QUEEN’S CUP 2026
A MASTERCLASS IN FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP
Round-up of this year’s league matches featuring all 19 teams
FOREWORD
Today marks the 14th Cartier Queen’s Cup Final and the 42nd year of our sponsorship of the sport here at Guards Polo Club. That enduring partnership has helped support the continued growth of polo at the highest level, while strengthening the sport’s long-standing traditions here at Guards Polo Club. We are proud to have played a part in that journey, and this afternoon’s Final is a fitting reflection of the exceptional talent, dedication and sportsmanship that continue to define the game. It’s an absolute honour as my first as Managing Director of Cartier UK & Ireland, to be a part of such a thrilling year.
The focus and dedication shown by every team has been exceptional. Not only by the players on the field, but by the entire team behind the scenes who go above and beyond preparing the grounds and welcoming the numerous horses and players. Their pursuit of excellence reflects the values we hold at the heart of our Maison: dedication, passion and precision.
That spirit of craftsmanship is explored further in this year’s programme through Cartier’s newly announced three-year partnership with The King’s Foundation. Together, we are launching a new educational initiative, The King’s Foundation and Cartier: Decorative Métiers d’Art in Watchmaking, created from a shared belief in preserving rare artistic crafts and supporting the next generation of specialist watchmakers.
This bursary-funded partnership continues Cartier’s long tradition of promoting creative talent and preserving watchmaking skills. Passing on these important skills is the heart of the Maison’s Manufacture and ateliers. The postgraduate programme comprises five months of formal training and two months of project work and puts the emphasis on specialist areas of savoir-faire including enamelling techniques such as champlevé and grisaille, and marquetry.
This year’s tournament has been one of the most competitive. Across nineteen teams, we have witnessed outstanding sport of the highest calibre, something Cartier is immensely proud to support.
We wish both teams every success for what promises to be a memorable Final.
Agathe Delpont, Managing Director, Cartier UK & Ireland
The Band of the Welsh Guards on The Queen's Ground
IMAGE © SAM CHURCHILL
THE BIG PICTURE
Our artist-in residence Nick Botting created this lovely painting of the Park Place team pony lines during last year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup. A selection of Nick's artwork, painted “plein air” at Smith’s Lawn during the past three years, will be on display in the Clubhouse during the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final. Go to https://portlandgallery.com/artists/33-nick-botting/works/ to discover more about the artist.
Painting by NICK BOTTING
CARTIER & THE KING ’ S FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT WATCHMAKERS OF TOMORROW
An exciting, new, three-year partnership will help create the next generation of specialist artisans for the watchmaking industry
Cartier and The King’s Foundation are delighted to announce a new education programme – The King’s Foundation and Cartier: Decorative Métiers d’Art in Watchmaking – born of a shared belief in the importance of preserving rare artistry crafts and supporting the next generation of talent. This bursary-funded partnership continues Cartier’s long tradition of promoting creative talent and preserving watchmaking skills. Passing on these important skills is the heart of the Maison’s manufacture and ateliers, where intergenerational collaboration ensures the future of savoir-faire.
Louis Ferla, President and CEO of Cartier said of this partnership: “We are delighted to
partner with The King’s Foundation on this important new fellowship programme. Support for creative talents in watchmaking and the métiers d’art is crucial to ensure these ancestral skills are transmitted to the next generation, where they can continue to share their singular beauty. This commitment reaffirms the Maison’s longstanding dedication to the shared human adventure of preserving, developing and, of course, celebrating these rare and traditional crafts.”
Jacqueline Farrell, Executive Director of Education at The King’s Foundation added: “At The King’s Foundation we are passionate about protecting traditional crafts and are delighted to be partnering with Cartier - who
Photography by CARTIER
“This commitment reaffirms the Maison’s longstanding dedication to the shared human adventure of preserving, developing and, of course, celebrating these rare and traditional crafts”
LOUIS FERLA, PRESIDENT & CEO OF CARTIER
share this passion - on this exciting new education programme. This course will give students a rare opportunity to learn the highly specialised skills involved in the decorative arts for watchmaking. By nurturing the next generation of makers in two extraordinary settings in Scotland and Switzerland, we hope to ensure that these remarkable skills are preserved and developed for years to come.”
Firm in the belief that creativity bridges the gap between design and technique, Cartier and The King’s Foundation have opened this fellowship to UK-based jewellery and watch making graduates or emerging designers in the first three years of running their business
who wish to add to their technical expertise. Based at The King’s Foundation’s headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, with residential experiences delivered at Cartier’s Maison des Métiers d’Art in Switzerland, students will be mentored by expert tutors and master craftspeople from both organisations. Students will live on site at Dumfries House during their studies with The King’s Foundation in Scotland. Cartier’s watchmaking expertise stretches back to the mid-19th century. It is proud to hold the prestigious warrant of Jewellers and Watchmakers to His Majesty The King, continuing an historical relationship with
Cartier’s watchmaking expertise stretches back to the mid-19th century, and the Maison des Métiers d’Art is the highest expression of its creative and technical mastery
CARTIER ’ S MAISON DES MÉTIERS D'ART
the Royal Family.
This postgraduate programme comprises five months of formal training and two months of project work, putting the emphasis on specialist areas of savoir-faire including enamelling techniques such as champlevé and grisaille, and marquetry. Applications opened in the Spring 2026, with the first cohort presenting their projects in a final exhibition in Spring 2027.
Cartier’s Maison des Métiers d’Art is the highest expression of its creative and technical mastery. It was founded in 2014 and is positioned beside the Cartier Watchmaking Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, home to the world’s most prestigious horology specialists, allowing for an ecosystem of
This bursary-funded partnership continues Cartier’s long tradition of promoting creative talent and preserving watchmaking skills
collaboration and a collective adventure driven by passionate artisans. This latest initiative, The King’s Foundation and Cartier: Decorative Métiers d’Art in Watchmaking, follows on from the Cartier Prize for Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow. It is an annual competition for young watchmaking talents, introduced nearly 30 years ago.
Applicants can apply for the course until 22 June via The King’s Foundation website: https://kings-foundation.org/
Dumfries House in Scotland.
QUEEN’S CUP 2026 TEAMS
Nineteen top-level teams - listed on the following pages - have been battling for almost four weeks in a bid to win through to today's final. With 47 games already completed all of today's players and their remarkable strings of ponies know what is at stake. The result for the spectators will be an incredible game of polo...
