice on the field hold a unique responsibility to protect the game itself and the rules by which it is governed. Professional Umpire Ben Turner talks us through the challenges of umpiring a major tournament as well as his enduring love of the game.

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PLAYING THE FIELD “My Father was involved with Rhinefield Polo Club in the New Forest where he became the Polo Manager for a while. I used to go to polo with him and this is when I first decided I wanted to play”, recalls Ben of his early years in polo. Having reached 4 goals as a professional player, Ben decided his playing career was reaching its end. Already a member of the HPA Pro Umpire group, the transition to a full-time career as an umpire was straight forward and a natural progression for Ben. “As my career has evolved, I’ve really enjoyed umpiring all levels of polo, including to the very highest. I call Cowdray Park my home club, so I feel my favourite tournament to umpire has to be the Gold Cup.” As with professional polo players, Ben and his fellow umpires must remain match fit.

With many umpires travelling abroad for games in other countries during the winter months, they maintain a level of mental and physical match fitness throughout the year.

“Within our own season I am generally riding enough to stay match fit. On the ‘big game’ days, I try not to think about it too much, I start to focus once I arrive at the field which is usually at least an hour before the game.

This is when I do my stretching exercises and start to get my game head on.”

THE WORLD OF AN UMPIRE Polo is a notoriously difficult game to umpire, and the impor tance of winning increases as significant financial implications

come into play. Umpiring often comes down to judging if play is dangerous and who was involved, with players sometimes genuinely believing it was the opposition. Umpires have to be thick skinned and well read on the complex rules of polo as a result.

“We have a very high level of umpiring in the UK. From low to high goal, we have a very professional, conscientious group of umpires that bring a standard of umpiring that is recognised across the world of polo” reflects Ben as he considered the role of polo umpires in the UK in upholding the standards of the game. Ultimately it is the players who decide if a game is going to be a clean, high tempo match. A game where the teams want to play a good, open game of polo is a blessing for the umpire. “Where players are being positive and respecting the rules, us umpires don’t have to intervene much at all.”

IMPROVING THE SPORT “The biggest improvement to umpiring within my career would be ‘professional’ umpires.

The days where players had to begrudgingly umpire after losing the previous game, are thankfully gone. Since then, VAR, radios and the communication between the umpires on field, as well as the 3rd man significantly help towards us making the right decisions (most of the time).” While the spor t is not awash with players wanting to become umpires once they’ve hung up their playing boots, Ben feels positive the high standard of umpiring that has been set in the UK will continue with those who do choose to take up the role.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH

KELLIE LEACH GROOM TO BAD BOYS POLO TEAM Often referred to as the real ‘stars of the polo world’, the polo ponies played each season at Cowdray Park require exper t care. To understand the time and commitment that happens off the field, we sat down with groom Kellie Leach to discuss her job, passion and what it takes to maintain a top pony.

Kellie grew up around polo, her father (a founding member of the Royal Berkshire Polo Club) was patron of Brockhill Polo Team, named after their family farm in Berkshire. Kellie is a keen polo player herself, “I always wanted to be involved in the sport, especially with the horses”. She believes one of the major perks of being a groom is the ability to travel. “I groomed in the Open at Palermo – not many girls have the opportunity to do this”, explains Kellie.

Although the role of a groom is physically demanding, the chance to be a par t of a winning team, as Kellie was at the British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup in 2018 with El Remanso, is amply rewarding. “I was young when I started getting involved with grooming, I travelled abroad a lot and was lucky to be supported by some great polo organisations” she recalls.

BECOMING A GROOM Kellie worked closely with more experienced grooms and managers to cut her teeth and soon grew confident to tackle all the challenges a professional groom for a professional team faces. “You have to make sure the horses are fit and well cared for, communicate with managers, vets and farriers, but also with the players and patrons. It’s a lot of work to make sure things

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run smoothly and everyone is happy.” Being a groom takes dedication, it’s a twentyfour-seven job which Kellie clearly loves.

“You have to have passion for the sport, and the horses of course.” Currently caring for 15 horses, Kellie rarely has a moment to rest during the season. Even in the winter, many grooms travel overseas for a season with the rest working at wintering the horses in the UK.

LOOKING BACK ON THE SEASON As she reflects on the 2023 season, Kellie feels thankful to have worked with so many great horses both this year and in previous seasons. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many amazing horses, namely the Lovelocks breed. I’m currently looking after a couple of mares for the Bad Boys Polo Team, Vasca Marioneta and Vasca Nutella from Eduardo Heguy’s breed who are beautiful and a joy to care for. I have enjoyed watching Jeta Castagnola’s mare Pacua Olivia and a black mare from Jim Gilmore’s breed, Casita, that Jake Daniels has been playing at Cowdray”.

