2022 UK High Goal Season

2022 UK

High Goal

Season

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Teams, tournament dates & previous winners

As this issue of Polo Times goes to print, the English 22 goal season is just getting underway for another iteration of one of the most favoured high goal circuits in the calendar. The season begins with The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, where 10 teams will be vying for the chance to lift the stunning trophy, which was designed and created by British jewellery and silverware designer, Theo Fennell. The Cartier Queen’s Cup was won by UAE Polo last year and since then they have had an impressive season in the United Arab Emirates, scooping up two out of five titles in The Dubai Gold Cup Series. The Gold Cup for The British Open at Cowdray Park Polo Club can usually be guaranteed to be bathed in glorious sunshine or torrential downpours, as are the joys of the British summer, but set against the stunning Cowdray Ruins no one ever seems to mind a deluge or two. Last, but by no means least, is The Talacrest Prince of Wales Championship Cup which was a new addition last year and the first new English 22 goal tournament to be created since 1986. It was won by Andrey Borodin’s Park Place and with the addition of Park Place Vaara this year, the organisation has double the opportunity to add to the trophy cabinet.

Dillon Bacon (2) Cruz Heguy (5) James Beim (6) Juan Martín Nero (9) 2020 Cartier Queen’s Cup winners, Great Oaks Les Lions, will be returning to the UK, but with an altered line-up. While Dillon Bacon and Cruz Heguy stay in situ, they will be joined by Englishman, James Beim, and 2020 Argentine Open winner, Juan Martín Nero, who enjoys successes around the globe, from Argentina to Saudi Arabia and America.

MONTEROSSO

Alessandro Bazzoni (1) Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino (8) David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (9) Matías ‘Colo’ Gonzalez (4) Monterosso once again returns to the UK high goal season, with 75 percent of their 2021 line-up, with the only alteration being the addition of Matías ‘Colo’ Gonzalez in place of Mackenzie Weisz, who has had a handicap increase and with it a move to King Power. Gonzalez has had a standout season in the Dubai Gold Cup Series, where he won The Bentley Emirates Silver Cup with Habtoor Polo. Having reached The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finals, The Prince of Wales Trophy Final and The Prince of Wales Championship Cup Final in 2021, no doubt Monterosso will be aiming to bring home some English silverware this season.

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL

Alejandro Aznar (TBC) Santiago Cernadas (TBC) Santiago Laborde (TBC) Guillermo Caset (9) Although the team’s handicaps have yet to be fully confirmed by the Hurlingham Polo Association, the winners of the 2021 high goal Gold Cup in Sotogrande, Marqués de Riscal, could certainly ruffle some feathers in their debut English season. Representing Spain, Alejandro Aznar will be joined by Santiago Cernadas, with both players having also enjoyed success together winning the 2020 Deauville Gold Cup Final. Santiago Laborde had continued Sotogrande success in 2021, winning the high goal Silver Cup with Ayala, while the line-up is rounded off by 9 goaler Guillermo Caset.

MONTEROSSO VIKINGS (22)

Siri Evjemo-Nysveen (0) Mark Tomlinson (6) Diego Cavanagh (8) Juan Martin Zubia (8) This year’s line-up sees a shake-up for Monterosso Vikings with Siri Evjemo-Nysveen and Juan Martin Zubia the only team members remaining from The Warwickshire Cup winning formation in 2021. Chris Mackenzie and Sebastian Merlos have been replaced by Mark Tomlinson, who will be a force to be reckoned with, on home turf and with an enviable string and set-up at Beaufort Polo Club behind him. Diego Cavanagh enjoyed a successful medium goal season in 2021 with Green Gates, winning The Harrison Cup and then reaching The Tortugas Open Final with the illustrious La Dolfina Saudi. Josh Hyde (0) Hilario Ulloa (10) Juan Britos (8) Santos Merlos (4) The second of the Park Place teams, this is by no means a second best or backup line-up, with an impressive selection of players. Josh Hyde, Hilario Ulloa and Juan Britos have all been fine tuning their teamwork across the pond in The Gauntlet of Polo, the United States Polo Association’s (USPA) 22 goal series, which saw them win The C.V. Whitney Cup and reach the Final of The USPA Gold Cup, where they only just lost out on the win in overtime. Joining this winning combination is Santos Merlos, who won the inaugural President’s Cup at Palermo at the end of 2021.