M S
Jehangiri Polo Team
Muhammad Jehangiri (0)
Gonzalo Pieres (7)
Guillermo Caset (8)
Cibao La Pampa/ Murus Sanctus
Juan Pepa (2)
Oliver Cudmore (5)
Carlos Ulloa (7)
Paco De Narvaez (8)
Rosendo Torreguitar (7)
White Crane
Alexie Calvert-Ansari (0)
Matthew Perry (5)
Pablo Pieres (10)
Tomas Beresford (7)
GROUP ONE
Gaston Polo Team
Jean-Paul Luksic (0)
Beltran Laulhe (7)
David Stirling (8)
Cruz Heguy (7)
La Dolfina/Marques
De Riscal
Alejandro Aznar (0)
Simon Prado (6)
Felix Esain (6)
Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (10)
Signet/Segavas
Luke Wiles (4)
Thomas Severn (5)
Matias MacDonough (6)
Alfredo Bigatti (7)
Aureus
Jake Coventry (0)
Mark Tomlinson (5)
Diego Cavanagh (8)
Teodoro Lacau (7)
UAE Polo Team
HH Sheikha Maitha bint
Mohammed Al Maktoum (0)
Dubai Polo Team
Tariq Albwardy (0)
Santos Merlos (6)
Antonio Heguy (7)
Bartolome Castagnola Jnr (9)
Hugo Taylor (5)
Lucas Monteverde Jnr (8)
Juan Martin Nero (9)
GROUP TWO
Black Bears
Guy Schwarzenbach (2)
Estanislao Darritchon (3)
Benjamin Panelo (8)
Tomas Panelo (9)
Jindal Steel/ La Dolfina
Naveen Jindal (0)
Rufino Merlos (6)
Gonzalo Ferrari (7)
Adolfo Cambiaso (9)
Kazak
Sebastien Aguettant (0)
Leon Donoso (5)
Nicolas Pieres (8)
Francisco Elizalde (9)
Ferne Park
Jonathan Rothermere (0)/Vere
Harmsworth (0)
Chris Mackenzie (6)
Facundo Pieres (9)
Joaquin Pittaluga (7)
Ojo Caliente
Ana Escobedo (0)
Martin Podesta (6)
Facundo Sola (8)
Alfredo Cappella (8)
Park Place
Andrey Borodin (0)/Leo Stuart (0)
Louis Hine (6)
Hilario Ulloa (9)
Jeronimo del Carril (7)
Balanz Capital
Claudio Porcel (0)
Ned Hine (5)
Lorenzo Chavanne (7)
Camilo Castagnola (10)
LEAGUE THREE
Sujan Indian Tigers
Jaisal Singh (0)
Marcos Araya (6)
Juan Britos (8)
Juan Martin Zubia (8)
Shoreline
Adebayo Karim (2)
Ed Banner-Eve (5)
Rufino Bensadon (7)
Alejandro Muzzio (8)
Alexandre Garese (0)
Facundo Fernandez Llorente (7)
Pablo MacDonough (9)
Santiago Laborde (6)
Akasha
WATCH WINDERS
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Minavivana
“Le Grand Sauteur”
Minavivana appeared to be about 50 years of age, he was well over 6’ in height and had in his countenance an indescribable mixture of good and evil. Looking steadfastly at me, he began his speech: “Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have not conquered us! We are not your slaves. These lakes, these woods, these mountains were left to us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance; and we will part with them to none.”
Alexander Henry “Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories” (1760–1776)
“Minavivana” bronze edition: 20 Height: 32” including cherrywood base (not shown).
A fine arts gallery featuring a unique series of limited edition bronze sculptures entitled: “The Woodland Tribes of the Northeast”
Open daily 11am–5pm (Open Sundays from 12 noon to 5pm if cloudy or raining) mid May–early November. Open off-season by appointment, please call: 001 (207) 461-5307)
Photo: William Geisler
“Capable
QUEEN’S CUP 2026
TOURNAMENT Highlights
All the drama, passion, thrills, overtimes and goals are relived in the following pages. Our high-goal photographers Art of Polo have captured every moment
Photographs by ART OF POLO
Dubai’s Barto Castagnola v Ojo Caliente’s Facundo Sola
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
The battle for the Cartier Queen’s Cup got underway with three great games. The first game was billed as the battle of the 10-goalers – Poroto Cambiaso for La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal versus Pablo Pieres for White Crane. It did not disappoint but was very much a game of two halves. It started strongly with La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal, with Simon Prado firing through a raft of goals to give them a comfortable lead.
White Crane fought back in the third to close the gap to just two (7–5) but then went on a goal hunting spree in the next chukka, firing through four to none in reply from La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal to put them in the lead. Incredibly this was now anyone’s game. Cambiaso and Prado closed the gap in the end of the fifth and put themselves ahead 12–11 in the sixth only for Pieres, who had fired through some impressively huge shots in this game, level once more. White Crane’s patron, Alexie Calvert-Ansari almost delivered a fairytale ending but his shot at goal went just wide. So it was left to Cambiaso to negotiate some traffic and fire through the winner just on the bell. What a start!
Day 1
Next up was a battle between Aureus and Signet/Segavas. Aureus was fielding the first Ghanian player to compete in the Cartier Queen’s Cup – Jake Coventry. He delivered a memorable debut, including firing through a goal in the second chukka. The teams were close (9–6 at half -time) but Aureus pulled away in the final chukkas to win the match 17–11. This was thanks to some sharp shooting from Diego Cavanagh and Teodoro Lacau, scoring six and eight goals respectively.
The last match of the day was a more clearcut affair. Jehangiri won this game against Gaston Polo Team 14–7. Muhammad Jehangiri’s team had created a comfortable 9–3 lead at half-time and never looked in danger of relinquishing this advantage. Gaston continued fighting for possession and success throughout the six chukkas but Jehangiri had the edge from the first whistle to the last.
Scoreboard
TUESDAY 19 MAY 2026
Gonzalo Pieres for Jehangiri
Poroto Cambiaso for La Dolfina Marques de Riscal
Aureus captain Mark Tomlinson
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JULIET CURSHAM
EQUESTRIAN SCULPTOR
AWARD WINNING SCULPTOR
5 times winner of the British Society of Sporting Arts Trust Prize. Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists since 1990.
GLOBALLY RECOGNISED TALENT
Juliet’s sculpture can be found across the world, from London, to Hong Kong, the Americas, China, Brunei and Australia.
EMINENT LIFESIZE SCULPTURE
Juliet has completed 6 lifesize horse sculptures. Which are considered the finest examples of lifesize equestrian sculpture of the modern age.
DIVERSE ANIMAL SCULPTURE
Experienced sculptor of many animals including; people, horses, dogs, tigers, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, and hounds.
CONTACT PHONE +44 7836 691302 EMAIL juliet@cursham.co.uk
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Wow – three great Cartier Queen’s Cup games today that kept players and spectators on the edge of their seats. HH Sheikha Maitha’s UAE Polo Team won the first match but had to contend with a resurgent Kazak team. UAE were 6–2 up in the second with Juan Martin Nero creating space and successfully second guessing his opponents. Kazak fought back brilliantly in the third though to level the score (6–6). Patron Sebastien Aguettant added to his team’s tally, firing through a hat-trick in this match. However Hugo Taylor, who had been impressive throughout the game, put UAE back into the lead at the start of the fourth and the Sheikha’s team did not look back.
Next up was an even closer contest between Dubai and Ferne Park. This was a fast, running game at Noel Farm. Dubai had been in the ascendancy in the first half, leading by a goal at half-time (5–4) but one should never discount Facundo Pieres, playing this year for Ferne Park, when in top form. Like Nero in the previous game, he comes to these matches with years of top-level experience. Ferne Park produced some great polo to ensure the scores were all tied (5–5) early into the sixth chukka. However Barto Castagnola was in the right place in the closing stages, another player who is able to read the game, and picked up a poor backhand from Pieres in the final seconds of the sixth chukka to fire through the winner for Dubai.
The final game of the day was another neck-and-neck contest, this time on The Queen’s Ground. Ojo Caliente and Black
UAE v Kazak on the Castle Ground
Facundo Sola v Tomy Panelo
UAE's HH Sheikha Maitha
Day 2
Bears almost matched each other goal for goal. Scores were level (4–4) at half-time and again at the end of the fourth (7–7). Some strong play from Black Bears in the fifth – from Tomy and Benjamin Panelo in particular – gave Guy Schwarzenbach’s team a much-needed edge. However Ojo Caliente’s Facundo Sola’s sharp shooting – it had been impressive all match – closed the gap once more (11–10). Sadly, his team-mate, Martin Podesta, saw his shot at goal literally shave the post to go wide, while the Panelo brothers demonstrated some excellent teamwork, giving Black Bears a valuable, three-goal advantage. Despite the pressure of the clock ticking down, Ojo Caliente stayed focused, with Sola successfully reducing the gap to just one goal again, but the bell rang before he could push this game into overtime.
WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2026
Dubai vs Ferne Park
CARTIER
QUEEN’S CUP 2026 Day 3
Only two games today but no shortage of drama. Alexandre Garese’s Akasha team won the first game of the day but only after a really tight battle with Adebayo Karim’s Shoreline and a seventh chukka. Facundo Fernandez Llorente fired through the winner for Akasha in the overtime. Ironically it was Shoreline that had held a slight upper hand on occasion in this match, leading 4–2 at the end of the second and 8–7 at the end of the fourth. Akasha fought back to level every time – one should never discount a team featuring Pablo MacDonough – and so it was of little surprise that this game went into extra time. Although Shoreline didn’t win Karim did have two field goals under his belt, and so he can take some positives from this match. The partnership of Ed Banner-Eve, playing in his first Queen’s Cup tournament and Alejandro Muzzio is also one that the other teams will need to respect. Next up it was the defending champions, Andrey Borodin’s Park Place in action against the Sujan Indian Tigers. This was six chukkas packed full of drama, speed and passion. Park Place signalled their intent from the start, finding the flags in the first minute. By half-time they were in the lead 7–4. Hilario
Ulloa was firing through goals at speed while Juan Martin Zubia and Marcos Araya were scoring for Sujan Indian Tigers. Their patron, Jaisal Singh, added a goal in the third, picking up a lovely pass from Juan Britos. The third chukka ended with Park Place ahead 7–4 and Ulloa colliding with a goalpost. Both player and pony were fine, but Sujan Indian Tigers’ Britos received his second yellow of the match and so started the fourth in the sin bin. Park Place made the most of the superior manpower and pushed the score to 9–4.
With Britos now back on the field both teams added to their tally and the scoreboard read 10–6, again in favour of Park Place, at the start of the fifth. Leo Stuart subbed in for Borodin at the start of this chukka and the only goal came off the stick of Araya. This was still anyone’s game. Britos and Zubia brought the Tigers right back into it only for Louis Hine to score for Park Place. So it was left to Araya to close the gap once more and then Zubia take the ball from the half-way line with just 30 seconds left and level the score once more. There was just time for one more throw in which Hine won. Some great teamwork between Jeronimo del Carril and Hine resulted in the latter scoring the winner – 12–11.
Akasha’s Fernandez Llorente going to goal
Jeronimo del Carril for Park Place
Adebayo Karim for Shoreline v Pablo MacDonough for Akasha
Askild Winkelmann
Equestrian Fine Artist
www.horsesinsports.com | horsesinsports@gmail.com | @horsesinsports
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Two teams today secured that allimportant second win. La Dolfina Marques de Riscal and Aureus both delivered confident performances to win their matches 14–8 and 13–10 respectively and emphasise their determination to make it into the final stages of the competition.
Meanwhile Gaston won their match against Signet/Segavas 14–8 despite having to sub out their captain, Pelon Stirling. He had to retire hurt in the second chukka with a broken collarbone, but was subbed by Akasha’s golden goal scorer Facundo Fernandez Llorente. This change of personnel didn’t seem to disrupt Jean-Paul Luksic’s team too much as they went on to win this match comfortably, with Beltran Laulhe having a particularly strong game.
Signet/Segavas
Aureus v Jehangiri Polo Team
La Dolfina Marques de Riscal v Cibao La Pampa Murus Sanctus
Dubai joins Aureus and La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal as the only teams so far that remain unbeaten in the Cartier Queen’s Cup. In addition to defeating Ojo Caliente, Dubai also received the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup. This was presented to Tariq Albwardy by Pam Swift, Exhibitions and Retail Manager for the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Dubai had to fight hard for this win though as they were faced with a tenacious Ojo Caliente team. In fact Ojo Caliente were in the lead 9–8 in the fifth and neither team were able to establish much of an advantage. Barto Castagnola found the flags first in the sixth to give Dubai a crucial, one-goal advantage and then confirmed Dubai’s dominance by chipping in a lovely ball from team-mate Lucas Criado to win the match – and the trophy.
Earlier in the day spectators had the opportunity to watch Adolfo Cambiaso Snr in action for the first time in this tournament in 2026 – playing for Jindal Steel/La Dolfina. Cambiaso, the player with the most wins in the competition’s history (10), always generates a crowd and plenty of interest and he did not disappoint, delivering some lovely play, particularly when teaming up with Gonzalo Ferrari. However he was brilliantly marked by Kazak’s Leon Donoso, some 35 years Cambiaso’s junior! Donoso marked his man brilliantly and with Nico Pieres invariably in the right place to offer support it was not such a surprise that Kazak won this running, flowing game.
The second game of the day saw a win for Ferne Park. They had narrowly lost their
opening game and so were determined to come out on top in this match against UAE Polo. This was a much more stop-start affair, with the majority of goals for both teams coming from penalties. It was all level (4–4) at half-time but Joaquin Pittaluga started to build Ferne Park’s advantage early into the fourth. By the end of this chukka Vere Harmsworth’s team were leading 7–4.
Ferne Park still had a two-goal lead in the fifth, despite some strong play from UAE's Lukin Monteverde. The young UAE player converted a penalty two early in the sixth to close the gap only for Ferne Park to be awarded a penalty two of their own with just one minute of the match remaining. This enabled Ferne Park to add another to their score and register their first win in this year’s competition.
Lukin Monteverde for UAE Polo Team v Facundo Pieres for Ferne Park
Sebastien Aguettant of Kazak v Naveen Jindal of Jindal Steel La Dolfina
The Dubai team - with Antonio Heguy - with the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Balanz Capital and its patron, Claudio Porcel, were making their Cartier Queen’s Cup debut on The Castle Ground and there was much interest in this new squad. Not least because they were fielding the impressive young duo of Camilo (Jeta) Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne. This pair arrived at Guards Polo Club fresh from success in America, where they won the US Open together with Pilot. Meanwhile Adebayo Karim’s Shoreline were hunting their first Cartier Queen’s Cup win, having narrowly lost by a goal to Akasha earlier in the week.
With such a polo pedigree it was no surprise that Balanz Capital started favourites for this game and initially they did not disappoint, commanding a 12–4 lead at half-time. Porcel scored the first goal, picking up a pass from Chavanne. Meanwhile some accurate penalty taking by Rufino Bensadon and some inspired play from Ed Banner-Eve put Shoreline on the scoreboard.
It was a different story in the fourth chukka though. Three penalty conversions by Bensadon in almost as many minutes suddenly closed the gap to 12–7. With more goals from Bensadon, Banner-Eve and Alejandro Muzzio in the fifth there was now only a goal difference. With Karim making sure he was always in the right place for Shoreline this game was either side’s for the taking. Just before the end of the fifth Castagnola delivered a big hit
towards goal but his mallet head broke. Fortunately Ned Hine was perfectly placed to pick up the ball and fire through Balanz Capital’s first goal since the third chukka! This seemed to be the wake up call they needed and Porcel’s team returned revitalised for the sixth chukka. Chavanne and Castagnola made easy work of any traffic to deliver some wonderful goals. Shoreline didn’t give up but the momentum had turned in favour of Balanz Capital and they ran out the winners 16–11.
Next up was a tense battle between Akasha and Sujan Indian Tigers on The Queen’s Ground, both playing for the second time. The teams were evenly matched which resulted in a penalty-strewn, stop-start game. Sujan Indian Tigers, looking for their first win, had a slight advantage (6–5) at half-time thanks to some almost impossible shots on goal from Juan Martin Zubia. Fellow Tiger Marcos Araya started the fourth by successfully converting a penalty to give this team a much-needed two-goal advantage. Mistakes appeared from the Tigers and Pablo MacDonough was just waiting to pounce. He successfully converted several penalties in the second half for Akasha and team-mate Facundo Fernandez Llorente produced some breathtakingly fast runs up the field to score. He seemed to create space out of nowhere. By the end of the fifth Akasha were back ahead 10–7. Sujan Indian Tigers stayed focused and were a little less frenetic in the sixth and although Araya and Juan Britos scored it was not enough to reverse their fortunes.