As we look towards 2024 and the season to come, Kellie is most excited for the Gold Cup and the equine talent that she enjoys watching at Cowdray Park Polo Club.

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Every day we respond to nine emergency calls on average* Without you, we can’t save lives Donate today

aakss.org.uk/donate Charity no. 1021367

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*on average in 2022

C H R I S TO P H E R H A N B U RY C U P The inaugural Hanbury Cup represents the lasting legacy of Christopher Hanbury’s dedication to the polo community. The trophy will be presented annually to the Best Mounted English Player in the Gold Cup tournament, and this year it was presented to Black Bear’s Ollie Cudmore.

Major Christopher Hanbury sadly passed away on 10 May, aged 78. In loving memory of his contribution to the world of polo, the Hanbury family have dedicated a cup in his name which will be presented each year during the Gold Cup Semi-Final.

In 2005, Major Hanbury was appointed chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association, a position he held until 2008.

He was one of the most significant figures in polo, internationally renowned with friends and colleagues all over the world.

He was much loved by all those who knew him for his legendary sense of humour and his affable, caring demeanour. Major and Mrs Hanbury’s sons Charlie and George took up polo with the same enthusiasm and won the Gold Cup in 2018 for their all-English team.

The Cowdray Park Polo Club thank the Hanbury family for providing this cup and for working with us to honour Major Christopher Hanbury at the Gold Cup in 2023 and in the years to come.

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Photos: © Mark Beaumont

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Photos: © Tony Ramirez / © George Gunn

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DOG S H OW DASHING DOG

BEST IN SHOW 1st

DOG: Hugo HANDLER: Mary-Ann Kauntze

MOST BEAUTIFUL BITCH DOG: Peaches HANDLER: Lucy Sanders

BEST JUNIOR HANDLER

DOG: Tia HANDLER: Freddie Ferrero OWNER: Holly Jones

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW DOG: Busby HANDLER: David Fleming

DOG: Tia HANDLER: Freddie Ferrero OWNER: Holly Jones

MOST PRECIOUS PUPPY

GOLDEN OLDIE

SMALL DOG RACE

BEST LOOKALIKE

LARGE DOG RACE

DOG: Binki HANDLER: Dilly Stewar t

DOG: Badger HANDLER: Charlie Boher

DOG: Bocha HANDLER: Daniel Bachelor

DOG: Busby HANDLER: David Fleming

DOG: Gromit OWNER: Laura Williams

BEST TRAINED BLACK LAB OF A CPPC MEMBER OF STAFF DOG: Hibou - HANDLER: Matt

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S E A S O N 2023

PIMM'S CUP MOST PROMISING JUNIOR PLAYER WINNER: RUFUS ULOTH Presenter : Andrew Swaffield

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LARGE CUP FOR PONY WELFARE WINNER: NICK CLAGUE Presenter : Tam Large

PRIZE WINNERS

MILLENNIUM PLATE FOR UMPIRING WINNER: JOHN MARTIN Presenter : Pepper Hotston

MOST SUCCESSFUL PATRON WINNER: THE HON. MRS LILA PEARSON Presenter : Andrew Swaffield

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P L AY E R S ' MEMBERSHIP LIST WITH HANDICAPS CAMILO CASTAGNOLA ....................................................... 10 BARTOLOME CASTAGNOLA ......................................... 9 GONZALITO PIERES .......................................................................... 9 PABLO MCDONOUGH............................................................... 9 POLITO PIERES ............................................................................................... 9 SAPO CASET........................................................................................................ 9 NICO PIERES........................................................................................................ 8 ALE MUZZIO ....................................................................................................... 7 FACUNDO F LLORENTE .......................................................... 7 JOAQUIN PITTALUGA ................................................................... 7 RUFINO BENSADON ....................................................................... 7 SANTIAGO CERNADAS ............................................................. 7 TOMAS BERESFORD ........................................................................... 7 CESAR MANUEL CRESPO...................................................... 6 CHRISTOPHER MACKENZIE........................................... 6 JACINTO CROTTO ................................................................................ 6 JACK RICHARDSON.......................................................................... 6 LUCAS MONTEVERDE JNR................................................ 6 MARCOS DI PALOA ............................................................................ 6 MARCUS ARAYA........................................................................................... 6 SANTIAGO LABORDE ................................................................... 6 BAUTISTA SORZANA ...................................................................... 5 FEDERICO URIBE ABAD ............................................................ 5 JAKE DANIELS................................................................................................... 5 JIMBO FEWSTER .......................................................................................... 5 MALCOLM BORWICK .................................................................... 5 MATIAS MACDONOUGH JNR.................................... 5 CHRIS LUND ....................................................................................................... 4 ED HITCHMAN.............................................................................................. 4

