Guards Polo Club Yearbook 2026

CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer looks forward to a season of superb polo

Welcome to the 71st season at Guards Polo Club. When this Club was launched in 1955 around a dozen teams played in the opening tournament, the 12-goal Royal Windsor Cup. Fast forward to 2025 and the Club had 22 teams competing for this same trophy, now recognised as the leading 15-goal tournament in the UK. Since those early days Guards Polo Club has focused on being the very best and the fact that we hosted some 759 games last season is evidence that the polo community agrees with us. As Antony Fanshawe, our Director of Polo, writes in his Yearbook article, our aim for 2026 is to give all of “our Players the best polo experience anywhere in the world at each level”.

To achieve this we have to consistently deliver on and off the field the play. So I would to personally thank our Head Groundsman Paul Brown, who has just celebrated his first year at Guards Polo Club. We certainly didn’t let him settle in gently! Paul and his team of dedicated ground staff worked tirelessly all year to provide the best polo fields regardless of the weather. Alongside this remarkable team were Tara Bown and Saskia Meadows in the Polo Office, brilliantly juggling the ever-changing polo logistics with ease. It is this dedication that enables us to continue to set the benchmark to other polo clubs, not just here in the UK but worldwide.

Charity remains a major focus for us and the coming season is no exception. I am delighted to learn that La Martina will be partnering with Power of Polo on Varsity Day. The Club is also teaming up with Thames Hospice for the first time as we join their Trunks Across The Thames campaign. Look out for an elephant at the Club this summer. With the British cosmetics brand delilah taking on title sponsorship of our Ladies Charity Polo Day, we look forward to welcoming back the remarkable Look Good Feel Better cancer support team. Meanwhile our popular biannual charity shoot will raise much needed funds for two military charities, the Irish and Scots Guards.

Continuity is also important to the Club. It gives us a firm foundation on which we can build and grow. So a huge thank you to our long-term sponsors and partners including Cartier, Access Bank, Laurent Perrier, La Martina, Coworth Park and David Matsumoto. The latter continues to personally support both the Royal Windsor

Cup through his DMMI organisation and sponsor HRH The Prince of Wales’s Royal Charity Polo Day. Such generous backing is both invaluable and vital to the Club’s continuing success.

Of course our Members, both Playing and Social, remain at the heart of everything we do at Guards Polo Club. We are only ever as good as our Membership and I would like to personally thank you all for your continued support. I look forward to meeting you in the coming months fieldside or in the Clubhouse.

So let us raise a glass of Laurent-Perrier to another remarkable season. u

“ WE ARE ONLY EVER AS GOOD AS OUR MEMBERSHIP AND I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT ”

Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer CVO DL Chairman & Vice President

GUARDS POLO CLUB BOARD AND STAFF

PRESIDENT

HM King Charles III

VICE PRESIDENTS

Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer CVO, DL

Mr Jock Green-Armytage

Guards Polo Club Holdings Ltd

CHAIRMAN

Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer CVO, DL

BOARD MEMBERS

Mr Raja Hissam Ali Hyder

Representative of professional playing members

Colonel Tom Armitage Military playing member

Miss Elodie Avarguez Representative of amateur playing members

Mr Dillon Bacon

Representative of amateur playing members

Mrs Mindi Byrne

Representative of the amateur playing members

Mr Jock Green-Armytage Representative of life playing members (who no longer play)

Mr Jonathan Hare

Representative of amateur playing members

Ms Catharina Hillenbrand von der Neyen  Representative of non-playing members

Mr Jeremy Pemberton

Representative of amateur playing members

Mr Thilo Sautter

Representative of amateur playing members

GUARDS POLO CLUB STAFF

Mr James Neighbour ACMA, CGMA Chief Operating Officer

Mr Antony Fanshawe Director of Polo

Mrs Tara Bown Polo Manager

Miss Saskia Meadows Assistant Polo Manager

Miss Federica Sepe Polo Office Assistant

Mrs Tissy Sievwright Commercial Manager

Miss Pam Manku  Financial Controller

Mrs Vanessa Cumming Membership Secretary/Ticket Office Manager

Mrs Diana Butler Communications Director

Mrs Sarah Fox Social Media Manager

Mrs Jane Hebditch Hospitality Manager

Miss Sophie White Events Co-ordinator

Mr Paul Brown Grounds Manager

Mr Robert Toal Facilities Manager

Mr Peter Dale Head Steward

GROUNDS STAFF

George McKernan, Marek VerkinDeputy Grounds Managers

Oscar Boxall, Finlay Dee, Dominic Foster, John Hanly, Oleh Hrabar, Mark Hulland, David Knock, John Lawrence, Troy McDonald, Travis Magnus, Caelum Marley, Ivan Nunes Da Cunha, Carl Rider-Friend, Adrian Smith, Anele Surviliene

GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIALS

Mr Howard Smith Chief Umpire and Field Captain

Mr Simon Knapp LVO, MRCVS Veterinary/Welfare

Mr Graham Dennis Honorary Archivist

Jens

TOURNAMENT REPORTS

138 Cartier Queen’s Cup

144 Cartier Queen’s Cup Teams 2025

146 Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup

152 Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup

158 Guards Ladies Charity Polo

164 Indian Polo Day

170 Hurlingham Polo Association’s International Day

176 La Martina Varsity Day

182 Archie David Cup

186 Duke of Cornwalls Trophy

191 Duke of Wellington Trophy

194 La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy

198 Guards Ladies Day

202 Copenhagen Cup

206 Guards Youth Tournament

208 Inter Regimental Trophy

210 Spring Tournament

211 Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy

212 Coworth Park Challenge Trophy

214 Committee Cup

216 Social Cup 218 Phoenician Cup

219 President’s Trophy

220 Major General’s Cup

222 Autumn Nations Tournament

224 Chairman’s Cup

227 Results 2025

OUT-SOURCING INC. ROYAL CHARITY POLO CUP

PRINCE OF WALES HITS CHARITABLE TARGET

The Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Charity Polo Cup continues to raise remarkable sums for charity, pushing the total tally from this one event to more than £14million

IMAGES: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES & IMAGES OF POLO

Guards Polo Club was delighted to host the fifth Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup on The Castle Ground, with the day raising £1,100,000 to be shared by 10 charities supported by The Prince and Princess of Wales. This outstanding contribution takes the total raised from Royal Charity Polo Days played in the UK over the last 14 years to more than £14million.

The Prince played as part of the U.S. Polo Assn. team alongside Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Amr

HRH The Prince of Wales in action on The Castle Ground.

Right: His Royal Highness with David and Reelika Matsumoto and Dolph Westerbos.

Zedan and James Beim. The opposing Fortunis

Bloodstock team featured Emma MacRae, Babar Naseem, Billy Jackson-Stop and Jack Richardson. The third team playing on this day, Manta Marine Technologies - La Ilusión Polo Club, included Steve Cox, Robert Kofler, Henry Porter and Ivan Rubinich.

In a tightly contested round robin tournament, and thanks to a brilliant goal from HRH The Prince of Wales against Manta Marine TechnologiesLa llusión Polo Club, the U.S. Polo Assn. team secured victory.

The 2025 event provided a unique opportunity to support and raise funds for 10 charities close to Their Royal Highness’s hearts. These organisations were:

Anna Freud Centre

British Red Cross

Child Bereavement UK

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

Family Action

Fields in Trust

Forward Trust

NHS Charities Together

Royal African Society

We Are Farming Minds

Out-Sourcing Inc’s representative David M. Matsumoto said on the day: “Out-Sourcing and I are honoured to support today’s charity polo match. Knowing that this polo event will raise much needed funds for 10 incredible charities aligns perfectly with the company’s own charitable ethos. We focus on creating platforms to highlight and support charitable endeavours across the world, including here in the UK.”

Charity representative, Helen Griffiths, CEO of Fields in Trust, speaking on behalf of all 10 charities said: “We’d like to say an enormous thank you to

From far left: Action on The Castle Ground; Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in action; Sean and Michael O’Dwyer; David Matsumoto.

HRH The Prince of Wales in action for the U.S. Polo Assn. team.

“OUT-SOURCING AND I ARE HONOURED TO SUPPORT TODAY’S CHARITY POLO MATCH. KNOWING THAT THIS POLO EVENT WILL RAISE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS FOR 10 INCREDIBLE CHARITIES ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH THE COMPANY’S OWN CHARITABLE ETHOS”

DAVID M.

MATSUMOTO

HRH The Prince of Wales in action on The Castle Ground.

“ WE’D LIKE TO SAY AN ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO BOTH HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES AND OUT-SOURCING INC FOR MAKING THE ROYAL POLO CUP 2025 POSSIBLE.”

HELEN GRIFFITHS, CEO, FIELDS IN TRUST

both HRH The Prince of Wales and Out-Sourcing Inc for making the Royal Polo Cup 2025 possible. The charities represented here today are all incredibly fortunate to have the support of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales and we are all dedicated to driving positive change across some of their key areas of interest including health, sport, the early years and the environment. In a fundraising landscape as challenging as this one the generous support from today’s sponsors will help us all have even more impact in our respective communities.”

The day was made possible by the generous sponsors and event partners. This includes the Club’s Royal Windsor Cup title sponsor, OutSourcing Inc, who continued the role of title sponsor of this day and already boasts a long association with fundraising events such as this. u

Above: HRH The Prince of Wales on a charge down The Castle Ground; Right: Heading to goal; Below, right: The winning U.S. Polo Assn. team with Dolph Westerbos CEO of Outsourcing International and Reelika and David Matsumoto.

Left: All the teams in the Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Charity Polo Day with Dolph Westerbos and Reelika and David Matsumoto.

delilah

Leading British beauty brand delilah will be the title sponsor of the Club’s Ladies Charity Polo Day from 2026.We explore the philosophy of this remarkable company that puts ethics, sustainability and charity at the heart of its business

delilah is an award-winning British beauty brand, recognised for its refined approach to modern make-up and its commitment to responsible beauty. Proudly independent, the brand creates high-performance products designed for real women to feel effortless and elegant everyday.

The brand has been cruelty-free and vegan since its inception and is PETA certified, reflecting a long-standing commitment to ethical beauty standards. As a certified B Corp, the brand is independently verified for meeting high levels of social and environmental responsibility, transparency and accountability — values that underpin every aspect of delilah.

Formulated using carefully selected plant-based skin care active ingredients alongside proven cosmetic science, delilah products embody the skinification of makeup, making your make up an extension of your skin routine. The brand’s collection is intentionally edited, focusing on timeless essentials rather than trend-driven excess, with each product created to earn its place through versatility, ease of use, long-wear efficacy and lasting relevance.

Sustainability is approached with clarity

THE BRAND HAS BEEN CRUELTY-FREE AND VEGAN SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND IS PETA CERTIFIED, REFLECTING A LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL BEAUTY STANDARDS

and realism. Packaging is continually reviewed and refined, with increasing use of recycled and recyclable materials keeping plastic out of landfill.

This balance of modern responsibility and understated luxury makes delilah a natural partner for Guards Polo Club. Both organisations share a respect for British heritage alongside a progressive outlook, valuing craftsmanship, integrity and authenticity.

The delilah Guards Ladies’ Charity Polo Day, on Saturday 28 August, will bring these shared values together. It will celebrate sport, community, and generosity, while supporting Look Good Feel Better — a charity dedicated to helping people living with cancer regain confidence at a challenging time.

Available through a carefully selected network of leading clinics, salons and luxury retailers across the UK.

The delilah Guards Ladies’ Charity Polo Day on Saturday 29 August 2026 will be supporting Look Good Feel Better. This charity is dedicated to helping people living with cancer diagnosis to manage the physical and emotional side effects of their cancer treatment. For delilah, this partnership is a natural extension of the brand’s belief in the power of confidence and self-expression. Look Good

Feel Better’s work centres on restoring a sense of normality, dignity and self-belief at a time when it is most needed — values that resonate deeply with delilah’s own philosophy. Through practical workshops and expert-led guidance, the charity helps individuals feel more like themselves again, providing practical advice about the changes to skin, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, hair and body

confidence. People leave these workshops empowered, motivated and allows them to feel more confident during their cancer journey. It is a reminder that beauty, at its most meaningful, is about wellbeing, resilience and human connection.

Supporting Look Good Feel Better through the Ladies’ Charity Polo Day reflects delilah’s ongoing commitment to using its platform for positive

impact. It is an opportunity to celebrate generosity, community and compassion, while contributing to a cause that makes a tangible difference to cancer patients. delilah also supports various other charities and will, this year, again support the Get Lippy Campaign. This campaign highlights the five gynae cancers where early detection can improve survival of the cancer diagnosis.

Supporting Look Good Feel Better

Brand Success and Recognition

Launched in 2014, delilah has built a loyal following among consumers, professional make-up artists and industry insiders worldwide. The brand’s reputation has been shaped not only by its aesthetic appeal, but by the trust it has earned within the professional community — with make-up artists choosing delilah both for their kits and for their own personal use.

All delilah products are certified dermatologically tested or ophthalmologically tested to ensure extra peace of mind. This certification means that all of our products are suitable for sensitive skin or sensitive eyes.

This credibility is reflected in delilah’s growing portfolio of industry recognition. The brand has been named Best British Make-up Brand by the Beauty Shortlist Awards for three consecutive years— a rare achievement that underscores its

consistency and long-term relevance.

delilah has been recognised by Marie Claire, winning the Beauty, Health & Wellness Cruelty-Free Brand award, alongside receiving special recognition from Woman & Home for excellence in Vegan Skincare and Make-up.

These awards reflect a brand built on trust, performance and integrity — qualities that continue to define delilah’s position within the modern beauty landscape.

The delilah range of makeup is available in more than 200 high-end locations across the UK. This includes leading aesthetic and skin clinics, beauty salons and independent, luxury retailers along with local department store, Daniel of Windsor.

delilah Principles

delilah has always been cruelty-free and vegan and is proudly PETA certified. No animal testing is conducted or commissioned at any stage of product development, nor does the brand operate in markets where animal testing is required. All formulations are paraben-free, combining carefully selected skincare actives through plant-based ingredients with proven cosmetic science to deliver high performance, without compromise on quality.

As a certified B Corp, delilah meets independently verified standards across governance, workers, community, environment and customers. This certification reflects a broader commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible long-term decision-making.

Sustainability is approached through practical actions. delilah has embraced the use of postconsumer recycled (PCR) materials across its packaging, including the Wake Up family of products that embody skinification of makeup. delilah is helping to reduce plastic waste by repurposing household materials and keeping plastic from landfills. In 2025 alone, over 1.5 tonnes of virgin plastic were removed from the manufacturing process, reflecting delilah’s commitment to making practical, measurable improvements without compromising quality or design.

The brand also works with FSC-certified paper and wooden components, supporting responsible forestry and sustainable sourcing. Beyond its own operations, delilah has also initiated a carbon offset scheme, with all outer boxes carrying the World Land Trust symbol. This partnership supports the protection of threatened habitats worldwide and reflects delilah’s commitment to making a positive environmental impact beyond its immediate footprint.

As Creative Director Rupert Kingston explains: “From the outset, delilah has been about creating beautiful, high-performing products without compromise. We believe that beauty should never come at a cost to the planet or its people, and that doing things properly matters — not just for today, but for the long term.”

Powered by plants, the Wake Up collection brings fresh, modern radiance to the skin.

Creating the Signature delilah Glow

delilah is best known for creating complexion-led products that deliver what has become recognised as the signature delilah glow — a refined, natural radiance that enhances the skin without overpowering it. Central to this approach is the belief that glowing skin should look effortless, healthy and entirely wearable.

At the heart of the collection is a series of award-winning complexion heroes designed to work intuitively, either alone or layered together. The much-loved & multi award-winning Under Wear Skin Primer creates a smooth, perfect base, while the Wake Up Radiant Skin Tint and Time Frame Foundation offer buildable coverage with a luminous, skin-like finish. To enhance and highlight, Wake Up Radiant Elixir and In Bloom Radiant Liquid Blush add soft dimension and light, giving the complexion a fresh, lit-from-within appearance. Each product is formulated to work in harmony, allowing the skin to remain visible and expressive. The result is a polished yet understated glow that feels modern, confident and timeless — a look that transitions effortlessly from day to evening, and from understated elegance to refined glamour.

Whilst delilah may be best known for its highperformance complexion products, in recent years, launches of Lip Saviour, Colour Enhancing Lip Oil and various shades of lipsticks have added to delilah’s appeal, along with the popular, smudgeproof eyeshadow pencils. In addition, the brand’s beautifully packaged gift sets regularly feature regularly in gift guides, ideal for both make up afficionados and make up novices.

Taking a plant-powered approach

The Wake Up family of make-up products reinforces delilah’s plant-powered approach to modern radiance, designed to energise the skin and enhance its natural glow. Each product blends skincare ingredients and make-up seamlessly, using carefully selected plant-based actives to hydrate, brighten and refresh the complexion, continuing the skin care routine into make-up application.

Lightweight textures and skin-loving ingredients work to revive tired skin and restore luminosity, without heaviness or shine. Worn alone or layered, delilah Wake Up products deliver a healthy, fresh finish that looks effortless and feels intuitive, bringing the skin back to life, naturally.

Found at Fortnum & Mason

delilah is proud to be stocked in the iconic beauty hall of Fortnum & Mason in London. For generations Fortnum & Mason has been synonymous with British heritage and modern luxury, making it a natural home for a brand built on similar principles. Together, Fortnum & Mason and delilah celebrate a distinctly British approach to luxury: one that honours the past, embraces the present and looks to the future with quiet confidence. These principles also align perfectly with the premier relaxed setting in Guards Polo Club. u

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 in1996.

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.

A

Focused 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.

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.

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.

BRINGING A TASTE OF SPAIN TO SMITH’S LAWN

Jose Domecq, a scion of the worldfamous sherry family, will be at Guards Polo Club in May. Searcys is hosting a sherry tasting supper club on Friday 22 May in association with Jose. As well as introducing us to the delights of sherry, Jose will be showcasing a selection of his stunning sculptures. These will be placed around the Club as part of the event. Diana Butler spoke with Jose before his visit to find out more on the four great passions in his life – family, sculpture, polo and, of course, sherry...

Where is home for you?

“I live and work in Madrid, but I don’t truly feel I belong there. My holidays—and my heart—are mostly in Jerez. Yet the place where I really feel at home is our farm near Madrid, where we keep the horses.”

Where do you play polo?

“There’s a vibrant country polo scene near Madrid and the season is quite long. I’ve always been deeply involved in the horse-handling side, converting racehorses for polo and introducing my sons to the game, just as my father did with my brothers and me. It’s my passion and I think it always will be.”

Do you keep horses at home?

“That would be my dream! I wish I could keep my horses at home, like my father and grandfather did, but I have the next best thing: I keep horses at our farm, 120km away from

Madrid. I spend my weekends there riding and practicing — we even have a natural stick-andball ground in a field bordered by oak trees. All five of my children, Jose, Yago, Camila, Jaime, and Bosco, play polo so my perfect weekend would be spent playing polo with my children, brothers and friends.”

What are your greatest polo memories?

“I have so many because I have been fortunate enough to play in so many countries and with such great people. In Lima, Peru, playing with José Oláechéa; competing several times for Spain at Newport Polo Club in Rhode Island, USA, at the invitation of Dan Keating; winning the Winners’ Cup in England with my father at Kerry Packer’s grounds in Midhurst; playing in Chile with El Oso Grez and in Argentina with the Mihanovichs. I even played in the shadow of the pyramids of Abu Sir in Egypt. And of course, so many memories from Sotogrande.”

Top: Jose Domecq at home.

Above: Jose's grandfather, Jose Ignacio Domecq, "The Nose', "an excellent winemaker and a great polo player".

What is your family’s connection with polo?

“You could say that my family introduced the sport into Spain! My great-grandfather’s grandfather, Pedro Nolasco González, founded the Jerez Polo Club in 1870 – the first in Spain –which later became the Royal Jerez Polo Club. He learned the sport in England, where he travelled frequently for bodega-related work. The González Gordon family promoted polo in Jerez— with its rich equestrian tradition— and soon there was a very active polo community.

“My grandfather played with The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) and my father with Prince Charles. I can remember the Duke visiting Jerez to play; I must have been about 10 years old at the time. I’m not sure how or when my father and the Prince of Wales [now King Charles lll] first met, but I think it started with military polo in Gibraltar, where my father and grandfather often played. Or they might have met in England, as Domecq’s business in the UK was vital and so they travelled constantly for wine and polo.”

So how long has the Domecq family been involved in making sherry?

“The bodega was founded in 1730 by Jean Hauries, but the first Domecq to take control was Pedro Domecq Lembeye in 1818. He was married to Diane de Lancaster and had five daughters, who all married Frenchmen. As a result, his nephew, Pedro Domecq Lustau—my great-grandfather —took over the business. He

“A LARGE PIECE CAN TAKE ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE, AND THEN ANOTHER FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS WHILE I STUDY IT AND TRY TO PERFECT IT”

was a highly successful entrepreneur. At one point in the 19th century, Domecq’s sherry business accounted for seven percent of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD). He was also a great philanthropist who left a remarkable legacy in his city. Three years ago, we had a Domecq family reunion in Jerez Cathedral, and 1,000 of Pedro Domecq Lustau’s 3,000 direct descendants were present.”

What is your favourite sherry?

“It’s hard to choose just one. I’m very fond of dry sherries—a Fino or Oloroso before dinner. These are the most popular and best known, but I also often enjoy an Amontillado, Palo Cortado, or the sweeter Pedro Ximénez (also known as Cream) at home. I will be bringing all five types of sherry to the Club at the tasting evening on 22 May. They all come from bodegas near us where family members have a stake or are involved in some way.”

What advice would you give to people who may be tasting sherry for the first time?

“Sherry is a unique wine. It is different from almost all others due to its unique blend of origin, fortification, aging under flor (a natural yeast that is present in the air and is specific to Jerez – it exists nowhere else), and the solera aging system. For people who are tasting sherry for the first time, I would advise them to expect something quite different, particularly in the intensity of aromas and flavours. Sweet sherries are easy to like, but the real stars are the dry styles: Finos, Olorosos, Amontillados, and Palo Cortados. Tasting these sherries together at the

Top: One of my pieces, Old Stallion with Jack Russell.

Above: My father with the Prince of Wales (later King Charles lll) in the 1980s.

A bronze entitled In The Air. Below left:

The Siesta, a bronze with a white patina. Below right: El Palenque.

tasting event in May though will highlight their distinct characters and richness. They’re also perfect with dinner. I recommend trying them at home.”

Can you tell us something about the sculptures that you will be exhibiting at Guards Polo Club this summer?

“I should preface this answer by saying I have no formal training as an artist. I started in 2018 during a summer in Sotogrande, when one of my sons gave me a gift of an 8kg block of clay. I had never worked with clay, but we all decided to have a go. After the children had gone to bed, I decided to try to sculpt a horse, and it took me until three or four in the morning. It was such an unexpected pleasure that I haven’t stopped since.”

“MY PERFECT WEEKEND WOULD BE SPENT PLAYING POLO WITH MY CHILDREN, BROTHERS AND FRIENDS”

Jose Domecq

Where do you get your inspiration?

“Through riding and observing horses I have come to understand them deeply. So through my work I try to convey how I imagine they feel. I work from memory, rather than from photos or sketches. I try to capture the beauty of their movement, speed and balance and the connection between the player and the horse. I generally work on four or five pieces at a time. A large piece can take about six to eight months to complete, and then another four to five months while I study it and try to perfect it. Having said that there are some pieces that I have worked on for years and are still not finished!” u

Jose is availabe for commissions. You can contact him or see more of his work at jidomecq.com

Tasting Notes

Jose gives offers his own food suggestions to the six different styles of sherry.

Fino & Manzanilla

These light, dry, saline sherries excel as aperitifs or with fresh seafood, olives, almonds, charcuterie, anchovies, sardines, garlic prawns, oysters and fried fish.

Amontillado

Nutty and medium-dry, it pairs well with mushrooms, rice, and bolder flavours such as paella, risotto, grilled tuna, chicken, asparagus, artichokes, soups or aged cheeses like Parmigiano.

Oloroso & Palo Cortado Robust and oxidative so ideal for meats, game, and stews: oxtail, roast duck, steak tartare, game birds, dry-aged beef, veal sweetbreads, lentils with quail, cured cheeses or wild mushrooms.

Pedro Ximénez (PX)

Sweet and tasting of raisins, this sherry is perfect for desserts and blue cheeses. Dishes like French toast or crème caramel, foie gras, mature Cheddar or Gorgonzola, chocolate or walnuts.