Pablo MacDonough v Juan Martin Zubia
Jeta Castagnola for Balanz Capital
Alexandre Garese for Akasha
Ned Hine for Balanz Capital v Rufino Bensadon for Shoreline
Carlos Ulloa for Cibao La Pampa Murus Sanctus
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Two incredible games were played on a public holiday here in the UK – and the hottest Bank Holiday Monday since records began! Both White Crane and Signet/Segavas were searching for their first win and so needed to stay cool. Honours went to Alexie Calvert-Ansari’s White Crane 13–10 on the Castle Ground, but they had to contend with a resurgent Signet/Segavas in the latter stages of the game.
Things were pretty even in the first two chukkas but White Crane found some much needed air in the score in the third, heading to the break on a 7–4 lead. Pablo Pieres was particularly impressive in the early stages and with both Tommy Beresford and Matt Perry providing superb support, White Crane had
the edge. Tommy Severn turned things around in the fourth for Signet/Segavas, converting two penalties as well as an angled field goal to level the score (7–7). Team-mate Matias MacDonough did a great job of keeping him free to go to goal. Perry closed the chukka for White Crane to re-establish their advantage going into the fifth and they continued with their attacking play in this chukka, taking the score to 11–7. MacDonough converted a penalty and Alfredo Bigatti successfully negotiated traffic to score towards the end of the fifth chukka, but Perry again got free and ran to goal to close this chukka 12–9 in favour of White Crane.
As this game could still go either way, play got more frenetic as the time ticked away.
Signet/Segavas started the scoring but the final result was in no doubt when White Crane’s Pieres calmly converted a penalty 3 with just a minute left on the clock.
Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus won the second match but had to go to overtime and a seventh chukka to secure victory. What was most remarkable about this win is that Jehangiri Polo was in the lead or level until the sixth minute of the sixth chukka. Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus then only had the advantage for a few seconds before Rosendo Torreguitar levelled again for Jehangiri. This forced this remarkable game into sudden death, extra time. Invariably a golden goal is found quickly but both teams in this match had equal chances at goal in the seventh but sent them wide. The result was some wonderfully fast and flowing polo.
The commentators had already started talking about a potential 8th chukka when Paco de Narvaez picked up a ball from Carlos Ulloa and fired through the winner. This was his ninth goal of the game and Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus’s first win.
Muhammad Jehangiri
Tommy Severn for Signet Segavas
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Guy Schwarzenbach’s Black Bears team continued unbeaten in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup, narrowly defeating Jindal Steel/La Dolfina at Coworth Park. The Bears had a strong first half - the Panelo brothers (Tomy and Benjamin) seem to have some kind of telepathy on the field. They were also helped by the handful of fouls from Jindal Steel/La Dolfina, giving Schwarzenbach’s team a comfortable 8–3 lead at half-time. It was a good thing Black Bears started strongly though as Jindal Steel/La Dolfina, who were hunting down their first win in this tournament, came out fighting in the second half. Goals that had gone wide for them in the first half were now sailing through off the sticks of Rufino Merlos, Adolfo Cambiaso and
Gonzalo Ferrari. Black Bears did enough though, including a goal from Schwarzenbach, to stay ahead at the end of the fifth (11–9) but this was now anyone’s game. Ferrari closed the gap first and a Cambiaso penalty levelled the scores with four minutes left on the clock.
A penalty 2 in favour of Jindal Steel/La Dolfina put them in the lead for the first time – they had scored the last four goals on the trot – a remarkable turnaround. A Black Bears penalty was saved by Merlos, only for Benjamin Panelo to convert a penalty 2 to level the score. Then with just 30 seconds remaining Black Bears were awarded another penalty 2. Benjamin fired this through to maintain Black Bears winning run.
The second game on the Princes’ Ground was a completely different affair. A slow scoring tussle that never really got going. Unfortunately for the UAE Polo Team they were forced to make team changes as Juan Martin Nero had returned to Argentina due to a family bereavement. So Jehangiri Polo’s Gonzalo Pieres substituted for the ninegoaler. As Pieres plays off seven goals the two-goaler Hazel Jackson played in place of Sheikha Maitha to bring the team tally back up to 22 goals. Such changes invariably disrupt a team but neither squad seemed to get much of a hold of this game in the early chukkas. Santos Merlos opened the scoring for Dubai in the first, but the score was still only 4–2 in favour of Dubai at half-time. The UAE’s Lukin Monteverde worked hard to keep his team in contention, while Castagnola did the same for Dubai. When Monteverde converted a penalty to close the
gap to 8–7 in the final minutes of the match, spectators wondered if this would be another overtime. Lucas Criado and Castagnola had other plans and the latter picked up a great pass from Criado and riding the super speedy Lovelocks Fidel, fired through the winner. This victory makes Dubai the first team to have secured three wins in this year’s tournament.
Guy Schwarzenbach for Black Bears
Hazel Jackson for UAE Polo
LOTHAR VIGELANDZOON
Sculpting Emotion in Bronze
Internationally acclaimed sculptor Lothar Vigelandzoon has become world renowned for his iconic cherry sculptures hyper realistic masterpieces that transcend form and evoke emotion. His work captures the delicate balance between nature and symbolism, transforming simple subjects into powerful artistic statements. Exhibited across the world’s most prestigious art destinations including London, New York, Cannes, Monaco, Paris, St. Paul de Vence, and Saint-Tropez. Lothar’s sculptures have earned a place among collectors and connoisseurs of fine art.
A defining element of his artistry is his exceptional use of colored patinas. Through refined technique and artistic intuition, he brings bronze to life with depth, vibrancy, and a unique visual identity that is instantly recognizable.
Each sculpture tells a story of optimism, connection, and timeless beauty.
Park Place, fielding Leo Stuart in place of Andrey Borodin, delivered a masterclass in team-work to maintain their unbeaten run in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup. They defeated Adebayo Karim’s Shoreline squad 16–7 at Noel Farm.
Shoreline, who have had some strong games but are still looking for their first win, were the first team to score, the goal coming off the stick of Karim. They kept Park Place in their sights in the early stages, but Park Place started to pull ahead, thanks to Hilario Ulloa’s shots on goal. This nine-goaler was also brilliantly backed up by his team across all six chukkas and players such as Louis Hine were excellent in marking their opponents, giving Ulloa several unimpeded runs to goal.
Meanwhile Shoreline were starting to gift
penalties to their rivals and Karim even had two yellow cards so had to spend two minutes in the sin bin. At half-time the score was reading 6–4 to Park Place and it was clear that they were in the driving seat, giving an organised and confident performance.
Sadly for Shoreline the second half was all about Park Place. Rufino Bensadon had some flashes of brilliance to add to Shoreline’s tally but this was Park Place’s game. They were 10–5 ahead at the end of the fourth and went on to win the game 16–7.
Balanz Capital won their match with a 16-goal scoreline but they had to be on top form at all times to beat an equally competitive Akasha squad. Both teams were unbeaten coming into this match and so there was all to play for. Akasha led at the
end of the first (3–2), building on that in the second (5–4). Pablo MacDonough and Santiago Laborde were the goalscorers in both chukkas. Balanz Capital pulled ahead in the third. Goals off the sticks of Lorenzo Chavanne – who had an incredible game –and Jeta Castagnola put Balanz Capital in the lead (9–6) at half-time.
Like Park Place in the earlier match, Claudio Porcel’s team pushed on in the second half. That said, Balanz Capital could not relax for a moment as Akasha were never that far away, mostly due to the experienced Pablo MacDonough, who scored seven goals in this match.
With the scoreboard reading 12–8 at the end of the fourth this match could still have gone either way. However, goals from Porcel, Chavanne and Castagnola in the final two chukkas and only MacDonough scoring for Akasha ensured the win went in favour of Balanz Capital. It also fired a warning to their rivals that they will need to be at the top of their game to counteract the remarkable Castagnola/Chavanne double act.