UAE POLO (22)

Barto Castagnola (9) Lukin Monteverde (6) Tommy Beresford (7) HH Sheikha Maitha (0) UAE Polo had an impressive 2021 English high goal season, winning The Cartier Queen’s Cup and later in the season losing out to Thai Polo NP by just two goals in The Gold Cup Final. Since then Tommy Beresford, HH Sheikha Maitha and Lukin Monteverde have been dominating the season in the United Arab Emirates, especially in The Dubai Gold Cup Series where they won The Dubai Gold Cup and The Dubai Challenge Cup and reached The Bentley Emirates Silver Cup Final, only to be beaten by Habtoor Polo. Barto Castagnola is a new addition to the team, fresh from his successful American season and subsequent US handicap raise to 10 goals.

LA MAGDELEINE (22)

Alexandre Garese (0) Pablo MacDonough (9) Facundo Fernández Llorente (7) Ollie Cudmore (6) Frenchman Alexandre Garese lifted The French Open in 2021 across the channel with teammate Facundo Fernández Llorente and will be looking to recreate his successes in his foray into the English high goal. With Ollie Cudmore’s experience of the English season, his high goal wins include The Gold Cup (2018) and Warwickshire Cup (2020 and 2013) combined with Pablo MacDonough’s return to British high goal and fresh from his successes in America where he has been honing his high goal skills in the 26 goal World Polo League.

MURUS SANCTUS (22)

Corinne Ricard (0) Facundo Sola (8) Marcos Araya (6) Alfredo Cappella (8) Corinne Ricard’s Murus Sanctus returns once again to the English 22 goal; Alfredo Cappella, who won the 2021 Pilar Cup and Facundo Sola, who won The Dubai Silver Cup, are already well acquainted having played together for RS Murus Sanctus in the 2020 Argentine Triple Crown. Marcos Araya last lifted a high goal trophy in 2014 when he won The Prince of Wales Trophy with La Indiana, but has dominated international circuits in latter years, especially in the UAE.

THE JUSTERINI & BROOKS PRINCE OF WALES TROPHY

Where? The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club | When? Saturday 30 April – Saturday 14 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

Juan Pepa (1) Rufino Bensadon (7) Juan Gris Zavaleta (7) Alejandro Muzzio (7) Cibao La Pampa/Chapaleufu is making its British high goal debut this season, with Juan Pepa and Juan Gris Zavaleta joined by Alejandro Muzzio and Rufino Bensadon who won The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy in 2021 with Louis and Ned Hine. Juan Pepa is more often seen on the continent, where he has led his Cibao La Pampa team to successes over the years including the 2021 KE Sotogrande Cup.

KING POWER (22)

Top Srivaddhanaprabha (1) Nico Pieres (9) Mackenzie Weisz (5) James Harper (7) King Power are back in the high goal! No doubt aiming to build upon their back-to-back successes in 2015 and 2016, Top Srivaddhanaprabha returns to the British high goal circuit, albeit with a different line-up, after a successful 2021 season for King Power. Nico Pieres (whose brothers, Gonzalito and Facundo were part of the 2015 and 2016 line-ups) will be playing alongside Mackenzie Weisz, hot from his successful 2022 US season with Pilot. Completing the line-up is James Harper, who won the 2021 Gold Cup alongside teammate Nico Pieres (with Thai Polo and the Hine brothers) and has also been confirmed as the Captain of the England side who will face Uruguay in this year’s Coronation Cup.