Top: With Yago in Argentina. Above, left: the Jerez Polo Team in 1900. Above, right: A picture of myself (second from right) with my sons Yago and Jaime and my brother German.

INTRODUCING THE PLYRS CLUB

Guards Polo Club has added an impressive sporting venue to its illustrious stable of reciprocal clubs – the PLYRS Club in Wellington, Florida, USA

Earlier this year Guards Polo Club announced that it had teamed up with the newly created PLYRS Club in Wellington, Florida. This partnership means PLYRS Club is now part of our coveted reciprocal polo club scheme. The only US club in the programme, the PLYRS Club joins illustrious sporting venues such as Rajasthan, Singapore, St Moritz and Thai Polo Club. The reciprocal agreements enable our Members to watch polo around the world and allows members of these overseas clubs to visit Guards Polo Club as Members, accessing both the Clubhouse and the sport all season.

The PLYRS Club offers an impressive set-up, located in the heart of polo-playing country in the USA. It also boasts some of the biggest names in the game among its founding

members, including Gonzalo, Facundo and Nico Pieres, Hilario Ulloa, Pablo MacDonough, Mariano Aguerre, Miguel Novillo Astrada, Juan Martin Nero and Juan Sanchez Elia.

Speaking about the new reciprocal arrangement, founding member Gonzalo Pieres said:

“Throughout my career in polo, Guards Polo Club has held a very special place — both on the field and off it. The traditions, the level of play, the camaraderie — it is everything this sport should be. Now, as we see modern polo shaping a new generation of players from all over the world, it is an honour for all of us on the PLYRS founding team to build this reciprocal bond among the finest polo clubs in the game. We will be welcoming both playing and social members, and we very much look forward to the beginning of a long and lasting relationship between our two clubs.”

Gonzalo Pieres

A PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP

With such a playing alumni, it comes as little surprise that the Club can claim state-of-the-art facilities. These include five professional-sized polo fields as well as one stick-and-ball field, 12 stables and 384 boxes for horses. With matches and chukkas scheduled from October through to May, it is the perfect companion to Guards Polo Club’s summer season.

There is talk that members of the PLYRS team will be at Smith’s Lawn this season to host an event to introduce the Club to the wider Guards Polo Club family. Keep an eye out for updates in our weekly Members e-newsletter. u www.plyrsclub.com

LA MARTINA AND A REALLY WILD IDEA

IMAGES BY FREDDIE STISTED

La Martina has created an exciting new partnership with the British clothing brand for women, Really Wild. Emphasising the grace, individuality and strength of the modern woman, this brand perfectly blends tradition with innovation. To launch a new, limited edition collaboration, La Martina has invited Really Wild’s co-owner and Chief Creative Officer Nadja Swarovski to select her favourite picks from both fashion houses’ Spring/Summer 2026 collection. These beautiful pieces are showcased here for first time and they will be available to purchase exclusively in the La Martina Store at Guards this season. u

“I like pieces that feel comfortable and confident. The checked overshirt has that calm, country look—easy over denim and perfect for a full day outside”

“A well-tailored tweed suit is always a favourite of mine. It celebrates craftsmanship and natural fabrics, and when you add the waistcoat and silk tie-neck blouse it’s elegant without trying hard”

“I absolutely love the elegance of the Katherine Cape. The fabric feels incredibly soft and luxurious. It’s one of those pieces you can throw on and instantly feel sophisticated”

Nadja Swarovski, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Really Wild

“There’s something so beautiful about combining silk with tweed. It’s the kind of look that captures that relaxed countryside charm while still feeling very refined”

“Nothing

beats a clean white summer blouse, The sand colour of the skirt and the leather bag adds warmth and chic — practical, but with real presence”

“A

warm jacket over a white dress is one of my favourite summer formulas—it feels strong and feminine at the same time. And the woven bag is perfect for the season: light, natural, and easy to carry all day”

“This is such an easy summer combination for me—fresh green with a crisp blue stripe, and those warm yellow trousers that feel like sunshine”

“This

is classic club dressing with a sense of humour—preppy layers, easy movement, and just enough charm. The best summer looks always feel a little carefree”

“A structured jacket with this much detail deserves a whisper of romance underneath. I love the contrast—sharp lines, soft ruffles—then denim to keep it modern and beautifully undone”

“This looks like a real summer afternoon— simple pieces, clean whites, and stripes that always feel fresh. It’s understated, and that’s what makes it chic”

“I love how these La Martina pieces combine comfort, quality, and a hint of polo heritage. Effortless to wear, relaxed in style, and perfect for everyday moments with character”

“ This is my idea of weekend ease—light denim, shorts, and suede boots that still look elegant. It’s comfortable on the grass, but still feels considered”

“I love this palette: deep greens, warm neutrals, and that golden jacket that catches the sun like a highlight. It’s very ‘summer weekend’—sporty, and elevated”

“I would wear this for an afternoon gathering or drinks by the fire at a country house—it’s vibrant, cosy, and very chic. The nutmeg suede skirt and York Jacket are the kind of pieces you just want to live in”

ACCESS BANK DAY CELEBRATES A DECADE OF POLO

This remarkable day at Guards Polo Club has helped support the education of 14,000 students through 10 years of outstanding sport and philanthrophy

It has been 10 years since Access Private Bank in partnership with the Nigerian polo club

Fifth Chukker and UNICEF hosted the first ACCESS Bank Day at Guards Polo Club. This is an event that combines the best in polo with philanthropy, elegance, and global advocacy to raise funds for the education of children in Nigeria.

The starting point was a school with 400 pupils. Since then, funds from the annual Access Bank Day have built and equipped 60 school blocks, directly impacting the lives of 14,000 children, offering them a path to learning, growth, and opportunity. Funds raised at the latest edition of the Access Bank Day will support the construction of the next phase of another 60 fully-equipped school room blocks.

Jamie Simmonds, Managing Director and CEO of The Access Bank UK Ltd, emphasised the strategic significance of the initiative: “This event reflects the essence of The Access Bank UK Ltd’s vision, to serve as a bridge between continents, connecting purpose with prosperity.

FUNDS FROM THE ANNUAL ACCESS BANK DAY HAVE BUILT AND EQUIPPED 60 SCHOOL BLOCKS, DIRECTLY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF 14,000 CHILDREN

“By championing education through this platform, we reinforce our belief that empowering young minds across Africa ultimately shapes a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.”

This day of polo and philanthropy also offers a platform for players from Nigeria and the wider African continent to compete alongside and against some of the sport’s leading professional players. In 2010 Adolfo Cambiaso, regarded by all as the sport’s greatest player, was joined in the competition by his son, Poroto, then just 11 years old. Fifteen years later

IMAGES: IMAGES OF POLO

Lia Salvo of Fifth Chukker in action against Adolfo Cambiaso Snr, playing for Access Bank. Below: Adamu Atta, owner of Fifth Chukker, in action for the Access Bank team; Adamu Atta and Jaisal Singh jointly receive the Access Bank Trophy.

Cambiaso’s eldest daughter Mia played alongside her father in the Access Bank team. Making up this quartet was the young Argentine professional Paco de Narvaez Gonzalez and one of the founders of this remarkable charity day, Adamu Atta. The latter is also the owner of Fifth Chukker, one of Africa’s top polo clubs, located in the Kaduna region of Nigeria, and part of Guards Polo Club’s prestigious reciprocal club scheme.

Access Bank’s opposition in the high-goal Access Bank Trophy was a Fifth Chukker squad featuring the Sujan Indian Tigers patron Jaisal Singh. His team-mates were leading lady player Lia Salvo and Argentine professionals Guillermo Terrera and Tomas Panelo. Both teams delivered a flowing game across four chukkas on the Club’s famous Queen’s Ground. With scores reading 6-6 on the final bell the teams decided to shake hands and call it a draw – a fitting end to a game that highlighted the camaraderie and friendship that is inherent within polo.

4-3 in another close contest at Guards Polo Club. Deenay Mangal, wearing the number one shirt for Mangal Cement, not only received the trophy but was also named the Most Valuable Player.

IN COLLABORATION WITH UNICEF, FUNDS RAISED AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT WILL ALSO GO TOWARDS THE LONGTERM EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND THE COMMUNITIES IN RURAL NIGERIA

This annual charity event has become a hallmark of Access Bank’s enduring commitment to sustainable community development, particularly in inclusive education. According to Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, “We have used polo at Guards Polo Club as a platform that unites global changemakers around one common cause, investing in the future of Africa through education.

The partnership with Fifth Chukker and UNICEF is symbolic and transformative.”

From the top: All the players who took part in the 2025 Access Bank Day at Guards Polo Club; Access Bank Trophy action on The Queen's Ground; Mangal Cement v Malcomines in the Khalifa Trophy game; Tomas Panelo and Paco de Narvaez Gonzalez with the Access Bank Best Playing Pony Lechusa.

Fifth Chukker’s Jaisal Singh was named the Most Valuable Player after scoring four great goals for his team. His team-mate Tomas Panelo received the Best Playing Pony prize for Lechusa. He was joined in the presentation by Paco de Narvaez Gonzalez, who had been in action for the opposing team, because he had bred this remarkable pony.

Access Bank Day 2025 had started with a 15-goal match for the Khalifa Trophy. This was won by Mangal Cement. They beat Malcomines

In collaboration with UNICEF, funds raised at the 2025 event will also go towards the long-term educational needs of children and the communities in rural Nigeria. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director/ CEO of Access Bank Plc, added: “At Access Bank, we believe education is a fundamental right. By aligning our brand with this purpose, we are proud to demonstrate that financial success and social impact can and must go hand in hand. The Access Bank UK Charity Polo Day stands as a compelling example of how corporate leadership, global partnerships, and empathy can co-exist to drive meaningful, lasting change, from Kaduna to the UK, and beyond.” u

TEAM LINEUPS

Access Bank: Mia Cambiaso (2); Paco de Narvaez Gonzalez (4); Adolfo Cambiaso Snr (9); Adamu Atta (2). Fifth Chukker: Jaisal Singh (1); Lia Salvo (2); Guillermo Terrera (7); Tomas Panelo (9). Mangal Cement: Deeny Mangal (1); Dikko Dahiru Mangal (0); Amireeza Behbodi (4); Hilario Ulloa (9). Malcomines: Murtala Laushi (0); Yasin Amusan (0); Pablo MacDonough (9); Alejo Aramburu (6).

Play Every Day with the perfect trousers from MR MARVIS, from new spring arrivals to favourites like The Longs, The Five-pockets and The Classic Chinos. Timeless design, made in Portugal. Complete your look with our shirts, polos or pullovers. Shop your new-season essentials now on mrmarvis.co.uk or visit our flagship store at 52 King’s Road, London

AN ELEPHANT JOINS THE HERD AT SMITH’S LAWN!

The Club will be helping to raise funds for Thames Hospice this summer through the Trunks Across The Thames campaign

If you look closely this summer you may spot an elephant at Guards Polo Club. We have agreed to be part of the Thames Hospice’s Trunks Across The Thames event. The Club will be the proud owners of its own uniquely decorated elephant as part of an innovative art trail. This special elephant will be part of a magnificent herd which can be discovered at key venues across Slough and Windsor for a nine-week period this summer.

Earlier this year Jess Seymour, Project Manager for Trunks Across the Thames and her colleague, Layla Pipe, brought their own elephant, Hope, to Guards Polo Club to launch our involvement in the scheme. At the March launch event, which was attended by the Club’s Chairman Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer and Financial Controller Pam Manku, Jess said: “This project simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible

“ THIS PROJECT SIMPLY WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT OF OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS AND IT WAS TRULY WONDERFUL TO HAVE EVERYONE TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE”

Jess Seymour, Project Manager, Trunk across the Thames

commitment of our sponsors and supporters and it was truly wonderful to have everyone together in one room to celebrate this milestone. By matching our partners with their favourite pieces, we are officially starting the process of bringing this art to life for everyone to enjoy.”

The Thames Hospice, has been looking after the communities of East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire for more than 36 years.

The hospice works in partnership with the local healthcare agencies to provide specialist palliative and end of life care services in their own homes or within the Hospice.

The Hospice receives a 30% financial contribution from NHS England but needs to raise £39,000 each day to fund its services. So fundraising projects like Trunks Across The Thames are invaluable.

To find out more about the trail visit www.trunksacrossthethames.org.uk or follow the journey on social media @trunksacrossthethames. Keep an eye out in our Members’ e-newsletters and via our own social media @guardspoloclub to discover how you can enter our competition to give our elephant a name. u

SPENCER MCCARTHY FINDS SUCCESS IN THE SUN

Guards Polo Club swaps Smith’s Lawn for Argentina in December to host a one-off match for Club patrons and players

IMAGES: MATIAS CALLEJO

In December the focus moved from Smith’s Lawn to Thai Polo Club in Argentina. The Club, in partnership with La Martina, hosted a one-off match for its Club Patrons and Players who were in South America for the winter season. The event was a success for the Emlor patron Spencer McCarthy. Playing here for Guards Burgundy, Spencer and his team won the inaugural Guards Polo Club Challenge on the beautiful polo fields of the Thai Polo Club in Pilar, Argentina. This team narrowly beat the Guards Navy squad 6–5.

Spencer was joined by Rafi Bruckner, Nacho Gonzalez and Santiago Araya. The opposing team featured Andy Cork, Mark Emerson, Pierandrea

Mueller and Chris Mackenzie. Pierandrea was later named the Most Valuable Player, receiving his prize from Guards Polo Club’s Chief Operating Officer James Neighbour.

James was delighted to head up this new event in the Club’s international calendar. “I would like to thank Thai Polo Club here in Argentina for the warm welcome we have received today.

I am delighted to be able to team up with Adrian Simonetti from La Martina – a long-standing friend and partner of Guards Polo Club – to create another wonderful event here in Pilar, the very heart of polo in South America.”

Guards Polo Club’s Director of Polo, Antony Fanshawe and La Martina’s President Adrian

James Neighbour, Guards Polo Club's Chief Operating Officer with the winning Guards Burgundy team: Santiago Araya, Rafi Bruckner, Spencer McCarthy and Nacho Gonzalez.

“I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THAI POLO CLUB HERE IN ARGENTINA FOR THE WARM WELCOME WE HAVE RECEIVED TODAY”

JAMES NEIGHBOUR, COO, GUARDS POLO CLUB

Simonetti were also at the Club to watch this key game. They were joined by many other familiar Club faces among the spectators. With La Martina providing all the team shirts, prizes and the event hospitality, there was a wonderful atmosphere at Thai Polo throughout the day.

Guards Polo Club would like to extend its thanks to Thai Polo and Minuto 7 for hosting the Guards Challenge match on such an amazing high-profile day which also showcased the Ladies Pink Polo Cup Final and the Thai Polo Cup Final. u

FESTIVE FEAST HITS THE HIGH NOTES

Treats aplenty to be found at our delicious Members’ Clubhouse Christmas Lunch, hosted on two consecutive days in early December

Carols, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, fairy lights, turkey with all the trimmings, sweet treats and magical illuminations were all on the menu for the Members annual Clubhouse Christmas lunch. Demand was so strong that both lunches, held in early December, were sold out weeks in advance.

Our brilliant events team – Tissy Sievwright, Sophie White and Jane Hebditch – teamed up with Harry Wilson and Sam Seedhouse from Searcys to create a wonderful atmosphere and plenty of delicious treats. Although Head Chef Sam had a bit of help with carving the turkey from none other than our Chairman, Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer!

Pre-lunch entertainment was provided by the choir from the Royal Chapel. With carol sheets available for everyone there was no excuse not to join in with some familiar favourites from this seasonal time of year. After lunch guests had the opportunity to explore the stunning Windsor Park Illuminations. The Illuminations team had turned the Park into a true winter wonderland with magical creatures, stunning lights and fun Christmas characters making themselves at home in this historic location. u

IMAGES: ART OF POLO

Guards Polo Club Chairman, Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer carving the turkey

AFTER LUNCH GUESTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE STUNNING WINDSOR PARK ILLUMINATIONS. THE ILLUMINATIONS TEAM HAD TURNED THE PARK INTO A TRUE WINTER WONDERLAND WITH MAGICAL CREATURES, STUNNING LIGHTS AND FUN CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS

LAGOS MAKES A WELCOME RETURN TO SMITH’S LAWN

Guards Polo Club welcomes its many friends from West Africa for the second edition of the Unity Cup

IMAGES: IMAGES OF POLO

Winston Churchill is famous for saying “a polo handicap is a passport to the world” and this popular quote was brought to life on the last Sunday in June at Smith’s Lawn. Guards Polo Club was delighted to welcome its many friends from Lagos Polo Club in Nigeria for the second edition of the Unity Cup. Played on the same day as the final of the Archie David Cup there was a wonderful atmosphere at Smith’s Lawn from early morning until late evening.

The Unity Cup action saw a Guards Polo Club team play a visiting Lagos Polo Club team on one of the Club’s top fields. The home side might have won the match 5–3½ but Lagos’s Mustapha Fasinro was named the Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile Guards Polo Club’s Tunde Karim received the Best Playing Pony prize for his impressive Millimetrica. Although both teams played their hearts out under a hot sun the day is so much more than just winning. It is about building relationships with other clubs around the world, like Lagos, who share our passion for polo. This second edition of the Unity Cup was another success for both Clubs and we look forward to welcoming our friends in Lagos back in 2026. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Guards Polo Club: Noor Khadra (1), Adebayo Karim (2), Tunde Karim (0), Estanislao Darritchon (3).

Lagos Polo Club: Dimeji Aluko (0), Mohammed Dangote (1), Timi Badiru (3), Mustapha Fasinro (1).

DOGS DO GOOD ON THE LAWN

TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher was the guest judge at the annual Smith’s Lawn Dog Show, raising funds and generating support for the Dogs For Good charity

IMAGES: ART OF POLO

Players, Members and friends of the Club brought their favourite canine companions to Smith’s Lawn last summer for the Club’s annual dog show. This is always a popular event for all ages and the 2025 event was no exception. The popular TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher made her debut appearance as show judge, grading each class alongside Sebastian Baker. Dogs large and small competed in a variety of classes on the La Martina Lawn. These included agility, best gun dog, best rescue/service dog, best trick and, of course, the highly prized best in show title. There was also the wonderful fancy-dress class which is always popular with our younger supporters.

show, which was again attended by representatives of the show’s official charity, Dogs For Good. The day raised more than £1,000 for this charity which brings people and dogs together to make life changing partnerships. The charity also works with communities, partnering with specialist services such as mental health, dementia support or social care for adults with learning disabilities.

There was a real buzz on the Lawn throughout the

A big thank you to all the companies that supported this day too. This includes Ivy and Duke, creators of the wonderful Best In Show dog bed, the Ascot branch of Pets Corner, Podium Pet Products, La Martina, Lauren Hawkins Design and Wentworth Pet Supplies. Such sponsorship enabled us to create another memorable day at Smith’s Lawn. u

SMITH’S LAWN DOG SHOW RESULTS

The winners of the 2025 Smith’s Lawn Dog Show were:

Best In Show

Beth Pyzer with Tilly

Agility

David Ralley-Davis with Ace

Gun Dog

Sue Harvey with Kiki

Best Rescue/Best Service Dog

Zoe Buteman and Shiela

Best Trick

Mark Dutz and Pudding

Fancy-Dress

Wizard of Oz Group – Emilia Straver with Lily, Darcie and Betty

SUPER LEAGUE FINAL MAKES WELCOME RETURN

KBIS 4-Goal Championship concludes at Smith’s Lawn after thrilling regional stages across the UK

Windrush confirmed their dominance in the KBIS 4-Goal Super League Championship by winning this coveted Championship at Smith’s Lawn in 2025. This impressive team, winners of the Central region, maintained their unbeaten status to defeat Canonbury 11–5 in the final.

Harry Earnshaw’s Windrush team put the work in during the first two chukkas, heading into the half-time with a strong, 8–1 advantage. Every member of the team scored in the first chukka and Michael Henderson scored a hat-trick in the second. Siblings Celestino and Florencio Merlos were equally impressive. The 12-year-old Florencio was later rewarded with the Most Valuable Player prize at the post-match presentations.

Canonbury battled back in the second half, with some impressive play from Harold Hodges. This included an impressive, angled shot to goal, but Windrush’s supremacy was never threatened.

The KBIS Best Playing Pony went to Florencio

Merlos who had been playing Michael Henderson’s home-bred Espuelita in this final. The Retraining of Racehorses pony prize, sponsored by Emerson & Watson, went to Harold Hodges’ Kissed By Ice.

The Championship is a national tournament, organised by the Hurlingham Polo Association and was returning to the Club for the second time. The format, which attracted some 30 teams in 2025, was run on a regional league structure with four zones organised geographically. Three clubs hosted tournaments in each zone and points were awarded to teams based on their results. The winning team from each zone then qualified for the knockout semi-finals, which were also played here at Guards Polo Club. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Windrush: Harry Earnshaw (0), Florencio Merlos (-1), Celestino Merlos (1), Michael Henderson (4).

Canonbury: Judith Feuchtwanger (-1), Roger McElroy (0), Stevie McCraith (2), Harold Hodges (3).

LOTHAR VIGELANDZOON

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.

YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN SHOW THEIR STRENGTH

Guards Polo Club hosts an additional International test match in 2025, featuring the Young England Women

AYoung South Africa Women’s team, who received two goals on handicap, won a competitive test match here at Guards Polo Club in August 2025. They beat the higher handicapped Young England Women’s team 6–4 across four chukkas.

South Africa was impressive in the first half of this match, scoring two field goals to only one in reply from England, which came off the stick of Isabel Fall. Charlotte Spilsbury was the goalscorer for South Africa.

The home side, who had been coached by Glen Gilmore, got themselves back in contention in the second half and closed the gap to 6–3 after the third chukka. A melee in South Africa’s goalmouth in the

final minutes of the match resulted in another goal for England. However time was against the home side, ensuring South Africa received the trophy from HPA steward and player Aurora Eastwood. There were two pony prizes. The Best Playing Pony award went to Englands Isabel Fall for Milanesa. The Retraining of Racehorses prize went to Maggies Gem, who was played by Jemima Walker. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Young South Africa: Charlotte Armstrong (3); Lucy Brooke Leggatt (3); Charlie Spilsbury (4); Alice Eustace (2).

Young England: Alice Gregory (3); Isabel Fall (3); Jemima Walker (4); Beanie Bradley (4).

Power of Polo, the charity which uses polo as a sport for change, celebrated another year of growth and success in 2025 with its annual Change Your Line Cup at Smith’s Lawn in late June.

This wonderful day was again generously sponsored by Out-Sourcing Inc, who also support the Royal Windsor Cup and HRH

The Prince of Wales’s Royal Charity Polo Day here at Guards Polo Club.

The Change Your Line Cup tournament brought together both young people and military veterans who are facing adversity in their lives. The aim of the day was to celebrate achievements and showcase the impact of Power of Polo, which is now a Hurlingham Polo Association-affiliated organisation.

Some 15 participants from Power of Polo partner charities South Central Youth, Alabaré

and Ebony Horse Club were joined by Power of Polo youth leaders. Extra sparkle was added in the shape of professional player Timi Badiru, who joined the players on the field.

Six mixed teams played three chukkas, cheered on by a host of spectators made up of friends, family, charity supporters and key people from the polo world. Everyone watching was impressed by the standard shown by the players, many of whom had completed just one course prior to playing at the world-class Guards Polo Club!

Power of Polo’s long-term partner Cool Hooves Polo provided some wonderful ponies as well as the umpires to ensure a safe, fair game. The final score in the Change Your Line Cup match saw the teams tied at 3-all. Australian polo legend Glen Gilmore presented the prizes. This included Most Valuable Player awards to Kaira and Isaiah from South Central Youth and

Renee from Ebony Horse Club.

“When I started playing three years ago with Power of Polo, I was really underconfident,” said South Central Youth participant and MVP Kaira. “The [charity’s] camps have increased my confidence so much and I’m learning to believe in myself and know that I have the capability to succeed. Forming a bond with horses has taught me how to make better bonds with people and the importance of connections in life; my life at home has improved because of it.”

Nineteen-year-old Brendan had never ridden before he attended Power of Polo’s April 2025 course with charity partner Alabaré. “Being involved with Power of Polo has been insanely fun and truly lifechanging. Getting out there, getting on a horse and learning to play has made me realise there’s still a spark in me that I didn’t think I had anymore. It’s made me see that I still have time to be more than I thought I could be. Being here today at Guards Polo Club…I don’t have any words! The clapping, people cheering, celebrating, walking round the Club; it’s been nothing short of absolutely fantastic.”