Louis Hine goes to goal for Park Place
Cooling down the ponies
Jeta Castagnola for Balanz Capital v Akasha’s Pablo MacDonough
Balanz Capital patron Claudio Porcel
Kay Witherspoon
POLO PAINTINGS AND FINE ART PRINTS
Kay Elizabeth Witherspoon is an artist based in Denver, Colorado, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She created her first polo painting, titled “Focused”, while attending school and became a certified family counselor upon graduation in 1996.
In 1998, Kay Witherspoon made a significant career transition by moving from her counseling profession to focus entirely on her passion for art. She expanded her office into an art studio and classroom, creating a space where she could both create her own artwork, and teach others. This transition was marked by the launch of her website, www.kaywitherspoon.com, which served as a platform to showcase her work and connect with a wider audience.
Also 1998, Kay Witherspoon’s painting ”Focused” won the Founder’s Award for oil painting from the American Academy of Equine Art in Lexington, KY. That same year, she was granted permission to photograph the Federation of International Polo’s World Championship in Santa Barbara, CA. To enhance her photography and subsequent paintings she studied the rules of play, deepening her understanding of the sport.
In the years that followed, Witherspoon became a Signature member of the American Academy of Equine Art in Lexington, Kentucky and of the Society of Animal Artists. She created ten additional polo paintings, many of which have been featured on the covers of polo event programs across the US or used as polo event awards. Her fine art paper and canvas polo prints have sold globally, reaching collectors and players in Japan, South Africa, Barbados, Canada, England and more.
Including her foray into polo art, Witherspoon broadened her artistic repertoire to encompass landscapes, and a diverse range of wildlife subjects. Her portfolio features mountain sheep, moose, elk, wild horses, and even a dramatic horse stampede in front of a forest fire. In 2005, Kay was commissioned to create twenty-six of her stunning Aspen landscape paintings for installation at the Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado. This project showcased her talent for capturing the beauty of the natural landscape and contributed to her growing reputation as an artist. The installation at such a prestigious location highlights her work’s connection to the picturesque scenery of Colorado.
AFocused
Oil on Belgium linen, image size: 12” x 20” (304.8mm x 508mm). © Kay Witherspoon, SOLD - Awarded the American Academy of Equine Art Founder’s Award at the International Museum of the Horse, in Lexington, KY | Selected for the promotional image for the 2020 Las Vegas Polo Classic and by Lamborghini. Also available, museum quality canvas giclée prints.
Crescendo
Oil on Belgium linen, image size: 24” x 12” (609.6mm x 304.8mm), © Kay Witherspoon, Available. Also available, museum quality canvas giclee prints.
Champagne Polo
Oil on Belgium linen, image size: 16” x 20” (406.4mm x 508mm), © Kay Witherspoon, Available. Also available, museum quality canvas giclée prints.
Ten original polo paintings and museum quality canvas giclée prints by Kay Witherspoon Call: 001-303-588-0581 / Email: witherspoon.kay@gmail.com
CUP 2026
This day started a little differently as the Club remembered Sunjay Kapur, founder of the Aureus Polo Team. Almost 12 months ago to the day Sunjay died during a Queen’s Cup sub semi-final game.
As a tribute to Sunjay both teams wore Aureus team shirts. And it was a bittersweet moment for everyone when welcoming his widow Priya Sachdev Kapur to the number one ground at Coworth Park to present the Sunjay Kapur Trophy for the first time.
Appropriately this went to the Aureus team captain Mark Tomlinson after his team’s 12–8 win over Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus. This victory also means that Aureus maintain their unbeaten run – three out of three. Only La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal has achieved a
Scoreboard
FRIDAY 29 MAY 2026
similar feat in Group One, which they achieved later on this afternoon.
Gaston made it two out of three league games when beating White Crane 13–8 at Cowdray Park. Both teams had needed a win today as they had already registered a win and a loss. Gaston had a goal on the scoreboard at the start of the match though as they were fielding a 21-goal team. Gonzalo Ferrari, who was playing in place of Pelon Stirling who had broken his collarbone in a previous match, plays off seven goals. Ferrari was impressive, playing brilliantly on Stirling’s horses. He helped to give Gaston the edge in the first half, leading 6–3. White Crane got themselves back into this game in the final chukkas but they failed to get ahead
of Gaston thanks to their tough defence.
The last match of the day was Signet/ Segavas’s last game of the tournament. This squad had lost their previous three matches, despite some strong play at times and today were up against the unbeaten La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal. However Signet/Segavas did not go down without a fight and delivered plenty of strong and consistent play. They stayed in contention with La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal until the fifth chukka, with Matias MacDonough in particular matching Poroto Cambiaso for impressive shots.
Sadly frustration started to seep into the Signet/Segavas team in the penultimate chukka and Cambiaso was quick to capitalise. All of a sudden the score was 13–8 in favour of La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal. Cambiaso started the sixth with a goal – he had scored the last six goals of the game – while Tommy Severn, who’d had a strong game up to this point, got a second yellow and had to spend two minutes in the sin bin.
While Severn was off Alejandro Aznar scored his second goal of the game, confirming his team’s superiority. On returning to the field Severn delivered the perfect pass to MacDonough who went on to score. But it was not enough and Signet/Segavas’s run in the 2026 Cartier Queen’s Cup is over, while their opponents today continue to look strong in Group One.
Aureus's Mark Tomlinson and Diego Cavanagh
The Sunjay Kapur Trophy
La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal v Signet/Segavas
Cruz Heguy for Gaston v Matt Perry for White Crane
The winning Aureus team with Priya Sachdev Kapur
Paco de Narvaez for Cibao La Pampa /Murus Sanctus v Teodoro Lacau for Aureus
Photos for Gaston vs White Crane by Snoopy
Nico Pieres and Leon Donoso for Kazak v Santos Merlos of Dubai
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
First up was Ferne Park who secured their second win of the competition, defeating Black Bears 11-10. However they had to put this game into overtime, the third of the tournament, to secure victory, with Facundo Pieres firing through a golden goal. He was also the top scorer of the match, putting five goals between the flags.
Ferne Park had been in control for much of this match, but goals from Estanislao Darritchon and Tomas Panelo helped the Bears push this game into extra time. Sadly for Guy Schwarzenbach’s squad a foul by Tomas early into the extra time gave Pieres the opportunity to seal the deal for Vere Harmsworth’s Ferne Park.
Ojo Caliente, who have struggled to turn strong performances on the field into winning games, turned their fortunes around in this game. They defeated a Jindal Steel/La Dolfina team 11–10, with Facundo Sola leaving the field as the top scorer with eight goals. However, it had started very differently with Jindal Steel/La Dolfina ahead until the fifth chukka. Then goals off the sticks of Sola, Min Podesta and Alfredo Cappella to only one in reply from Gonzalo Ferrari turned the tables and gave Ana Escobedo her first win of the tournament.
Dubai confirmed their superiority in Group Two by beating Sebastien Aguettant’s Kazak 14–8 on The Duke’s Ground. Dubai are the only team to remain unbeaten in this Group, winning four out of four. What was most remarkable about this game though was that Antonio Heguy not only took his place in the Dubai team after being sidelined through injury for their previous matches, but closed
the game as its top scorer with seven goals! Kazak had started strongly and led for the first two chukkas, but relinquished their lead in the third (7–5 to Dubai). Tariq Albwardy’s team then just continued to build on this advantage to win.
