PARK PLACE’S WINNING STREAK CONTINUES
Justerini & Brooks
Prince ofWales Trophy
BRIAN STEIN OBITUARY
Polo Stalwart & Restaurateur A cionado
2023 HIGH GOAL GUIDE
Who is Playing Where & When is Season
PLUS: Electroyltes, Concussion Injuries & Tedworth Park Polo Club Spotlight
With the rainy days of the wettest March in over 40 years and a rather chilly April, we seem to have skipped spring and landed straight into summer, which brings with it the world-famous, English high goal season.
As this issue went to print, La Magdeliene had dusted off the cobwebs and secured The Trippett’s Challenge invitational tournament, Park Place had just lifted high The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy and 17 teams were competing in The Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club.
Nothing quite says summer better than watching some of the best players in the world battle it out at the most iconic polo clubs with a refreshing glass of Pimm’s in hand. Or… for the more dedicated polo spectators – sat on the tailgate of your car, during a mid-week qualifier, quite probably in the drizzle. Either way, there is some of the best polo on display over the course of the next few months and this year sees a record-breaking 18 teams taking part, with each and every one of them with their eyes firmly set on lifting the historic silver (and gold) ware up for grabs.
At the time of going to press, teams had not yet declared for the Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup – the tournament being the final high goal fixture in the UK season, played for at Guards Polo Club in August
Guy Schwarzenbach (2) ◊ Antonio Heguy (5)
Ollie Cudmore (6) ◊ Juan Martin Nero (9)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Black Bears is a polo team which has been synonymous with the English high goal for over 35 years and has an impressive number of wins under its belt: The Queen’s Cup in 1993 and 1994; The Gold Cup in 1992, 2002 and 2006; The Warwickshire Cup in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2016 and 2022. Last year saw their return to the high goal when they won The Warwickshire Cup at Cirencester Park Polo Club as well as winning the 18 goal Victor Ludorum series following wins in The Oxford Cup, The Apsley Cup and The Indian Empire Shield. Team mates Guy Schwarzenbach and Ollie Cudmore return for 2023 with the addition of Antonio Heguy and former 10 goaler, Juan Martin Nero –certainly a team to watch.
Charlie Wooldridge (2) ◊ Joaquin Pittaluga (7)
Cristian Laprida (8) ◊ Matias Mac Donough (5) (Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Last year Twelve Oaks kicked off their English high goal debut in style, winning the first tournament of the season – The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy. Charlie Wooldridge has been keeping his eye in over the winter months, scooping up The Inspired Arena Polo Masters at Hickstead and this year they are returning with 75 per cent of the same line-up, with the addition of Matias Mac Donough who enjoyed 2022 wins in Argentina in The Pilar and Argentine Republic Cups.
David Paradice (0) ◊ Matias ‘Colo’ Gonzalez (4)
Poroto Cambiaso (9) ◊ Adolfo Cambiaso (9)
(Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Australian David Paradice returns once again to British shores, no doubt keen to recreate his 2019 Queen’s Cup win. Scone Polo has had a busy winter honing their skills, where Poroto Cambiaso and Paradice secured The USPA Gold Cup. They are teaming up with Adolfo Cambiaso, as per their 2022 line-up, and Matias Gonzalez (who faced Scone in this year’s USPA Gold Cup Final for team Pilot). The father-son Cambiaso duo is certainly a force to be reckoned with, showcased by their back-toback wins in the 2022 Argentine Triple Crown for La Dolfina in The Hurlingham and Argentine Opens.
Siri Evjemo-Nysveen (0) ◊ James Beim (6) Diego Cavanagh (8) ◊ Juan Martin Zubia (8) (Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Siri Evjemo-Nysveen’s Vikings return to the UK once again and have already made their mark, narrowly missing out to Park Place in The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy Final. They return with all but one of their 2022 line-up, swapping a Brit for a Brit as James Beim replaces Mark Tomlinson, who is playing for Cibao La Pampa this year. Beim is fresh from his Westchester Cup win where he represented England against America in the historic rivalry and has previously achieved wins in The Queen’s Cup (2022 and 2019), The Prince of Wales (2014 and 2015), The Gold Cup (2018) and The Warwickshire Cup (2014).
