from the Publisher
4
Polo Times, March 2022
The Coronation Cup will once more return to Guards Polo Club
Coronation Cup Returns to Guards
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) has confirmed that the International Coronation Cup match will be played in 2022 after an absence of two years. The HPA confirmed earlier this month that the England Polo Team will play Uruguay on Saturday 23 July 2022 at Guards Polo Club. This will be the first time that Uruguay has played for this historic trophy which dates back to 1911. However, the visiting team will be captained by a familiar face to British polo fans as high-goal star David ‘Pelon’ Stirling will wear the Captain’s armband on this prestigious day. The game is due to be played at 24-6 goals and the HPA is yet to name its England team Captain or a shortlist for the team. “After two difficult years for the polo community it is wonderful that we can once again host this showcase event for the England polo team,” said Nick Wiles, Chairman of the HPA. “ I am indebted to the Uruguayan Polo Association and His Excellency César Rodríguez Zavalla, the Uruguayan Ambassador, for their support of this day. It is also fitting that the event will return to its long-standing home of Guards Polo Club, ensuring a great venue and grounds for these leading players.” HE César Rodríguez Zavalla added: “It is a great honour for Uruguay to play for this historic trophy. Having just qualified for the 14 Goal World Championships, due to be played in America in October, this is a very exciting year for my country.” The Chairman of Guards Polo Club, Brian Stein, is equally delighted that this iconic trophy is returning to Smith’s Lawn. “The history of Guards Polo Club is so intertwined with the Coronation Cup that it is wonderful that we can host this magnificent trophy once again. We look forward to delivering another outstanding day of international polo on Saturday 23 July.” The plan for this international day of sport is to feature a morning game followed by the Coronation Cup match at 3.30pm. Tickets and a variety of hospitality packages will go on sale in early February from the Guards Polo Club and HPA websites. Mosimann at Guards will also be hosting a bespoke Clubhouse menu for Members and non-Members of the Club.
James Harper Announced as Coronation Cup Captain 7 goal, English professional, James Harper has been confirmed as the England Team Captain for The Coronation Cup against Uruguay at Guards Polo Club on Saturday 23 July and commented, “It is always a privilege to play for England in the Coronation Cup and to captain the team this year is a particular honour. To play against Uruguay, with the passion they will bring and a legend of polo in Pelon Stirling as their captain, will be a very special occasion. They will be tough opposition but I’m confident the England players and horses will be more than a match for them.” The day will feature an exhibition match in the morning followed by The Coronation Cup at 3pm, with tickets available on both the HPA and Guards Polo Club websites in due course.
Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com
Keep well and play safe. Nick Hine, Publisher
Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
It barely seems conceivable that since writing my foreword last month, the unimaginable has happened – diplomacy has been dismissed and Ukraine, a European sovereign country has been invaded by its neighbour. Whilst the sanctions imposed on Russia by almost every country in the world, have undoubtedly hit the aggressors hard, equally, however, the fall-out for global economies is already being felt. Prices have rocketed skywards and inflation, (in the UK alone), is the highest it has been for more than three decades. The tragic cost to human life and suffering will never be truly known, nor, Putin’s rationale for starting the war in the first place. Consequently, we must all hope and pray that tensions de-escalate, without further untold tragedy being inflicted. Looking to the positives of the first two months of 2022, ‘life after COVID’, almost seems within touching distance. Restrictions have all but been removed, and we do seem to be in a place where we have learnt to live with the virus. Testament to this, was the 2022 Snow Polo World Cup in St. Moritz, which welcomed over 22,000 spectators over the three days in late January. Yes, there were stringent checks when entering to ensure compliance, and ultimately, minimise transmission, but this did not deter anyone from attending. In fact, record numbers of spectators, teams and players were in attendance. Of course, preparation for such an event takes many months in the planning, and as the event’s official media partner, Polo Times witnessed first hand the hard graft and commitment which the chief organisers – Reto Gaudenzi and Jürg Reinger – had to put in during last year; which was at a time when the world was still in lockdown, with no end seemingly in sight. Fortune favours the brave, and in this respect, Reto and Jürg were veritable lions and are to be commended for getting polo back on track. With spring definitely here, as this issue of Polo Times was going to print, most polo yards are coming out of winter hibernation, ready for the season ahead. I hope you will find there is much to enjoy in this issue – the Knowledge pages in particular, have multiple topics to help ponies, players and teams perform better… who knew how important, (rather than boring), having a ‘routine’ is to your personal well-being and performance?
News
James Harper has been announced as The Coronation Cup Captain
www.polotimes.co.uk