Naveen Jindal v Ana Escobedo
Barto Castagnola for Dubai
Tomas Panelo for Black Bears
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
The 18-year-old Lorenzo Chavanne continues to deliver for Claudio Porcel’s Balanz Capital. He was instrumental in helping this team defeat the defending champions, Andrey Borodin’s Park Place 10–7 in a fast game on The Queen’s Ground. Both teams were hunting their third win of the tournament and so there was plenty at stake. The super talented youngster fired through eight goals to make him the top scorer in the game. When you think that the field also featured team-mate Jeta Castagnola and Park Place captain Hilario Ulloa, this is an impressive statistic. Chavanne was brilliantly supported by Castagnola, who seemed to always be in the right place at the right time and kept hold of the ball as if he had glue on his mallet, regardless of the amount of traffic around him. The ideal team-mate and a major threat to any opposition.
Next up was a win for Adebayo Karim’s Shoreline who were hunting down their first victory. However, they had to take this game to the fourth overtime of the tournament. Ed Banner-Eve did the honours, firing through the winner in the seventh chukka with less than a minute left on the clock. This result must have been a huge disappointment for Jaisal Singh’s Sujan Indian Tigers. They have been playing far better than the stats imply, having narrowly lost their previous two games by one goal (Park Place) and two goals (Akasha).
Ironically, the Tigers’ number four, Juan Martin Zubia, was the top scorer of the
match, firing through six goals. Singh himself scored his team’s other three goals, an impressive hat-trick. Sujan Indian Tigers had managed to put some air in the score in the second (4–2) but Shoreline had taken the lead at the end of the fourth (5–4).
With scores level at the end of the fifth (7–7) and again at the end of the sixth (9–9) extra time was needed to separate these two competitive teams. And it looked for a while as if that wasn’t going to be enough as it took almost the full seven minutes to find the winner.
This match was played for the Richard Watt Cup, named after a former Chairman of Guards Polo Club. Colonel Watt’s son,
General Sir Redmond Watt, a former five-goal player himself, presented the trophy to Adebayo Karim.
Lorenzo Chavanne for Balanz Capital and Hilario Ulloa for Park Place on The Queen's Ground
Shoreline with the Richard Watt Cup
Alejandro Muzzio for Shoreline
Shoreline's Adebayo Karim and Ed Banner-Eve v Sujan Indian Tiger's Juan Britos
Jeta Castagnola goes to goal for Balanz Capital
Jaisal Singh for Sujan Indian Tigers
Ollie Cudmore for Cibao La Pampa Murus Sanctus v Cruz Heguy for Gaston
Juan Pepa for Cibao La Pampa Murus Sanctus
Gaston's Cruz Heguy and Gonzalo Ferrari
Gonzalo Pieres for Jehangiri Polo
Diego Cavanagh for Aureus v Matt Perry for White Crane
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Thirteen may be considered an unlucky number for some but La Dolfina / Marques de Riscal, Aureus and Gaston all headed home on day 13 in the league stages of the Cartier Queen’s Cup with wins under their belts. La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal joined the 4 out of 4 club, remaining unbeaten. The trio of Poroto Cambiaso, Simon Prado and Felix Esain have been strong since their opening match and today was a perfect demonstration of their teamwork.
Cambiaso was the top goal scorer with five goals against Jehangiri, but every member of the team found the flags, including a brilliant field goal off the stick of patron Alejandro Aznar. Unfortunately Muhammad Jehangiri had to retire injured in the second chukka so his place was taken by Venkatesh Jindal. He was able to add a goal to Jehangiri’s tally but they had been trailing 2–0 after the first chukka and then struggled to get back on terms in the remainder of the match.
Next up was an incredible game between Aureus and White Crane. The latter was hunting down their second win of the competition while Aureus were hoping to join
the 4 out of 4 club alongside La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal in Group One. Alexie Calvert-Ansari’s White Crane team dominated 99.9% of this match – they were 6-1 up in the early part of the third chukka.
Aureus started to slowly get back in contention in the second half, but White Crane were still ahead, 9–7, at the start of the sixth chukka. Aureus kept pushing though and goals from Diego Cavanagh and Teodoro Lacau levelled the scores, ensuring the 5th overtime of the tournament. Polito Pieres cleared the ball away from the first throw-in of the seventh chukka only for Aureus’s Jake Coventry to produce a fabulous backhand to send the ball back to goal to win the game.
There was all to play for in the last game of the day, Gaston v Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus. Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston was looking for their third win but if Juan Pepa’s Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus beat them today they would go through to the quarters on the “who beat who rule”. So, not surprisingly, this was a very tense game that was littered with penalties. Gaston, who had a goal on handicap as Gonzalo Ferrari was
again subbing for the injured Pelon Stirling, were leading 5–1 at half-time but it was very scrappy and neither team seemed to have much of a hold of it. Unfortunately Juan Pepa had to retire injured late into the fourth chukka and he was replaced by Oliver Fanshawe.
Despite the change in line-up Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus were able to create an advantage in the fifth, closing the gap to 7–5 going into the sixth chukka. But this chukka started with their number four, Paco de Narvaez, on the sidelines as he had received his second yellow card. His exclusion did not deter his team-mates and Carlos Ulloa was able to add another to the Cibao La Pampa/ Murus Sanctus scoreline. However, two goals and a 30-yard penalty from Cruz Heguy in the sixth was enough to confirm Gaston as the winner.
Simon Prado goes to goal for La Dolfina Marques de Riscal
White Crane v Aureus
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
Weather played its part for the first time in the league stages of the Cartier Queen’s Cup. The first game between Ojo Caliente and UAE Polo Team at Cowdray Park had to be postponed due to the previous night’s heavy rain. That game was moved to the following day at Guards Polo Club.
Action turned to The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club for Ferne Park versus Jindal Steel/La Dolfina, although this game was delayed due to thunder and lightning. Vere Harmsworth’s Ferne Park were looking for their third win in Group Two while Jindal Steel/La Dolfina were searching for a first victory after three narrow defeats. They had lost each of their previous three games by just one goal. So it was not surprising that Jindal Steel/La Dolfina came out firing from the first whistle, with Gonzalo Ferrari scoring in the first minute. They were leading 5–1 at the end of the first chukka.
Ferne Park got themselves back into this game in the second, Facundo Pieres firing through three goals, and at half-time the score was tight, 8–7 to Jindal Steel/La Dolfina. The teams stayed evenly matched, with Jindal Steel/La Dolfina having a two-goal advantage at the end of the fourth and fifth chukkas. So there was still all to play for in the sixth. Joaquin
Pittaluga and Cambiaso traded shots to maintain the two-goal margin before Pieres delivered an offside forehand to score and then converted a 30-yard penalty, just seconds before the final bell. This pushed the game into overtime. Ferne Park won the throw-in only for Cambiaso to steal the ball from Chris Mackenzie and run it to goal to win the game. Next up was Kazak v Black Bears on The Duke’s Ground, also at Guards Polo Club. Black Bears were looking for their third win and a guaranteed place in this weekend’s quarter-finals. Kazak was focused from the first whistle though and goals from Nico Pieres, Fran Elizalde and Leon Donoso, to only one in reply from Benjamin Panelo, gave Sebastien Aguettant’s team the edge at the end of the first chukka. It was all about Black Bears in the second though with goals from Guy Schwarzenbach and both Panelo boys, Benjamin and Tomas. By half-time Black Bears were comfortably ahead 8–4. It was all change again in the second half with Pieres converting two penalties and scoring a field goal in the fourth chukka alone. Donoso added to Kazak’s tally in the fifth and suddenly the scores were level (10–10). Pieres highlighted Kazak’s resurgence in the sixth chukka scoring twice to win the game. This win meant that a penalty shootout would be needed on Wednesday afternoon to determine the quarterfinal places in Group Two. Black Bears, Ferne Park, Kazak and the winners of the Ojo Caliente/UAE game will all finish on two wins each.
