Victor Ludorum Update

Ollie Cudmore eyes up the ball with Poroto Cambiaso in pursuit

Nationwide Series in Full Swing Victor Ludorum update

18 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Apsley Cup Final – Saturday 25 June

Number of teams: Four Winners: Black Bears Points: 30

The Hurlingham Polo Association’s Victor Ludorum series is the largest of its kind in the UK spanning all levels of polo from 22 to 4 goal and also including the women’s series, the Victrix Ludorum. As the English season reaches its peak, it is therefore little surprise that the Victor and Victrix Ludorum series are in full swing, with 13 reports enclosed in these pages, plus The Cowdray Gold Cup for The British Open Championship in our Reports section and The Ladies British Open Championship in our Women’s Polo pages. So, sit back, relax and see who’s coming out on top so far this season. On Saturday 25 June, Black Bears and Semper Anticus faced each other in The Apsley Cup Final at Cirencester Park Polo Club’s Ivy Lodge ground. Although the intermittent rain proved challenging, it was a fast-paced match between both sides and by the end of the second chukka, Semper Anticus was in the lead, 2-1. No goals were scored by either side in the third chukka, but in the fourth chukka Black Bears came back

with a vengeance and scored a flurry of goals to take the lead, 4-2. Semper Anticus fought back with two more goals, but these were matched by Black Bears who ran out the winners, 6-4. This is the second consecutive win for Black Bears, following their Cotswold Airport Warwickshire Cup win. Jimbo Fewster was named Most Valuable Player and Click, played by Fewster was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. Ferne Park defeated Ojo Caliente, 8-6 in the Subsidiary Final.

The Apsley Cup Final Teams:

Black Bears (18): Guy Schwarzenbach (2), James Fewster (4), Paco O’Dwyer (6) & Ollie Cudmore (6)

Semper Anticus (18):

Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (0), Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (9), Cambiaso ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso Jnr (8) & Rufino Laulhé (1)

Guards Polo Club – The Indian Empire Shield Final – Saturday 16 July

Number of teams: 12 Winners: Black Bears Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Black Bears’ Guy Schwarzenbach lifted the mighty Indian Empire Shield on Saturday 16 July on the Castle Ground at Guards Polo Club after a thrilling, seven chukka Final against Emlor Black. Black Bears and Emlor Black were firing on all cylinders from the first whistle, with Black Bears taking an early 2-0 lead, however by the end of the first chukka Richard Tyrone converted a penalty and Juan Ambroggio scored to bring the scores level. The evenly matched sides continued to leave the scores within a whisker of each other throughout, tying several times, with the tension increasing in the second half as both sides tried to gain some meaningful advantage on the scoreboard. Three minutes into the sixth chukka, James McCarthy levelled the scores, 6-6, and some great defensive play from Tyrone stopped Black Bears from finding the flags; as the tension rose and the seconds ticked down, José Araya picked up the ball and

Black Bears, winners of The Apsley Cup

Jimbo Fewster keeps his eye on the ball

fired it through the posts, but the whistle had already blown and the goal was disallowed, which pushed the riveting Final into a 6th chukka. In extra-time, there was plenty of fast play, including a terrific rideoff between Tyrone and Fewster which thrilled the spectators but failed to reveal a winner, so the goals were widened and a seventh chukka began. Emlor Black were the first team to put a goal through, again from the stick of Araya and the team started to congratulate each other but heartbreakingly for Emlor Black the goal was disallowed. Just a minute or two later Guy Schwarzenbach made the most of the opportunity of being unmarked and hit a big shot to win The Indian Empire Shield, 7-6.

Araya received the Polo Times Best Playing Pony award for Pire Blanca Nieves who he played in the third, fifth and seventh chukkas and Jimbo Fewster was named Most Valuable Player.