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HISSAM ALI HYDER.............................................................................. 4 JIMMY WOOD ................................................................................................... 4 NIALL DONNELLY.................................................................................. 4 NICK JOHNSON......................................................................................... 4 OLLIE CORK ........................................................................................................ 4 TERENCE LENT............................................................................................. 4 WILL HARPER ................................................................................................ 4 ZAC HAGEDOORN ............................................................................. 4 MATT EVETTS.................................................................................................... 3 ALFIE HYDE ............................................................................................................ 3 BELTRAN LAULHE................................................................................... 3 HARRY MUDDLE ........................................................................................ 3 JOHN MARTIN................................................................................................. 3 JOSH CORK ........................................................................................................... 3 MARCUS CORK............................................................................................ 3 NICK CLAGUE ................................................................................................. 3 SHAUN BROKENSHA...................................................................... 3 BEN SIM........................................................................................................................... 2 GEORGE PEARSON.............................................................................. 2 GUY VERDON ................................................................................................... 2 HARRY REVELL ............................................................................................... 2 LEON DONOSO ......................................................................................... 2 NICHOLAS LEAL ........................................................................................ 2 NICK ROGERSON ................................................................................... 2 RASHID ALBWARDY.......................................................................... 2 TOM DALTON-MORGAN....................................................... 2 WILLIAM DREWITT............................................................................. 2 WILLIAM MILLARD............................................................................... 2 AIYAWATT SRIVADDHANAPRABHA............ 1

BEANIE BRADLEY..................................................................................... 1 CHARLIE BOHER ....................................................................................... 1 CHRISTIAN STAUBACH............................................................. 1 CREIGHTON BOYD ............................................................................. 1 DANIEL BATCHELOR...................................................................... 1 DUNCAN HOTSTON...................................................................... 1 JOHN BUNN........................................................................................................ 1 LUIS AZNAR .......................................................................................................... 1 NICHOLAS HILLER ................................................................................ 1 NICK VAN OPPEN................................................................................... 1 OLIVER DREWITT ................................................................................... 1 RUFUS ULOTH ................................................................................................ 1 VERE HARMSWORTH...................................................................... 1 ALEJANDRO AZNAR ...................................................................... 0 ALEX HILLER ....................................................................................................... 0 ALEXANDRA WOOD ...................................................................... 0 ANA ESCOBEDO ....................................................................................... 0 ANTONIO SORZANA .................................................................... 0 ASHLEY GLENNIE .................................................................................... 0 AUGUSTA GOULD................................................................................ 0 BARBAR NASEEM..................................................................................... 0 BRIGITTE BOHER...................................................................................... 0 CORINNE RICARD............................................................................... 0 DAVID SPRAGG ............................................................................................. 0 DAVID TURNER .......................................................................................... 0 DOMINIC JONES....................................................................................... 0 EDOUARD CARMIGNAC ....................................................... 0 EMMA MACRAE............................................................................................. 0 FINN JONES.......................................................................................................... 0

GARRIE RENUCCI................................................................................... 0 GEORGE GOULD ..................................................................................... 0 GISELLE BARFOOT ................................................................................ 0 HOLLY GADSBY ........................................................................................... 0 HUGO BALDWIN..................................................................................... 0 HUGUES CARMIGANC................................................................ 0 JASMINE CALVERT-ANSARI................................................. 0 JUSTIN MACRAE......................................................................................... 0 VISCOUNT ROTHERMERE................................................... 0 LOUISA WATT .................................................................................................. 0 MACK MCCAFFERY.............................................................................. 0 MARCO VIGNALI ....................................................................................... 0 MATHIEU MAXIMILIAN VAN DELDEN...... 0 MATHIEU VAN DELDEN............................................................. 0 MAYA STAUBACH BENTELER........................................ 0 MILLIE BARFOOT ...................................................................................... 0 NICK CLARKE.................................................................................................. 0 PABLO GALANTE ESCOBAR .......................................... 0 PETER O'RORKE .......................................................................................... 0 HON. MRS LILA PEARSON................................................... 0 LADY CLARE MILFORD HAVEN .............................. 0 TOM EARL ................................................................................................................. 0 WILLIAM ROBERTS ................................................................................ 0 ZOE READER ...................................................................................................... 0 AVA GREENLAND................................................................................. -1 EDWARD RAYBOULD................................................................. -1 MATIAS MALDONADO............................................................ -1 TONY LORENZ.......................................................................................... -1 ORSON CLARKE..................................................................................... -2

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PONY P OW E R

MAISY

VENTARRON (PAYASO)

Arguably the true heroes of the spor t are the horses, and it is common to hear a polo player accredit at least 70% of his ability on the field to his “horsepower”, whereby the speed and agility of the horses is as impor tant as a player’s ball skills and horsemanship.