“GETTING OUT THERE, ON A HORSE AND LEARNING TO PLAY HAS MADE ME REALISE THERE’S STILL A SPARK IN ME THAT I DIDN’T THINK I HAD ANYMORE” Brendan, 19

charity was delighted to welcome Dolph Westerbos, CEO of Out-Sourcing International to this event. “I’ve met and talked with many of the participants involved in today’s tournament, from young people from very disadvantaged backgrounds to military veterans; seeing their smiles and getting their energy has been really impactful,” said Dolph. “Their stories are very powerful, and it’s made me realise that polo can be much more than people think it can be. Not only can it provide people with a complete change of environment, but it teaches them to connect with and take care of animals, connect with other people, connect with the outdoors and nature and build emotional trust. All that is way broader than just the sport of polo. I feel very grateful that we are a small part of what Power of Polo does.”

“This is an exciting time for us,” commented Power of Polo Founder Katy Hayward. “Our new HPA-affiliation recognises the importance of what we do. Now we want to go further, working with more charity and polo partners and helping more people from different backgrounds to change their lives through polo.”

Power of Polo is lucky to have such a supportive sponsor in Out-Sourcing Inc. and the

To find out more about the work of Power of Polo go to www.powerofpolo.org.uk/ u

Celebrating success: players alongside the wider Power of Polo team, trustees and supporters and representatives from Out-Sourcing Inc and Guards Polo Club. Below: Players from different Power of Polo partner charities come together to play.

Glen Gilmore with the day's MVPS Renee and Kaira and (below) Isaiah.

SEEN ON THE LAWN

Incredible sport partnered perfectly with fabulous guests and plenty of horsepower to create a standout 70th anniversary year. Our brilliant cohort of talented photographers captured every moment from April through to September, evoking memories on these pages of some wonderful days at Smith’s Lawn, Flemish Farm and Coworth Park.

So thank you to Art of Polo, Marcos Cerdeira, Sam Churchill, Alice Gipps, Images of Polo, Tom Jens, Pablo & Paddy Ramirez, Santiago Young

O’Dwyer; David Emmanuel and Paul Knights; Col Simon Ledger; Libby Manton and Col Stuart Cowen; Julie Hennessy of Look Good Feel Better with Simon, Romilla and Yolanda Arber.

Clockwise from left: Platina Tong with Elodie Avarguez; Tissy Sievewright and Leonora Smee; Olympia Paus and Clive Reid; David and Reelika Matsumoto and family; Sean, Mary and Michael

Clockwise from top left: Catharina Hillenbrand von der Neyen with June Howell Jones; Jock Green-Armytage and Michael O’Dwyer; Charlie and Yonna Hanbury; former Club photographer Mike Roberts; SSAFA in the Clubhouse; Tunde Karim and family; Austin Mutti-Mewse of Truefitt & Hill with Pam Manku; Philipp and Jacqueline Mueller.

Sheikh and family; John Cookson; Poroto Cambiaso with tennis star Victoria Azarenka; Genevive, Suzie and Saskia Meadows; The Clubhouse Head Chef Sam Seedhouse; Jamie Hayward.

Clockwise from top left: Kola and Adebayo Karim; Jaisal Singh and his Clubhouse guests; Katie Baines of Power of Polo with the HPA's Anna Hall; Native Americans at Smith's Lawn; Mark Emerson; Sapna

Richard Piller with Freddie Huxtable; Canon Martin and Diana Poll with Platina Tong; Harry Wilson and family; Jane Broadbent and Susan Smith; Zara Tindall presents a driving rosette on Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup Finals Day.

Clockwise from top left: The late Dame Jilly Cooper with Edward Horswell; Sarah Newman and Julia Porter; Park Place groom in the Queen’s Cup pony lines; our Best Dressed winner on ladies’ day, Jas Ewbank;

SEEN ON THE LAWN

Clockwise from below: Jamie Morrison with Renata Sanfilippo; Karen and Lachlan Gilmore; John Collins;

Chris Lee and Klaudia Stadnik; Louise Richardson and Becky Simpson from La Martina; Adrian Simonetti, President of La

Martina; Hilario Ulloa and family; Tara Bown and Sarah Fox; Allison Barrie.

SEEN ON THE LAWN

Clockwise from right: Gaston Laulhe with Mariana Plaza, the Argentine Ambassador to the UK; Nick Rosendale from Events Through A Lens with Christian Brooks; Hon Eleanor Wellesley with a guest at the final of the Duke

of Wellington Trophy; Jeremy Pemberton with Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz; having a laugh in the pony lines; Vanessa Cummings; Jasper and Meriel Garnham; Alastair Storey, Alice Collins; Col Tom Armitage.

Clockwise from top left: Jousters from the Knights of Middle England on The Queen’s Ground; a carriage driver on the Lawn; Park Place's Ash Price; the Hook Norton Brewery

Shire Horses enjoying a sip of beer; Holly Smith in the La Martina Store; HH The Maharaja of Jaipur with Dara Williams; Jane Hebditch; Ulysses Hu with Darren Bell of Harrow School.

SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP

at GUARDS POLO CLUB

Benefits of Social Membership

Experience the drama and passion of more than 600 polo fixtures each season

Enjoy outstanding Clubhouse dining with menus created by Searcys

Watch games from Members’ only grandstands, delivering the perfect view of polo

Enjoy priority booking for Fieldside Parking on the Club’s top polo finals

Sample new experiences thanks to our exclusive calendar of social events

Keep up-to-date with regular newsletters and enjoy our annual Club publications

Gain privileged access to some of the world’s top clubs through our reciprocal scheme

Social Membership of Guards Polo Club is all about enjoying polo in a relaxed and inspiring setting, surrounded by family and friends. Please visit our website

MEMBERSHIP PRICES 2026

Single Club Membership

Joint Club Membership

Junior Membership

Junior Membership (Single

GRemembering friends, colleagues and Members

TRIBUTES COLONEL PAUL BELCHER

October 1945 - May 2025

uards Polo Club had to say farewell to two of its former Chairmen in 2025. The Club was saddened to learn of the death of Colonel Paul Belcher, who was Chairman of Guards Polo Club from 2002 until 2011. Seven months later the Club’s previous Chairman, David Walton Masters, the first non-military holder of this title (2000 – 2002), died suddenly while travelling in India. A tribute to David is published on page 106 of this Yearbook.

Colonel Paul Belcher might not have been a polo player but he was a popular Chairman with the Members for almost a decade. A recently retired Colonel in the Welsh Guards, after 40 years’ service, Paul was offered the premier role at the Club thanks to his military experience which enabled him to deal with people successfully.

The Colonel’s introduction to Guards Polo Club had actually started three years earlier. As Chief of Staff London District, Paul was invited to join the Club’s committee, representing the Household Division. “I think this must have been about the time when the military sensed that the writing was on the

THE COLONEL HAD A WONDERFUL ABILITY TO PUT PEOPLE AT THEIR EASE – BE THEY ROYAL BOX VIP GUESTS OR A NEW, JUNIOR MEMBER OF STAFF

wall and that civilian management of the Club beckoned,” he recalled when speaking to JNP Watson, who was compiling a history of the Club for its 50th birthday.

Paul never hid his varied equestrian experience, which ranged from some free hunting with the West Shropshire Hunt in exchange for organising the hunt balls to riding aa Commandant of the Royal Tournament in Earls Court. However he felt his unorthodox introduction to Guards Polo Club brought a fresh pair of eyes to the Club.

The Club had become a civilian organisation in 2000 and Paul took the helm two years later, overseeing several momentous moments in the Club’s remarkable history. This included the 50th birthday celebrations in 2005. The highlight of this particular year was a ball at

Windsor Castle attended by HM Queen Elizabeth ll and the Club’s President, HRH Prince Philip.

Paul also wanted to celebrate such an occasion with a statue. The Board agreed and after some discussions with Playing Member Edward Horswell, owner of the Sladmore Gallery, the Board commissioned sculptor Lorne McKean to create a half life-size version of the sculpture that she had created of Prince Philip, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth ll, to celebrate this royal couple’s Silver Wedding Anniversary. This wonderful statue was unveiled by Her Majesty in front of the Members at a special event in 2005 and today stands proudly in front of the Clubhouse.

The Chairman was also delighted to welcome

Top: Col Paul Belcher with his wife Sanda at the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge at Desert Palm.

Above: Col Paul Belcher in the Clubhouse.

Her Majesty to Smith’s Lawn in 2009 to open the new Clubhouse, the refurbished Royal Box and the newly created La Martina Store. The official opening was a huge success and it is in part thanks to Paul’s quiet determination that this project was completed. He understood what the Club meant to the Members, including our many Social Members, and ensured the new Clubhouse would be fit for purpose.

Another key achievement during Paul’s Chairmanship was the start of the building of the new grounds at Flemish Farm – the Castle and Cavalry Grounds. As Paul said in an interview in TenGoal magazine in 2007: “Polo is a growing sport and standards are high and continually rising. The polo community takes no prisoners and we strive at Smith’s Lawn to improve and invest.”

It was also Paul Belcher who had to steer from the front during one of the Club’s darkest periods. The Club’s Chief Executive, Charlie Stisted, was killed in a helicopter crash in 2010 alongside Playing Member Ian Wooldridge and the pilot, Anthony Smith. Paul’s immediate

thoughts were with the staff, many of whom had worked closely with Charlie for many years. So he organised an informal meeting of all the team – office and ground staff – on the Monday morning immediately after the accident. He understood how important it was that the staff had the opportunity to come together at such a difficult time.

The Colonel had a wonderful ability to put people at their ease – be they Royal Box VIP guests or a new, junior member of staff. He might not have been a player but he loved Guards Polo Club and all that it represented. As Jock Green Armytage, who succeeded Paul as Chairman in 2012 said when taking up the reins: “Paul will be a hard act to follow as his wise counsel has always been much valued by me, my fellow Board members and the staff at Smith’s Lawn.”

Paul’s wife Sanda died just five months after Paul, but they are survived by their children, William, George, Sam and Cara and their 12 adored grandchildren. u

Diana Butler

HM Queen Elizabeth ll unveils a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new Clubhouse.

Below: Col Paul Belcher accompanies HM Queen Elizabeth ll at the official opening of the Clubhouse in 2009. Below right: Col Paul Belcher with the Club's President HRH Prince Philip at a President's Draw event. Bottom right: HM Queen Elizabeth ll and Col Paul Belcher with the recently commissioned statue of HRH Prince Philip playing polo by Lorne McKean.

DAVID RALPH WALTON MASTERS

September 1943 – October 2025

David Walton Masters successfully combined a brilliant career in the City with a passion for polo that saw him achieve an impressive three-goal handicap. His acumen and capability in both worlds made him the perfect choice to be the Club’s first nonmilitary chairman in its first years as a civilian Club. David’s success in those early years built the foundations that ensure that the Club remains at the forefront of the sport to this day.

David joined Guards Polo Club as a Playing Member in 1979, competing with his own, lowgoal polo team, Wilkinson Sword. He could also be found in the team lists with Antony Crichton Brown’s Nutcrackers team. This competitive, amateur player also appeared in several medium-goal team line-ups. In addition, David was a key figure in the creation of the Lloyds v Stock Exchange matches, which were played at Guards Polo Club, with David captaining the Stock Exchange team.

In David’s first year as a Playing Member of the Club he also joined the General Committee. Three years later he was invited to join the Executive Committee and was then appointed Vice Chairman from 1994 – 96. He became the Club’s Chairman in 2000. This was a key appointment as it was the first season that Guards Polo Club was not run as a military club under the aegis of The Household Division.

DAVID'S ACUMEN AND CAPABILITY IN BOTH WORLDS MADE HIM THE PERFECT CHOICE TO BE THE CLUB’S FIRST NON-MILITARY CHAIRMAN IN ITS FIRST YEARS AS A CIVILIAN CLUB

If that change was not daunting enough, David also had to successfully steer the Club through the Foot & Mouth outbreak of 2001. Although horses are not affected by the disease deer are and the Crown Estate closed Windsor Great Park for the entire polo season. David grabbed the positives from this unfortunate situation and persuaded the Board to take a brave step and take out an overdraft to level and improve the Club’s number one and two polo fields. On reopening in April 2002 these topquality fields were renamed The Queen’s and Duke’s Grounds respectively.

David was also hugely involved in student and university polo. He was instrumental in founding the Schools’ Polo Association alongside Commander Andrew Wynn, the bursar at Eton College. The annual schools test between Eton and Harrow, the result of a challenge laid down by David’s son Cameron when studying at Eton, is still played at Guards Polo Club to this day. The winning team receive the Jenny Walton Masters Trophy, donated by the Walton Masters family and named after David’s late wife.

So there was little surprise when Cameron moved to Oxford University to study that David turned his attention to university polo. In fact, at the time of his death David had only recently retired as President of the Oxford University Polo Club, a role he had held for 25 years. As the OUPC posted as part of its tribute to him: “A true pillar of strength, wisdom and generosity. His unwavering support, kindness and passion for both the sport and our members have left an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten.”

Away from polo David held several key roles in the City. He was Chairman at HCM Asset Management Ltd, was on the Board at Consolidated Asset Management (Holdings) Plc, Asprey International Ltd and Perenco International Ltd, the company founded by high-goal polo patron Hubert Perrodo. Other roles included Deputy Chair of Laura Ashley as well as a seat on the Main Board. For some time in the 1990s David was regularly taking the “red eye” to Hong Kong as part of his work as a Managing Director of Morning Star Investment Management Ltd, always arriving in Asia in time for his morning meetings!

Travel was also another great passion of David’s and he and Jenny had travelled across the world. Although Jenny always knew that a trip to South America would always involve polo in some form or other! David was travelling in India when he unexpectedly collapsed and died in October 2025.

Sadly Jenny and their beloved daughter Romilly predeceased him. However, David is survived by his son Cameron, who also reached a three-goal polo handicap at the height of his polo-playing career, and Cameron’s son Jerome. u Diana Butler

Top: David Walton Masters (far right) with Christian Heppe the founder of Hildon and HRH Prince Philip at the official reopening of the Royal Box in 2002. Above: David with his wife Jenny.

CAPTAIN ELIZABETH HELEN GODWIN

7 February 1997 – 5 September 2025

Capt Lizzie Godwin was a talented and trail-blazing young Guards officer who was just beginning her polo at Guards Polo Club. She was much loved by all in the military polo community and will be sorely missed.

Colonel Tom Armitage

When Princess Charlotte looked out of the Australian State Coach at her grandfather’s coronation, she saw 100s of men in military pomp around Buckingham Palace. There was also, she noticed, a woman, saluting on horseback. Excited, she tried to catch her eye, smiling and waving frantically through the window.

Goosebumps erupted all along Captain Lizzie Godwin’s outstretched arm as she fought to keep a straight face. “I looked over at Charlotte as she went through the archway,” Godwin told Tatler. “What a magical moment that was.”

Godwin had spent months preparing a detachment of 30 troopers from the Household Cavalry for their mounted Sovereign’s Escort down The Mall. Her troops had perfected the parade formation around St James’s and Westminster although she had not factored in the possibility of an excited eight-year-old princess breaking their concentration.

Charlotte would probably have been even more pleased if she had known who Godwin was. She had been awarded the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2020, marked out by the commandant as the best cadet on the course. Soon after she became the first woman to be commissioned in The Life Guards, the Army’s most senior regiment. Female officers had only been allowed to apply for the position a few years prior (thanks largely to petitioning by David Cameron).

Godwin led a troop of 30 cavalrymen and was widely respected around the Hyde Park Barracks. The Life Guards’ annual dinner for serving and retired officers had long been held at White’s, the gentlemen’s club in St James’s, but her arrival posed a dilemma because, apart from the Queen, female guests were not permitted in the club. To welcome Godwin to the regiment properly, they instead decamped to the Cavalry and Guards Club on Piccadilly, where she held her own and, perhaps inevitably,

“YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CONFIDENT FRONT BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, NOBODY ELSE WILL.”

Captain Lizzie Godwin

became the centre of attention.

Elizabeth Helen Godwin was born in 1997 and grew up mostly in Devon. She began her education at Elm Grove Primary School in Topsham, near the Exe estuary, before she joined the independent Exeter School in 2004.

Godwin was always aware of the privilege her private education afforded her: “My mum worked very hard. I feel incredibly thankful to her, she believed in me and I owe her so much,” she told the school’s alumni magazine. “There are a lot of people in this world who don’t have this leg-up: if you don’t use it to build a life you enjoy, then it’s surely a waste.”

In Exeter she developed a keen interest in sport and, encouraged by her mother, Susan, joined the Combined Cadet Force — her maternal grandfather had been in the Army and served in Egypt, Gibraltar and India. She won a sports scholarship to Trent College in Nottingham for sixth form and moved north. In 2013, Godwin was awarded an army scholarship, clearing her for entry to Sandhurst after her undergraduate degree. However, she was forced to reassess her plan to study medicine when she narrowly missed out

Capt Lizzie Godwin with Julie Hennessy from the Look Good Feel Better charity at the Guards Ladies Charity Polo Day.

on an A in A-level chemistry. She opted instead for the nursing course at King’s College London, during which she worked shifts at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She found nursing draining, particularly in a dense urban environment, but later credited her resilience and leadership skills to her NHS experience.

She also joined the university’s Officer Training Corps, attending weekly training sessions and Army exercises. It was her “backbone” while she balanced full-time education with gruelling night shifts, she said, and the experience encouraged her to pursue a full-time career in the armed forces.

At Sandhurst she excelled. As well as her personal award, her platoon was commended with the Sovereign’s Banner, marking it as the best-performing group. Only recently had platoons been mixed (she was with three other women and 28 men) and Godwin benefited from the change in policy: “We tackle problems differently, the way we prioritise issues and formulate solutions,” she said.

After passing out Godwin was so delighted about being accepted into The Life Guards that, when she found out, she simply crouched down on the parade square, alone, overwhelmed by the news. The appointment made her the first female officer in The Life Guards since the regiment’s founding under the exiled Charles II in 1658 — they had to design a new uniform for her.

Her first posting was to the Household Cavalry Regiment in Bulford, Wiltshire, the operational unit specialising in armoured reconnaissance. She spent two years commanding vehicles across Dartmoor and leading her troop on training exercises in locations including Gibraltar.

In 2022, she was sent on a riding course at Windsor and afterwards transferred to the Mounted Regiment in London, taking on mainly ceremonial duties. She led her troop on their daily watering orders, exercising the horses each morning from 6am — they particularly enjoyed stopping outside coffee shops in Westbourne Grove and Chelsea Green for the riders to get some caffeine and their mounts to be fed carrots by the adoring café staff.

Despite the physically demanding schedule, Godwin’s passion for sport did not wane. She played hockey in the Army, rode the Cresta Run toboggan slope and represented the Household Cavalry in polo. She led a team to second place in the Cambrian Patrol competition — a 40-mile march through the Black Mountains with packs weighing more than 30kg — but wryly noted that she saw “Qatari Joint Special Forces marching past with suspiciously dry kit” after the reservoir swimming section.

She was also a trustee of The Life Guards Association, a charity supporting former members and their dependants, and would often be the one tasked with organising formal dinners in the officers’ mess. In 2023, she was put in charge of Operation Studio 54: the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s sometimes riotous end-of-summer party.

Godwin’s skill in the saddle, learnt in Exeter but mastered on the polo ground, led to her being chosen to command the Musical Ride performance at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen in 2023. She led 33 horses and 47 soldiers in a cavalry drill set to music and in front of 40,000 spectators, including the Princess Royal. She was also deployed to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to lead equine ceremonial training teams.

During her time in London, she rode in the procession at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and led the Household Cavalry in the Remembrance Sunday parade. Others knew Godwin as a “tough and talented young officer doing her utmost to serve King and country”, said Lieutenant Colonel Tom Armitage.

Even after she was posted to Pirbright, Surrey, she continued to play polo with her Army colleagues. While driving back from the Guards Polo Club she suffered a fatal car crash. Her final task had been to train new recruits. “No matter what,’’ she told them, “you have to have a confident front because if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.” u

Republished with kind permission from The Times

SUNJAY KAPUR

A

TRIBUTE FROM HIS AUREUS TEAM-MATE MARK TOMLINSON

It was a great privilege to have been asked by Guards Polo Club to write an obituary for Sunjay Kapur, a man who was not only such an important part of my life but also a momentous influence on so many people all over the world. Sunjay died on 12 June 2025, playing in a Queen’s Cup match. He was playing on one of his favorite fields – The Duke’s Ground – and was doing what he loved.

Sunjay Kapur was born in 1971 in Michigan while his father Doctor Kapur was studying for a PHD at Michigan University. In fact, his father dedicated that PHD to his eldest son Sunjay. As a young boy Sunjay attended The Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai before being sent to complete his schooling at The Doon School, Dehradun, India. A school which later in life he was to join as a board member and a school where the first Headmaster was Arthur Foot, a science master from Eton College. Arthur believed passionately in the importance of social service and on the first Founder’s Day declared the following in his speech: “The boys should leave Doon School as members of an aristocracy, but it must be an aristocracy of service inspired by ideas of unselfishness, not one of privilege, wealth or position.”

storm, and then playing a high-goal polo match against one of his close friends Jaisal Singh. It is clear that he took living life to another level.

Through his business, his family and his polo Sunjay managed to touch so many people’s lives, people from all walks of life in all corners of the world; everyone will have their version of his legacy. The quality I most admired was the fact that, despite being so active and busy, Sunjay always had time for people. Not only did this incredible gentleman have time, but he managed to exude a warm humility that immediately made people feel comfortable in his presence.

SUNJAY ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR PEOPLE. NOT ONLY DID THIS INCREDIBLE GENTLEMAN HAVE TIME, BUT HE MANAGED TO EXUDE A WARM HUMILITY THAT IMMEDIATELY MADE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE IN HIS PRESENCE

While winning might not have been the be-all and end-all, Sunjay was still an incredibly determined man. The perseverance shown with the business he inherited from his father has been immense and clear for the world to see. Sunjay’s commitment to his family has been unwavering and he was always determined to create solid values and a core foundation upon which his four children can live a full life.

Perhaps Sunjay’s biggest and most notable accolade is how he pioneered the rise of Sona Comstar. As Chairman he created one of the world’s foremost mobility technology companies. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Gurugram, India, Sona Comstar is now a global leader in highly engineered automotive systems and components, with manufacturing and R&D operations spanning India, the USA, Serbia, Mexico, and China.

Aside from business, Sunjay’s leaves a simple legacy, a legacy all about how life is so precious and that we should live every day like it’s our last one. That is exactly how Sunjay lived his life and to think his last two to three hours in this life were spent travelling from Beaufort to Guards with his wife Priya, by helicopter in a

In our most recent polo season, during the Cartier Queen’s Cup we twice played one of the leading high goal teams, King Power –narrowly losing both times. The second time was in the quarter-finals, a game in which we were leading in the last chukka but so frustratingly lost in the final moments. Even then, when we were all gutted, Sunjay was immediately upbeat. A trilogy game awaited as we once again met King Power – this time in the Gold Cup at Cowdray Park, Aureus’s first high-goal game without Sunjay and it was certainly an emotional one. In a memorable win it merely emphasised how in life perseverance and determination are key to any triumph.

Sunjay, you are terribly missed, first and foremost you are missed as a husband and a father but also, I have lost one of my best friends. I pray that you and your spirit have found the peace that you deserve. u

Mark Tomlinson

NICHOLAS JOHN ARTHUR COLQUHOUNDENVERS

1949 – January 2026

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, who died in January 2026, was a cherished figure in the world of polo, both in the UK –he was a Member of Guards Polo Club for more than 40 years – and internationally and his loss will be felt by many across the global polo community. His passion for polo began in the late 1960s while serving in the Australian public service, where he first took up the sport. After moving to England, he joined the British Army and continued to play for the Army Polo Team.

Nicholas made an immense contribution to polo through leadership roles that shaped the sport’s development and governance. He was Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) from 2009-2012, President of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) from 2014-2018 and Chairman of Ham Polo Club for over 20 years. Nicholas remained actively involved with the HPA, serving on the Finance & Grants Committee and attending many HPA events, including presenting prizes on International Day and for the Stagshead Trophy.

“NICHOLAS WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY PLAYERS, COLLEAGUES, AND FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD”

Beyond his formal roles, Nicholas was known for his unwavering dedication, vision, and enthusiasm for the sport; his commitment both on and off the field encouraged polo’s growth at club, national, and international levels. He was also an avid collector of polo history and art, amassing a remarkable archive that reflected his lifelong love of the sport.

Outside polo, Nicholas had a distinguished professional career in international business, including leading the UK Division of the FAL Group. He was also married to his beloved wife, Annie, for 35 years until her passing in 2021.