Alessandro Bazzoni (1) ◊ Lucas Criado (6)
Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino (7) ◊ David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (8) (Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Monterosso enjoyed back-to-back wins in The Prince of Wales Trophy and The Warwickshire Cup in 2018. This year sees the 2022 line-up return, with the addition of Lucas Criado, replacing Matias ‘Colo’ Gonzalez who is playing for Scone this season. Criado has had a super successful start to the year with wins in The C.V. Whitney Cup, Ylviskaer Cup and Joe Barry Memorial in America. Pelon Stirling had a busy winter in Argentina, winning The Argentine and Hurlingham Opens with La Dolfina Saudi.
Corinne Ricard/Edourard Carmignac (0) ◊ Alejandro Muzzio (7) Polito Pieres (9) ◊ Marcos Araya (6) (Trippett’s Challenge, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Gold Cup)
This year sees a collaboration between Murus Sanctus and Talandracas, with a combination of 2022 player line-ups mixed together; Alejandro Muzzio, undoubtedly one of the toughest players on the circuit, returns with 2022 Talandracas team mate Polito Pieres, while Marcos Araya and Corinne Ricard played together for Murus Sanctus last season. The team will be competing with Edouard Carmignac as Talandracas in The Gold Cup where they lost out in the Semi Finals last year to overall champions, Park Place, while Corinne Ricard’s Murus Sanctus reached the Final of The Trippett’s Challenge at the start of this season and will no doubt be looking to build upon this going forward. Alejandro Muzzio, undoubtedly one of the toughest players on the circuit, returns with 2022 Talandracas team mate Polito Pieres.
Garvy Beh (3) ◊ Joevy Beh (3)
Benjamin Panelo (7) ◊ Genaro Ringa (7) (Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Last year BP Polo lost out to Park Place in The Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup at Guards Polo Club in the Final. This year they are returning with the addition of Genaro Ringa who reached The Warwickshire Cup Final with Thai Polo NP in 2022. As the only 20 goal team entered in this year’s high goal season, the odds will be stacked against them unless they can use the handicap goal advantage to its full effect; only time will tell.
Varvara Borodina (0) ◊ Min Podesta (7)
Hilario Ulloa (10) ◊ Santos Merlos (5)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Park Place Vaara narrowly missed out on The Queen’s Cup title last year, losing out to Great Oaks Les Lions 9-8 in a nail-biting Final. 2022 team mates Hilario Ulloa and Santos Merlos return once again this year, joined by Varvara Borodina who is taking part in the English high goal season for the first time. Min podesta has had a fruitful winter honing his skills in Dubai, where he won The Dubai Gold Cup and The Dubai Silver Cup.
The British high goal season has begun
Alexandre Garese (0) ◊ Facundo Fernandez Llorente (7)
Pablo MacDonough (9) ◊ Santiago Laborde (6)
(Trippett’s Challenge, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup))
La Magdeleine started their 2023 high goal season with a bang, outscoring their rivals Murus Sanctus/Talandracas 12-8 in The Trippett’s Challenge in May. This year sees a return of three quarters of their 2022 line-up, with Ollie Cudmore (who is now playing for Black Bears) replaced by Santiago Laborde. Despite being new to the team, Laborde had a fantastic start to the season with this team, playing a pivotal role in the second half of in The Trippett’s Challenge Final to help secure the team’s win.
Alejandro Aznar (0) ◊ Guilermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (9)
Santiago Cernadas (7) ◊ Chris Mackenzie (6)
(Trippett’s Challenge, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup) 2021 Sotogrande High Goal Gold Cup winner, Alejandro Aznar, is returning to the English season with his sights set on the silverware. Last year in The Gold Cup they lost out to Park Place, who later went on to win the title, in the Quarter Finals and for 2023 they return with Chris Mackenzie complementing their 2022 line-up. South African, Mackenzie has a host of British titles to his name already including, The Royal Windsor, The Challenge Cup and The Warwickshire Cup.
Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha (1) ◊ Will Harper (4)
Gonzalito Pieres (9) ◊ Nicolas Pieres (8)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
King Power is never a team to be underestimated, with an impressive roster of players and horsepower. This year sees the return of Nico Pieres and Top Srivaddhanaprabha, who are joined by Nico’s brother and former 10 goaler, Gonzalito Pieres; Nico and Gonzalito are well acquainted together in Argentina as part of Ellerstina. Homegrown talent Will Harper will take the fourth seat in this impressive line-up, looking for his first English high goal title.
