Victor Ludorum

Guy Schwarzenbach in action for Black Bears

2022 Season

Has Begun Victor Ludorum 22 – 4 Goal

The 2022 Victor Ludorum series is underway! As this issue went to print, three Finals had been played, with many more to come over the next few months, turn to our What’s On pages for the full Victor Ludorum fixtures ot come. The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club saw 10 teams compete and was won by Twelve Oaks, please turn to page 32 for a full report and our Sidelines pages for social snaps from the day.

18 Goal Victor Ludorum

Black Bears Polo Club – The Oxfordshire Cup Final – Sunday 15 May Number of teams: Four Winners: Black Bears Points: 15

The Final and Subsidiary Final of The Oxfordshire Cup took place on a glorious day of sunshine bathing the grounds of Lower Bolney Farm

Faced with the prospect of a very strong Emlor team that was so successful against them last year, Black Bears knew they would have to dig deep to get an early advantage. Jimbo Fewster got them off to a flying start with a rapid goal, followed by a converted penalty from Paco O’Dwyer, but Max Charlton and Hugo Taylor quickly rallied and the first chukka ended two goals apiece. This was followed by two goals by Michel del Carril with Guy Schwarzenbach scoring a decisive goal in the third to ensure that Black Bears were five ahead at the end of the chukka.

The second half got underway and spectators were treated to a further great display of competitive polo with both teams making the most of the opportunity to go end to end on a field that really lends itself to fast, running polo.

Photography by The Art of Polo

Black Bears, winners of The Oxfordshire Cup

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Gerald Balding Final – Sunday 22 May Number of teams: 13 Winners: Wacosa Points: 90

On Sunday 22 May, Wascosa defeated Los Chinos, 6-5½ on Ivy Lodge at Cirencester Park Polo Club in the Gerald Balding Final. Tom Beim’s Gamble was the Best Playing Pony and Wascosa’s Nacho Gonzalez was chosen as the Most Valuable Player. Later in the day, Coppid Owls won the Subsidiary Final with a 6-4 win against Azul Cigarra/ Irongate.

The Gerald Balding Final Teams:

Wascosa (8): Philipp Muller (0), Pier Andrea Muller (1), Sebastian Dawnay (3) & Nacho Gonzalez (4) Los Chinos (7): Alison Clark (-1), Ed Morris (1), Zac Beim (3) & Tom Beim (4)

Wascosa, winners of The Gerald Balding

The fourth chukka saw the game continue to favour Black Bears, with Schwarzenbach scoring a couple of goals alongside del Carril to counter the earlier one from Charlton, and Black Bears looked to have a comfortable lead of five goals going into the last. However, inspired by Spencer McCarthy who earned the title of Most Valuable Player as a result, Emlor staged a powerful comeback with Alejandro Muzzio scoring three alongside McCarthy’s cracking effort. Unfortunately, time was just against them and in the end Black Bears won 8-7.

The Subsidiary Final was won by Perfect Moment, who defeated White Crane 9-6, with Max Gottschalk chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Florence, owned by Whithorn Estate and played by Andrew Blake Thomas was BPP.

The Oxfordshire Cup Final Teams:

Black Bears (16): Guy Schwarzenbach (3), Jimbo Fewster (3), Michel del Carril (4) & Patrick O’Dwyer (6) Emlor (18): Spencer McCarthy (1), Hugo Taylor (4), Max Charlton (6) & Alejandro Muzzio (7)

Pier Andrea Muller with his eyes on the ball

Photography by Tom Reynolds/ PoloUKPhotography