The Indian Empire Shield Final Teams:

Black Bears (18): Guy Schwarzenbach (2), Ollie Cudmore (6), Jimbo Fewster (4) & Paco O’Dwyer (6)

Emlor Black (17):

Juan Ambroggio (6), Richard Tyrone (5), James McCarthy (2) & José Araya (4)

To read more about Best Playing Pony, Pire Blanca Nieves, please turn to the Pony Power pages

The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The Eduardo Moore Final – Sunday 10 July

Number of teams: Five Winners: Emlor Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

On the sunny afternoon of Sunday 10 July two teams took to the Number 1 Ground at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club to battle it out for the prestigious Eduardo Moore Trophy. The tournament is a tribute to Eduardo ‘Gordo’ Moore who was a legendary polo player in the 60s, 70s and 80s, reaching 10 goals in the UK and 9 goals in Argentina.

Chris McKenzie was the first to get a goal on the scoreboard for Jolly Roger King of Polo but Max Charlton quickly retaliated. The pair of 6 goalers flew around, ably assisted by their teams, both putting the ball between the posts several times and after the second chukka the scoreboard read 4-3 in favour of Emlor. In the third however, Jolly Roger slowly pulled into the lead, with Ollie Cork scoring two phenomenal goals and McKenzie getting another two. The half time score was 7-6 in favour of Jolly Roger. Emlor were not going to give up easily though, some excellent teamwork enabled them to get within 1 goal of their opposition by the end of the fourth. A nail-biting final chukka had the crowd on the edge of their seats as the teams gave it everything they had and, as the final hooter sounded, Emlor and Jolly Roger were 9 goals apiece meaning an extra chukka. After nearly six tense minutes of exciting play and near misses, Charlton, cool and calm, slotted away a 60 yard penalty to make McCarthy’s team, Emlor, the 2022 Eduardo Moore champions! McKenzie was deservedly named Most Valuable Player and Max Charlton’s Skinny, a 10-year-old Australian Thoroughbred mare, was the Best Playing Pony.

Photograph by RCBPC

Emlor, winners of The Eduardo Moore Final

The Subsidiary Final saw Emlor Black defeat RCBPC/La Mariposa, 10-7.

The Eduardo Moore Final Teams:

Emlor (15): Spencer McCarthy (1), Hugo Taylor (4), Jose Araya (4) & Max Charlton (6)

Jolly Roger King of Polo (15):

Nicolas Johannson (0), Ollie Cork (4), Glen Sheriff (5) & Chris McKenzie (6)

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Beaufort Polo Club – The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Cup Final – Saturday 25 June

Number of teams: Eight Winners: Vampire Bats 2.0 Points: 60

Noon Giraffe put up a strong defence

Photography by Joss Ridley Equine Photography

Vampire Bats 2.0, winners of The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Cup Final The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Cup Final took place on a sunny Saturday afternoon and after two weeks of league matches and Semi Finals, it was whittled down to just Vampire Bats 2.0 and Noon Giraffe. Luke Wiles got the game off to a flying start with a goal for Vampire Bats 2.0, and the team scored once more before Chris Fagan scored for Noon Giraffe. A penalty in the final few minutes meant the first chukka was finished with both teams tied on 2 goals each.The second chukka saw two more goals for Noon Giraffe, but just one more for Vampire Bats 2.0, whilst both teams scored twice more in the third chukka, meaning Noon Giraffe headed into the fourth and final chukka ahead by one goal on 6, and Vampire Bats 2.0 close behind on 5.

It was one more goal and a penalty that saw the match swing in the favour of Vampire Bats 2.0 who took the win, 7-6. Luke Wiles was awarded Most Valuable Player, whilst Best Playing Pony was awarded to Max Charlton’s Voltage.

The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Cup Final Teams:

Noon Giraffe (12): Chris Fagan (0), Henry Smith (2), Charlie Walton (4) & Max Charlton (6) Vampire Bats 2.0 (12): Rory Sweet (0), Toby Bradshaw (2), Mark Tomlinson (6) & Luke Wiles (4)

Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Queen Mother Trophy Final – Saturday 9 July

Number of teams: Nine Winners: Confido Points: 60 Prior to the Final, the Club welcomed HRH Prince Edward who presented 150 troops from The Royal Wessex Yeomanry with their Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medals, supported by the band of the Honourable Artillery Company. The event also marked the 51st Anniversary of the Regiment, and the amalgamation of the Swindon and Cirencester Squadrons. Later on in the day, Confido beat SONA Polo 8-4 in The Queen Mother Trophy Final and Semper Anticus were victorious in the Subsidiary Final, taking home The Corinium Bowl 6-5 against Tafia Mafia.

