Victor Ludorum Update

Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Apsley Cup Final – Sunday 2 August

Number of teams: Winners: Points:

At the time of going to print, The Apsley Cup Final at Cirencester Park Polo Club had been postponed to a later date, yet to be confirmed. Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Duke of Sutherland Final – Saturday 22 August Number of teams: Five Winners: Murus Sanctus

Photography by Mark Beaumont Emlor Red’s Max Charlton reaching for the hook

Points: 90

Murus Santus defeated Emlor Red 10-9 in the Final

The Final of the Duke of Sutherland on Saturday 22 August was a close-run match on Lawns 1 in the windy conditions. The first chukka saw a super opening goal by Facundo Sola in the first minute to get Murus Sanctus on the board. Good defensive work in front of the Emlor goal saw Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset take the ball all the way to score a second goal. Weaving his way through the Murus Sanctus defence, Juan Ambroggio tickled the ball through the post, and a 30 yard penalty awarded against Murus Sanctus allowed Max Charlton to roll it over the line and level the score at the end of the first chukka, 2-2.

The second chukka was tight and speckled with fouls on both sides and the score ended with five goals to Murus Sanctus and four to Emlor Red. The following chukka saw Emlor Red take the lead with two field goals by Juan Ambroggio and one by Max Charlton with Sapo Caset adding another to the Murus Sanctus tally.

Richard Tyrone did a wonderful run up the field leaving everyone else behind for goal number eight for his team. Sapo Caset levelled the end of the chukka with a score of eight all, with everything to play for in the fifth.

A meleé in front of the Murus Sanctus goal allowed an eagled eyed Facundo Sola to nip the ball over the line during the commotion. Sapo Caset took a knock in from the back line, which was stolen by Spencer McCarthy who, never one to miss an opportunity, decisively turned on a sixpence and whacked it through the goal, making it 9-9 going into the Final minutes. Fabulous teamwork by Facundo and Sapo began with Sapo taking a hit in from the back line, toying with the opposition’s

defence they weaved the ball up the pitch into the space that Corrine had made by taking Spencer out of the way. Sapo then raced into position around the Emlor players to score the winning goal riding Trucha, who he had played in the second and who was awarded Best Playing Pony, with a textbook cut shot, taking the win for Murus Sanctus with a final score of 9-10. Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management presented a saddle to the Most Valuable Player, Sapo Caset, who also won the Best Playing Pony prize for his mare Trucha.

The Duke of Sutherland Final Teams:

Emlor Red (18): Spencer McCarthy (1), Max Charlton (6), Juan Ambroggio (6) & Richard Tyrone (5) Murus Sanctus (18): Corrine Ricard (0), Lucas Nottin (1), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (9) & Facundo Sola (8)

15 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Harrison Cup Final – Saturday 8 August Number of teams: 11 Winners: Emlor Red Points: 100

This year’s tournament attracted 11 teams with both tension and the ambient temperatures culminating in the Final of Garcha Hotels against Emlor Red under a blistering sun on Saturday afternoon. Spencer McCarthy

won the coveted trophy in 2008 and was determined to claim the trophy once again, therefore it was little surprise that as well as their half goal handicap advantage, Emlor Red galloped out of the starting blocks with Max Charlton scoring one goal and Will Harper two goals, in reply to just one goal from Garcha Hotels. The second chukka saw Emlor Red continue their goal scoring spree and they used field and penalty opportunities to widen their lead to 6½-2 by the end of the second chukka. Tommy Beresford opened the third chukka with a fantastic goal for Garcha Hotels, running the length of the ground. Emlor Red’s Max Carlton soon replied with a goal of his own. By the end of the fourth chukka Garcha Hotels had managed to claw back some of the deficit and the scoreboard read 8½-5 going into the fifth and final chukka, but Emlor Red were determined not to acquiesce and both Charlton and Tyrone scored to secure a 10½-5 win for Emlor Red. Best Playing Pony for the Brooke Joynson was awarded to

Tomas Beresford’s horse, Kenya.