Year upon year at Cowdray, polo enthusiasts are for tunate to witness some incredibly special ponies in action, par ticularly during the British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup. To celebrate these incredible animals, we are profiling four outstanding ponies.

CASA RUBINA

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FLOWER GIRL

NAME NATIONALITY SEX AGE SIRE DAM PLAYED BY OWNED BY BRED BY BPP

MAISY British Mare 7 Benceno Milajia Nick Clague Nick Clague William Rober ts July 4 Goal Cup Final

NICK CLAGUE: “Maisy became part of my string at the beginning of last season, playing her in everything up to 12 goal. I have really enjoyed playing her, despite being quirky at the beginning of the season she is very easy to play and look after. I am yet to find any weaknesses to speak of and she has an incredible big heart and will always try to win the play for you. She is only 7yrs old and very much still improve.”

NAME NATIONALITY SEX AGE SIRE DAM PLAYED BY OWNED BY BRED BY BPP

CASA RUBINA British Mare 7 Casamento Mi Rubina Bar tolome Castagnola UAE Polo Team M Downey Racing UAE v Park Place league game

HANNAH PARRY-JONES: “I bought her back in 2019 as a 3yr old from flat racing.

She had been placed a couple times so I knew she would be fast, and she proved very well balanced and nimble to ride. I schooled and trained her back home in Somerset, then brought her up to Cowdray as a 5yr old when she joined my playing string and competed in a couple of 15 goal tournaments. By this time, she was incredibly level-headed, and I knew she should be with a better handicapped player than myself. UAE took an interest and had her for a week’s trial period in June.

For Barto to go on and play her in the Gold Cup was incredible to watch, the team’s management and dedication was second to none, and I hope to see her on the pitch with them again.”

NAME NATIONALITY SEX AGE SIRE DAM PLAYED BY OWNED BY BRED BY BPP

VENTARRON (PAYASO) Argentine Gelding 15 Nube Geminis Ollie Cork Ollie Cork Bautista Heguy Heyshott Cup Final

OLLIE CORK: “Ventarron known by everyone as Payaso, was played by Negro de Lusarreta for many years in the English high goal. 3 years ago, I bought him and he has been a key part of my string as he can play any level of polo from the 4 goal with me one day to the next day playing the Coronation Cup with James Biem.

His best trait is that he is very handy, a great spare and will play the same all season long.”

NAME NATIONALITY SEX AGE SIRE DAM PLAYED BY OWNED BY BRED BY BPP

FLOWER GIRL British Mare 8 Casamento Charanga Nick Johnson Alan Kent Tim Easterby Racing Midsummer Cup Final

ALAN KENT: “Flower Girl had proved rather unsuccessful in the training yard, not emulating her very speedy Ayr Bronze Cup winning brother Danzan and arrived unceremoniously here as an unraced 2-yearold, and quite immature in her frame - or ‘fat’ as Nick Johnson labelled her! This year at 7 she started to really stand out and ‘shot to the top’ of the string here early on. She played the Harrison with Mateo Lalor, the Duke Of Sutherland with Roche Torreguitar and won BPP in the Midsummer Cup with Nick Johnson. She has a good mouth, never gets strong or heavy, has the excellent speed of a thoroughbred and good sides. Flower Girl demonstrates the huge versatility of the exracehorse and how with time, patience, and correct re-training they can be so valuable on the polo field.”

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P O N Y C LU B A N D J U N I O R H PA The Pony Club Polo Championships is played at Cowdray Park Polo Club over three days and culminating with the parade of all the players followed by the finals of the most senior section - Gannon.

JORROCKS (6-U11S) Jorrocks Division 2 consisted of four teams, resulting in Berkley Badgers taking 4th place, Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt coming in 3rd, Royal Artillary in 2nd and Hampshire Hunt taking 1st place. Hampshire Hunt; Felix Darwin, Alice Cogan, Flora Darwin and Oscar Wilson-Smith, were presented with the Pardy Cup by Jenny Blake-Thomas.

Jorrocks Division 1 consisted of three teams. Some close fought matches resulted in Cotswold Green coming in 3rd place, Cotswold Red in 2nd and Beaufort Hunt taking the top spot with Annalisa Tomlinson, Evelyn Brown, Bertie Wood and Devon

Turner-Clarke. Anne Soerenson presented the winners with the Jorrocks One Cup. JOPPS (Jorrocks on polo ponies) was started in 2021, allowing Jorrocks aged children to compete on polo ponies instead of on ‘fluffies’.

Four teams entered Division 2, resulting in Cotswold Green taking home the Henderson Plate, presented by Jenny Blake-Thomas. A well earned result for Delphi Dickins, Melba Fox, Mila Henderson and Lola Lucas.