The polo community, and especially the HPA, were incredibly fortunate to benefit from his stewardship, integrity, and passion. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in the sport he loved so much. We are grateful to have enjoyed so many memorable moments with him over the years and he will be deeply missed by players, colleagues, and friends around the world. u

A Celebration of Nicholas’s Life will be held at 2.30pm on Thursday 7 May at Guards Polo Club. Please contact enquiries@ hpa-polo.co.uk for further details or for your RSVP to be sent to the organisers. This tribute was first published by the Hurlingham Polo Association

January

Above left: Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers with the late Queen's horse Emma at Guards Polo Club. Above: With his beloved wife Annie in front of the Clubhouse.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Guards Polo Club’s Director of Polo, Antony Fanshawe, finds time during his pre-season prep list to reflect on last year’s epic season and what needs doing in 2026

IMAGES: IMAGES OF POLO, PABLO RAMIREZ, ART OF POLO

What were your highlights of the 2025 season?

“It has to be how the whole team kept working through the sheer number of games without pause and the amount of irrigation etc that such a dry summer demanded. People worked really long days to make it all happen. The result was that the Club looked beautiful, particularly on the big event days, and the fields played exceptionally well.

“A polo highlight for me has to be the Cartier Queens Cup final. Just the smile on the Park Place team’s faces. We all know how much it takes just to compete at this level and be a nearly victor. To actually win combines so many different alignments, it is a story in itself. I think the fact that no one team dominates really shows how brilliant the British season is.

And I have to say that seeing the passion that keeps Adolfo Cambiaso competing at the top level is a privilege to witness. . . the greatest sportsman of all time is a polo player!”

The Club played a record number of games in 2025. How do you account for such a shift in numbers?

“To put it simply great fields, consistent umpiring and transparent draws. Plus an acceptance of what the sport is and then communicating this through your actions.

Polo is a very expensive sport and no one wants to spend exceptionally if the Club infrastructure and its officials are sub-standard.

“Our upgrading of the polo fields and having a very clear, transparent system of organising tournaments – with no favours to anybody – is a hard path to maintain but is essential if you want people to hand over their hard-earned cash to play at your Club. Add to this our location and it speaks for itself. It has been a very hard road to raise the standards and now possibly even harder to maintain the discipline, but that is what we have to do.”

“FINDING THE BALANCE WILL VARY EACH YEAR, BUT IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO HAVE TOO MANY PLAYERS AND NOT ENOUGH FIELDS THAN THE OTHER WAY ROUND!”

High-goal action on The Castle Ground. Inset: Antony Fanshawe with the 2025 champion at the polo pony classes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Cesar Crespo and Sinfonia. Below: Repairing a goalpost mid match.

role in 2025. What a baptism of fire! Paul had a golf background, so had no real understanding of the priorities in polo field management, but he is not someone who needs showing twice. In addition he has a huge knowledge and understanding in turf management which we are benefitting from immensely.”

What are the Club’s plans for 2026 with regard to grounds/facilities?

“Our main aim is to double down and do what we do better. So better management of the fields, a bigger grounds workforce, newer irrigation machinery, more tractors and a bigger polo office so that we stay fresh and professional to all levels. People say we are a high-goal club but the Cartier Queen’s Cup is 50 games, the Indian Polo Challenge Shield is 40 games, the DMMI/Brexa Royal Windsor Cup is 50 games, so that is approximately 200 games of medium-goal polo and above. That leaves around 500 games of low-goal.

“IT IS TOTALLY LOST ON MOST PEOPLE JUST HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE EMPLOYED THROUGH POLO - FROM GROUNDSMEN TO GROOMS TO LORRY DRIVERS/ VETS/CAR RENTALS/HOUSE RENTALS/PHYSIOS ETC –ALL THE SUPPLIERS”

Our plan is to keep this as strong by giving our Players the best polo experience anywhere in the world at each level. We want our Playing Members to enjoy their polo and trust that we are doing our best to make sure that there are no off field shenanigans!”

How did the grounds stand up to the really dry spring and excessively wet autumn?

“I don’t want to tempt fate but warm wet weather is not a problem as every field has great drainage. Last year was exceptionally dry and this created a huge workload for the grounds crew.

Jobs such as keeping all the newly planted trees alive were a nightmare in reality but we did it and we learned a lot. We probably played too many games for our field capacity (752 games across nine fields), but we have also discovered that we can fertilise more effectively, reseed more often, irrigate more effectively and use the grounds team that we have more effectively. Not surprisingly some fields got quite tired – huge amounts of polo and dry weather are a bad combination!

Finding the right balance will vary each year, but it is always better to have too many players and not enough fields than the other way round!

“It is important to remember too that Paul Brown, our Head of Grounds, only took up this

What is top of your wish list for the Club and why?

“It would be great if the Government recognised that all hobbies are a form of willing taxation. With AI about to take away so many jobs, surely it is about time that hobbies could, somehow, be offset against tax, if that hobby is creating jobs?

It is totally lost on most people just how many individuals are employed through polo, from groundsmen to grooms to lorry drivers/vets/car rentals/house rentals/physios – all the suppliers.

“If the Hurlingham Polo Association could make the case alongside similar sports and hobbies it would encourage people to spend here in the UK.”

Last year in this column you said that the Club needed to build a proper machinery/ maintenance yard. Is that still on your wish list?

“Haha I am still waiting but apparently it is coming!”

The Club’s Head of Grounds Paul Brown.

How has the Club been able to move forward with its plans to use less diesel, water and electricity?

“Firstly it is incredible to go to the drainage outlets that flow back into the lakes and watch the water starting to come out after turning on the irrigation. The entire new field system is set up to catch as high a percentage of the irrigation water as possible (and filter it). It works really well and is something that we will keep a close eye on for improvements in the future.

“In addition, we are going through a process of modernising all our machinery with an eye on things like fuel efficiency. We are also looking at adding products to the fields that will help retain water.”

If you could do the grounds project again is there anything you would do differently?

“Start my job this year! Seriously though it is very difficult to remember just how different this Club was pre the grounds project. It was a nightmare to both run and to keep the teams happy. Now possibly it is a nightmare for reasons of success and a relentless amount of polo!

“One thing that I would definitely do differently is have a better understanding of turf before starting, so I am extremely grateful

“I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY GET THIS GREAT SPORT OF OURS AND ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. I DON’T CARE IF YOU ARE A GOAL JUDGE, GROOM, PLAYER, PATRON OR SOCIAL MEMBER. IF YOU LOVE THIS GAME THEN I SALUTE YOU”

to White Horse, Nick Hallam and Burrows Contractors for helping us get things right.”

What makes you most proud about being the Director of Polo at GPC?

“Being clear in my own mind about being very straight to all teams when they play here. It is extremely hard – I really understand now why the VAR guys are so often wrong! Of course I am super proud of all the crew who work at Guards Polo Club, especially Tara, Saskia, Paul and his amazing grounds team. It is their dedication and focus that makes it happen so respect to them all. And I love all the people who actually get this great sport of ours and are passionate about it. I don’t care if you are a goal judge, groom, player, patron or social member. If you love this game then I salute you.” u

Ponies wait to play in the Mountbatten Trophy match.

Above: A member of the grounds staff at work at Smith’s Lawn. Inset: High-goal action at Guards Polo Club in 2025.

The sculptures I create are first modelled by hand in wax or clay and then cast in bronze. Only one edition of each sculpture is made — making every piece truly unique. In addition to bronze, it is also possible to choose a different metal through the foundry.

These sculptures can be found in my studio and in galleries, where they are available for purchase. They are currently shown, among others, at Chez-Moi Ton Schulten Galerie International in Ootmarsum.

Bucking horse, Bronze, 37 cm (w) x 37 cm (h) SOLD

Horse in motion, Bronze, 37 cm (w) x 28 cm (h)

Rearing horse, Bronze, 37 cm (w) x 50 cm (h)

TEAMS & PATRONS 2026

BAJAJ Vishu Bajaj

BEL POLO Henry Lunn

BLACK BEARS Guy Schwarzenbach

BLENHEIM George Blandford

ALTAMIRA

BOOK VAULT Andy Cork

CADENCE Elodie Avarguez

CAMBRIDGE The Students

CARISBROOKE Jayne Rumsey

ACCESS BANK Access Bank

AFB Clive Reid

AINSLEY SADDLERY Andrew Dechet

ALTAMIRA Adriano Agosti

CHAMPLAIN POLO Noelle Quintin

CIBAO LA PAMPA Juan Pepa

CONOSCO IT Jeremy Pemberton

COOL HOOVES/ELEMENTAL Rafi Bruckner

COPI GROUP

Jesper Brunander

CORTIUM SPORT

Adrian Kirby

DELANEY Damian Duncan

DEWLISH POLO Aiden Christopherson

DUBAI Ali Albwardy

ELEVEN Kate Lindsay-Fynn

ELLERSTINA Jackson Lloyd Packer

EMLOR Spencer McCarthy

EMSWORTH POLO GROUNDS

Emanuel Arber

ESTANCIA LAMAR

Rayyan Al Ajaji

ETON COLLEGE The Parents

FIFTH CHUKKER Adamu Atta

GASTON Jean Paul Luksic

GREAT OAKS Dillon Bacon

GREEN GATES Noor Khadra

HARROW The Parents

ELEVEN POLO TEAM

IC POLO

David Awuah-Darko

JEHANGIRI POLO TEAM Muhammad Anas Zia Jehangiri

JEHANGIRI POLO TEAM Muhammad Saad Zia Jehangiri

JINDAL PANTHER Venkatesh Jindal

HARUM SCARUM Jonathan & Melanie Hare HK POLO Iyad Omari HOME FARM Oliver Heard

HONESTY AT TALLY HO

Yolanda Arber

J

POLO Julian Leake

KILNWOOD PARK Thilo Sautter

KUSNACHT PRACTICE Eduardo Greghi

LA MAGDELEINE Alexandre Garese

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY The Officers

HPE Ulysses Hu

H2H Nastazja Mokrzycka

HOUSE OF WOULFE Brian Woulfe

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY POLO TEAM

Natella

M POLO Max Singhoff

MAD DOGS Alan Fall

ST JEAN William Berry

SHORELINE Kola & Tunde Karim

SIGNET POLO TEAM Gleb Fetisov

SLADMORE Edward Horswell

MAIDABINO POLO Mo & Dikko Ladan

MEI KWEI LU Rachel Bartels

MONO POLO Derek & Hamish MacLennan

MONTEROSSO Alessandro Bazzoni

MEI KWEI LU

PINK POWER

PINK POWER Nick Beitner

PORTO RONCO Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz

QUIANTO CAPITAL Enrico Meneghetti

QUIXOTE Olympia Paus

OJO CALIENTE Ana Escobedo

OXFORD UNIVERSITY The Students

PARK PLACE Andrey Borodin

PENAM BESPOKE Nicola Anderson

SLOANE POLO TEAM Eskandar Fouladi

SQUIRE’S FARM Alex Brodie

STABLE COTTAGE Major Jamie Hayward

STANDING ROCK Philipp Mueller

SUJAN INDIAN TIGERS Jaisal Singh

TCHOGAN Heiko & Max Voelker

TEMPEST Gustav Rausing

TEX8N POLO Mindi Byrne

THE MIRROR Sarkis Gabrelian

THE WALL DESIGN Octavio Pinto

UAE POLO TEAM HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed Al Maktoum

UBUNTU Flavio Porciani

VERRE ANGLAIS Major Peter Hunter

VIKINGS Siri Evjemo-Nysveen

Atticus Sadler

Rajendra Jain

CRANE Alexie & Jasmine Calvert-Ansari

THE MIRROR Polo Team

10-GOAL HANDICAP

Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr

Camilo Castagnola

Polito Pieres

9-GOAL HANDICAP

Adolfo Cambiaso Snr

Bartolome Castagnola Jnr

Fran Elizalde

Pablo MacDonough

Juan Martin Nero

Tomas Panelo

Facundo Pieres

Hilario Ulloa

8-GOAL HANDICAP

Alfredo Cappella

Diego Cavanagh

Benjamin Panelo

Nicolas Pieres

Facundo Sola

David Stirling

7-GOAL HANDICAP

Rufino Bensadon

Gonzalo Ferrari

Teodoro Lacau

Gonzalo Pieres

Isidro Strada

Ignacio Toccalino

Rosendo Torreguitar

Carlos Ulloa

6-GOAL HANDICAP

Max Charlton

John Paul Clarkin

Cesar Crespo

Felix Esain

Ricardo Garros

Javier Guerrero

James Harper

Louis Hine

Chris Mackenzie

Juan Cruz Merlos

Rufino Merlos

Ignacio Negri

Matt Perry

Simon Prado

5-GOAL HANDICAP

Jose Araya

Ed Banner-Eve

James Beim

Oliver Cudmore

Santiago de Estrada

Will Emerson

PLAYERS’ HANDICAPS 2026

The full list of the Club’s players for the 2026 are featured below. Handicaps range from 10 goals to -1 and include our amateur, professional, military and lady players

Will Harper

Pedro Harrison

Ned Hine

Santiago Irastorza

Patrick O’Dwyer

Nicolas Roberts

Tommy Severn

Hugo Taylor

Mark Tomlinson

4-GOAL HANDICAP

Hissam Ali Hyder

Matias Amaya

Santiago Ayara

Federico Boudou

Tom Brodie

Segundo Darritchon

Tomas Garbarini

Lachlan Gilmore

Nacho Gonzalez

Kian Hall

Sebastian Hancock

Jack Hyde

George Meyrick

Ryan Pemble

Tomas Ruiz Guinazu

Felix Toccalino

3-GOAL HANDICAP

HH Maharaja Sawai

Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur

Ross Ainsley

David Ashby

Andrew Blake-Thomas

Henry Brett

Mia Cambiaso

Adolfo Casabal

Nina Clarkin

Marcus Cork

Estanislao Darritchon

Justo de Carril

Niall Donnelly

James Emlyn

Jonny Good

Charlie Hanbury

Josh Hyde

Eugenio Imaz

Oscar Mancini

James Mann

Edward Morris-Lowe

Harry Muddle

Pierandrea Mueller

Daniel Otamendi

Abhimanyu Pathak

Evan Power

Nicolas San Roman

Peter Webb

Roddy Williams

2-GOAL HANDICAP

Rashid Albwardy

Hamid Ali

Adamu Atta

Toby Bradshaw

Rafi Bruckner

Joshua Clover

Mariano Darritchon

Sebastian Dawnay

Will Drewitt

Mark Emerson

Antony Fanshawe

Oliver Fanshawe

Pedro Ferrero

Louis Heard

Milly Hine

Adebayo Karim

Catalina Lavinia

Nicolas Leal

Juan Leiva

Milo MacDonough

James McCarthy

Benjamin Mancini

William Millard

Hernan Muzzio

Temur Nadeem

Luca Natella

Juan Pepa

Manuel Perez Altuna

Misha Rodzianko

Guy Schwarzenbach

Phil Seller

Howard Smith

Max Sponer

Fred Thame

Capt Jamie Thomas

Rufus Uloth

Max Voelker

1-GOAL HANDICAP

HRH The Prince of Wales

HM Al-Sultan

Abdullah Ibni

Logan Anderson

Emanuel Arber

Vishwarupe Bajaj

Jonty Barlow

Alessandro Bazzoni

Myla Cambiaso

George Copcutt

Sayyu Dantata

Andrew Dechet

Oliver Drewitt

Major Jamie

Drummond Moray

Ramzy El-Ashkar

Rashid El-Ashkar

Captain Hector Fair

Archie Heseltine

Nicholas Hiller

Edward Horswell

Noor Khadra

Riley Leake

Henry Lunn

Hamish MacLennan

Mack McCaffery

Spencer McCarthy

Alexander Nix

Col Michael O’Dwyer

Ramon Pepa

Gustav Rausing

Thilo Sautter

David Sievwright

Rhett Wooldridge

O-GOAL HANDICAP

HRH Prince Rashid

El Hassan

HH Sheikha Maitha

bint Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum

Adriano Agosti

Sebastien Aguettant

Rayyan Al Ajaji

Tariq Albwardy

Khalid Alomran

Nicola Anderson

Yolanda Arber

Elodie Avarguez

David Awuah-Darko

Rachael Bartels

Nick Beitner

William Berry

George Blandford

Andrey Borodin

Alex Brodie

Chris Bruckner

Jesper Brunander

Mindi Byrne

Alexie Calvert-Ansari

Jasmine CalvertAnsari

Aidan Christofferson

Andy Cork

Damian Duncan

Ana Escobedo

Siri Evjemo-Nysveen

Alan Fall

Gleb Fetisov

Sarkis Gabrelian

Alexander Garese

Lidia Gauss

Jock Green-Armytage

Eduardo Greghi

Jonathan Hare

Alex Hiller

Ulysses Hu

2Lt Benjamin

Humphries

Raj Jain

Muhammad Anas

Zia Jehangiri

Kola Karim

Tunde Karim

Dikko Ladan

Mo Ladan

Julian Leake

Major The Lord Manton

Enrico Meneghetti

Philipp Mueller

Elan Odogwu

Iyad Omari

Olympia Paus

Jeremy Pemberton

Flavio Porciani

Noelle Quintin

Jayne Rumsey

Atticus Sadler

Leander Sautter

Jaisal Singh

Maximilian Singhoff

Seyi Tinubu

Marcos Vivian

Heiko Voelker

Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz

-1-GOAL HANDICAP

Colonel Tom Armitage

Eskandar Fouladi

Melanie Hare

Major Jamie Hayward

Muhammed Saad Zia

Jehangiri

SCpl Anthony Kitchen

Capt George Lane Fox

Kate Lindsay-Fynn

Brigadier Henry

Llewellyn-Usher

Jackson Lloyd Packer

Emma Meneghetti

Victoria Meneghetti

Nastazja Mokrzycka

Clive Reid

Walter Sorinao

Capt Thomas

Windsor-Clive

Brian Woulf

Mary Bust “Pieta” by Michaelangelo GOLD 24 KARAT

PLAYERS GALLERY

Players found plenty of polo at Smith’s Lawn, Flemish Farm, Coworth Park and our Patrons’ private grounds in 2025. In fact, the Club hosted a record-breaking 759 games in all weathers. On the following pages we have curated a snapshot of this remarkable season, featuring players of all ages and all handicaps

Romilla Arber playing for Guards Polo Club on Guards Ladies Charity Polo Day.

IMAGES BY ALICE GIPPS, ART OF POLO, IMAGES OF POLO, MARCOS CERDEIRA, PABLO & PADDY RAMIREZ, SAM CHURCHILL, SANTIAGO YOUNG

PLAYERS GALLERY

Clockwise from above: Alex Hiller; Diego Cavanagh; Dino Dhankhar; Lt Col Sean O'Dwyer with Howard Smith and Tim Bown; Archie and Sarah Heseltine; Vishwarupe Bajaj and Iyad Omari; Nicolas Pieres; Alfredo Capella, Ana Escobedo and Facundo Sola; Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha; Hilario Ulloa; Ned Hine; Abi Anderson; Victoria Meneghetti.

Clockwise from left: Lord Rothermere; George and Camilla Blandford; Enrico Meneghetti and Petra Hofer; Juan Martin Zubia and Jaisal Singh; Thilo Sautter with Jonathan Hare; Antony Fanshawe with Santiago Araya and Pepe Araya; Tariq Albwardy and General Sir Redmond Watt; Hugh and Mindi Byrne; Rachael Bartels with Lt Col Sean O'Dwyer.

Clockwise from top left: Antony Fanshawe with Gaston Laulhe; Jesper Brunander with the Club's Chairman; Lt Col Sean O'Dwyer with Eduardo Greghi; Arsalan Karim; Kate Lindsay-Fynn; Sarkis Gabrelian with Nico Roberts; Hilali Noordeen; Pancho Marin Moreno, Amr Zedan and Rudolfo Ducos; Vere Harmsworth; Major Jamie Hayward with Major General James Bowder; Ollie and Posy Cudmore with the Coronation Cup.

Above: Lord Manton.

Right: Emlor: Max Charlton, Spencer McCarthy; Joaquin Pittaluga, Javier Guerrera.

Far right: Muhammed Jehangiri.

Clockwise from top left: Melanie Hare with Austin Mutti-Mewse from Truefitt & Hill; Marty Romualdez; Alexander Nix; Rajendra Jain; Guards team celebrate winning the Unity Cup; Emanuel Arber and Jane Broadbent; Heiko Voelker and Marianna Plaza; Glen Gilmore.

Clockwise from above: The UAE Polo Team (HH Sheikha Maitha, Lukin Monteverde, Santos Merlos,, Juan Martin Nero); Edward Horswell and Clive Reid; Tommy Beresford; The Cavalry & Guards team (Col Tom Armitage; Capt Folarin Kuku, Capt Hector Fair, Capt Paddy Selfe); Mia Cambiaso; Henry Lunn with the Club's Chairman; Adolfo Cambiaso Snr with David Paradice.

Clockwise from top left: Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz; Felipe Dabas, David Stirling and Jasmine Calvert-Ansari; Hissam Ali Hyder, Nacho Gonzalez and Spencer McCarthy; Santiago Araya; Noelle Quintin with Olga Ramirez; Hamish MacLennan with Major General James Bowder; Elodie Avarguez; Mindi Byrne and Adolfo Cambiaso.

Clockwise from far left: Jayne Rumsey; Lucas Monteverde Jnr and Camilo Castagnola; Antony Fanshawe witih Gonzalo Pieres Snr; Hazel Jackson; Thilo Sautter, Andrew Cork & Leander Sautter; Clive Reid, Heiko Voelker, Alexander Nix and Max Voelker; Gustav Rausing; Jean Paul Luksic with General Sir Redmond Watt; Alan Fall; Facundo Pieres; Andrew Dechet; Alexandre Garese..

Clockwise from top left: Lidia Gauss; Poroto Cambiaso and Luis Aznar; Ramon Pepa; Nacho Gonzalez; Yolanda Arber; Noor Khadra; Christopher and Rafi Bruckner; Nick Beitner with Major General James Bowder.

CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP

15 June 2025

Final Park Place, La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal

Sub-Final Sujan Indian Tigers, La Dolfina Scone

IMAGES BY SAM CHURCHILL, PABLO RAMIREZ

PARK PLACE ADDS NAME TO TROPHY AT LAST

Cartier’s Most Valuable Player Hilario Ulloa delivered the coveted Queen’s Cup to his long-standing patron Andrey Borodin after an outstanding performance on The Queen’s Ground

Match Report Park Place 9 La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal 8

Park Place won the Cartier Queen’s Cup at the fifth time of asking in 2025. They beat the young, yet super talented La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal squad 9–8 in a thrilling final. Andrey Borodin received the coveted trophy from Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, while his number three, Hilario Ulloa, was named the Cartier Most Valuable Player. Ulloa also received the Cartier Best Playing Pony prize for his own nine-year-old mare Why Not I’m Easy. Ulloa was particularly relieved at the final whistle and said in his post-match interview with Polocam TV that “this ground owes me one!”

The final was a fitting end to a spectacular tournament which had featured 19 top-level teams. Park Place squeaked into the last eight thanks to some sharp shooting from Ulloa in a League Three penalty shootout. Borodin’s team then went from strength to strength with the young Argentines, Rufino Bensadon and Rosendo Torreguitar,

delivering some impressive performances. The Aznars’ La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal kept Park Place in their sights in the final for most of this match but struggled to take the lead. When these two teams met in the league stages La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal won convincingly.

Park Place started this match confidently with a 3–0 lead. La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal team came back strongly in the second chukka with three goals. Although Borodin had scored a valuable goal at the start of this chukka which kept his team narrowly ahead, 4–3, on the bell.

THE FINAL WAS A FITTING END TO A SPECTACULAR TOURNAMENT WHICH HAD FEATURED 19 TOP-LEVEL TEAMS

From right: The Band of the Irish Guards; Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK with Andrey Borodin; La Dolfina Marques de Riscal’s Luis Aznar.

Right: The Park Place team celebrate their victory with friends and family.

The victorious Park Place team with the Cartier Queen's Cup: Rufino Bensadon, Andrey Borodin, Hilario Ulloa and Rosendo Torreguitar.

SOME LOVELY UP AND DOWN PLAY, INTERSPERSED WITH PENALTIES, WERE THE HALLMARKS OF THIS MATCH. BUT WITH THE SCORES READING 8-8 GOING INTO THE SIXTH CHUKKA IT WAS STILL ANYONE’S GAME

Some lovely up and down play, interspersed with penalties, were the hallmarks of this match. But with the scores reading 8–8 going into the sixth chukka it was still anyone’s game. With La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal fielding the top scorer of the tournament, Poroto Cambiaso, the packed grandstands were hoping for an extra chukka. It would have been the eighth overtime of the competition. This seemed even more likely when, with just four minutes left to play, Cambiaso brilliantly saved a Ulloa penalty in the goalmouth. However when Park Place received another penalty from the half-way line, Ulloa was not to be beaten. He picked up the ball, raced through traffic and scored the winner.