The Harrison Cup Final Teams:

Emlor Red (15): Spencer McCarthy (1), Max Charlton (6),

Richard Tyrone (5) & Will Harper (3)

Garcha Hotels (16): Louis Hine (2),

Satinder Garcha (2),

Michel Del Carril (6) & Tommy Beresford (6)

Emlor Red, winners of The Harrison Cup Final

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Guards Polo Club – The Duke of Wellington Final – Saturday 8 August Number of teams: 16 Winners: Kildare Points: 100

Kildare claimed victory in the Duke of Wellington Trophy at Guards Polo Club in early August. Andrew Dechet’s team dominated this 12 goal Final, beating Ana Escobedo’s Ojo Caliente 8-3 in a fast-paced game played at Coworth Park. Kildare had beaten last year’s victors, White Crane, in the semis and led from the first whistle in this concluding game. Incredibly, they were 6-2 up at the end of the third chukka. Ojo Caliente, who have already won the Phoenician Cup this season, could not find an answer to this Kildare attack.

As Andrew’s team have won the sub final for the previous two years, he was delighted to go one step further in 2020 and head home with the main prize. His team-mates also received awards as Charles Cooney was named British Polo Gin Most Valuable Player, while Manuel Plaza accepted the Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for Roger. 16 teams had entered this year’s tournament, which is played as part of the HPA’s Victor Ludorum 12 goal series. So, the earlier Subsidiary Final was equally competitive, played on The Princes’ Ground. Honours here went to Shoreline, although they had to battle every step of the way for this win. They beat Max Sponer’s Amos team, who received a half goal advantage on handicap 7-6½ but only after four tough chukkas. Shoreline were in the lead, 2-1½, after the first but Amos fought back and were

3½-2 ahead at half-time and maintained that advantage after the third (5½-4). It was only Shoreline’s three goals in the final chukka that secured them their victory.

The Duke of Wellington Final Teams:

Kildare (12): Andrew Dechet (1), Charles Cooney (2), Fabio Lavinia (3) & Manuel Plaza (6) Ojo Caliente (12): Ana Escobedo (0), Terence Lent (2), Jonny Good (4) & John Paul Clarkin (6)

The Duke of Wellington Subsidiary Final Teams:

Shoreline (12): Marcus Cork (2), Adebayo Karim (0), Ed Banner-Eve (4) & Santiago De Estrada (6) Amos (11): Max Sponer (-1), Josh Cork (3), Edward Morris-Lowe (3) & Matt Perry (6)

To read more about Roger, please turn to our Pony Power pages

Action from the Kildare vs Ojo Caliente Final

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Cheltenham Cup Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Four Winners: Silvertown Properties Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Cirencester Park Polo Club held both the Final and Subsidiary Final of The Cheltenham Cup, on Sunday 23 August. Both games were played on Peddington, with a cool breeze and the rain held off throughout. Silvertown Properties and Maize Dulce went head to head against each other in the Final. The game started off with two goals from Charlie Walton for Silvertown Properties, just before the end of the first chukka. The second chukka picked up

and set the pace for the rest of the game. Pedro Harrison for Maize Dulce scored an amazing four goals throughout the chukka. Determined to raise the score, a few 60-yard penalty shots for Silvertown Properties were taken by Charlie Walton, who successfully evened the end score of the second chukka, making it 4-4. As the pressure from both teams heightened, chukka three saw several fouls and a yellow card for Silvertown Properties. Maize Dulce used this to their advantage, with Pedro Harrison scoring another goal for Maize Dulce, but an unstoppable Charlie Walton once again raised the score, ending on 6 goals to 5. The last chukka was nail-biting, both teams were keen to win, and Pedro Harrison scored his sixth goal for Maize Dulce. Two

Action from The Cheltenham Cup Final

more incredible goals from Charlie Walton and Max Hutchinson allowed Silvertown Properties to beat Maize Dulce, and win The Cheltenham Cup Final 2020, with a finishing score of 8-6. Silvertown Properties’ Charlie Walton was the Most Valuable Player and Zeus, played by Pedro Harrison was the Best Playing Pony.