Jaisal Singh (1) ◊ Louis Hine (5)
Bautista Bayugar (8) ◊ Franciso Elizalde (8)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy & Cartier Queen’s Cup)
2023 is Sujan Indian Tigers’ debut English high goal season, but the players are no strangers to the high goal circuit with 2022 Cowdray Gold Cup champions, Louis Hine and Francisco Elizalde teaming up once again. Bautista Bayugar has spent the winter honing his skills in Dubai, where he won The Dubai Silver Cup and reached The Dubai Gold Cup Final. Jaisal Singh began playing polo at 14-years-old and plays throughout India, his passion for the sport has taken him to write Polo In India, which tells the story of Indian polo from its earliest roots to the modern game. They were defeated by Park Place, who later went on to win the title, in the opening rounds of The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales, but they are looking ahead to The Cartier Queen’s Cup which Jaisal Singh is very much looking forward to, “I am very excited to be playing in this tournament –it has been something I have wanted to do for most of my life”.
Andrey Borodin (0) ◊ Matt Perry (5)
Facundo Pieres (10) ◊ James Harper/Cruz Heguy (7)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Park Place have started the season with a bang, securing The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy courtesy of an extra chukka, golden goal by Facundo Pieres. Unfortunately, during this Final their super solid back door – James Harper – suffered a direct ball hit to the arm, which resulted in a small fracture. While Harps hopes to be back shortly, Cruz Heguy has stepped in to fill the spot for The Queen’s Cup currently. Park Place also won The Prince of Wales Trophy in 2020 and last year secured The Gold Cup and The Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup, although Pieres is the only 2022 professional player in this year’s line-up.
HH Sheikha Maitha (0) ◊ Lukin Monteverde Jnr (6)
Barto Castagnola (9) ◊ Tommy Beresford (7) (Trippett’s Challenge, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
UAE Polo Team is returning this year with 100 per cent the same player line-up as in 2022, a rarity in high goal polo these days. No doubt this team will be looking to recreate their 2021 successes, which saw them win The Gold and Queen’s Cups. While Barto has been keeping his eye in on the Argentine circuit over the winter with wins in The Jockey Club Open, Tourtugas Open and Metropolitan Cup High Goal, Tommy Beresford, Lukin Monteverde Jnr and HH Sheikha Maitha have been dominating the Dubai tournaments. It will be exciting to see this team back together and hopefully they can build on their 2022 Queen’s and Gold Cup Quarter Final knock outs.
Talacrest sponsors The Prince of Wales’s Championship, which was first played for in 2022
Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (10) ◊ Rashid Albwardy (2)
Beltran Laulhe (3) ◊ Rufino Bensadon (7)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, Cartier Queen’s Cup & Cowdray Gold Cup)
Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai Polo Team are a regular name in the world of polo and rightly so, with an impressive five Gold Cup wins to their name as well as four Prince of Wales titles, six Queen’s Cup wins and a Warwickshire Cup win to complete the quartet. Last year they lost out to Park Place in The Gold Cup Final and this year Jeta Castagnola and Rashid Albwardy are returning with Beltran Laulhe, fresh from his winter Argentine wins in The Thai Polo Cup Argentina and The President Cup. Rufino Bensadon rounds off the line-up and already has experience winning in the high goal after securing The Prince of Wales Trophy (2021) and The Warwickshire Cup (2020). As always, a team to take seriously.
Juan Pepa (1) ◊ Jaime Huidobro (6)
Mark Tomlinson (6) ◊ Tomas Panelo (9)
(Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy & Cartier Queen’s Cup)
Cibao La Pampa’s English high goal debut was in 2022, but this year sees a renewed line-up with Juan Pepa joined by the experienced Jaime Huidobro (winner of the Cowdray Gold Cup in 2012 and Prince of Wales Tropy in 2011), alongside Brit Mark Tomlinson who has both The Warwickshire (2014 and 2015) and Cowdray Gold Cups (2003) titles under his belt already. 9 goaler Tomas Panelo has had a successful season in America over the winter, winning The USPA Gold Cup with Scone and previously he won The Cartier Queen’s Cup in 2021 with UAE Polo and reached The Cowdray Gold Cup Final in the same year.
Arsalan Karim (0) ◊ Alfredo Bigatti (8)
Jeronimo Del Carril (7) ◊ Isidro Strada (7)
(Cartier Queen’s Cup)
Clinova, a consumer healthcare company focusing on wellness, nutrition and the prevention of health problems, has been announced as a Corporate Partner of Guards Polo Club and is currently offering all Guards Polo Club teams complimentary packs of its O.R.S. Hydration Tablets. The team returns again to The Queen’s Cup with a refreshed line-up from 2021 and three new players; 2022 Gold Cup finalists will be joined by Isidro Strada who having qualified for many an English high goal Final over the years, is looking for his first title, and 2022 Royal Windsor winner, Alfredo Bigatti rounds off the team.