Division 1 saw three teams fight for the Frank Rendell Cup, presented by Anne Soerenson.

Beaufort Hunt; Annalisa Tomlinson, Rufus Tomlinson, Bertie Wood, Harry Wood, rode out victorious.

THE LANGFORD PLATE The Langford league went right to the wire with SOHS claiming the Langford Plate. They were a very disciplined, well mounted team who improved over the 3 days of competition and achieved a well deserved result.

At Cowdray, after the first day, and from the league results, the semi-final fixture was decided. The SOHS and OS&B rode out the winners and went forward to play their Division 1 Final for the Jack Gannon Trophy on Lawns. The Cotswold and Her tfordshire Polo Academy played off in Division 2 for The Mar tin Trotter Trophy. All the teams provided great enter tainment with fast, slick polo resulting in a Division 1 win for OS&B and a win for the Cotswold team in Division 2.

LORINER / RENDELL For the qualifiers and Loriner league there were nine teams in all; Hampshire Hunt, Beaufor t, RA/West Hants, Cotswold, New Forest, South Dorset, Old Berkshire, Woodland and Scotland. Due to inclement weather, not all matches were played resulting in some teams playing more

than others. The scores were taken as an average of points to determine the winners. Both Scotland and New Forest came out with the highest average but Scotland won based on scoring more goals.

The Championships saw fur ther disruption with Woodland and Scotland unable to play.

Members of the Scotland team formed a Heythorp team to take the final number of teams to eight. Over three days each team was able to play some very close games.

It was RA/West Hants who became the eventual winners in a tight match against the Old Berkshire for the Loriner Trophy.

Heythorp won the Hillingdon Hall Trophy beating South Dorset.

SURTEES A popular category, the under 15’s on polo ponies star ted with 15 teams creating three divisions. The Friday tournament at Cowdray was the decider for all divisions going through to the final. Division 1 was made up of four teams, all had consistently finished, with the odd blip, in the first four.

Division 2 consisted of seven teams and Division 3 of three teams.

After some hard-fought chukkas, only the odd goal here and there, and a lot of adrenaline, the Final of Division 1 was Beaufor t Blue against OBH with Beaufor t Blue riding out the winners. Division 2 was won by Beaufor t Buff. Division 3 was won

by Berkley Yellow. All these teams were children playing in their first year of Pony Club Polo and all players showed superb improvement over the course of the tournament. The Young Telegraph award for Most Promising U15 Player was awarded to Charlie Hodges from Beaufor t Blue team.

Later in the week, teams gathered for The Hipwood Finals on Thursday 9 August at the Ambersham grounds at Cowdray Park Polo Club. The Smail Cup was won by Oxford Polo 3½-0 (Jemima Walker, Toby Bradshaw, Olly Davis and Hector Rogberg), in their match against the Cowdray Park Polo team.

GANNON FINAL Four teams competed in this year’s Gannon; Beaufor t, Cowdray, South Oxfordshire Hunt South and Old Surrey & Burstow. In the first-semi-final at Lawns, Cowdray ran out the winners against OS&B with Beaufor t victorious against SOHS to secure their place in the final.

The much anticipated Gannon Final for The Daily Telegraph Trophy saw Cowdray triumph in their third win in a row for this tournament. Rufus Uloth slotted the first goal in from open play, but it was quickly cancelled out by an excellent penalty taken by Robbie Slatter. The tempo upped considerably in the second chukka as Will Millard conceived a second goal for Cowdray. Just before the end of the chukka Cowdray secured a third goal, again from Will Millard who took a superb penalty.

The third chukka allowed Rufus Uloth to score bringing Cowdray to 5 over 1 ½ for Beaufor t. Cowdray continued to dominate in the four th chukka with Will Millard adding to his tally and Ruper t Uloth scoring a superb goal at the end to claim victory for Cowdray 7-11/2.

The Gannon Most Valuable Player was awarded to Rufus Uloth. This marked the third consecutive year for both Noah Hyde and Rufus Uloth playing on the winning Gannon team.

HIPWOOD / ROCKSAVAGE

HANDLEY CROSS

Play in the Rocksavage and Hipwood series of the British HPA Junior Polo Championships came to an end on Tuesday 7 August at Guards Polo Club. The Rocksavage Finals were played in front of a crowd of suppor ters and players’ families.

Following a closely fought match, Oxford Polo (Alfie Hyde, Zac Beim, Kiki Severn and Ben Fleming) came out the winners against Neston Park 3½-3.

Four teams entered the qualifiers at Black Bears, which sadly had to be cancelled due to torrential rain. The teams played in one division, The Cotswold, Old Berkshire, Berkley and the Royal Ar tillery. All four teams had matches at Cowdray with The Cotswold and The Royal Ar tillery playing off for first and second position. In front of a cheering crowd, it was an exciting Final which crowned The Cotswold the winners.