The Subsidiary Final was played between Indubitable and Noon Giraffe. This game had a slightly more relaxed feel, however both teams were very keen to win. Tom Beim and Dave Allen scored several goals for Indubitable in the first few chukkas. As the game progressed, Noon Giraffe quickly proved how well they work as a team, and with numerous goals from Tommy Severn they won the Ivy Lodge Cup, the Subsidiary Final for The Cheltenham Cup. The end score was 6 goals to 5. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Star, played by Tom Beim.

The Cheltenham Cup Final Teams:

Silvertown Properties (12): Olivia Clowes (0), Charlie Walton (2), Max Hutchinson (3) & Luke Tomlinson (7) Maize Dulce (12): Millie Barfoot (0), Derreck Bratley (4), John Martin (3) & Pedro Harrison (5)

The Cheltenham Cup Subsidiary Final Teams:

Noon Giraffe (12): Chris Fagan (0), Martin ffrench-Blake (3), Tommy Severn (3) & Marcus Araya (6) Indubitable (12): Tom Beim (4), Dave Allen (4), Nina Clarkin (3) & Christian Badenhop (1)

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Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Holden White Final – Sunday 9 August Number of teams: 15 Winners: Farrington Points: 90

15 teams started the competition with Duane and Terence Lent’s Innovent team making it to the Final against Louisa Watts Farrington Polo Team who were awarded a half goal advantage on handicap.

After a knock in from the back line for Farrington, Josh Cork deflected a ride-off from Nick Clague to open the scoring with a cheeky tap between the goals. A 60-

yard penalty awarded against Evan Power allowed the ever present Clague to level the score, however Power added to the tally for Farrington to end the opening chukka 2½-1.

The second chukka saw Ed Banner-Eve weave his way through the throng in front of the goal to pop in another for Farrington and this was followed by a 30-yard penalty awarded to Innovent. Jack Berner took the shot and an executed slow graceful swing to secure the goal for them to end the chukka

Photography by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk Farrington secured an 8½-4 win against Innovent Action from The Holden White Final

at a close 3½-2 to Farrington

The third chukka saw a lofty goal by Banner-Eve which soared over the heads of the other players to land deftly between the goal to add the Farrington score. Strong defence by Innovent was unable to halt Cork who snuck the ball out from under the nose of Berner to set up Power to add another to the Farrington score. Yet again Banner-Eve unleashed a powerful strike of the ball from a 60-yard penalty. A foul by Banner-Eve allowed Berner to up the Innovent score from a 40-yard penalty. The chukka ended 7½-3.

In the fourth chukka, a missed hit by Farrington opened an opportunity for eagle eyed Clague to turn on a sixpence and take the ball all the way to score a classic goal. Cork ended the scoring with the final goal for Farrington who secured a 8½-4 win.

The Holden White Final Teams:

Farrington (7): Louisa Watt (-1), Evan Power (1), Josh Cork (3) & Ed Banner-Eve (4) Innovent (8): Duane Lent (0), Terence Lent (2), Jack Berner (3) & Nick Clague (3)

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Beaufort Polo Club – The Wichenford Bowl Final – Saturday 22 August Number of teams: Six Winners: C.A.N.I. Points: 80

Following some strong league matches, The Wichenford Bowl Subsidiary Final was played on Saturday 22 August at Beaufort Polo Club between Tafia Mafia and Strategic Help for Heroes. The score flitted back and forth throughout the match, and with the clock ticking down, Tafia Mafia received a penalty, which Dave Allen sent flying high in the sky, right onto the Chairman of the HPA’s car. Fortunately, it only left a minor dent but unfortunately, it also went wide and Strategic Help for Heroes were crowned the winners.