Adolfo Cambiaso in the rain for Jindal Steel/La Dolfina
Kazak celebrate victory over Black Bears
Gonzalo Ferrari goes to goal for Jindal Steel/La Dolfina
Gonzalo Ferrari for Jindal Steel/La Dolfina v Facundo Pieres for Ferne Park
Black Bears v Kazak in the rain
Banjamin Panelo for Black Bears v Leon Donoso for Kazak
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
The last day of the league matches for the 2026 edition of the Cartier Queen’s Cup was full of drama. Firstly there was an additional game on the match card as the Polo Office had to reschedule the previous day’s postponed UAE v Ojo Caliente contest. The weather added to the excitement, with players battling heavy rain, strong winds and bright sunshine all in the space of five minutes and Group Two had to be decided by a four-way penalty shootout!
Balanz Capital were already through to the quarters and this match just confirmed their dominance in League Three, defeating Sujan Indian Tigers 12–9. Jemima Walker was playing in place of Jaisal Singh and the Tigers fought until the final bell but struggled to contain the Balanz team in the second half.
Sujan Indian Tigers were the first off the mark, with a goal in the first minute off the stick of Juan Martin Zubia and they successfully kept Balanz Capital in check in the first half. Scores were level 4–4 at half-time. Claudio Porcel’s team then pulled away in the second half.
Juan Britos scored early into the fourth for the Tigers before Jeta Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne fired through five goals between them. Zubia got two back in the fifth but Castagnola and Chavanne continued to impress. Zubia delivered a double in the sixth chukka, the only player to score in this period, but the Castagnola/Chavanne double act had done its work and Balanz Capital head unbeaten to the quarters.
Next up was a tense game between Ojo Caliente and UAE Polo Team. The winner of
this match knew they would have to compete in a four-way penalty shootout later in the afternoon to continue to the quarters. With so much at stake it was not surprising that this game was strewn with penalties.
Ojo Caliente struggled to get on terms with a resurgent UAE Polo Team. Juan Martin Nero seemed to gain possession of the ball at every turn while team-mate Lucas Monteverde Jnr fired through the goals. The score was 8–3 in favour of UAE at half-time and although Ojo Caliente came back strongly in the sixth, Facundo Sola scoring four goals, it was not enough to change the outcome of this game. The penalty shootout for Group Two was held immediately after this game, featuring Black Bears (Tomas Panelo), Ferne Park (Facundo Pieres), Kazak (Nico Pieres) and
Alfredo Cappella for Ojo Caliente
Balanz Capital v Sujan Indian Tigers
Akasha v Park Place
Sheikha Maitha for the UAE Polo Team v Ana Escobedo for Ojo Caliente
Day 15
UAE Polo Team (Lucas Monteverde Jnr).
All four teams had finished the league stages on two wins and two losses. The Pieres brothers came out top in this nail-biting contest, ensuring Ferne Park and Kazak’s Cartier Queen’s Cup adventures continue.
The final game of the day was a real thriller – Park Place v Akasha. There was plenty at stake and the result was a great game. The winner would head into the quarter-finals while the loser would head home. Park Place dominated the first two chukkas, with Hilario Ulloa delivering some wonderful polo.
Park Place, the defending champions, were 6–4 up at the end of the second but had to settle for a draw (8–8) at half-time.
Pablo MacDonough, who scored 13 of Akasha’s 14 goals, was now proving harder to manage. He was superb at making the most of any space. Four goals in the fourth chukka, to only one in reply off the stick of Andrey Borodin, emphasised Akasha’s intent. Louis Hine galvanised the Park Place squad in the fifth by scoring back-to-back goals and the sixth saw MacDonough and Ulloa match each other for goals, so pushing this match into overtime.
The spectators were hoping this chukka would run for a while –it had been such a great game – but MacDonough took the opportunity to fire through a 40-yard penalty to win the game and that all-important ticket to the weekend’s quarter-finals.
Jeta Castagnola for Balanz Capital v Juan Martin Zubia for Sujan Indian Tigers
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2026
After two days of thrilling quarter-final action in the Cartier Queen’s Cup, 19 teams are now down to just four. This quartet - La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal, Aureus, Balanz Capital and Dubaicontinue their Queen’s Cup journey in the semi-finals.
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal secured the first semi-final ticket but had to contend with a competitive Kazak team to get through. Both squads had to battle cold, windy and damp weather too. Kazak had a slight advantage in the first half, narrowly leading 6–5 at half-time. Their goals had come off the sticks of Nico Pieres, Leon Donoso and patron Sebastian Aguettant. Meanwhile, Simon
Quarter Finals
Prado and La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal’s captain Poroto Cambiaso kept their team in contention but neither side was really dominant. The second half was all about La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal. Cambiaso and Prado fired through four field goals in the fourth, to only one in reply off the stick of Donoso. Surprisingly, there was only one penalty in this chukka, a spot hit to Kazak. Suddenly La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal were in the lead (9–7). Fran Elizalde fired through two to level the scores in the fifth only for Prado to convert a penalty and find a field goal to regain the advantage. It was a similar story in the sixth and when Alexandre Aznar fired through a 30-yard penalty with little
time left on the clock i La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal victory was assured.
Next up was an emotional game on The Duke’s Ground between Aureus and Gaston. Both sides had moments which could have won the game, but it took a seventh chukka and a golden goal to confirm Aureus as victors. This win was particularly pertinent to Aureus as it was on this field almost 12 months earlier that their patron, Sunjay Kapur, had collapsed and died during a Queen’s Cup game. His widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, was at the club to cheer her team on and it was she who received the Platinum Jubilee Trophy from the Club’s Chairman Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer. This had been such a
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal go through to the Cartier Queen’s Cup semis
Gaston v Aureus
Dubai v Akasha
close game with the teams only ever being separated by a goal. Some spectacular saves, including an impressive clearance on the line by Beltran Laulhe in the final chukka made it even more memorable. Mark Tomlinson scored the winner but it was his team-mate Jake Coventry that got the ball free and passed it up to his captain. Aureus will now play La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal in the first semi-final – for The Kerry Packer Trophy.
Two more games on Sunday delivered some outstanding 22-goal sport, even though the summer weather seems to have abandoned the UK. First up was Balanz Capital against Ferne Park. The latter was fielding their patron, Jonathan Rothermere, in place of his son Vere Harmsworth who had played all of the team’s league matches. Ferne Park had a narrow, 2–1 lead after the first chukka but Balanz Capital, who have impressed throughout the tournament, got back level 3–3 in the second. Then it was just a question of how far ahead Balanz Capital would go. The partnership between Jeta Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne continued to impress. They seem almost telepathic in their play, correctly second-guessing the other’s moves and putting themselves in the right place to pick up or pass balls. Chavanne is only 18 but plays like someone with years of top-level experience. Ferne Park’s Facundo Pieres does have a huge amount of experience and used every ounce of it in this game to keep Ferne Park in contention. But even he, a four-time winner of the Queen’s Cup, had no answer to the Chavanne/Castagnola double act and Balanz Capital comfortably won this game 13–8.
The last quarter-final was a remarkable game because there were only five fouls in the entire match. The game was fast and flowing and was a pleasure to watch. Dubai, no
stranger to Queen’s Cup success having lifted the trophy six times previously, won this game 13–6, enabling their patron, Tariq Albwardy to receive the Gerard Leigh Cup. Dubai’s Santos Merlos was the first to find the flags in this game and Dubai never looked back from that moment. Akasha, a new team into the mix in 2026, tried to contain Dubai and had moments of success but luck was often against them, with goals going wide by the narrowest of margins. This win will pitch brother against brother in the second semi-final as Dubai will play Balanz Capital for the Hubert Perrodo Trophy. Maybe Barto Castagnola, scorer of eight of Dubai’s 13 goals today, can find the key to unlock the Chavanne/Jeta Castagnola partnership?