Noor Khadra (1) ◊ Cesar Manuel Crespo (6)
Francisco Elizalde (8) ◊ Isidro Strada (7)
(Cowdray Gold Cup)
The 2023 Cowdray Gold Cup will be Green Gate’s first foray into the English high goal and following on from their 2022 successes in the Victor Ludorum series 18 goal, there are high hopes for the newcomers on familiar turf at Cowdray Park Polo Club; last year they came joint second in the VL series after wins in The Duke of Sutherland and Challenge Trophy. Cesar Manuel Crespo is no stranger to the team, having led the team to their 2021 Harrison Cup win. 2022 Gold Cup winner, Francisco Elizalde will be joining the team fresh from warming up in The Prince of Wales and Queen’s Cup with Sujan Indian Tigers and Isidro Strada will move across from Clinova.
The Justerini & Brook
Prince of Wales Trophy
Where? The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
When? Thursday 11 May –
Saturday 20 May
Previous Winners?
1986 – Kennelot
1987 – Southfield
1988 – Hilton House
1989 – Tramontana
1990 – Tramontana
1991 – Munnipore
1992 – Ellerston White
1993 – Maple Leafs
1994 – Cowdray Park
1995 – Alcatel
1996 – Alcatel
1997 – Geebung
1998 – Jerudong Park
1999 – Ellerston Park
2000 – Royal Pahang
2001 – FCT
2002 – Dubai
2003 – Buzzee Bees
2004 – Azzurra
2005 – Azzurra
2006 – Dubai
2007 – Cadenza
2008 – Broncos
2009 – Talandracas
2010 – Emlor
2011 – El Remanso
2012 – Dubai
2013 – Emlor
2014 – La Indiana
2015 – La Indiana
2016 – Valiente Dubai
2017 – RH Polo
2018 – Monterosso
2019 – Marchfield
2020 – Park Place
2021 – Thai Polo NP
2022 – Twelve Oaks
2023 – Park Place
The Cartier Queen’s Cup
Where? Guards Polo Club
When? Tuesday 23 May –
Sunday 18 June
Previous Winners?
1960 – The Centaurs
1961 – Silver Leys
1962 – Sao Silvestre
1963 – Cowdray Park
1964 – The Centaurs
1965 – Pimm’s
1966 – Pimm’s
1967 – Woolmers Park
1968 – Woolmers Park
1969 – Pimm’s
1970 – Cowdray Park
1971 – Stowell Park
1972 – Cowdray Park
1973 – Stowell Park
1974 – San Flamingo
1975 – Foxcote
1976 – Flamingo
1978 – Stowell Park
1979 – Los Locos
1980 – Stowell Park
1981 – Cowdray Park
1982 – Boehm Team
1983 – Cowdray Park
1984 – Foxcote
1985 – Centaurs
1986 – Les Diables Blues
1987 – Southfield
1988 – NPC Broncos
1989 – Hilditch & Key
1990 – Santa Fe
1991 – Ellerston White
1992 – Ellerston White
1993 – Black Bears
1994 – Black Bears
1995 – Labegorce
1996 – Ellerston White
1997 – Isla Carroll
1998 – Ellerston
1999 – Ellerston
2000 – Geebung
2001 – Not Played
(Foot & Mouth Disease)
2002 – Emerging
2003 – Dubai
2004 – Labegorce
2005 – Dubai
2006 – Dubai
2007 – Loro Piana
2008 – Ellerston
2009 – Apes Hill
2010 – Dubai
2011 – Talandracas
2012 – Dubai
2013 – Zacara
2014 – Zacara
2015 – King Power Foxes
2016 – Dubai
2017 – RH Polo
2018 – La Indiana
2019 – Scone
2020 – Les Lions/Great Oaks
2021 – UAE Polo
2022 – Great Oaks
The Warwickshire Cup
Where? Cirencester Park
Polo Club
When? Thursday 15 –
Saturday 24 June
Previous Winners?