Although there were plenty of joyous celebrations, the day was tinged with sadness as the polo community was still coming to terms with the sudden death of the Aureus patron Sunjay Kapur earlier in the week. All the teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect and both games started with a minute’s silence.

Kapur had been playing in his team’s sub semi-final match when he was taken ill. Aureus’s opponents on that day had been Jaisal Singh’s Sujan Indian Tigers and they took to the field in an emotional sub final game against La Dolfina/ Scone. Jaisal supported his team from the sidelines – he was too upset to play – and his place was taken by Nicolas van Oppen. Despite the evident emotion, the result was a fast-paced game on The Duke’s Ground. Sujan Indian Tigers won the match 12–9, with the Tigers’ Juan Martin Zubia heading home with the Most Valuable Player prize. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Park Place: Andrey Borodin (0); Rufino Bensadon (7); Hilario Ulloa (9); Rosendo Torreguitar (6). La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal: Luis Aznar (0); Carlos Ulloa (7); Rufino Merlos (5); Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (10).

Sujan Indian Tigers: Nicholas Van Oppen (1); Oliver Cudmore (5); Juan Britos (8); Juan Martin Zubia (8). La Dolfina Scone: David Paradice (0); Paco de Narvaez (7); Marcos Araya (6); Adolfo Cambiaso Snr (9).

ROAD TO THE FINAL

LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL

Hilario Ulloa and his grooms with the Cartier Best Playing Pony Why Not I’m Easy. Left: Rufino Bensadon for Park Place.

Below: Cartier Trophy winners Sujan Indian Tigers. Right: La Dolfina Scone's patron David Paradice with Laurent Feniou. Below right: Sub final action from Juan Martin Zubia; Marcos Araya and Paco de Narvaez.

Above: Laurent Feniou presents the Cartier Trophy to Jaisal Singh. Right: Adolfo Cambiaso Snr with Laurent Feniou.

CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP TEAMS

GROUP ONE

20 May - 15 June 2025

Jehangiri Polo

Muhammed Jehangiri (0)

Diego Cavanagh (8)

Gonzalo Pieres (8)

James Harper (6)

Dubai

Camilo Castagnola (10)

Rashid Albwardy (3)

Hazel Jackson (2)

Antonio Heguy (7)

La Dolfina/Scone

David Paradice (0)

Paco de Narvaez (7)

Marcos Araya (6)

Adolfo Cambiaso (9)

Ferne Park

Jonathan Rothermere (0)/

Vere Harmsworth (0)

Cristian Laprida (7)

David Stirling (8)

Joaquin Pittaluga (7)

Signet/Thai Polo

Louis Hine (5)

Ned Hine (5)

Alfredo Bigatti (7)

Tommy Severn (5)

GenrosaLeo-Clinova

Raja Karim (0)

Juan Gris Zavaleta (7)

Manuel Elizalde (6)

Alejandro Muzzio (8)

UAE Polo Team

HH Sheikha Maitha bint

Mohammed Al Maktoum (0)

Lucas Monteverde Jnr (7)

Santos Merlos (6)

Juan Martin Nero (9)

GROUP TWO LEAGUE THREE

20 May - 15 June 2025

Aureus

Sunjay Kapur (0)

Mark Tomlinson (5)

Tomas Panelo (9)

Benjamin Panelo (8)

Kazak

Sebastien Aguettant (0)

Nicolas Pieres (8)

Francisco Elizalde (8)

Chris Mackenzie (6)

Calatagan LL

Marty Romualdez (0)

Simon Prado (6)

Santiago Laborde (6)

Facundo Pieres (10)

King Power

Aiyawatt

Srivaddhanaprabha (1)

Ricardo Garros (5)

Pablo MacDonough (9)

Tommy Beresford (7)

Sujan Indian Tigers

Jaisal Singh (1)

Oliver Cudmore (5)

Juan Britos (8)

Juan Martin Zubia (8)

La Magdeleine

Alexandre Garese (0)

Facundo Fernandez

Llorente (7)

Martin Podesta Jnr (7)

Jeronimo del Carril (8)

White Crane

Alexie Calvert-Ansari (0)

Matthew Perry (6)

Lorenzo Chavanne (6)

Pablo Pieres (10)

20 May - 15 June 2025

Desert Palm

Tariq Albwardy (0) / Mia Cambiaso (2)

Javier Guerrero (6) /Kian Hall (4)

Beltran Laulhé (7)

Bartolome Castagnola Jnr (9)

La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal

Alejandro Aznar (0) / Luis Aznar (0)

Carlos Ulloa (7)

Rufino Merlos (5)

Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (10)

Gaston Polo Team

Jean-Paul Luksic (0)

Gonzalo Ferrari (7)

Guillermo Caset (8)

Cruz Heguy (7)

Ojo Caliente

Ana Escobedo (0)

Felix Esain (6)

Facundo Sola (8)

Alfredo Capella (8)

Park Place

Andrey Borodin (0)

Rufino Bensadon (7)

Hilario Ulloa (9)

Rosendo Torreguitar (6)

OUT-SOURCING

22 June 2025

Final La Dolfina BN, Calatagan Polo Team

Sub-Final Amanara, Emlor

The victorious La Dolfina BN Polo Team: Tomas Panelo, Hugo Taylor, Mia Cambiaso, Babar Naseem.

SUPER-SUB PANELO DELIVERS TROPHY

Despite last-minute team changes La Dolfina BN powered through to win the UK’s leading 15-goal trophy despite some tough opposition

Match Report La Dolfina BN 9 Calatagan Polo Team 7

Tomas Panelo was a late addition to the La Dolfina BN team for the OutSourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup Final. Adolfo Cambiaso, the team’s regular nine-goaler, was injured and so Panelo stepped up. This was a good call as he scored all of his team’s goals – the majority penalties – to give La Dolfina BN a 9–7 victory.

It was a tight game across all five chukkas. Neither team could establish a lead, ensuring honours remained pretty even until the final chukka.

Calatagan Polo Team had claimed a narrow, 5–4 advantage at half-time, but knew they couldn’t relax for a moment.

Panelo proved this point when he fired through three goals in the fifth to give La Dolfina BN a

three-goal lead for the first time in the match. Although Calatagan Polo Team’s patron, Marty Romualdez picked up a great pass from Simon Prado to score the final goal of the game, his second of the match.

Panelo’s accurate penalty taking was enough to guarantee victory for La Dolfina BN in this prestigious 15-goal final. If Cambiaso had played it would have been his third final, having won with Geebung in 2000 and La Dolfina Valiente in 2018.

Babar Naseem, playing in his first tournament at Guards Polo Club, received the coveted trophy from Zara Tindall, HM Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter, alongside Dolph Westerbos, CEO of Out-Sourcing International, David

Left to right: David Matsumoto, Jean Reno, Zara Tindall and Dolph Westerbos present Hugo Taylor with the Most Valuable Player prize; Calatagan patron Marty Romualdez; Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Windsor Cup Best Playing Pony DS Popular.

Winning patron Babar Naseem.

Action in the 2025 15-goal final.

TWENTY-TWO TEAMS ENTERED THE TOURNAMENT, WHICH CELEBRATED ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025

Matsumoto, Chairman of Matsumoto Tech who was representing the tournament sponsors, Out-Sourcing Inc, and the sponsor’s lead guest, leading actor Jean Reno. Zara also presented the Out-Sourcing Inc. Most Valuable Player prize to Hugo Taylor. He had been superb in defence on The Queen’s Ground, successfully shutting down the usually strong partnership between Calatagan’s Prado and Santiago Laborde.

Adolfo Cambiaso, whose eldest daughter Mia had also delivered a strong performance for the winning team, joined his grooms to receive the Out-Sourcing Inc Best Playing Pony prize for DS Popular. This six-year-old bay stallion is owned by Cambiaso and was played by Panelo in this final. Twenty-two teams entered the tournament, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025. The sub final, traditionally played in the morning for the Mountbatten Cup, saw victory for last year’s

main cup finalists, Nicky Sen’s Amanara Polo Team. Despite trailing 7–5 in the fifth, some great play from Lorenzo Chavanne in the final minutes saw Nicky’s team push on to defeat Spencer McCarthy’s Emlor squad 8–7 at the final bell. However, Emlor’s James McCarthy, who had been impressive throughout the match, was named the Most Valuable Player.

In addition to some outstanding polo, spectators were treated to two additional equine displays. The first was a breathtaking performance from the Knights of Middle England, featuring jousting and trick riding. The day closed with an elegant carriage driving display, made up of the class winners from the British Driving Society’s Summer Show, which had taken place on another field at the Club. u

TEAM LINEUPS

La Dolfina BN: Babar Naseem (0); Mia Cambiaso (2); Hugo Taylor (4); Tomas Panelo (9). Calatagan Polo Team: Marty Romualdez (0); Lucas Nottin (3); Simon Prado (6); Santiago Laborde (6).

Amanara Polo Team: Nicky Sen (0); Hazel Jackson (2); Lorenzo Chavanne (6); Beltran Laulhe (7).

Emlor: Spencer McCarthy (1); James McCarthy (2); Max Charlton (6); Javier Guerrero (6).

Mountbatten Cup action featuring Emlor and Amanara.

10 August 2025

Final White Crane Black, Monterosso

Sub-Final Quianto Capital Polo Team, Shoreline

IMAGES BY MARCOS CERDEIRA/TOM JENS

WHITE CRANE BLACK DELIVER WINNING DEBUT

The young American player Mackenzie Weisz drives Jasmine Calvert-Ansaris team to high-goal success on a day which celebrates horsepower on and off the field of play

Match Report White Crane Black 8 Monterosso 6

Jasmine Calvert-Ansari’s White Crane Black lifted the Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup at the first time of asking. Her impressive 20-goal team, pivoted around David Stirling, delivered a confident performance to win this coveted title. A delighted Jasmine received the trophy from Aston Martin’s James Parrett, Head of Q Special Project Sales, UK and Mark Gauntlett, Head of Special Project Sales.

Mackenzie Weisz, White Crane Black’s young American player, was instrumental in this winning performance. He fired through all of White Crane Black’s penalties and such sharp shooting was rewarded with the Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Most Valuable Player prize. Weisz’s team-mate, Felipe Dabas received the Aston Martin Best Playing Pony prize. This went to his favourite pony,

the 11-year-old mare Mentirose, whom Dabas had played in the second and the sixth chukkas.

White Crane Black’s opponents in this final were the experienced Monterosso team. Alessandro Bazzoni’s squad had won this trophy in 2023 and so were no strangers to the big occasion. However they were without their talisman, Ignacio Toccalino. Alfredo Bigatti was impressive as this team’s number two but a change of personnel is always tricky in key matches. Bigatti was a strong support for Diego Cavanagh who would regularly cover the ground at speed in this final.

The result of such great play was a fantastic, fast-paced final. There were few whistles and the sell-out crowd was thrilled to watch a wonderful game played under a hot sun. What a way to conclude the 2025 UK high-goal season.

White Crane Black grabbed a slight advantage

From right: Jasmine Calvert-Ansari and the Aston Martin Valiant; Monterosso's Diego Cavanagh.

Aston Martins parade before the final.

Above: James Parrett of Aston Martin with David Stirling and the DB5 Goldfinger edition on the Queen's Ground.

Above: The victorious White Crane Black team: Jasmine Calvert-Ansari, Mackenzie Weisz, David Stirling, Felipe Dabas. Below: Celebrating with family and friends

(5–4) at half-time but it remained anyone’s game.

Jasmine’s squad pulled further ahead in the fourth.

A Weisz penalty and field goal increased their lead, while some fast up-and-down play from Monterosso failed to convert to goals. White Crane Black were now in the driving seat. Monterosso got back in contention in the fifth thanks to the young Englishman, Will Harper. He had an outstanding chukka and was able to score. However, Felipe Dabas, who had been impressive for White Crane Black across the entire tournament, fired through an amazing goal at the end of this final chukka to restore White Crane Black’s two-goal advantage.

There was still all to play for though as the sixth chukka got underway. But after four minutes of play there was no movement in the score. Weisz then converted a penalty two to highlight White Crane Black’s dominance in this match. A final, signature big hit from Bigatti found the flags for Monterosso but it was too late to change the outcome of this key final.

With Aston Martin sponsoring this 20-goal tournament horsepower was a highlight on and off the field of play. The British luxury car brand brought a stunning array of cars on the day. Even the players swapped horses for cars for

the team introductions. They were driven onto the field in some incredible horsepower, including a DB5 Goldfinger, familiar to all James Bond fans; a DB12, the world’s first super tourer and the breathtaking Vanquish Volante.

Eight teams had entered this year’s tournament and all the matches had been competitive. So it was not surprising that the morning’s final followed a familiar pattern. Quianto Capital Polo Team captured this contest. Enrico Meneghetti’s squad defeated Tunde Karim’s Shoreline in an equally fast-paced game on The Duke’s Ground. Sadly Shoreline had to sub out their captain, Fran Elizalde, due to injury early on. His place was taken by the fearless Alejo Aramburu who threw himself into this game. Sadly such passion could not alter the trajectory of the score and Quianto Capital won the match 8–6. This team’s number four, Teodoro Lacau was named the Most Valuable Player. u

TEAM LINEUPS

White Crane Black: Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0); Mackenzie Weisz (6); David Stirling (8); Felipe Dabas (6). Monterosso: Will Harper (4); Alfredo Bigatti (7); Diego Cavanagh (8); Alessandro Bazzoni (1).

Quianto Capital Polo Team: Enrico Meneghetti (0); Mark Tomlinson (5); Juan Britos (8); Teodoro Lacau (7). Shoreline: Tunde Karim (0); Ed Banner Eve (5); Guillermo Terrera (7); Fran Elizalde (8)/Alejo Aramburu (5).

Jasmine Calvert-Ansari celebrates winning the Aston Martin Prince of Wales's Championship Cup with her husband Alexie.

GUARDS LADIES CHARITY POLO

5 July 2025

Ladies VL 22-Goal Final La Dolfina Tex8n, Salty Polo

Sub-Final La Rosada, King Power

Charity Polo Final: Look Good Feel Better, Guards Polo Club

Smiles from the winning La Dolfina Tex8n team. Top left:

Winning patron Mindi Byrne with Dame Jilly Cooper. Below left: Madison Rochlin of Salty Polo.

CAMBIASO SIBLINGS LEAD THE LADIES

Fast-paced high-goal final plays out in front of “Rutshire” royalty, Dame Jilly Cooper, helping to deliver a fabulous ladies’ day at Smith’s Lawn

Match Report La Dolfina Tex8n 8 Salty Polo 7

La Dolfina Tex8n captured the first edition of the VL 22-Goal final at Guards Polo Club, defeating Salty Polo 8–7 across five chukkas. When these two sides had met in the league stages La Dolfina Tex8n team had dominated the match (9–4) but Salty Polo made La Dolfina Tex8n work hard for this victory on The Queen’s Ground.

The winners, featuring the Cambiaso sisters – Mia and Myla – were in the lead for much of this match. The siblings’ team-mate Milly Hine made the most of any space that she was given and La Dolfina Tex8n’s impressive teamwork paid off.

THE WINNERS, FEATURING

THE CAMBIASO SISTERS –MIA AND MYLA – WERE IN THE LEAD FOR MUCH OF THIS MATCH

Co-ordinated play ensured they had an impressive, 7–4 lead going into the final chukka.

Salty Dog put themselves back in contention in this chukka. Nerves were starting to show in the La Dolfina Tex8n team and Salty Polo’s Hazel Jackson made the most of the resulting penalties. Suddenly the scoreboard read 7–6! Milly converted a penalty with a minute left on the clock only for Hazel to fire through a fabulous goal. The vocal crowd – whose allegiance was pretty much equally divided between the teams – was hoping for extra time. Sadly for Salty Polo fans the bell rang before they could push this game into extra time.

A highlight of the day for players and spectators was that Dame Jilly Cooper – creator of the “Rutshire Chronicles” – was in the Royal Box to watch the final. The Club’s events team had transformed Smith’s Lawn into a scene from Dame Jilly’s Rivals TV series in honour of this revered VIP

guest. Dame Jilly, who sadly died just a few months later, was a huge supporter of polo and was happy to chat with every player at the post-match presentations before handing the trophy to La Dolfina Tex8n’s Mindi Byrne. The Most Valuable Player prize went to Mindi’s team-mate Myla, while the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize was given to another La Dolfina Tex8n player, Milly, for Open Prussia. Milly had played this 12-year-old, which is owned by her brother Ned, in the second and fourth chukkas.

The sub final was a win for La Rosada. They had defeated King Power on an 8–7 scoreline in the morning on The Duke’s Ground. This wonderful day, which was the Club’s official ladies’ day and a major fundraiser for the cancer support charity Look Good Feel Better, concluded with a competitive yet friendly charity match. A Guards Polo Club team took on a Look Good Feel Better squad, all looking incredible in La Martina shirts. The charity team won, beating the home side 5–4. Guards Polo Club’s Yolanda Arber was named the Most Valuable Player while Jemima, played by Look Good Feel Better’s Abi Anderson, received the Best Playing Pony prize. Instead of the traditional rug, this pony was rewarded with a stunning headcollar from Alex Jacobs’ La Vanguardia and beautifully decorated by Andy Heslop’s Chobham Flower Farm.

In addition to all the polo, the Stick Room in the Clubhouse was converted into a beauty and make-up studio for the day, featuring delilah, Yardley London, Creed and The Perfume Shop. Meanwhile the pop-up shopping village took over the main Clubhouse. All these stalls brought another wonderful element to the day, which successfully celebrated girl power on and off the field of play. u

TEAM LINEUPS

La Dolfina Tex8n: Mindi Byrne (2), Myla Cambiaso (3), Mia Cambiaso (8), Milly Hine (9). Salty Polo: Madison Rochlin (1), Kayley Smith (4), Elena Vernot (7), Hazel Jackson (10).

La Rosada: Sam Buckles (3), Emma Sanderson (4), Stephanie Haverhals (5), Nina Clarkin (10). King

Power: Ploy Bhinsaeng (1), Catalina Lavinia (7), Lia Salvo (8), Sarah Wiseman (6).

Look Good Feel Better: Shivangi Singh, Elodie Avarguez, Abi Anderson, Nicola Davidson. Guards Polo Club: Capt Elizabeth Godwin LG, Yolanda Arber, Romilla Arber, Jayne Rumsey.

Left: HH The Maharaja of Jaipur presents the Indian Polo Challenge Shield to Ainsley Saddlery’s Andrew Dechet and Manuel Plaza. Below: His Highness sporting a Jaipur Polo Team shirt after winning the Jaipur Trophy on The Queen’s Ground.

INDIAN POLO DAY

19 July 2025

Indian Polo Challenge Shield: Ainsley Saddlery, White Crane Black

Sub Final: Four Quarters Black, Emlor Jaipur Trophy: Jaipur Polo Team, Guards Polo Club

IMAGES BY SAM CHURCHILL

JAIPUR POLO TEAM HELP WRITE A NEW CHAPTER OF CLUB HISTORY

Guards Polo Club welcoms HH The Maharaja of Jaipur and his celebrated Jaipur Polo Team to the first Indian Polo Day – honouring both countries’ polo heritage and delivering some thrilling sport

Match Reports Ainsley Saddlery 11 White Crane Black 9 Jaipur Polo Team 8 Guards Polo Club 7

The Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Padmanabh Singh, had a dual role at Guards Polo Club on the first Indian Polo Day at Smith’s Lawn. His Highness presented the prizes in the 18-goal Indian Polo Challenge Shield in the morning. He then took to the field with his own Jaipur Polo Team to win the iconic Jaipur Trophy. In this game the Maharaja’s team beat a Guards Polo Club squad 8–7 on The Queen’s Ground.

This day was the perfect platform to restore the Jaipur Trophy to the Club’s roster of tournaments after an 11-year gap. The Jaipur Trophy was first presented to the Club in 1968 by HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the current Maharaja’s great grandfather. However this day also highlighted the many cultural ties between two great polo-playing nations, India and England. As His Highness said before the Indian Polo Day began: “This isn’t just about reviving a trophy, it’s about honouring a heritage and sharing it with the world.”

Fourteen teams had entered the Indian Polo Challenge Shield contest – a competitive, high-goal contest. The final, featuring Jasmine CalvertAnsari’s White Crane Black and Andrew Dechet’s Ainsley Saddlery did not disappoint. Ainsley Saddlery were in control for all five chukkas but White Crane Black fought back hard in the second half to close the gap.

Andrew Dechet had to retire injured in the last chukka and his place was taken by Lorenzo Metro.

“ THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT REVIVING A TROPHY, IT’S ABOUT HONOURING A HERITAGE AND SHARING IT WITH THE WORLD”

HH The Maharaja of Jaipur

This change in personnel might have unsettled the team but they maintained their advantage to win 11–9. Dechet returned to the presentation table –with a noticeable limp - to receive the Most Valuable Player prize from the Maharaja.

Dechet’s team-mate Manuel Plaza helped him collect the mighty Shield, which dates back to the 1920s. Another key member of the team, Guillermo Caset, known to all as Sapo, had a strong game across all five chukkas for Ainsley Saddlery and was rewarded with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for Sapo Athena. This home-bred eight-yearold was played by Sapo in the first and fifth chukkas. The sub final, another close contest played later in the day, was a win for Romilla Arber’s Four Quarters Black. They beat Emlor 8–7 in extra time

Above: Jaisal Singh & and HH The Maharaja of Jaipur

THE MAHARAJA DONNED AN ICONIC JAIPUR TEAM SHIRT TO LEAD OUT HIS TEAM TO PLAY IN THE REVIVED JAIPUR TROPHY MATCH

at Coworth Park. Zoe Jenkins, the General Manager of Coworth Park, presented these prizes.

The Maharaja then donned an iconic Jaipur Team shirt to lead out his team to play in the revived Jaipur Trophy match. He was joined by Sujan Indian Tigers patron Jaisal Singh, experienced Indian professional Abihmanyu Pathak and Argentine professional Daniel Otamendi. The Maharaja led from the front, scoring goals and delivering superb passes to his team-mates like a professional. By half-time the Jaipur Polo Team were 5–3 ahead.

The Guards quartet – Vishwarupe Bajaj, Dino Dhankhar, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, who was celebrating his birthday on this day, and Will Emerson – got themselves level (6–6) after the third, ensuring there was all to play for in the fourth chukka. Heavy rain joined the players at the start of this period but this did not deter them. Otamendi fired through a penalty to put Jaipur ahead only for Emerson to swap from defensive play to some great attacking form to fire a big hit to goal to level the scores again.

With time ticking down, the Maharaja took the ball up field and after a little melee His Highness was rewarded with a goal. Dhankhar was keen to push this game into extra time despite the weather, while team-mate Bajaj produced some good play

that sadly went wide. However, when the final bell rang it was the Jaipur Polo Team who were in front.

The Maharaja’s younger brother and father, HH Maharaja Lakshraj Prakash of Sirmaur and Maharaja Narendra Singh, presented the prizes. This included stunning replicas of the magnificent Jaipur Trophy to every player.

In addition to some outstanding polo, Guards Polo Club curated a celebration of Indian culture throughout the day. This included a fabulous display by award-winning dancer Geetha Sridhar. Post match all guests were treated to an amazing display from the Elite dhol drummers in the Clubhouse. The day was resounding success and will be repeated in 2026. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Ainsley Saddlery: Andrew Dechet/Lorenzo Metro (1); Tomas Willans (4); Manuel Plaza (5); Guillermo Caset (8). White Crane Black: Jasmine Calvert Ansari (0); James Beim (6); Mackenzie Weisz (6); Lorenzo Chavanne (6). Jaipur Polo Team: Jaisal Singh (1); Abhimanyu Pathak (3); Daniel Otamendi (3); HH The Maharaja of Jaipur (3).

Guards Polo Club: Vishwarupe Bajaj (1); Dino Dhankhar (0); Kuldeep Singh Rathore (3); Will Emerson (5).

Four Quarters Black: Romilla Arber (0); Lucas Criado (6); Felipe Dabas (6); James Harper (6). Emlor Black: Louis Heard (2); Ed Banner Eve (5); Santiago Araya (4); Juan Gris Zavaleta (7).

Guards Polo Club versus the Jaipur Polo Team under an ominous sky on The Queen’s Ground.