Aureus with the Platinum Jubilee Trophy
Barto Castagnola for Balanz Capital v Joaquin Pittaluga for Ferne Park
Dubai's Tariq Albwardy receives the Gerard Leigh Cup from Alicia Gerard Leigh
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Finals
Saturday 6 June 2026
THE PLATINUM JUBILEE TROPHY
Match A, 12pm, Les Lions
LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL 14 KAZAK 11
Match B, 3pm, The Duke’s Ground AUREUS 9 GASTON 8
Sunday 7 June 2026
Match C, 12pm, Noel Farm
BALANZ CAPITAL 13 FERNE PARK 8
THE GERARD LEIGH CUP
Match D, 3pm, The Princes’ Ground DUBAI POLO TEAM 13 AKASHA 6
Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Finals
Wednesday 10 June 2026
Match E, 12pm THE KERRY PACKER TROPHY
LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL v AUREUS
Match F, 4pm THE HUBERT PERRODO TROPHY BALANZ CAPITAL v DUBAI POLO TEAM
Cartier Queen’s Cup Final
Sunday 14 June 2026
WINNER MATCH E v WINNER MATCH F
The winner of this game will receive the Cartier Queen’s Cup. The 48th game of this tournament.
QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1960-2025
HONOURS BOARD
The following pages are more than a list of all the teams that have won the coveted Queen's Cup. It is also a snapshot of polo history here in the UK, highlighting the remarkable dynasties that continue to compete at the highest level of the game
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1960 – 1981
1960 Centaurs Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, G Gracida, E de Rothschild
1961 Silver Leys A Boyd Gibbons, H Pitman, Maharajah Prem Singh, G Singh
1962 Sao Silvestre W Sionsen, J Adua, JJ Diaz Alberdi, A Mihanovich
1963 Cowdray Park Lt Col A Harper, P Withers, S Hill, B Bethell
1964 Centaurs Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, D Goodman, E de Rothschild
1965 Pimms Earl Brecknock, Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, D Gonzalez
1966 Pimms Earl Brecknock, Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, C Garros
1967 Woolmers Park Dr J Marin Moreno, E Sorilla, J Lucas, C Garros
1968 Woolmers Park Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, E de Rothschild, H Valenzuella
1969 Pimms Earl Brecknock, A Soldati, D Gonzalez, B Bethell
1970 Cowdray Park Lt Col A Harper, J Hipwood, H Hipwood, Hon M Vestey
1971 Stowell Park Lord Vestey, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1972 Cowdray Park W Linfoot, H Hipwood, Dr W Linfoot, Hon M Hare
1973 Stowell Park Lord Vestey, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1974 San Flamingo R Driver, H Hipwood, J Hipwood, W Ylvisaker
1975 Foxcote Lt Col A Harper, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, S Mackenzie
1976 San Flamingo C Driver, H Hipwood, A Herrera, J Horswell
1977 Foxcote P Palumbo, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, D Devrient
1978 Stowell Park JN Williams, Lord Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1979 Los Locos Mrs C Tomlinson, S Tomlinson, H Crotto, D Gemmell
1980 Stowell Park Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes, P Elliott
1981 Cowdray Park Hon C Pearson, C Juraeguiz, P Withers, S Harper
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CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1982 - 2003
1982 Boehm Team Lord Patrick Beresford, H Hipwood, S Mackenzie, Hon M Vestey
1983 Cowdray Park Hon C Pearson, C Forsyth, P Withers, Churchward
1984 Foxcote Lord Vestey, Lord Charles Beresford, S Novaes, P Elliott
1985 Centaurs D Yeoman, A Kent, O Rinehart, D Jamison
1986 Les Diables Bleus G Wildenstein, R Vial, G Gracida, HRH Prince of Wales
1987 Southfield J Yeoman, A Kent, O Rinehart, M Bown
1988 NCP Broncos The Marquess of Milford Haven, C Forsyth, G Donoso, M Glue
1989 Hilditch & Key A Hine, J Hipwood, R Walton, G Weston
1990 Santa Fe Bill Bond Elliott, A Hine, C Forsyth, H Crotto
1991 Ellerston White A Pieres, G Pieres, A Archibald, K Packer
1992 Ellerston White H Brett, B Heguy, A Heguy, A Archibald
1993 Black Bears U Schwarzenbach, S Merlos, P Merlos, J Dixon
1994 Black Bears U Scharzenbach, S Merlos, P Merlos, T Southwell
1995 Labegorce H Perrodo, M Brown, P Heguy, M Fernandez-Araujo
1996 Ellerston White J Daniels, J Novillo Astrada, G Pieres, K Packer
1997 Isla Carroll M Pannell, M Gracida, P Merlos, J Goodman
1998 Ellerston White J Beim, A Cambiaso, G Pieres, J Fisher
1999 Ellerston White J Beim, A Cambiaso, G Pieres, T Wade
2000 Geebung D Allen, A Cambiaso, B Heguy, R Stowe
2001 No match played due to foot and mouth outbreak in UK
2002 Emerging F Pictet, H Guerrero, M Fernandez Araujo, L Tomlinson
2003 Dubai A Albwardy, L Castagnola, A Cambiaso, M Lodder
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 2004 - 2025
2004 Labegorce H Perrodo, F Mannix jnr, C Gracida, L Tomlinson
2005 Dubai A Albwardy, P Diaz Alberdi, A Cambiaso, R Pemble
2006 Dubai T Albwardy, P Diaz Alberdi, A Cambiaso, G Meyrick
2007 Loro Piana D Stirling, A Marchini, J M Nero, M Espain
2008 Ellerston M Routledge, G Pieres jnr, F Pieres, J Packer
2009 Apes Hill C Hanbury, M Tomlinson, JG Zavaleta, L Tomlinson
2010 Dubai F Vizmara, R Albwardy, A Cambiaso, P MacDonough
2011 Talandracas F Sola, L Monteverde, M Fernandez Araujo, E Carmignac
2012 Dubai R Albwardy, A White, A Cambiaso, I Heguy
2013 Zacara F Pieres, L Lea, R Andrada, M Perry
2014 Zacara F Pieres, L Lea, G Deltour, M Perry
2015 King Power Foxes A Srivaddhanaprabha, H Lewis, G Pieres jnr, F Pieres
2016 Dubai K Hall, R Albwardy, A Cambiaso, JM Nero
2017 RH Polo B Soleimani, T Beresford, A Cambiaso, R de Andrade
2018 La Indiana M Bickford, A White, N Roldan, F Pieres
2019 Scone Polo D Paradice, J Beim, N Pieres, J Harper
2020 Les Lions/Great Oaks C Castagnola, D Bacon, B Catagnola jnr, S Laborde
2021 UAE Polo Team HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, T Panelo, P Pieres, T Beresford
2022 Great Oaks LL D Bacon, J Beim, J M Nero, C Heguy
2023 Murus Sanctus C Ricard, F Fernandez Llorente, P Pieres, A Muzzio
2024 Talandracas H Carmignac, R Torreguitar, P Pieres, A Muzzio
2025 Park Place A Borodin, R Bensadon, H Ulloa, R Torreguitar
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Check out the stats from this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament.
10
Adolfo Cambiaso Snr, this year playing for Jindal Steel/La Dolfina, holds the record for the most wins in the Queen’s Cup, first winning in 2000 with Geebung.
1,100
horses taking part in 2026. With 19 teams in the mix that works out as more than 57 horses per team!
player. All fired off the stick of Lorenzo Chavanne for the Balanz Capital team.
2186
seats in the grandstand –each one offering a perfect view of the action, ball by ball.
YEARS
14
of sparkling Cartier sponsorship. Cartier has been supporting this competition since 2012.
300
bottles of Laurent-Perrier Champagne ordered for Cartier Queen’s Cup semis & final - cheers!
goals scored across the tournament*
22.2
average goals per game
Plenty of sharp shooting!
1960
The first year of the Queen’s Cup. This coveted silverware was personally given to the Club by the late Queen Elizabeth ll to celebrate the Club’s fifth birthday.
48
matches – not including any penalty shootouts – making June a busy time for the high-goal gang.