TWELVE OAKS (22)

Charlie Wooldridge (1) Joaquin Pittaluga (7) Christian ‘Magoo’ Laprida (8) John Paul Clarkin (6) Twelve Oaks are no strangers to the UK, having frequently competed in the medium goal circuits, but 2022 is the team’s first foray into the high goal. In the team’s 22 goal debut Charlie Wooldridge is joined by John Paul Clarkin who has enjoyed a successful New Zealand season, winning The New Zealand Open and Savile Cup; Christian ‘Magoo’ Laprida who competed in the UK high goal for Valiente in 2018 and rounded off with Joaquin Pittaluga who has reached several top Finals in the last 12 months, including The Argentine Republic Cup and Metropolitan Cup High Goal Final and Cowdray Challenge Cup. David Paradice (0) Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Poroto Cambiaso (8) TBC The 2021 Cartier Queen’s Cup eluded David Paradice and he is once again returning in full force, with sights firmly set on securing some English trophy cabinet bounty. Paradice will be lining up again with the father-son Cambiaso duo, with all three having the advantage of having competed together throughout the USPA’s Gauntlet of Polo; no doubt being bested by rivals Park Place in the 2022 C.V. Whitney Cup will make them hungrier than ever. The fourth player has still to be decided, with the team reportedly trying different variations before making their decision.

DUBAI (22)

Rashid Albwardy (1) Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (9) Matt Perry (5) Jerónimo Del Carril (7) Dubai is another of the top teams using 2022 as their season comeback; Rashid Albwardy will be returning after a two-year hiatus, this time with 2019 Gold Cup winner, Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola, whose handicap was raised at the end of the 2021 season to 9 goals, Brit Matt Perry who lifted The Queen’s Cup in 2014 and 2013 as well as The Gold Cup in 2013 too, and Jerónimo Del Carril, who had a successful 2021 season in the UK (winning The Duke of Wellington with King Power), France and Argentina. Castagnola has had a terrific past 12 months, winning across the globe with titles including The Argentine Open, Hurlingham Open, Argentine Youth Open, Triple Crown of Polo and Founders Cup.

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com Poroto Cambiaso will once again be playing for Scone

THE CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP

Where? Guards Polo Club | When? Tuesday 17 May – Sunday 12 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

Juan Britos will be playing for Park Place Vaara this season

PARK PLACE (22)

Andrey Borodin (0) Facundo Pieres (10) Fran Elizalde (8) Will Harper (4) The Park Place organisation are doubling their chances of success this year with not one, but two high goal teams. Andrey Borodin’s Park Place secured The Talacrest Prince of Wales Championship Cup in 2021, this year sees just one change to their line-up with Fran Elizalde replacing Juan Britos (who is now playing for Park Place Vaara). Facundo Pieres and Elizalde have been sharpening their skills in America, with 2022 USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship and 2021 Tortugas Open wins for Facundo Pieres, while Elizalde has reached the Finals of some top tournaments (Ylvisaker Cup, The Argentine Open, The Tortugas Open, San Jorge Open and USPA Gold Cup), but has not quite managed to take home the silverware. Will Harper once again returns to Park Place for the season; no doubt keen to build upon their end of season success last year.

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

THE TALACREST PRINCE OF WALES’ CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

Where? Guards Polo Club | When? Monday 1 – Sunday 14 August PREVIOUS WINNERS: 2021 – Park Place

THE WARWICKSHIRE CUP

Where? Cirencester Park Polo Club | When? Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 June

Louis Hine (4) Ned Hine (5) Facundo Llosa (7) Glen Gilmore (6) Thai Polo NP enjoyed a successful 2021 season with wins in both The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales and The Gold Cup for The British Open, however they return for this season with just 50 percent of their winning formula from 2021. Brothers Ned and Louis Hine return once again and are joined by Glen Gilmore who has been on form down under, fresh from his win in The Countess of Dudley with Laprinta. Facundo Llosa rounds off the team having enjoyed success in the 2021 Argentine Republic Cup.

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

THE GOLD CUP FOR THE BRITISH OPEN

Where? Cowdray Park Polo Club | When? Tuesday 21 June – Sunday 17 July