INTERNATIONAL DAY

26 July 2025

Coronation Cup England, Brazil

Whitbread Trophy Young Argentina, Young England

IMAGES BY ART OF POLO

ENGLAND DELIVER A POLO MASTERCLASS

A dominant England defeat Brazil to win the Hurlingham Polo Association’s Coronation Cup – the perfect way to celebrate 150 years of polo in the UK

Match Report England 16 Brazil 7

In a magnificent celebration of 150 years of polo in England, the home team played a standout game to scoop victory over Brazil in a spectacular match on The Queen’s Ground. A packed crowd watched England claim the Coronation Cup in emphatic style. Marking the sport’s historic roots, the teams were led onto the field by riders from the King’s Royal Hussars and the Royal Lancers, echoing the first recorded polo match in England, played in 1874 on Hounslow Heath between those same regiments.

From the first throw-in, England (receiving two goals on handicap) came out on the attack. Within 15 seconds, England captain Tommy Beresford got a break and sent the ball to Max Charlton, who opened the scoring with a powerful goal despite a strong ride off from Pedrinho Zacharias. Louis Hine, who later received the Rufino Lauhlé Most Valuable Player Trophy from Gaston Lauhlé, followed up with a slick goal on his brother Ned’s ex-racehorse, Secret Applause. A penalty conversion by Beresford, another lightning goal from Hine and a massive 80-yard strike from Charlton closed the first chukka at a stunning 7–0.

Brazil finally responded in the second chukka, with goals from Zacharias and Joao Paulo Ganon, narrowing the gap to 7–2. England didn’t flinch though, with a huge shot from Charlton keeping

England firmly ahead with the score at 8–2.

The third chukka saw more of the same. Hine, Beresford, and Charlton added four more goals, stretching the lead to 12–2. England’s precision and teamwork proved too much for Brazil, who couldn’t keep up with the pace or power of the home side.

Beresford added the only goal of the fourth chukka before Brazil rallied in the fifth, with a brilliantly-angled goal from Brazilian ace Rodrigo Andrade, making it 13–3. However, Hine replied immediately for England with another even tighter angle. Oliver Cudmore added another goal to England’s tally, taking control from the boards, before Hine again scored off a rebound to make it 16–3 heading into the final chukka.

Brazil kept fighting though and showed plenty of grit in the final minutes. Andrade struck early, followed by goals from Marcelo Camargo and Zacharias, closing the match at 16–7.

Dame Jilly Cooper presented the prizes joined the Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), Will Lucas, to present the prizes. This included the Explora Best Playing Pony to

A PACKED CROWD WATCHED ENGLAND CLAIM THE CORONATION CUP IN EMPHATIC STYLE

Lovelocks Glow Worm. She was played by Louis Hine, owned by Tommy Severn and bred by Charlie Hanbury. The Emerson & Watson Best Playing Retraining of Racehorses prize went to Hot Poppy, an eight-year-old mare owned by Tommy Beresford, bred by the Columella Partnership and raced under rules with John Gallagher before switching careers to polo. Louis Hine also received the Ferguson Trophy for the Best Young British Player of 2025. This honour has previously been awarded to his father Andrew, older brother Ned and sister Milly.

The Gabriel Donoso Trophy, always presented to the visiting team, was awarded to Marcelo Camargo. Lady Teresa Beresford, mother of the England team captain, made the presentation.

Earlier in the day a Young Argentina team won the Whitbread Trophy against a Young England team. This was a rematch of last year’s contest but the visitors claimed victory in 2025, winning 7–5½. The standout star of this match was the 15-year-old León Donoso. He was later

rewarded with the Explora prizes for Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony with Flojura Pulpera. Zac Beim received the Emerson & Watson Best Playing Retrained Racehorse with Totzo, a 12-year-old mare who raced for Paul D’Arcy before turning to polo.

Other attractions on the day included a display by the Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses, who were presented with custom-made, Shire-size commemorative mallets produced by Keelan McCarthy, and a fantastic live painting display by renowned polo artist Anna Cher. Anna also generously donated one of her works to Power Of Polo to be auctioned at a later date. u

TEAM LINEUPS

England: Louis Hine (5), Oliver Cudmore (5), Max Charlton (6), Tommy Beresford (7).

Brazil: Marcelo Camargo (2), Pedrinho Zacharias (8), Rodrigo Andrade (8), Joao Paulo Ganon (7).

Young Argentina: Felix Toccalino (2), Leon Donoso (5), Manuel Prado (4), Javier Guerrero (6).

Young England: Alfie Hyde (3), Will Harper (4), Ned Hine (5), Zac Beim (4).

LA MARTINA VARSITY DAY

31 May 2025

Oxford University, Cambridge University

Challenge Bowl:

Jenny Walton Masters Trophy: Harrow, Eton

Old Blues Bowl: Cambridge Old Blues, Oxford Old Blues

Pony Club Challenge: Pony Club Blue, Pony Club Pink

IMAGES BY ART OF POLO

Cambridge Old Blues: Tahl Holtzman, Vittoria Schrager, Sam Outtridge, Jeremy Allen

The winning Oxford University team: Harry Rourke, Sufiyan Alim, Matthew Byrne, Camilla Hyslop

OXFORD WIN BUT CAMBRIDGE CLOSE GAP

The historic Varsity battle, dating back to 1878, is the feature game in a day of student sport, sponsored by La Martina Match Report Oxford 5 Cambridge 2

Oxford continue to dominate the La Martina Varsity match, an historic game between two equally historic universities. The dark blue shirts added their name for the 11th time in succession. However Cambridge kept themselves in contention across all four chukkas, delivering some brilliant defensive play at times.

Camilla Hyslop (pictured above), who was outstanding for Oxford, was named the La Martina Most Valuable Player at the post-match presentations. She had received this honour in 2024 and was delighted to step forward once again and receive this coveted prize from Becky Simpson of La Martina.

The previous game was another close battle between two renowned educational establishments. Harrow School, who received half a goal on handicap, won this contest, beating their old rivals Eton College 3½–1. Some great team-work from Harrovians Ulysses Hu, Huan Yan and Ibrahim Faisal put the dark blues ahead 2½–0 at half-time. Ramon Pepa worked hard to bring Eton back into this match in the second half but Harrow held on to win the Jenny Walton Masters Trophy.

The day had started with an Old Blues game. Cambridge delivered a convincing 6–4 victory in this match, ensuring the light blues could head home with their heads held high. The fourth game on the Varsity matchcard was an opportunity for Pony Club players to shine. Pony Club Blue took the honours 8–4, but only after a competitive battle against Pony Club Pink. u

IMAGES BY ART OF POLO

TEAM LINEUPS

Oxford University: Harry Rourke (0); Sufiyan Alim (0); Matthew Byrne (-1); Camilla Hyslop (-1). Cambridge University: Alex Bartlam (0); Jess Chapman (-1); Iona-Gabriel Alexandru (0); Hilali Noordeen (0).

Harrow: Christopher Purcell-Rodrigues (-1); Ibrahim Faisal (-2); Huan Yan (-1); Ulysses Hu (0).

Eton: Ramon Pepa (0); Zac Ogilvie Thompson (-1); Sebastian Cunningham-Day (-1); Eskandar Fouladi (-1).

Cambridge Old Blues: Vittoria Schrager (0); Tahl Holtzman (0); Sam Outtridge (1); Jeremy Allen (1).

Oxford Old Blues: Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz (0); Matthew Barnard (1); George Pearson (2); Jacqueline Hooper (0). Pony Club Blue: Lulu Sanders (-1); Freddy Williams (-1); Isabel Fall (0); Ed Pakenham (-2). Pony Club Pink: Clara Lovatt (-2); Ava Greenland (-1); Ale Otamendi (0); Mati Maldonado (0).

DREAMING OF ICELAND

GLACIER JOURNEY’S ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

For many, a trip to Iceland is the culmination of dream; a long-awaited journey. And once you are finally here, the daunting task of choosing what to do, where to go and what to see begins. The good news is that Iceland is a fairly compact little country and many of the most sought-after gems of Icelandic nature, particularly on the south coast, are within easy reach of the capital.

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN

Glacier Journey is a small local, family run company that offers a variety of year-round snowmobile and jeep tours to the glacier and has received many

glowing reviews over the years. Even if you have never had any experience driving a snowmobile, the friendly guides at Glacier Journey are with you all the way– and learning how to drive a snowmobile is all part of the fun, and then you’re off to explore the mesmerizing beauty of Europe’s largest glacier by snowmobile.

A MAGICAL-MYSTICAL WORLD OF ICE

The 1st of November to the beginning of March marks a very special moment in the year when it‘s cold enough to go ice cave exploring! Glacier Journey offers a 2.5 hour ice cave tour with a tremendous opportunity to explore the

glacier inside and out. Experienced guides will lead the way into one of the ice caves that form at the edge of the glacier when the temps drop down below freezing and these icy-blue, fairy tale caves are safe to enter.

SMALL GROUPS AND FAMILIES WELCOME

Glacier Journey caters to all sizes of groups, from company incentive tours to small groups and personal, private tours for the whole family. Glacier Journey has set goals to provide good service and a warm welcome to all guests. That is why it was and is so important to them to fix the access to their base camp.

ARCHIE DAVID CUP

29 June 2025

Final: The Mirror, Copi

Sub Final: Ainsley Saddlery, Ankora

THE MIRROR TEAMWORK DELIVERS ARCHIE DAVID

TRIUMPH

Sarkis Gabrelian’s team continue to dominate the season with an impressive victory in the UK’s leading eight-goal competition

Match Report The Mirror 6 Copi 4

IMAGES BY IMAGES OF POLO

The Mirror, who were named the Club’s Team of the Year at the end of the 2025 season, had added their name to the coveted Archie David Cup earlier in the summer. Sarkis Gabrelian’s team held their nerve to win the UK’s leading eight-goal tournament 6–4 for the first time. Gabrelian was thrilled to head home with this prestigious trophy but was more delighted to be named the Most Valuable Player. This is particularly remarkable when one recalls that this was Gabrelian’s second full season playing polo. Nicolas Roberts’s Capitana received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony rug.

Jesper Brunander’s Copi squad started the scoring, with a goal off the stick of Ryan Pemble in the first chukka. With the experienced Roberts sending a penalty two wide only moments later it looked as if this could be Copi’s day. Although with 30 teams taking part this year just reaching the final is always an impressive achievement.

The Mirror team, who had already secured the Committee Cup this season, soon found their stride. Roberts fired through another penalty to level the scores with three minutes left of the opening chukka. A Pemble penalty and a field goal from Josh Hyde ensured that the teams stayed level (2–2) as they headed into the second chukka.

THE MIRROR TEAM, WHO HAD ALREADY SECURED THE COMMITTEE CUP THIS SEASON, SOON FOUND THEIR STRIDE

In hot conditions – teams played half chukkas to allow for regular pony changes – the action was quite slow. Despite some good play from Pemble and Josh Clover in particular, Copi failed to score in the next two chukkas. Meanwhile the talented young Argentine, Felix Toccalino, teamed up well with Hyde and Roberts to put The Mirror in the lead. Gabrelian’s team were 3–2 ahead at half-time and extended this advantage to 5–2 at the end of the third. Gabrelian was outstanding in defence for

ARCHIE DAVID CUP

THEN, WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE TO PLAY, A BRILLIANT BACKHAND FROM GABRELIAN FOUND TOCCALINO OUT ON HIS OWN. THIS YOUNG PLAYER, SON OF THE HIGH-GOALER IGNACIO TOCCALINO, KEPT HIS COOL AND FIRED THROUGH THE WINNER

his team, regularly enabling his high-handicapped players to keep hold of the ball and run to goal.

Copi found their form in the fourth. Pemble closed the gap to 5–4 with five minutes left to play. Although The Mirror breathed a little easier when a penalty in favour of Copi and taken by Pemble was stopped by Roberts. Then, with less than a minute to play, a brilliant backhand from Gabrelian found Toccalino out on his own.

This young player, son of the professional player Ignacio Toccalino, kept his cool and fired through the winner.

The sub final was an equally tight affair, with Andrew Dechet’s Ainsley Saddlery winning the Caterham Cup. They beat Khalid Alomran’s

Ankora team 9½–8. Ainsley Saddlery had received half a goal on handicap at the start of the match because Ankora’s Jose Araya had seen his handicap rise to six goals in the mid-season handicap changes. u

TEAM LINEUPS

The Mirror: Sarkis Gabrelian (0), Josh Hyde (2), Felix Toccalino (2), Nicolas Roberts (4). Copi: Jesper Brunander (0), Josh Clover (2), Ryan Pemble (4), Sebastian Dawnay (2).

Saddlery:

Ainsley

Andrew Dechet (1), Quinn Ainsley (0), Ross Ainsley (3), Lachlan Gilmore (4). Ankora: Khalid Alomran (0), Jose Araya (6), Pedro Sola (2), Nick van Oppen (1).

DUKE OF CORNWALL’S TROPHY

24 August 2025

Final: Blenheim, Ainsley Saddlery

Sub

DIEGO CAVANAGH SEEMED TO BE EVERYWHERE FOR BLENHEIM AND WITH STRONG SUPPORT FROM BLANDFORD AND PEDRO HARRISON, HAD INCREASED BLENHEIM’S SCORE TO THREE GOALS IN ALMOST AS MANY MINUTES

Final: Bel Polo, Bin Drai Polo

BLENHEIM FIND THE GOLD IN EXTRA TIME

Intense, 16-goal contest for the Duke of Cornwall’s Trophy went down to the wire and a golden goal, fired off the stick of Blenheim’s David Ashby

Match Report Blenheim 7 Ainsley Saddlery 6

Blenheim won the Duke of Cornwall Trophy at the first time of asking but only after a dramatic extra chukka. David Ashby, who was later named the Most Valuable Player, stole the ball from an Ainsley Saddlery shot from the back line and calmly fired through the winner.

The first half of this 16-goal final was all about Andrew Dechet’s Ainsley Saddlery squad.

Although Blenheim secured a goal off the stick of their patron George Blandford in the opening chukka, Ainsley Saddlery were dominant at half-time with a 5–1 lead. This was thanks to goals from Simon Prado, Dechet and Manuel Plaza.

The second half was a different story. Diego Cavanagh seemed to be everywhere for Blenheim and with strong support from Blandford and Pedro Harrison, had increased Blenheim’s score to three goals in almost as many minutes. Some fabulous play from Prado kept Ainsley Saddlery comfortably ahead but this was now a more open, running game. A Cavanagh penalty at the end of the third meant the teams headed into the fourth chukka on a 6–4 scoreline in

favour of Ainsley Saddlery.

Both teams delivered some fantastic, fast polo in the fourth chukka but failed to convert lovely runs up The Queen’s Ground into goals. Then, with just two minutes left to play, Cavanagh successfully converted a penalty two. Seconds later, Blenheim was awarded another penalty. Despite the pressure, Cavanagh calmy converted the penalty to level the scores for the first time. With the clock counting down Ainsley Saddlery uncharacteristically sent a penalty wide.

IMAGES BY IMAGES OF POLO

THIS WAS 16-GOAL POLO AT ITS BEST AND THE CROWD APPRECIATED SUCH A STRONG, COMPETITIVE FINAL

This pushed the game into sudden death and an extra fifth chukka.

There was plenty of up and down field play in this crucial chukka before Ashby calmly intercepted a hit in from the back line to score the winner. This was 16-goal polo at its best and the crowd appreciated such a strong, competitive final. The Club’s Chairman, Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer presented the coveted cup to George Blandford while Ainsley Saddlery’s Manuel Plaza received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Carina.

The sub final was equally competitive, also heading into extra time. Henry Lunn’s Bel Polo

won this battle despite not scoring at all in the third and fourth chukkas. They beat Mohammed Bin Drai’s Bin Drai Polo Team 7–6 in another sudden death, fifth chukka, with Zac Beim scoring the golden goal. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Blenheim: George Blandford (0), Pedro Harrison (5), Diego Cavanagh (8), David Ashby (3). Ainsley Saddlery: Andrew Dechet (1), Tomas Willans (4), Simon Prado (6), Manuel Plaza (6).

Bel Polo: Henry Lunn (1), Zac Beim (4), James Beim (6), Tommy Severn (5). Bin Drai Polo Team: Mohammed Bin Drai (2), Beltran di Paola (3), Kian Hall (4), Teodoro Lacau (7).

DUKE OF WELLINGTON TROPHY

17 August 2025

Final: Tempest, Cool Hooves

Sub Final: Ainsley Saddlery, Oriflamme

TEMPEST STAY COOL TO WIN 12-GOAL TUSSLE

Gustav Rausing’s team has to fight every step of the way to secure the coveted Duke of Wellington Trophy

Match Report Tempest 7 Cool Hooves 6

Tempest, who received half a goal on handicap in this final, finished top of 14 teams in the 2025 edition of the Duke of Wellington Trophy. Gustav Rausing’s squad narrowly beat Rafi Bruckner’s Cool Hooves 6½–6 in a tight game across four chukkas. Tempest had a handicap advantage as Cool Hooves’ Nacho Gonzalez had seen his handicap rise to four goals in the mid-season handicap changes. Ironically, it was this half-goal that won Tempest the game!

Thanks to some lovely play from Santiago

Araya  and Segundo Darritchon, Cool Hooves secured a narrow, 2–1½ advantage at the end of the first chukka. Simon Prado, who was later named the Most Valuable Player and his patron, Rausing, then fired through a goal apiece in the second to take the lead. Meanwhile Gonzalez kept Cool Hooves’ hopes very much alive with a lovely goal just before the half-time bell. So there was still plenty to play

THIS WAS 16-GOAL POLO AT ITS BEST AND THE CROWD APPRECIATED SUCH A STRONG, COMPETITIVE FINAL

for in the second half. Prado scored again early into the third and a Tempest penalty added a bit of air into the score. However, Darritchon managed to free himself from the melee and scored to close the gap. He followed this up with a huge hit to goal, just seconds before the bell to ensure that the scoreboard was reading 5½–5 going into the final chukka. Both teams scored in this fourth chukka and so it was Tempest who ran out the winners.

Prado’s mare Cristal was named the Polo Times Best Playing Pony. They received their prizes from The Hon Eleanor Wellesley,

granddaughter of the eighth Duke of Wellington, a founding Member of Guards Polo Club, after whom this trophy is named.

The sub final delivered a more clear-cut result. Andrew Dechet’s Ainsley Saddlery defeated Benn Shepherd’s Oriflamme 8–2. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Tempest: Gustav Rausing

Cool

Ainsley

Oriflamme:

(1), Florencio Lanusse (1), Simon Prado (6), Ryan Pemble (4).

Hooves: Rafi Bruckner (1), Segundo Darritchon (4), Santiago Araya (4), Nacho Gonzalez (4).

Saddlery: Andrew Dechet (1), Sebastian Dawnay (2), Lachlan Gilmore (4), Manul Plaza (5).

Benn Shepherd (0), Jason Warren (3), Ollie Cork (4), Jack Hyde (5).

LA MARTINA QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER’S CENTENARY TROPHY

11 May 2025

Final: Ojo Caliente, Tchogan/Polo Performance

Sub Final: Green Gates, Standing Rock

OJO CALIENTE DISCOVER GOLD WITH LA MARTINA

Ned Hine fires through the winner in extra time for Ana Escobedo’s team in a super-competitive, 15-goal final

Match Report Ojo Caliente 8 Tchogan/Polo Performance 7

Agolden goal off the stick of Ned Hine won the La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy for Ojo Caliente. Ana Escobedo’s team had to battle hard to win this 15-goal final though, with fellow finalists Tchogan/Polo Performance fighting them every step of the way. With the scores level at seven-all at the end of the fourth chukka extra time was required to separate these two competitive teams.

With the sun blazing down on The Queen’s Ground, spectators and La Martina’s guests, including Argentina’s Amabassador to the UK, HE Mariana Plaza, were treated to an extra five minutes of edge-of-the-seat polo. James Harper had the opportunity to finish things off for

Tchogan/Polo Performance with a penalty four but uncharacteristically sent it wide. So when Ojo Caliente’s Facundo Sola sent a perfect pass up field to Milly Hine the crowd held their breath. She sent the ball on to her brother Ned who slotted it through to win 8–7.

Milly was named the La Martina Most Valuable Player, reflecting her strong game across all five chukkas and her ability to pass the ball for the good of the team, not speculatively taking shots at goal. She received her prizes from Mr Ke Long You. Meanwhile Ana received the coveted trophy from Adrian Simonetti, President of La Martina. James Harper, who had been particularly impressive in the second half for Tchogan/Polo Performance, received the La Martina Best

MILLY WAS NAMED THE LA MARTINA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, REFLECTING HER STRONG GAME ACROSS ALL FIVE CHUKKAS AND HER ABILITY TO PASS THE BALL FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM

Playing Pony prize for Desiree from the Ambassador. James had been playing alongside his son Will, who was particularly outstanding in the first half. He scored all of Tchogan/Polo Performance’s goals in the first two chukkas.

Seventeen teams had entered this year’s 15-goal contest. Play had been fast and furious from the opening day and so it was little surprise that the final went into extra time. The sub final was a little more clear-cut. Noor Khadra’s Green Gates won this contest, defeating Philipp Mueller’s Standing Rock 7–3 on The Duke’s Ground.

TEAM LINEUPS

Ojo Caliente: Ana Escobedo (0); Milly Hine (2); Facundo Sola (8); Ned Hine (5).

Tchogan/Polo Performance: Heiko Voelker (0); Will Harper (4); Will Emerson (5); James Harper (6).

Green Gates: (1); Fred Thame (2); Sebastian Merlos (6); Cesar Crespo (6).

Standing Rock: Mueller (0); Pierandrea Mueller (3); Jack Hyde (5); Isidro Strada (7).

GUARDS LADIES 16-GOAL TOURNAMENT

30 August 2025

Final: La Mariposa USA, Transis by Los Quirones

Sub Final: Minninnooka, Equibiome

Sub Sub Final: Valhalla, Smiths Polo

IMAGES BY ART OF POLO

NINA CLARKIN CREATES A 10-GOAL PERFORMANCE

La Mariposa USA wins the Club’s 16-goal ladies’ tournament thanks to an early flurry of goals from the team’s top player

Match Report La Mariposa USA 8 Transis By Los Quirones 6

The final of the Guards Ladies 16-Goal Tournament turned into a game of two halves. La Mariposa USA – and the impressive Nina Clarkin – ensured this team had a commanding 7–0 lead at half-time. Nina, playing off a 10-goal ladies’ handicap, was unstoppable. She made the most of any space and delivered some fabulous runs to goal. Transis By Los Quirones’ Milly Hine worked hard to stop Nina when she could but was no match for this remarkable lady player and some fast ponies in the opening chukkas.

It was a different story in the second half though. It was Milly’s turn to shine and she converted penalties and scored field goals to bring Transis By Los Quirones back into contention at the end of the third, delivering a 7–4 scoreline. With La Mariposa USA now struggling to find goals there was suddenly all to play for in the last chukka. Claire Brougham started the scoring in this period for La Mariposa USA. Milly, who continued to battle hard, covering every inch of The Queen’s Ground, scored twice.

AFTER SUCH AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE, NINA RECEIVED THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER PRIZE

But time was against her and she couldn’t make a strong enough inroad into La Mariposa USA’s earlier superiority.

Not surprisingly, after such an outstanding performance, Nina received the Most Valuable Player prize. She also took home the Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for Whippet.

With six teams taking part in this year’s tournament Guards Polo Club hosted both a sub final and a match for fifth and sixth place. The sub final winners were Minninnooka. They beat Equibiome 7–6. Valhalla claimed fifth place after beating Smiths Polo 4–2½. u

TEAM LINEUPS

La Mariposa USA: Vijayashree Shaktawat (0); Anja Jacobs (1); Claire Brougham (5); Nina Clarkin (10). Transis By Los Quirones: Isabel Milojevic (0); Lorna Howe (3); Charlotte Pykett (4); Milly Hine (9). Minninnooka: Mandie Beitner (0); Zoe Reader (5); Kirstie Otamendi

(5); Rosie

Ross (6). Equibiome: Holly Mason (0); Olivia Lamphee (4); Maitena Marre (7); Annabel McNaught-Davis (5). Valhalla: Sam Buckles (3); Abby Foreman (4); Emma Sanderson (4); Stephanie Harris (5). Smiths Polo: Lisa Smith (2); Sammy Luff (3); Jemima Walker (4); Sarah Wiseman (6).