The Queen Mother Trophy Final Teams:

Confido (12): Creighton Boyd (1), Ed Hitchman (4), Lachlan Gilmore (4) & Shaun Brokensha (3) Sona Polo (12): Sunjay Kapur (0), Pier Andrea Mueller (1), Juan A. García Grossi (7) & Nico Roberts (4)

Confido, winners of The Queen Mother Trophy

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Guards Polo Club – The Archie David Cup Final – Sunday 26 June

Number of teams: 32 Winners: Ainsley Saddlery Points: 90

The Archie David Cup is the UK’s most competitive 8 goal tournament, with 32 teams vying for their place in this year’s Final. Major Archie David was a founding player at Smith’s Lawn and was known for generously lending his own ponies to those Army officers who did not have adequate horsepower; the tournament was named in memory of him following his death in 1971. With such strong team entries, players cannot afford to have an off day with the competitive polo providing a great spectacle. For those teams who do not reach the Final, there is still the chance to take home The Caterham Cup in the Subsidiary Final or for those teams knocked out in the early stages

of the tournament, there is the opportunity to secure The Claude Pert Trophy.

On Sunday 26 June, Ainsley Saddlery beat Wascosa, 6-5 in The Archie David Cup Final with Lottie Lamacraft chosen as the Most Valuable Player, while in the other Finals Tex8n claimed The Claude Pert Cup and Honesty took The Caterham Cup.

The Archie David Cup Final Teams:

Ainsley Saddlery (8): Andrew Detchet (1), Nina Clarkin (3), Ross Ainsley (3) & Lottie Lamacraft (1) Wascosa (9): Sebastian Dawnay (3), Nacho Gonzalez (4), Pierandrea Mueller (1) & Phillip Mueller (0)

Ainsley Saddlery, winners of The Archie David Cup

The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy – Saturday 16 July

Number of teams: 12 Winners: Cuarto Colas Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Twelve teams battled it out for almost three weeks to earn a chance to win the coveted Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy. Finally, Rafi Bruckner’s Elemental, and Stuart Matty’s Cuatro Colas, emerged as the top two. On Saturday 16 July they took to the Royal County of Berkshire’s Number 1 Ground, both teams desperate to win. The teams started out so evenly matched that neither were able to get past the defence of the other to score a goal and the first chukka finished 0-0. The second chukka saw Nico San Roman put away two goals which remained unanswered by Elemental. Eventually, having peppered the goal posts for two chukkas with near misses both teams started to put goals on the board and with only one chukka left, Cuatro Colas were looking strong, the score reading 6-2 in their favour. Cata Lavinia worked hard on Jack Hyde to allow Fabio Lavinia and San Roman to finish the job and secure an 8-3 win for Cuarto Colas and take home the trophy for 2022. Following the prize presentation players, which saw Dolfina Tiny, played by Nico San Roman and owned by Adolfo Cambiaso, named Best Playing Pony and Cata Lavina chosen as the Most Valuable Player, friends, family and guests gathered in the Clubhouse for an Asado and drinks on a beautiful summer evening.