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COWDRAY PARK POLO CLUB

A C A D E M Y 2023

‘Chukka’ was called as September 2023 drew to a close on Alan Kent’s home ground at Madam’s Farm, several weeks after the end of the official club’s season. Eight grinning players pulled up their ponies for the final time, six of whom were new to the spor t this season – ages ranged from 15 to 65.

Such is the enthusiasm of new players to the spor t at Cowdray that their WhatsApp group know precisely how many days there are until 20th April 2024 – a date that marks the star t of the tenth season of the Cowdray Park Polo Academy and cause for celebration on many levels. The Academy has now successfully introduced over one thousand enthusiasts to the game, with several playing in professional matches, as well as the much-anticipated annual Academy game which takes place with thanks to Cowdray Park Polo Club and Polo Splice for their suppor t.

New clients often arrive bubbling with excitement, barely able to wait to mount their pony, although it’s not uncommon to experience nerves, phobias and fear.

After a mere hour, our clients have a common interest, a determination to succeed, respect for the animals and love of the spor t. Polo lessons are a bonding experience, the Academy community grows year on year, ferocious rivals one minute, yet always great mates, encouraging one another and sharing frustrations; emotions are shared on the Cowdray Polo Academy pitch and camaraderie is strong.

The junior or grassroots players played admirably in 2023, Academy trained players reached the Pony Club Championships in August with Cowdray players in the Jorrocks, Sur tees and Gannon sections.

Windlesham House School players have multiplied and will field their first team at SUPA during the winter months. The Academy took polo to Pony Club camps, gave lessons for charity and worked in collaboration with the USPA for the Longest Hit Competition at the Cowdray Gold Cup final. Polo is sometimes overlooked on our own doorstep and was very well received when we explained the history of the game and association with Midhurst at Rother College, before some of their pupils stick and balled in front of the College (and disrupted a few lessons!).

Magnolia Cup winning jockey, Khadijah Mellah fulfilled her ambition of having a polo lesson with her father when they visited Cowdray and exposed the great work ROR do within polo with Alan Kent’s plethora of experience.

Returning to the original Cowdray ground - Cowdray House’s House Ground - for corporate days always brings pleasure, par ticularly when it is to celebrate the return of a former High Goal patron – in this instance Geoffrey Kent and his clients on the ultimate UK tour. They celebrated with a demonstration game and much reminiscing.

As we close the stable door on 2023 we realise that the combination of corporate days, regular clients and international visitors has seen the return of guests stemming from five continents of the world this summer – a hear tening realisation when we consider the restrictions of just two years ago. Long may Churchill’s saying be true “A polo handicap is your passpor t to the world”.

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TRIBUTE

H OWA R D H I P WO O D It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of England’s greatest polo players, Howard Hipwood, on Tuesday, 6 June. An enormous presence on the polo field, Howard played off a handicap of 9 goals for more than 10 successive years and was regarded as one of the best backs in the world.

An England captain from 1992, he played in the first revival match of the Coronation Cup in 1971, and was par t of England’s 1997 winning Westchester Cup team.

Howard played for the Coronation Cup a total of 21 times, winning on six occasions.

He won all of England’s major tournaments including the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Cup. He also par ticipated in the Argentine Open, and played in more than 50 countries during his career ; winning the Gold Cup in Deauville, the Gold Cup in New Zealand, and the World Cup in Florida for four consecutive years.

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Howard later turned his hand to umpiring and was voted the Best Professional Umpire in England in 2006. Howard took up polo as a child through the VWH Pony Club, learning the trade at Cirencester alongside his brother Julian.

The brothers were both awarded an HPA Lifetime Achievement Award at the Audi Polo Awards in 2008, in honour of their outstanding contribution to the spor t and to the polo community. An HPA Life Member, Howard continued to suppor t polo throughout his life, and his legacy continues through his family.

Howard leaves behind his brother Julian and sister Lyn, and his children Oliver, Jessica, Rosanna, and Sebastian. He will be greatly missed by the polo community, and our thoughts and condolences are with his family.

Reproduced with kind permission from the HPA.

TRIBUTE

BRIAN STEIN

We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the Chairman of Guards Polo Club, Brian Stein, on 15 May 2023.

The restauranteur, who owned London establishments Maxwell’s Restaurant and Bar, Café de Paris, PJ’s Bar and Grill and the Palm Cour t Brasserie, was an impor tant member of the HPA Stewards since 2019 and has provided significant input into the running of the HPA. Most recently, Brian was instrumental in reinstating the Coronation Cup, and International Day at Guards Polo Club in 2022. He also provided strong suppor t to the HPA in keeping the sport operational during COVID. We send our deepest condolences to Platina, and his children Dan, Emily, and Alice at this time.