COPENHAGEN CUP

11 May 2025

Final: Stowe School, Cheltenham College

Shield: Wellington College, Harrow, Millfield

Sub Final: Eton College, Radley

STOWE WINS TOUGH SCHOOLS’ TEST

Leading polo-playing schools relish the opportunity to play on top polo fields in annual Copenhagen Cup challenge

Match Report Stowe School 10 Cheltenham College 3½

Stowe School won the 2025 edition of the Copenhagen Cup schools tournament. They overwhelmed Cheltenham College (received 1½ goals on handicap) 10–3½ across four chukkas. Making the most of a game on one of the Cub’s top polo fields, Ground 8, the Stowe team led from the first chukka (3–2½).

Runners up in 2024, the blue and yellow shirts were determined to head home with the honours in 2025. Their number three, Archie Heseltine, a playing member at Guards Polo Club, delivered a particularly strong performance and was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player prize. In fact three of the Stowe School team are all playing members of Guards Polo Club, Heseltine, Luca Natella and Leander Sautter.

Seven teams had entered this year’s contest, which was created some years earlier by Amar and the late Mo Sheikh. Mo’s widow, Sapna Sheikh, joined the Club’s Chairman, Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer to present the prizes. This included the Copenhagen Shield to her son, Aramaya Sheikh, a member of the Wellington College team. This

squad, winners of the main final last season, won a competitive, six-chukka, round robin contest against Harrow and Millfield.

The other match on this morning of school sport was the Copenhagen Cup Sub Final. This was won by Eton College. Despite being the lower handicapped side – they received 1½ goals on handicap – the Eton squad dominated the game, beating Radley 6½–1. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Stowe School: Bea Leyland (0); Leander Sautter (0); Archie Heseltine (1); Luca Natella (2). Cheltenham College: Harri Dhillon (1); George Copcutt (1); Wilfred Copcutt (-1); Hector McPherson (0).

Eton College: Ramon Pepa (0); Eskandar Fouladi (-1); Sebastian Cunningham-Day (-1); Zac Ogilvie Thompson (-1). Radley: Harry Earnshaw (0); Bertie Smail

(-1); Angus Smail (0); Harry Oliver (0).

Wellington College: Leo Stuart (0); Aramaya Sheikh (-1); Elizabeth Mercer-Wong (-2); Charlie Sayers (-2).

Harrow School: Ulysses Hu (0); Huan Yan (-1); Ibrahim Faisal (-2); Christopher Purcell-Rodrigues (-1).

Millfield School: Archie Camm (-1); Finn Martin (-1); Aydin Issrissu (-1); Victoria Meneghetti (-1).

IMAGES BY ART OF POLO

STOWE

ETON

HARROW

MILLFIELD RADLEY

WELLINGTON

CHELTENHAM

GUARDS YOUTH TOURNAMENT

21 June 2025

Teams Coworth Park, Flemish Farm, Guards Polo Club, La Martina

YOUNG STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY ON THE LAWN

Talented youngsters make the most of games on top-level fields to impress some famous spectators

Sixteen young players took to the fields at Guards Polo Club in late June to compete in the Club’s annual Youth Tournament. This wonderful competition was open to our Patrons’ and Players’ children as well as those high-goal players who were in the UK. As Polohub Social said in its post-match Instagram report: “With laughter echoing from the sidelines and embraces shared at the final whistle, it was a day where young players weren’t only teammates, but friends building memories that will stay with them forever.”

The players were divided into four teams –Coworth Park, Flemish Farm, Guards Polo Club, La Martina – featuring a mix of ages. Starting bright and early on the Saturday morning, the teams played four chukkas of five minutes each. Coworth Park came out best of the quartet and a member of this team, Florencio Merlos Caset (pic. above), received the Most Valuable Player prize. He received his prizes from high-goaler Gonzalito Pieres. Rafa Laprida Loza, who had played for Guards Polo Club, was delighted to head home with the Best Playing Pony prize for Rosita (pic. above left). However, thanks to La Martina’s generosity, all the players headed home with some fabulous prizes after a delicious BBQ for everyone on the La Martina Lawn. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Coworth Park: Evie Markell, Lorenzo Antinori, Florencio Merlos Caset, Andino Donoso.

Flemish Farm: Florentina Harrison, Agustin Stirling, Santos Valent, Freddy Williams.

Guards Polo Club: Rafa Laprida Loza, Salvador Ruiz Guinazu, Ruby Sanders, Vieri Antinori Jnr.

La Martina: Zavier Ana Jehangiri, Ottillie Williams, Pedro Carmine, Indalecio Pieres.

IMAGES BY PADDY RAMIREZ

INTER REGIMENTAL POLO

13 July 2025

Inter Regimental Final: The Household Cavalry, Queen’s Royal Hussars

United Services Cup: Armed Forces Polo Association, Welsh Guards Association

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY WIN BATTLE ON THE POLO FIELD

Armed Forces polo takes centre stage at Smith’s Lawn, recalling the Club’s roots and highlighting the passion and commitment to the game within the military

Match Report The Household Cavalry 5½ Queen’s Royal Hussars 5

Military teams battled in July for the oldest trophy played for at Guards Polo Club. The Inter Regimental silverware dates back to 1871. This makes it seven years older than the Varsity Trophy and three decades older than the Major General’s Cup. Such history and legacy always makes for a wonderful day and the 2025 edition of the Cup was no exception.

The Household Cavalry rode to victory, beating the Queen’s Royal Hussars by their handicap advantage of half a goal. These teams were swapping the lead after each chukka, but

two goals from the Household Cavalry in the final minutes, as compared to only one from the Queen’s Royal Hussars confirmed the Cavalry’s victory. The winning team’s Lt Jonty Barlow was named the Most Valuable Player and received the Pringle Cup.

Following this match the Armed Forces Polo Association (AFPA) took to the field to play the Welsh Guards Association. The AFPA won this closely contested game 6–5 and received the United Services Cup. This trophy is played for as part of the AFPA’s Chapple Cup series. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Household Cavalry: Lt Col Mathew Woodward (-1); 2Lt Ben Humphries (0); Capt Jamie Thomas (2); Lt Jonty Barlow (1). Queen’s Royal Hussars: Major Nick Cowley (0); Capt the Hon William Cecil (0); Capt Jamie Fry (1); Capt Johnny Sleeman (2). Armed Forces Polo Association: Lt Josh Worsley RN (0); Col Tom Armitage HC (-1); Group Capt Ed Whitechurch RAF (0); Capt Hector Fair KRH (0). Welsh Guards Association: Capt Rupert Hackwill (0); Lt Col Guy Bartle-Jones (0); Andrew Guthrie (1); Capt Oli Powell (2).

SPRING TOURNAMENT

18 May 2025

Final: The Mirror, AFB Libertine

Sub Final: Mamhead Polo, Eleven

THE MIRROR START A SEASON TO REMEMBER

Sarkis Gabrelian’s team sends out a clue early in the season that The Mirror is a team to be feared

Match Report The Mirror 9 AFB/Libertine 6½

The Mirror highlighted their intent for the season in the final of the Spring Tournament. They won this match comfortably, defeating AFB/Libertine (who received half a goal on handicap) 9–6½ This was the first of six victories for Sarkis Gabrelian’s team in 2025 and helped ensure they were named Team of the Year at the Club’s annual awards evening. AFB /Libertine were slightly ahead (4½–4) at half-time and pulled a little further

ahead in the third (6½–5). However goals from Gabrelian, Felix Toccalino and Nicolas Roberts in the final chukka ensured The Mirror were the victors. Toccalino, who had a strong game, was named the Most Valuable Player.

The sub final was a battle between two of the Club’s lady patrons. Lidia Gauss’s Mamhead Polo came out best in this tussle, defeating Kate Lindsay-Fynn’s Eleven 10–4 on Ground Four. u

TEAM LINEUPS

The

Mirror: Sarkis Gabrelian (0); The Lord Manton (0); Felix Toccalino (2); Nicolas Roberts (4). AFB/Libertine: Clive Reid (-1); Alexander Nix (1); Fred Thame (2); Nacho Gonzalez (3). Mamhead Polo: Lidia Gauss (0); Josh Clover (2); Harry Muddle (2); Sebastian Dawnay (2). Eleven: Kate Lindsay-Fynn (0); Nicholas Hiller (12); Oliver Fanshawe (2); Eugenio Imaz (3).

COOL HOOVES TURN ON THE HEAT TO WIN

Rafi Bruckner's team pull away in final chukka to win first Open tournament of the season

Match Report

Cool Hooves Polo 8 Tchogan/Polo Performance 6

Cool Hooves Polo started their 2025 campaign on a winning note. Rafi Bruckner’s squad won the Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy in early May, beating Heiko Voelker’s Tchogan/Polo Performance 8–6 in this competitive,12-goal final.

The match was tight with the teams all square (4–4) at half-time. Goals from Santiago Araya for Cool Hooves and Will Emerson for Tchogan/Polo Performance ensured that these two squads headed into the final chukka still level (5–5). Cool Hooves turned it up a notch thanks to three goals from Segundo Darritchon – who was later named the Most Valuable Player – and one from Bruckner to deliver victory for Cool Hooves. Emerson fired through his third goal of the match in this chukka but it couldn’t change the final outcome.

In addition to Segundo’s Most Valuable Player prize the Darritchon family headed home with the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony rug. This was presented to La Mariposa Refinada, who had been played by Segundo in this final.

The sub final was a win for Simon Arber’s Four Quarters. They beat Alan Fall’s Mad Dogs 7–6 in another tight game at Coworth Park. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Cool Hooves: Rafi Bruckner (1); Santiago Araya (4); Segundo Darritchon (4); Nacho Gonzalez (3). Tchogan/Polo Performance: Heiko Voelker (0); Alfie Hyde (3); Will Harper (4); Will Emerson (5).

Four Quarters: Simon Arber (0); Dane Csaszar (3); Tomas Ballesteros (3); Benjamin Urquiza (6). Mad Dogs: Tom Collie (1); Alan Fall (1); Pedro Harrison (5); Ollie Cudmore (5).

5 May 2025

Final: Cool Hooves Polo, Tchogan/Polo Performance Sub Final: Four Quarters, Mad Dogs

IMAGES BY IMAGES OF POLO

COWORTH PARK CHALLENGE

6 July 2025

Final: White Crane Black, Monterosso

Sub Final: Green Gates, Bel Polo Team

IMAGES BY SANTIAGO YOUNG

WHITE CRANE BLACK GIVES COMMANDING PERFORMANCE

A super competitive 15-goal final is the perfect ending to a tournament that featured 15 determined and talented teams

Match Report White Crane Black 11 Monterosso 8

Jasmine Calvert-Ansari – with the help of her team-mates – lifted one of the physically biggest trophies at the Club in early July. Her White Crane Black team won the Coworth Park Challenge Trophy, beating Alessandro Bazzoni’s Monterosso 11–8.

White Crane Black dominated this match from the first whistle. They were 3–1 up after the first chukka and took the score to 5–1 following the second. Monterosso got themselves back into the game in the third but White Crane Black rode off for half-time with an impressive 8–4 advantage.

Tables turned slightly in the fourth with Ricardo Garros and Felix Toccalino scoring a

hat-trick of goals for Monterosso with none in reply from White Crane Black. However goals from Mackenzie Weisz and a duo from Santiago Chavanne confirmed victory for Jasmine’s team. Those key goals from Alfie Hyde, Weisz and Chavanne in the first half had given them a solid cushion.

Chavanne headed home with the Most Valuable Player prize. He also received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Channel.

The sub final was an equally tough game. Green Gates came out top of this tussle, defeating Bel Polo Team 12–9 at Coworth Park. u

TEAM LINEUPS

White Crane Black: Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0); Alfie Hyde (3); Mackenzie Weisz (6); Lorenzo Chavanne (6). Monterosso: Alessandro Bazzoni (1); Ricardo Garros (5); Felix Toccalino (2); Guillermo Terrera (7). Green Gates: Noor Khadra (1); Fred Thame (2); Sebastian Merlos (8); Cesar Crespo (6).

Bel Polo Team: Henry Lunn (1); James Emlyn (3); Tommy Severn (5); John Paul Clarkin (6).

COMMITTEE CUP

1 June 2025

Final: The Mirror, AFB

Sub Final: Harum Scarum

THE MIRROR SHINES IN COMMITTEE

Sarkis Gabrelian’s team add more silverware to their already bulging collection with a strong win in this competitive, eight-goal Club contest

Match Report The Mirror 8 AFB 3½

TEAM LINEUPS

The Mirror: Sarkis Gabrelian (0); Felix Toccalino (2); Josh Hyde (2); Nicolas Roberts (4). AFB: Clive Reid (-1); Fred Thame (2); Niall Donnelly (3); Pete Webb (3).

Harum Scarum: Melanie Hare (-1); Nicolas Hiller (1); Eugenio Imaz (3); Federico Boudou (4).

Tchogan: Heiko Voelker (0); Milo MacDonough (1); Catalina Lavinia (2); Will Emerson (5).

The Mirror team dominated the eight-goal tournaments in 2025. The Committee Cup was a great example of the team’s capabilities. They defeated Clive Reid’s equally competitive AFB team, who received half a goal on handicap, across four chukkas on the opening day of June. When these teams had met in the league stages Clive Reid’s team had won by the handicap advantage. The Mirror had clearly learnt from that loss and delivered a comprehensive victory in the final.

A rising star of the game, the young Argentine Felix Toccalino had a standout game for The Mirror and was rewarded with the

Most Valuable Player prize. Toccalino received his prizes from Truefitt and Hill’s Creative Director Austin Mutti Mewse. Truefitt & Hill, the official supplier of soaps and hand creams at the Club, including the Royal Box, generously donated all the players’ prizes on this day. Toccalino also received the Polo Times Best Playing Pony award for ITE Garua.

With 21 teams taking part in 2025 just reaching the final stages was an impressive feat. So Harum Scarum was delighted to claim the sub final prizes. They narrowly beat Tchogan by their half-goal handicap advantage, 6½–6, later in the day. u

IMAGES

SOCIAL CUP

27 July 2025

Final: HK/Bajaj Polo, Tchogan

Sub Final: Honesty at Tally Ho Farm, Quianto Capital

PATRONS TEAM UP TO WIN SOCIAL CUP

Members secure opportunity to watch competitive 10-goal final from the Royal Box in unusual sponsorship format

Match Report HK/Bajaj Polo 9 Tchogan 8½

The Social Cup is unique at Guards Polo Club – it is the only tournament that is directly sponsored by the Members.

Those Members who financially support the tournament are rewarded with a champagne afternoon tea in the Royal Box on finals day, for themselves and a guest.

So our event supporters in 2025 were not only rewarded with some delicious goodies from Searcys but also had the opportunity to watch a thrilling game of 10-goal sport on The Queen’s Ground. Iyad Omari and Vishwarupe Bajaj had teamed up for this competition and it proved a winning combination. HK/Bajaj defeated Heiko Voelker’s Tchogan (who received half a goal on handicap) 9–8½. However Segundo Darritchon was named Most Valuable Player after a strong game for Tchogan. Chris Mackenzie, a member of the winning team, received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Irenita Confesa.

The sub final was an equally close affair.

Yolanda Arber’s Honesty@Tally Ho Farm came out best, 5–4½, after a great tussle with Enrico Meneghetti’s Quianto Capital.

The day was also a fundraiser for the Not Forgotten Association. This military charity helps transform the lives of veterans and serving military personnel battling illness, injury or isolation. One of the charity’s Vice Presidents, Lt Col James Tedder, joined the chairman of our Social Committee, Catharina Hillenbrand von der Neyen, to present the prizes. u

TEAM LINEUPS

HK/Bajaj: Iyad Omari (0); Viswarupe Bajaj (1); Federico Boudou (4); Chris Mackenzie (6). Tchogan: Heiko Voelker (0); Max Voelker (2); Segundo Darritchon (4); Will Harper (4).

Honesty at Tally Ho Farm: Yolanda Arber (0); Emanuel Arber (1); Lucas Criado (6); Tomas Ballesteros (3). Quianto Captial: Emma Meneghetti (-1); Enrico Meneghetti (0); Beltran di Paola (3); Teodoro Lacau (7).

13 July 2025

Final: The Mirror, Tchogan/Polo Performance

Sub Final: Quianto Capital, Mad Dogs

THE MIRROR KEEP ON WINNING

Sarkis Gabrelian’s team add a 12-goal test to an impressive trophy collection

Match Report The Mirror 7 Tchogan/Polo Performance 6

Sarkis Gabrelian’s The Mirror squad continued their winning streak in early July but had to work hard for this win in the Phoenician Cup. Tchogan/Polo Performance pushed them in every chukka. With the scores level (5–5) after three chukkas there was still all to play for. Will Harper scored for Tchogan/Polo Performance but Nicolas Roberts was determined that this

12-goal contest was The Mirror’s and fired through two key goals to win the match.

Felix Toccalino collected the Most Valuable Player prize, one of several he received in the season. Air, played by Nicolas Roberts, was named the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony.

The sub final was a win for Enrico Meneghetti’s Quianto Capital. They beat Mad Dogs 6–4. u

TEAM LINEUPS

The Mirror: Sarkis Gabrelian (0); Felix Toccalino (2); Nicolas Roberts (4); Javier Guerrero (6). Tchogan/ Polo Performance: Heiko Voelker (0); Nina Clarkin (3); Will Harper (4); Will Emerson (5).

Quianto Capital: Victoria Meneghetti (-1)/Eduardo Meneghetti (0); Justo del Carril (2); Beltran di Paola (3); Teodoro Lacau (7). Mad Dogs: Ramon Pepa (1); Alan Fall (1); Pedro Harrison (5); Oliver Cudmore (5).

IMAGES BY IMAGES OF POLO

ASIAN ART WINS PRESIDENTIAL BATTLE

The President’s Trophy offers three thrilling finals in the penultimate week of the 2025 season

Match Report Asian Art 7 Harum Scarum 6

Rafi Bruckner led Asian Art team from the front to win the 10-goal President’s Trophy. His confident play and excellent goal scoring were rewarded with the Most Valuable Player prize. This impressive young player also collected the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize for Spider.

Asian Art had to fight hard for this victory though as Jonathan Hare’s Harum Scarum kept the prize in sight until the final whistle. Scores were level at half-time (4–4) but Asian Art pulled away (6–4) in the third. Federico Boudou scored a double for Harum Scarum in the final chukka but another goal from Jack Hydeensured a win for Asian Art.

The sub final was an even tighter affair between Tchogan and La Pedrosa. The scores were level (4–4) at the end of the fourth chukka and so

it was left to a sudden death extra chukka to decide the winner. Honours went to La Pedrosa, winning 5–4.

A sub sub final between Mad Dogs and Kusnacht Practice was a little more clear cut. Kusnacht Practice grabbed this game thanks to a 6–4 scoreline. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Asian Art: Rafi Brucker (1); Santiago Araya (4); Jack Hyde (5); Chris Bruckner (0). Harum Scarum: Jonathan Hare (0); Eugenio Imaz (3); James Mann (3); Federico Boudou (4). La Pedrosa: Yasin Amusan (0); Henry Brett (2); Matias Amaya (5); Roddy Williams (3).

PRESIDENT’S TROPHY

6 September 2025

Final: Final: Asian Art, Harum Scarum Sub Final: La Pedrosa, Tchogan

Sub Sub Final: Kusnacht Practice, Mad Dogs

Tchogan: Heiko Voelker (0); Vishwarupe Bajaj (1); Segundo Darritchon (4); Will Emerson (5).

Kusnacht Practice: Eduardo Greghi (0); Kian Hall (4); Hernan Muzzio (2); Nicolas San Roman (4). Mad Dogs: Alan Fall (1); Max Voelker (2); Hazel Jackson (2); Oliver Cudmore (5).

MAJOR GENERAL’S CUP

7 September 2025

Final: Watchcentre, Stable Cottage Sub Final: Hook Army Polo Team, Mad Dogs Sub Sub Final: AFB-Libertines Tchogan, Cavalry & Guards

WATCHCENTRE CALLS TIME ON STABLE COTTAGE

Club’s unique tournament which pits military teams against club squads delivers fierce yet friendly competition across three days

Match Report Watchcentre 5½ Stable Cottage 3

Anew name was added to the Major General’s Cup in 2025. The Watchcentre team, who received half a goal on handicap, delivered a commanding performance to win the historic trophy which was first played for in 1901.

Their opponents, Major Jamie Hayward’s Stable Cottage, are no strangers to success in this competition, having been successful seven times, but struggled to match Watchcentre’s dominance on this day.

Some impressive play from Mark Emerson, who was later named the Most Valuable Player, ensured that Watchcentre had a dominant, 4½–0 lead at half time. Emerson had teamed up well with Nick Beitner in this match, creating a strong partnership. Adebayo Karim worked hard in defence for Stable Cottage throughout

the four chukkas and helped prevent Watchcentre from scoring in the third.

Stable Cottage fought back further in the final chukka. Yasin Amusan put Stable Cottage on the scoreboard for the first time after a good run to goal and his team followed this up with a second successful shot at goal. Karim scored on the bell but this late flurry of goals was too late to change the final outcome.

Lord Manton, who was registering his seventh Major General’s victory, received the trophy from Major General James Bowder, Major General of the Household Division. Adebayo Karim collected the Images of Polo’s Best Playing Pony prize for his Uncle Tunde’s Gata. Karim had played this six-year-old chestnut mare in the second chukka. All the players received prizes which were generously donated by Truefitt & Hill.

The tournament is always a great reminder of

IMAGES BY IMAGES OF POLO

the Club’s military roots as Club teams compete against military squads and this year was no exception. Six teams had entered and every team had the opportunity to play on finals day. The Hook Army Polo Team defeated Mad Dogs to win the morning’s sub final, while AFB/ Libertine/Tchogan squad beat a Cavalry and Guards squad 6–2½ in the sub sub final. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Watchcentre: Lord Manton (0); Hamish MacLennan (0); Nick Beitner (0); Mark Emerson (2). Stable Cottage: Ramon Pepa (1); Yasin Amusan (0); Adebayo Karim (2); Major Jamie Hayward (0). Hook Army Team: Ocdt William Hawkings-Byass (-1); 2Lt Ben Humphries (0); Capt Jamie Thomas (2); Major

Jamie Drummond-Moray (1).

Mad Dogs: Elodie Avarguez (0); Andrew Cork (0); Thilo Sautter (1); George Copcutt (1). AFB/Libertine/Tchogan: Clive Reid (-1); Heiko Voelker (0); Alexander Nix (1); Max Voelker (2). Cavalry and Guards: Col Tom Armitage (-1); Capt Folarin Kuku (0); Capt Hector Fair (1); Capt Paddy Selfe (1).

AUTUMN NATIONS TROPHY

14 September 2025

Final: Green Gates, Nelson Segavas Polo

Sub Final: Four Quarters Orange, Mei Kwei Lui

GREEN GATES CLOSES SEASON IN STYLE

The Autumn Nations Trophy final hits the record books as the Club registered its 759th game of the year

Match Report Green Gates 9 Nelson Segavas Polo 6

Noor Khadra finished the 2025 season at Guards Polo Club with a flourish. His Green Gates team won the competitive 12-goal Autumn Nations Trophy and Khadra himself headed home with the Most Valuable Player prize. This was no mean feat as 14 top teams had entered this popular late-season contest. Green Gates defeated Nelson Segavas Polo 9–6. This was also a remarkable day for Guards Polo Club too as they were registering a record-breaking 759th game of the season.

It had looked as if the winning margin was going to be bigger as Green Gates were 7–2 up at half-time thanks to goals from Cesar Crespo, Fred Thame and Nina Clarkin. But Nelson Segavas Polo fought back in the second half, with Zac Beim being particularly impressive with a hat-trick and Luke Wiles finding the flags too. However

Khadra fired through a goal in each chukka of the second half to confirm his team’s superiority. To add to their success Green Gates also received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony for Sintetica, who had been played by Crespo in this match.

The sub final was a closer affair. Simon Arber’s Four Quarters Orange defeated Rachael Bartels Mei Kwei Lui 5–4. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Green Gates: Noor Khadra (1); Nina Clarkin (3); Fred Thame (2); Cesar Crespo (6). Nelson Segavas Polo: Kaspar Budd (1); Tom Beim (3); Luke Wiles (4); Zac Beim (4).

Four Quarters Orange: Simon Arber (0); Eugenio Imaz (3); Juan Ambroggio (5); Tom Morley (4). Mei Kwei Lu: Rachael Bartels (0); Jonny Good (3); Tomas Marin Moreno (5); Malcolm Borwick (4).

WATCHCENTRE FIND TIME TO WIN ON LAST DAY OF SEASON

Ten teams take to the field to play in the fierce yet friendly Chairman’s Tournament, concluding a wonderful year of polo

Match Report Watchcentre 4 J&R/PP Polo 3

Astrong cohort of teams entered the 2025 edition of the Chairman’s Tournament and every squad played on finals day. The most important of these matches was the main final. Rajendra Jain’s Watchcentre took the honours here. They narrowly defeated the J&R/PP Polo team 4–3 on The Duke’s Ground. The latter’s Riley Leake was named the Most Valuable Player though and team-mate, Daniel Otamendi, received the Images of Polo Best Playing pony prize for Guapasa.