Cuarto Colas, winners of The Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy

The Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy Final Teams:

Elemental (8): Rafi Bruckner (0), Frankie Barlow (1), Toby Bradshaw (2) & Jack Hyde (5) Cuarto Colas (8): Cata Lavinia (1), Fabio Lavinia (3), Nico San Roman (4) & Stuart Matty (0)

6 Goal Victor Ludorum

Binfield Heath Polo Club – Phillimore Trophy – Sunday 10 July Number of teams: Six Winners: Minninnooka Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

On Sunday 10 July The Phillimore Trophy Final was played between Minninnooka and Saracens, with Minninnooka securing a 9½-5 win in a well fought match. The Otamendis were a tough duo for the opposition and Daniel Otamendi was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player award and Kirstie Otamendi’s Ciquena won the Best Playing Pony prize. Later in the day, Catfoss beat Wildcats 7-4 in the Subsidiary Final and rounding up the tournament in The Wooden Spoon, Wildebeest defeated Coppid Owls 3-2½.

Teams commented on the irrigated grounds at BHPC, part of the Phillimore estate at Henley on Thames which resulted in fast moving polo.

The Phillimore Trophy Final Teams:

Minninnooka (4): Nick Male (-1), Kirstie Otamendi (0), Alex Jacob (1) & Daniel Otamendi (4) Saracens: Matt Green Armytage (0), Kristina Karailieva (1), Jason Parker (1) & Lucho Aguirre (4)

Photography courtesy of BHPC

Rutland Polo Club – The Westerby Assam Cup Final – Sunday 26 June

Number of teams: Two Winners: Catfoss Points: 15

This year’s Westerby Assam Cup was played between two visiting teams over two days. Day one saw both teams battle it out for the magnificent DNRC Trophy. Catfoss are a well-established team from Yorkshire and were back to defend their Assam title from last year.

With the great skills of Bautista Funnes, ably assisted by patron Ben Foreman, a very handy 0 goaler, Rob Shearman off a good solid one goal and the mightily impressive youngster Harrison Patrick off 0 goals, this team were going to be a hard lot to beat. The opposition on this occasion was For Farriers by Farriers, whose patron James Haigh had never played 4 goal before the weekend and indeed has only been playing tournament level polo for two seasons. The team was pulled together by Tom Collie, ex-Rutland professional, James van Oppen and the irrepressible Emma Sanderson, very strong off her one goal handicap.

Catfoss took the DNRC trophy winning by 6-4½, it was a fast and furious match but Catfoss were dominant and showed everyone that they really knew how to work as a team.

With huge crowds on the Sunday, The Westerby Assam Cup Final gave the spectators some nail biting action and although the scoreboard didn’t depict this for the first few chukkas, For Farriers by Farriers suddenly came together as a team and gave Catfoss a real run for their money in the second half of the game. Sadly for For Farriers by Farriers, a couple of missed penalties that could have provided the turning point just went wide, meaning that Catfoss ran out the winners 6-3½.

James Haigh caught everybody’s eye on the Sunday and was deservedly awarded Most

Valuable Player, playing an absolute stormer off his handicap. The lovely Bramble, owned by Alex Boucher and played by

Tom Collie was awarded Best Playing

Pony, this was particularly momentous for Club Chairman Edward Winterton who produced and played Bramble before selling him to Alex Boucher.

Catfoss, winners of The Westerby Assam Cup Best Playing Pony, Bramble

The Westerby Assam Cup Final Teams:

Catfoss (4): Ben Foreman (0),

Harrison Patrick (0), Rob Shearman (1) & Bauti Funnes (3)

For Farriers by Farriers (5): James Haigh (-1), Emma Sanderson (1), James van Oppen (1) & Tom Collie (2)

Silver Leys Polo Club – The Prestige & Village Silver Leys Cup Final – Sunday 3 July

Number of teams: Four Winners: Property Makers/ La Dolce Vita Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Ground 1 at Silver Leys Polo Club saw a fast paced 4 goal Prestige & Village tournament between the four teams. What started as a succession of close games, soon turned into a great win for La Dolce Vita Property Makers, with a score of 12-7 against Cambridge Neurotech in the Final.

A previous injury for Tahl Holtzman saw him substituted by Ben Marsh for the last 50 seconds of the final chukka. Phil Seller was awarded Most Valuable Player for his efforts throughout, with a fantastic eight goals for La Dolce Vita Property Makers in the Final and the Best Playing Pony was Plum, a six-year-old ex-racehorse retrained by Harold Hodges.