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C OW D R AY PA R K P O L O C LU B MEMBERSHIP Situated in an idyllic location within Lord Cowdray’s 16,000 acre Estate in the hear t of the South Downs National Park, Cowdray Park Polo Club hosts Europe’s most prestigious polo tournament, the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup.

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To become a non-playing member of Cowdray Park Polo Club please contact: members@cowdraypolo.co.uk or call the Polo Office on: 01730 813257

The Championship attracts most of the world’s leading players during four weeks of high-octane action from late June to late July. The season runs from April to September, with over 500 matches played across Lawns and Ambersham grounds at high, medium and low goal level.

Social membership at Cowdray Park Polo Club offers a relaxed and beautiful setting for all to enjoy the ‘Game of Kings’. Whether picnicking on the sidelines or enjoying lunch in the Clubhouse, Cowdray provides the perfect place to spend time with family and friends, or business associates and clients. As the home of British Polo, we pride ourselves on making polo accessible to all.

The Club welcomes back our loyal existing members, and all those who are new to polo.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS » Free entry to all polo matches, including the Gold Cup semi-finals and final. » A guest pass for all matches including the Gold Cup semi-finals and final. » Over 25 free reciprocal event dates at other headline spor ting venues including Goodwood Racecourse, Hickstead, Guards Polo Club and Ascot Racecourse. » Access to members’ enclosure at the Gold Cup semi-finals and final. » Preferential rates at the Ambersham Clubhouse. » 25% discount on subscription to Cowdray TV » Regular e-newsletters with club updates, special offers and the latest news from the season. » Commemorative enamel membership badge. » Car pass for members’ only parking at selected events. » A complimentar y copy of the CPPC yearbook. » Exclusive pre-release access to tickets for flagship events and preferential hospitality rates. » Members’ only events at Cowdray House and The Walled Garden at Cowdray.

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To discuss your high-value home insurance call the NFU Mutual Agency – Pulborough on 01798 874382 or search NFU Mutual Bespoke.

*Cover for one month before and after your special event. Your NFU Mutual agency office will provide further details of the cover including the limits and exclusions that may apply.

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BUSINESS D I R E C TO RY ACCOMMODATION AND EATING OUT COWDRAY ESTATE, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0AQ 01730 812423 enquiries@cowdray.co.uk cowdray.co.uk COWDRAY FARM SHOP AND CAFÉ, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0AJ 01730 815152 enquiries@cowdrayfarmshop.co.uk cowdray.co.uk THE HALFWAY BRIDGE, Halfway Bridge, Lodswor th, Petwor th, West Sussex GU28 9BP 01798 861281 halfwaybridge.co.uk TREE HOUSE RETREATS 07507 783497 hello@treehouseretreats.com treehouseretreats.com FAUSTINO’S, 2A Nor th Street, Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9DQ 01730 814745 faustinosmidhurst.co.uk

AUCTIONEERS, LETTINGS AND PROPERTY SERVICES JACKSON STOPS, Market Square, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9NJ 01730 812357 midhurst@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk SAVILLS, Exchange House, Petwor th, West Sussex GU28 0BF 01798 345980 petwor th@savills.com savills.co.uk STACKS, 8 Greenfields, Liss, Hampshire GU22 7EH 07792 807770 billspreckley@stacks.co.uk stacks.co.uk

CLOTHING AND LIFESTYLE ASPINAL OF LONDON, Aspinal House, Highfield, Midhurst Rd, Fernhurst, West Sussex GU27 3HA 01428 648180 aspinaloflondon.com U.S. POLO ASSN. uspoloassn.co.uk uspapro.com X-ZONY, Gorehill Stud, Haslingbourne Lane, Petwor th, West Sussex GU28 0JJ 07930 307502 / 07837 797482 x-zony.com

FOOD AND DRINK NO.3 GIN, Berry Bros, & Rudd, 3 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1EF no3gin.com NYETIMBER, 8 Sacksville Street, London W1S 3DG 0207 7348490 nyetimber.com

HOME AND LEISURE COWDRAY LIVING, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0AJ 01730 815152 cowdray.co.uk COWDRAY PARK GOLF CLUB, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0BB 01730 813599 cowdray.co.uk/spor t/golf FAROL GARDEN MACHINERY, Holmbush Hse, Holmbush Ind Est, Midhurst, W Sx GU29 9XY 01730 819981 farolmowers.co.uk HAMPSHIRE GARDEN DESIGNS 02392 808909 hampshiregardendesignsltd@hotmail.com hampshiregardendesignsltd.co.uk DIRECTORY LISTINGS CONTINUED OVERLEAF....