1894 – E.D. Miller’s Team
1895 – E.D. Miller’s Team
1896 – Rugby
1897 – Winwick
1898 – Winwick
1899 – Old Cantabs
1900 – W. Buckmaster’s Team
1901 – Old Cantabs
1902 – W. Buckmaster’s Team
1903 – Stockton House
1904 – Frizz Hill
1905 – Oakham House
1906 – Oakham House
1907 – Tigers
1908 – Old Cantabs
1909 – Tigers
1910 – Tigers
1911 – Thornby
1912 – Friz Hill
1913 – Friz Hill
1932 – Roehampton
1933 – Roehampton
1934 – Kashmir
1937 – Goulburn
1939 – Roehampton
1959 – Kirtlington
1960 – Argentina
1961 – Sud America
1962 – Ratanda
1963 – Buccaneers
1965 – Jersey Lillies
1966 – Windsor Park
1967 – Chequers Manor
1968 – Cirencester Park
1969 – Buccaneers
1970 – Todham
1971 – San Flamingo
1972 – Stowell Park
1973 – Stowell Park
1974 – Cowdray Park
1975 – Cowdray Park
1976 – Golden Eagles
1977 – Cowdray Park
1978 – Stowell Park
1979 – Roundwood Park
1980 – Cowdray Park
1981 – Maple Leafs
1982 – Southfield
1983 – Boehm Team
1984 – Southfield
1985 – Centaurs
1986 – Falcons
1987 – Southfield
1988 – Black Bears
1989 – Southfield
1990 – Ellerston White
1991 – Black Bears
1992– Los Locos
1993 – Ellerston White
1994 – Black Bears
1995 – Royal Pahang
1996 – Ellerston White
1997 – Black Bears
1998 – Lovelocks
1999 – Pommery
2000 – Woodchester
2001 – Dubai
2002 – Foxcote
2003 – FCT
2004 – Black Bears
2005 – Black Bears
2006 – Oaklands Park
2007 – Elysian Fields
2008 – Les Lions II
2009 – Emlor-CRL
2010 – Emlor-CRL
2011 – Laird
2012 – Halycon Gallery
2013 – Halycon Gallery
2014 – Halycon Gallery
2015 – Apes Hill
2016 – Black Bears
2017 – Bardon
2018 – Monterosso
2019 – Emlor
2020 – Lovelocks Polo Stud
2021 – Vikings
2022 – Black Bears
The Gold Cup for The British Open
Where? Cowdray Park
Polo Club
When? Tuesday 27 June –Sunday 23 July
Previous Winners?
1956 – Los Indios
1957 – Windsor Park
1958 – Cowdray Park
1959 – Casarejo
1960 – Laversine-Casarejo
1961 – Cowdray Park
1962 – Cowdray Park
1963 – La Vulci
1964 – Jersey Lillies
1965 – Jersey Lillies
1966 – Windsor Park
1967 – Woolmers Park
1968 – Pimm’s
1969 – Windsor Park
1970 – Boca Raton
1971– Pimm’s
1972 – Pimm’s
1973 – Stowell Park
1974 – Stowell Park
1975 – Greenhill Farm
1976 – Stowell Park
1977 – Foxcote
1978 – Stowell Park
1979 – Sonhai
1980 – Stowell Park
1981– Falcons
1982 – Southfield
1983 – Falcons
1984 – Southfields
1985 – Maple Leafs
1986 – Tramontana
1987 – Tramontana
1988 – Tramontana
1989 – Tramontana
1990 – Hildon House
1991– Tramontana
1992 – Black Bears
1993 – Alcatel
1994 – Ellerston Black
1995 – Ellerston Whit
1996 – C.S. Brooks
1997 – Labegorce
1998 – Ellerston
1999 – Pommery
2000 – Geebung
2001– Dubai
2002 – Black Bears
2003 – Hildon Sport
2004 – Azzurra
2005 – Dubai
2006 – Black Bears
2007 – Lechuza Caracas
2008– Loro Piana
2009 – La Bamba de Areco
2010 – Dubai
2011 – Zacara
2012 – Cortium
2013 – Zacara
2014 – Dubai
2015 – King Power Foxes
2016 – King Power Foxes
2017 – King Power
2018 – El Remanso
2019 – Dubai
2020 – Next Generation
2021 – Thai Polo NP
2022 – Park Place
The Talacrest Prince of Wales’ Championship Cup
Where? Guards Polo Club
When? Sunday 30 July –
Sunday 13 August
Previous Winners?
2021 – Park Place
2022 – Park Place