The Prestige & Village Silver Leys Cup Final Teams:

La Dolce Vita Property Makers (4): Marco Vignali (-1), Phil Seller (2), Harold Hodges (3) & Mark Minashi (0) Cambridge Neurotech (3): Sam Outridge (1), Jeremy Allen (1), Byron Human (1) & Tahl Holtzman (0)

EST. 1894 SILV ER LEYS POLO C LUB

Timb-Ply Polo, winners of The Junior County Cup Best Playing Pony, Pollusa, owned and played by Will Padden

Cheshire Polo Club – The Junior County Cup Final – Sunday 10 July

Number of teams: Three Winners: Timb-Ply Polo Points: 15

Over three very warm sunny days in Cheshire spectators watched the three league matches which were hard fought throughout. Don Gibbs’ team Timb-Ply won the first match against A.W. Jenkinson and quickly showed their superiority in their second match against Gander, when Don Gibbs scored a quickly taken goal, followed by a penalty and a further goal by Gibbs with the score reading 4-2½ at half-time. Gander closed the score, but a couple of goals by Jonny Coddington sealed their fate and Timb-Ply came out the winners 6-4½ at the final whistle.

The Junior County Cup and prizes were presented to the winning team by

Most Valuable Player, Don Gibbs Craig Petty of the sponsors Hatfields of Liverpool. Gibbs was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and the Best Playing Pony was Pollusa, owned and played by Will Padden.

The Pilgrim’s Cup was won by the runners-up Gander with the Most Valuable Player chosen as Challon Smith and Ben Malasomma’s, Fiesta, won the Best Playing Pony.

The Junior County Cup Teams:

Timb-Ply (4): Don Gibbs (-1), Bobby Bell (0), Will Padden (2) & Jonny Coddington (3) Gander (3): Challon Smith (-2), Simon Bentley (0), James Fielding (2) & Ben Malasomma (3) A.W. Jenkinson (3): Sam Chaves (-2), Steffan Groch (0), Lenny Cunningham (1) & Cristian Chaves (4)

Victrix Ludorum

Black Bears Polo Club – Black Bears 16-Goal Ladies Tournament Final – Sunday 26 June

Number of teams: Six Winners: Semper Anticus Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Clarinda Tjia-Darmadi’s winning streak continued on Sunday 26 June at the Schwarzenbach family’s Black Bears Polo Club in Henley. The tournament was the first stop on the 2022 Victrix Ludorum tour and saw six teams split into two leagues competing. Semper Anticus faced Coombe Place in the Final, with Semper Anticus securing a 6-4½ win, Chloe Horswell the Most Valuable Player and Christmas, played by Kayley Smith named the Best Playing Pony.

Black Bears 16-Goal Ladies Tournament Teams:

Semper Anticus (16): Chloe Horswell (0), Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (1), Lucy Coddington (5) & Hazel Jackson (10) Coombe Place (15): Sophie Keena (1), Lucy Bowman (4), Kayley Smith (4) & Lottie Lamacraft (6)

Aspect Knepp Castle Polo Club – The Aspect Knepp Ladies 16 Goal Final – Sunday 3 July

Number of teams: Eight Winners: La Rosada Points: 90

Two leagues, eight teams and 12 matches later, La Rosada secured themselves The Aspect Knepp Ladies 16 Goal after defeating Maize Dulce in the Final at Aspect Knepp Castle Polo Club. Rosie Ross was named Most Valuable Player and Christian, played by Steph Haverals was the Best Playing Pony. Minninnooka secured the Subsidiary Final win with Claire Brougham chosen as the Most Valuable Player.

The Aspect Knepp Ladies 16 Goal Final Teams:

Maize Dulce (16): Millie Barfoot (3), Katie Perez (3), Holly Butler (4) & Rosie Ross (6) La Rosada (16): Sam Buckles (3), Lorna Fleming (4), Bryony Taylor (5) & Steph Haverals (4)

Photograph by Aspect Knepp Castle Polo Club