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The Bar

The perfect place to mingle, linger & unwind Whether you choose to settle in a cosy corner or upon one of our quirky-but-comfy bar stools, which are hand made from old whisky barrels, the bar at The Halfway Bridge positively inspires relaxation.

the lay of

the land

The Rooms

The perfect romantic or relaxing escape 8 attractive en-suite rooms and our fabulous shepherd’s hut are housed in Cowdray Barns, the inn’s former stable yard.

The Food

A Sussex dining destination Friendly service and excellent presentation combine to create the perfect atmosphere in which to relish exceptional food and inspired cuisine.

The menu bursts with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Fish, game and traditional English and Mediterranean dishes.

Our local community means the world to us and we’re proud to support The Cowdray Park Polo Club.

Location

In the heart of the South Downs The 250 year old, newly refurbished Halfway Bridge is flanked by two historic market towns: Midhurst, home to the Cowdray Estate, and International polo, and Petworth, the antique centre of southern England with its famous country house and deer park.

We know your area, because it’s our area too.

Savills Petworth 01798 345 980 petworth@savills.com @hwaybridge_wsx

The-Halfway-Bridge

Halfway Bridge, Lodsworth, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9BP T: 01798 861281 E: enquiries@halfwaybridge.co.uk www.halfwaybridge.co.uk

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Property Market Comment Uncertainty is one of the main causes of stagnation in the property market; 2023 has brought plenty of uncertainty in the shape of the UK economy, rising interest rates and global issues. House prices in the south dropped slightly in the second half of the year and both buyers and sellers have been a lot more cautious about agreeing transactions.

Through 2024 we are likely to witness further reverberations due to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and then of course a forthcoming UK general election. However, interest rates have levelled out, there is more confidence in the UK economy and absolutely most importantly of all, as history has shown many times over the last fifty years, any dip in UK house prices represents a good buying opportunity. Everyone needs a roof over their heads and this (along with children’s education) is the priority investment in most people’s lives.

We believe 2024 will see the bottom of the dip in house prices and historically recoveries are usually speedy. In the meantime there should be some chances to purchase property at lower prices than have been possible since pre-Covid times.

The difficulty for buyers is understanding what the price of a house should be, as opposed to what it is being marketed at. Of course some houses are priced correctly and therefore (quite rightly) it will be difficult to get a discount on the asking price, whilst others are overpriced, often dramatically, and have not taken into account the recent drop in prices. The only way to be sure you don’t pay too much is to be fully immersed in the market and to do your research into the price at which comparable houses have sold– as opposed to what the marketing price was.

Alternatively an experienced local Search Agent will be able to professionally advise you with confidence.

Stacks is the UK’s most established property buying agency in the UK and we have fifteen local offices across the country. Our Hampshire/West Sussex/ Surrey office has been finding, securing and purchasing houses for our clients for the last forty years; we only work for buyers and either negotiate with the seller’s estate agent, or we deal directly with the vendors if they are not on the open market. We understand and advise our clients what a house is really worth and then make sure it gets to completion as smoothly as possible.

West Sussex, Hampshire & Surrey Bill Spreckley +44 (0)7792 807 770 billspreckley@stacks.co.uk www.stacks.co.uk

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JASON MAYHEW GUNDOG TRAINING 07808 518000 jasonmayhewgundogtraining.co.uk NFU MUTUAL, Hardham Mill Business Park, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1LA 01798 874382 nfumutual.co.uk

TRAVEL & LOGISTICS SOTOGRANDE / LA RESERVA CLUB +34 856 560 922 sotogrande@sotogrande.com lareservaclubsotogrande.com AIR CHARTER SERVICES Millbank House, 171-185 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6AP 020 8339 8588 lonprivate@airchar terservice.com airchar ter.co.uk BOEING BUSINESS JETS business.jets@boeing.com boeing.com/bbj STRATEGIC SHIPPING 01753 686784 info@strategic-shipping.com strategic-shipping.com

EMERGENCY SERVICES KSS AIR AMBULANCE aakss.com

PHOTOGRAPHY MARK BEAUMONT 07812 766337 mark@markbeaumont.co.uk markbeaumont.co.uk TONY RAMIREZ 01273 834159 imagesofpolo.com JOAN WAKEHAM 07831 667749 info.polophoto@gmail.com polophoto.co.uk

POLO SERVICES COWDRAY PARK POLO ACADEMY Madam’s Farm, King’s Drive Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0BH 07957 468220 charlotte.verdon@cowdraypolo.co.uk cowdray.co.uk/spor t/cowdray-polo-academy POLO SPLICE, 126 Little Todham, Selham Road, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9BU 01730 814991 info@polosplice.co.uk polosplice.co.uk

Our true classic London Dry Gin provides a perfectly balanced base for a refreshing Gin and Tonic or a clean, crisp Martini. And the experts agree.

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