AFB and Shoreline teamed up successfully to win the Directors’ Cup. They beat Asian Art by a one goal margin, 8–7. Tchogan headed home with the Silver Spur Cup after another one-goal win (6–5) against Lilienbach. Harum Scarum won the Cowboy Cup after defeating Mad Dogs 6–5. The Wooden Spoon was claimed by

Book Vault-Kilnwood. In another close game they beat Copi/Tempest 5–4. u

TEAM LINEUPS

Watchcentre: Rajendra Jain (0); Tom Windsor-Clive (-1); Josh Clover (2); Oscar Mancini (3).

J&R/PP Polo: Julian Leake (0); Nick Beitner (0); Riley Leake (1); Daniel Otamendi (3).

AFB/Shoreline: Clive Reid (-1); Tunde Karim (0); Josh Hyde (2); Pete Webb (3). Asian Art: Antony Kitchen (-1); Phil Seller (2); Edward Morris-Lowe (3); Chris Bruckner (0).

Tchogan: Heiko Voelker (0); Lord Manton (0); Rufus Uloth (2); Max Voelker (2).

Lilienbach: Alex Hller (0);

Nicolas Hiller (1); Rafi Bruckner (1); Nicolas Leal (2). Harum Scarum: Melanie Hare (-1); Jonathan Hare (0); James Mann (3); Temur Nadeem (2).

Mad Dogs: Col Tom Armitage (-1); Alan Fall (1); Mariano Darritchon (2); Mark Emerson (2).

Book Vault-Kilnwood: Andrew Cork (0); Thilo Sautter (1); Leander Sautter (0); Marcus Cork (3).

Copi/Tempest: Jesper Brunander (0); Archie Heseltine (1); Gustav Rausing (1); Chino Leiva (2).

CHAIRMAN’S TOURNAMENT

14 September 2025

Final: Watchcentre, J&R/PP Polo

Directors’ Cup: AFB/Shoreline, Asian Art

Silver Spur Cup: Tchogan, Lilienbach

Cowboy Cup: Harum Scarum, Mad Dogs

Wooden Spoon: Book Vault-Kilnwood, Copi/Tempest

IMAGES BY ALICE GIPPS, ART OF POLO, IMAGES OF POLO, MARCOS CERDEIRA,PABLO & PADDY RAMIREZ, SAM CHURCHILL, SANTIAGO YOUNG

MONDAY 21 APRIL

SUNDAY 18 MAY

MONDAY 5 MAY

RESULTS 2025

MONDAY 5 MAY

SUNDAY 18 MAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy Sub Final

Four Quarters: Dane Csaszar, Simon Arber, Tomas Ballesteros, Benjamin Urquiza

Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Mariposa Refinada (Segundo Darritchon)

Spring Tournament Sub Final

Mamhead Polo: Lidia Gauss, Sebastian Dawnay, Josh Clover, Jonathan Hare

Spring Tournament – Loyd Cup

26 APRIL

Harum Scarum: Ryan Pemble, Jonathan Hare, Yasin Amusan, Temur Nadeem

Spring Tournament Final

The Mirror: Lord Milo Manton, Sarkis Gabrelian, Felix Toccalino, Nico Roberts

Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy Final

Cool Hooves Polo: Segundo Darritchon, Rafi Bruckner, Santiago Araya, Nacho Gonzalez

Spring Amateur Tournament Final

Libertine: Juan Pepa, Alexander Nix, Melanie Hare, Ramon Pepa

Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy Most Valuable Player

Segundo Darritchon

Spring Amateur Tournament – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Dulcinea (Owned by Juan Pepa, played by Ramon Pepa)

Spring Tournament Most Valuable Player Felix Toccalino

Spring Amateur Tournament – Most Valuable Player Ramon Pepa

Spring Tournament – Combermere Cup

27 APRIL

Tchogan: Andrew Cork, Heiko Voelker, Max Voelker, Segundo Darritchon

SUNDAY 11 MAY

SATURDAY 3 MAY

SUNDAY 11 MAY

SUNDAY

RESULTS 2025

SUNDAY 11 MAY

SUNDAY 4 MAY

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy Sub Final

Green Gates: Fred Thame, Noor Khadra, Sebastian Merlos, Cesar Crespo

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy – Rodney Moore Cup

Standing Rock: Isidro Strada, Jack Hyde, Pierandrea Mueller, Phillipp Mueller

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy – Coronation Bowl

Ojo Caliente: Ned Hine, Facundo Sola, Ana Escobedo, Milly Hine

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy Best Playing Pony Desiree (played by James Harper of Tchogan/Polo Performance)

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy Final

Ojo Caliente: Milly Hine, Ana Escobedo, Facundo Sola, Ned Hine

La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy Most Valuable Player Milly Hine

Copenhagen Cup Final

11 MAY

Stowe School: Archie Heseltine, Leander Sautter, Bea Leyland, Luca Natella

Copenhagen Cup Sub Final

Wellington College: Leo Stuart, Aramaya Sheikh, Elizabeth Mercer-Wong, Charlie Sayers

Copenhagen Cup Most Valuable Player Archie Heseltine (Stowe)

MONDAY 26 MAY

MONDAY 26 MAY

SATURDAY 31 MAY

SATURDAY 31 MAY

RESULTS 2025

SUNDAY 1 JUNE,

SATURDAY 31 MAY

SATURDAY

MAY

SUNDAY 1 JUNE

Labrador Trophy Sub Final

Harum Scarum: Temur Nadeem, James Mann, Melanie Hare, Jonathan Hare

Labrador Trophy Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Matralla (Mia Cambiaso (Tex8n Polo)

Labrador Trophy Final

AFB /Quixote: Pete Webb, Fred Thame, Olympia Paus, Clive Reid

Labrador Trophy Most Valuable Player Fred Thame

La Martina Varsity Polo – Jenny Walton Masters Trophy (Eton v Harrow)

Harrow: Huan Yan, Ibrahim Faisal; Ulysses Hu, Christopher Purcell-Rodrigues

Committee Cup Sub Final

Harum Scarum: Nicholas Hiller, Melanie Hare, Eugenio Imaz, Federico Boudou

La Martina Pony Club Invitational

31

Pony Club Blue: Lulu Sanders, Freddy Williams, Isabel Fall, Ed Pakenham

Committee Cup Polo Times Best Playing Pony ITE Garua (Felix Toccalino)

La Martina Varsity Polo – Oxford v Cambridge

Oxford: Harry Rourke, Sufiyan Alim, Matthew Byrne, Camilla Hyslop

Committee Cup Final

The Mirror: Nico Roberts, Felix Toccalino, Josh Hyde, Sarkis Gabrelian

La Martina Varsity Polo – Arthus Lucas Trophy (Old Blues Match)

Cambridge Old Blues: Vittoria Schrager von Altishofen, Jeremy Allen, Sam Outtridge, Tahl Holtzman

Committee Cup Most Valuable Player Felix Toccalino

La Martina Varsity Most Valuable Player Camilla Hyslop

SATURDAY

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE

SUNDAY 8 JUNE

SUNDAY

Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Final –Platinum Jubilee Trophy

7 JUNE

Dubai: Camilo Castagnola, Tariq Albwardy, Hazel Jackson, Antonio Heguy

Cartier Queen’s Cup Final

15 JUNE

Park Place: Rufino Bensadon, Andrey Borodin, Hilario Ulloa, Rosendo Torreguitar

Cartier Queen’s Cup Final –Best Playing Pony Why Not I’m Easy (Hilario Ulloa)

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –Hubert Perrodo Trophy Most Valuable Player Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr

Cartier Queen’s Cup –Richard Watt Cup

SUNDAY 1 JUNE

Gaston: Jean Paul Luksic, Gonzalo Ferrari, Cruz Heguy, Guillermo Caset

Cartier Queen’s Cup Sub Final –Most Valuable Player Juan Martin Zubia

Cartier Queen’s Cup Sub Final - The Cartier Trophy

SUNDAY 15 JUNE

Sujan Indian Tigers: Juan Martin Zubia, Juan Britos, Jaisal Singh, Oliver Cudmore

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –Kerry Packer Trophy Best Playing Pony Why Not I’m Easy (Hilario Ulloa)

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –Hubert Perrodo Trophy

La Dolfina Marques de Riscal: Luis Aznar, Lucas Criado, Rufino Merlos, Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –Kerry Packer Trophy

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE

Park Place: Rosendo Torreguitar, Hilario Ulloa, Rufino Bensadon, Andrey Borodin

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –Kerry Packer Trophy Most Valuable Player Rosendo Torreguitar

Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final –

Hubert Perrodo Trophy Best Playing Pony

La Dolfina Misky (Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr)

Cartier Queen’s Cup – Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup

SATURDAY 24 MAY

Sujan Indian Tigers: Oliver Cudmore, Jaisal Singh, Juan Britos, Juan Martin Zubia

Cartier Queen’s Cup Final –Most Valuable Player Hilario Ulloa

Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Final –Gerard Leigh Trophy

King Power: Juan Martin Nero, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Ricardo Garros, Tomas Beresford

SUNDAY 8 JUNE

SUNDAY 8 JUNE

Guards Youth Tournament

SATURDAY 21 JUNE

Guards Youth Tournament

Coworth

RESULTS 2025

SUNDAY 29 JUNE

SUNDAY 29 JUNE

Archie David Cup Final – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Capitana (Nicolas Roberts)

Archie David Cup Final –Most Valuable Player Sarkis Gabrelian

Archie David Cup Final

The Mirror: Josh Hyde, Sarkis Gabrelian, Felix Toccalino, Nicolas Roberts

Archie David Cup Sub Final – Caterham Cup

Ainsley Saddlery: Andrew Dechet, Quin Ainsley, Ross Ainsley, Lachlan Gilmore

Park: Evie Markell, Evie Markell, Florencio Merlos Caset, Andino Donoso

Guards Youth Tournament 11+ Most Valuable Player Florencio Merlos Caset

Guards Youth Tournament Best Playing Pony Rosita (Rafa Laprida Loza (Guards Polo Club))

Next Generation Guards Challenge Sub Final

Meadowbrook: Vieri Antinori Jnr, Justo del Carril, Kamran Ali, Zac Ogilvie-Thompson

Next Generation Guards Challenge

Cambridge: Myla Cambiaso, Alfonso Nero, Isabella Lavinia, Orson Clarke

Next Generation Guards Challenge Best Playing Pony La Dolfina Picardia (Myla Cambiaso)

Next Generation Guards Challenge Most Valuable Player Celestino Merlos

RESULTS 2025

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

Out-Sourcing

Amanara: Nicky Sen, Hazel Jackson, Lorenzo Chavanne, Beltran Laulhe

Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final

Best Playing Pony

Popular (owned by Adolfo Cambiaso Snr, played by Tomas Panelo)

Ladies VL 22-Goal Final

La Dolfina/Tex8n: Myla Cambiaso Mindi Byrne, Mia Cambiaso, Milly Hine

Ladies VL 22-Goal Sub Final SATURDAY 5 JULY

La Rosada: Sam Buckles, Emma Sanderson, Nina Clarkin, Stephanie Haverhals

Ladies VL 22-Goal Most Valuable Player Myla Cambiaso

Guards Ladies’ Charity Polo – Invitational for the Guards Ladies’ Charity Shield

Look Good Feel Better: Shivangi Singh, Nicola Davidson, Abi Anderson, Elodie Avarguez

Out-Sourcing

La Dolfina BN: Tomas Panelo, Hugo Taylor, Mia Cambiaso, Babar Naseem

Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final – Most Valuable Player Hugo Taylor

Ladies VL 22-Goal Final Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Open Prusia (Owned by Ned Hine, played by Milly Hine)

The Guards Ladies’ Charity Polo–Invitational for the Guards Ladies’ Charity Shield Best Playing Pony Jemima (Abi Anderson)

Guards Ladies’ Polo Charity Polo –Invitational for the Guards Ladies’ Charity Shield Most Valuable Player

Yolanda Arber

SUNDAY 6 JULY

SUNDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

SUNDAY 13 JULY

Coworth Park Challenge Trophy Final

White Crane Black: Lorenzo Chavanne, Alfie Hyde, Mackenzie Weisz, Jasmine Calvert-Ansari

Coworth Park Challenge Trophy Sub Final

6 JULY

Green Gates: Noor Khadra, Fred Thame, Cesar Crespo, Sebastian Merlos

Coworth Park Challenge Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Channel (Lorenzo Chavanne)

Coworth Park Challenge Most Valuable Player Lorenzo Chavanne

Inter Regimental Polo DayUnited Services Cup

Armed Forces Polo Association: Lt Josh Worsley, Col Tom Armitage, Group Capt Ed Whitechurch, Capt Hector Fair

Inter Regimental Polo DayInter Regimental Final

13 JULY

Household Cavalry: Lt Col Matthew Woodward, 2Lt Ben Humphries, Capt Jamie Thomas, Lt Jonty Barlow

Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Day Most Valuable Player Emma MacRae (Fortunis Bloodstock)

Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Day

11 JULY

U.S. Polo Assn.: James Beim, HRH The Prince of Wales, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Amr Zedan

Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Day The Cox Family of Oklahoma Best Playing Pony Chechu (played by HRH The Prince of Wales, owned by King Power Polo)

Inter Regimental Polo Final – Pringle Cup for the Most Valuable Player Lt Jonty Barlow

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

SATURDAY 12 JULY

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

Phoenician Cup Sub Final

13 JULY

Quianto Capital: Victoria Meneghetti, Justo del Carril, Beltran di Paola, Teodoro Lacau

Phoenician Cup Final – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Air (Nicolas Roberts)

Access Bank Day – Khalifa Cup

Mangal Cement: Deeny Mangal, Dikko Dahiru Mangal, Amireeza Behbodi, Hilario Ulloa

Phoenician Cup Final –Most Valuable Player Felix Toccalino

Access Bank Day – Access Bank Trophy

12 JULY

Access Bank: Mia Cambiaso, Paco de Narvaez Gonzalez, Adolfo Cambiaso Snr, Adamu Mahmoud Atta & Fifth Chukker: Jaisal Singh, Lia Salvo, Guillermo Terrera, Tomas Panelo

Khalifa Cup Most Valuable Player Deeny Mangal

Access Bank Trophy - Best Playing Pony Lechusa (Tomas Panelo)

Roberts Cup Final

13 JULY

The Mirror: Nicolas Roberts, Josh Hyde, Sarkis Gabrelian, The Lord Manton

Roberts Cup Most Valuable Player Sarkis Gabrelian

Phoenician Cup Final

13 JULY

The Mirror: Felix Toccalino, Sarkis Gabrelian, Nicolas Roberts, Javier Guerrero

Access Bank Trophy Most Valuable Player Jaisal Singh

Roberts Cup Sub Final

13 JULY

Tex8n Polo: Nicolas San Roman, Ramon Pepa, Mindi Byrne, Hernan Muzzio

Roberts Cup Polo Times Best Playing Pony Angelina (Josh Hyde)

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

HPA’s International Day – Whitbread Trophy

26 JULY

Young Argentina: Felix Toccalino, Leon Donoso, Javier Guerrero, Manuel Prado

Whitbread Trophy – Explora Most Valuable Player Leon Donoso

Coronation Cup – Explora Best Playing Pony

Lovelocks Glow Worm (Louis Hine, owned by Tommy Severn)

Whitbread Trophy – Emerson & Watson RoR Best Playing Pony Totzo (Zac Beim (Young England))

Coronation Cup - Gabriel Donoso Trophy Brazil (Marcelo Camargo)

HPA’s International Day – Coronation Cup

26 JULY

England: Louis Hine, Oliver Cudmore, Max Charlton, Tomas Beresford

Coronation Cup – Emerson & Watson RoR Best Playing Pony Hot Poppy (Tomas Beresford)

Coronation Cup – Rufino Lauhle Most Valuable Player Louis Hine

Whitbread Trophy – Explora Best Playing Pony Flojura Pulpera (Leon Donoso)

Coronation Cup– Ferguson Trophy for the Hurlingham Polo Association’s Best Young English Player of the Year Louis Hine

Indian Polo Day - Indian Polo Challenge Shield Final

19 JULY

Ainsley Saddlery: Tomas Willans, Andrew Dechet, Manuel Plaza, Guillermo Caset, Lorenzo Metro

Indian Polo Challenge Shield Sub Final

19 JULY

Four Quarters Black: Romilla Arber, Lucas Criado, Felipe Dabas, James Harper

Indian Polo Challenge Shield – Most Valuable Player Andrew Dechet

Indian Polo Day - Jaipur Trophy

19 JULY

Jaipur Polo Team: Jaisal Singh, HH The Maharaja of Jaipur, Abhimanyu Pathak, Daniel Otamendi

Indian Polo Challenge Shield – Polo Times Best Playing Pony Sapo Athena (Guillermo Caset)

SUNDAY 27 JULY

SUNDAY 3 AUGUST

SUNDAY 3 AUGUST

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST

Crawford Cup Final

The Scary Eleven: Temur Nadeem, James Mann, Kate Lindsay-Fynn, Melanie Hare

Crawford Cup - Most Valuable Player Melanie Hare

Crawford Cup Sub Final

HK Polo: Iyad Omari, Will Drewitt, Hamid Ali, Aidan Christofferson

Crawford Cup - Best Playing Pony Bonito (James Mann)

Social Cup Sub Final

Honesty @ Tally Ho: Tomas Ballesteros, Lucas Criado, Emanuel Arber, Yolanda Arber

Social Cup Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Irenita Confesa (Chris Mackenzie)

Social Cup Final

SUNDAY 27 JULY

HK/Bajaj Polo: Viswarupe Bajaj, Iyad Omari, Chris Mackenzie, Federico Boudou

Social Cup Most Valuable Player Segundo Darritchon (Tchogan)

Town & County Championship Final

Tchogan: Viswarupe Bajaj, Heiko Voelker, Henry Brett, Will Emerson

Town & County Championship Sub Final

The Mirror: Nicolas Roberts, Sarkis Gabrelian, Josh Hyde, Felix Toccalino

Town & County ChampionshipImages of Polo Best Playing Pony Purple Rain (Ed Banner-Eve)

Town & County ChampionshipMost Valuable Player Henry Brett

THE MIRROR Polo Team

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST

The

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

WatchCentre:

RESULTS 2025

SUNDAY

Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup Final

White Crane Black: Jasmine Calvert Ansari, Mackenzie Weisz, David Stirling, Felipe Dabas

Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup Sub Final

Quianto Capital: Mark Tomlinson, Enrico Meneghetti, Juan Britos, Teodoro Lacau

Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup Final Most Valuable Player Mackenzie Weisz

Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup Best Playing Pony Mentirosa (Felipe Dabas)

Aston Martin Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup Sub Final Most Valuable Player Teodoro Lacau

Cottington Cup Sub Final

16 AUGUST

George Copcutt, Rajendra Jain, Phil Seller, James Mann

Duke of Wellington Trophy Sub Final

17 AUGUST

Ainsley Saddlery: Lachlan Gilmore, Sebastian Dawnay, Andrew Dechet, Manuel Plaza

Duke of Wellington Trophy Final

17 AUGUST

Tempest: Florencio Lanusse, Gustav Rausing, Simon Prado, Ryan Pemble

Cottington Cup – Most Valuable Player Vishwarupe Bajaj

Duke of Wellington Trophy Final –Polo Times Best Playing Pony Cristal (Simon Prado)

Duke of Wellington Trophy Final –Most Valuable Player Simon Prado

Cottington Cup Final

Mirror: Vishwarupe Bajaj, Sarkis Gabrelian, Felix Toccalino, Nicolas Roberts

Cottington Cup – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Voice (Daniel Otamendi (TEQ))

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST

Young

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST

La Mariposa USA: Vijayashree Shaktawat, Anya Jacobs, Claire Brougham, Nina Clarkin

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST

Minninnooka: Kirstie

England v South Africa - Best Playing Pony Milanesa (Isabel Fall (Young England))

Guards Ladies’ Polo Tournament –Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Most Valuable Player Nina Clarkin

England v South Africa - Emerson & Watson ROR Best Playing Pony Maggies Gem (Jemima Walker (Young England))

Guards Ladies’ Polo Tournament –Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Polo Times Best Playing Pony Whippet (Nina Clarkin)

Guards Ladies’ Polo Tournament –Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Sub Sub Final

Valhalla: Sam Buckles, Abby Foreman, Emma Sanderson, Stephanie Haverhals

Guards Ladies’ Polo Tournament –Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy

Guards Ladies’ Polo Tournament –Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Sub Final

Otamendi, Mandie Beitner, Zoe Reader, Rosie Ross

Duke of Cornwall’s Trophy

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST

Blenheim: Pedro Harrison, George Blandford, Diego Cavanagh, David Ashby

The Duke of Cornwall’s Trophy Sub Final

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST

Bel Polo: Henry Lunn, Tommy Severn, James Beim, Zac Beim

The Duke of Cornwall’s Trophy–Most Valuable Player David Ashby

HPA Women’s Polo Young International

South Africa: Charlie Spilsbury, Lucy Brooke-Leggatt, Charlotte Armstrong, Alice Eustace

The Duke of Cornwall’s Trophy –Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Carina (Manuel Plaza (Ainsley Saddlery))

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST

Mad

Vishwarupe

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

Hook Army Polo Team: OCdt William HawkingsByass, 2Lt Ben Humphries, Capt Jamie Thomas,

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST

Eleven: George

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

WatchCentre: Lord Manton, Hamish MacLennan, Nicholas Beitner, Mark Emerson

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

AFB-Libertines-Tchogan: Max

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

Asian

SATURDAY 6

Flemish Farm Trophy Sub Final

Copcutt, Kate Lindsay-Fynn, Oliver Fanshawe, Eugenio Imaz

Flemish Farm Trophy Final – The Best Playing Pony Betty (played by Felix Toccalino (The Mirror), owned by Diego Giagante)

Major-General’s Cup Final –Most Valuable Player Mark Emerson

President’s Cup Final – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Spider (Rafi Bruckner)

President’s Cup Final – Most Valuable Player Rafi Bruckner

Major-General’s Cup Final –Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Gaita (Adebayo Karim (Stable Cottage), owned by Tunde Karim)

President’s Cup Sub Sub Final

Kusnacht Practice: Kian Hall, Eduardo Greghi, Hernan Muzzio, Nicolas San Roman

Flemish Farm Trophy Final

Dogs: Hamish MacLennan,

Bajaj, Alan Fall, Will Emerson

President’s Cup Final

Art: Santiago Araya, Rafi Bruckner, Jack Hyde, Chris Bruckner

Flemish Farm Trophy Final – Most Valuable Player Vishwarupe Bajaj

President’s Cup Sub Final

SEPTEMBER

La Pedrosa: Yasin Amusan, Henry Brett, Marcos Araya, Roddy Williams

Major General’s Cup Final

Major General’s Cup Sub Final

Major Jamie Drummond-Moray

Major General’s Sub Sub Final

Voelker, Heiko Voelker, Clive Reid, Alexander Nix

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Autumn Nations Tournament Final

Green Gates: Fred Thame, Noor Khadra, Cesar Crespo, Nina Clarkin

Autumn Nations Tournament – Most Valuable Player Noor Khadra

Autumn Nations Tournament Sub Final

Four Quarters Orange: Tom Morley, Eugenio Imaz, Juan Ambroggio, Simon Arber

Autumn Nations Tournament –Polo Times Best Playing Pony

Open Sintetica (Played by Cesar Crespo, owned by Green Gates)

Chairman’s Cup Final –Most Valuable Player Riley Leake (J&R/PP Polo)

Chairman’s Cup Final – Images of Polo Best Playing Pony Guapasa (Daniel Otamendi (J&R/PP Polo))

Chairman’s Cup – Cowboy Cup

Harum Scarum: Temur Nadeem, Jonathan Hare, Melanie Hare, James Mann

Chairman’s Cup Sub Sub Final –Silver Spur Cup

Tchogan: Heiko Voelker, Lord Manton, Rufus Uloth, Max Voelker

Chairman’s Cup Final

Watchcentre: Rajendra Jain, Tom Windsor-Clive, Josh Clover, Oscar Mancini

Chairmans Cup – Wooden Spoon

Book Vault-Kilnwood: Thilo Sautter, Andrew Cork, Leander Sautter, Marcus Cork

Chairman’s Cup – Sub Final for the Directors’ Cup

AFB/Shoreline: Josh Hyde, Clive Reid, Tunde Karim, Pete Webb