The No1 Field was the stage for The Wichenford Bowl Final, Smiths Polo were the first to add to the scoreboard with Grant Collet hammering through a penalty which nearly hit Club timekeepers, Ali and Phil, on the heads! Marcus Speed then chased the ball through the posts to make it 2½-0 and a goal by C.A.N.I. made it 2½-1 at the end of the first chukka. C.A.N.I. found another goal to inch closer on the scoreboard, but a cracking neck shot by Nico Antinori extended the lead for Smiths, 3½-2. In the third, C.A.N.I. had a chance to regain ground with a penalty, but it was stopped by Nico, however, it was deemed to be a foul by the Umpires and Seb Chialvo was allowed to neatly send the ball over the line unopposed, 3-3½. Nico had a chance to redeem himself with a 30 yard penalty, which he sent soaring

C.A.N.I. winners of The Wichenford Bowl Final

Strategic Help for Heroes, winners of The Subsidiary Final

through the air to make it 4½-3. The fourth chukka was where the real drama began, when Grant Collet sent a powerful hit up to Marcus, who elegantly brought the ball through the uprights to make it 5½-3.

Photography by JRidley Art & Photography

Chicarra, the Polo Times Best Playing Pony

With about three minutes left on the clock, C.A.N.I. needed to find three more goals to win. A spot penalty slotted in by Matias Amaya brought them closer, and with a minute to go Matias sent through another

Photograph by Gordon Lindsay

to make it 5-5½. However, with barely 20 seconds left on the clock, it looked like Smiths would be the victors. From the hit out, Seb urged his horse Cariñosa forward, chasing the ball down towards the goal. Lisa Smith was on his tail, but with five seconds on the clock it seemed like he had left it too late. He took the swing and sent the ball towards the goal mouth, where it rolled over the line with just two seconds left on the clock. C.A.N.I. claimed the win in spectacular style over Smiths Polo. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony went to Matias Amaya’s spirited chestnut mare, Chicarra and players were treated to prizes kindly sponsored by NAF Equine, featuring their PROFEET range.

The Wichenford Bowl Final Teams:

C.A.N.I. (8): Louise Jebson (0), Celio Garcera (1), Seb Chialvo (2) & Matias Amaya (5) Smiths Polo (7): Lisa Smith (-1), Marcus Speed (1), Nico Antinori (4) & Grant Collet (3)

To read more about Chicarra, please turn to our Pony Power pages

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Ham Polo Club – The Roehampton Cup Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Six Winners: Ojo Caliente/ Mount Loftus Points: 80

Action from the Final between Jet Set & Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus

Benjie Davis reports on The Roehampton Cup Final:

“Now in its 118th year the Roehampton Cup Final took place on Sunday 23 August. Two weeks of league matches resulted in Jet Set and Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus (OC/ML) achieving places in the Final. OC/ML had displayed some impressive horsepower in the league stages and this appeared to give them the edge in the opening chukkas. Santi Araya worked hard for Jet Set in defence but the impressive combination of Jonny Good and Terence Lent was a difficult challenge to contend with. A significant lead was opened up by OC/ML and though Katherine Smithwick’s Jet Set team closed it towards the end it was Ojo Caliente/ Mount Loftus who repeated their Roehampton Win of 2018 to claim the trophy again. Georgina Brittain and Ana The impressive Roehampton Cup Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus, winners of The Roehampton Cup Final

Escobedo marched to the presentation table together to lift the cup and looked delighted with their second win of this historic tournament.

In the next match for the plate, Quadriga put in a valiant effort representing Ham Polo Club but were overcome by AMP Capital who took home The Rerrison Trophy.

The Roehampton Cup Final Teams: Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus (6):

Georgina Brittain (0), Ana Escobedo (0), Terence Lent (2) & Jonny Good (4) Jet Set/Carisbrook (6): Katherine Smithwick (0), Mariano Darritchon (2), Santiago Araya (4) & Jayne Rumsey (0)

The Subsidiary Final for The Rerrison Trophy: AMP Capital (5):

Andrew Maclean-Perryment (-1), Kristina Karailieva (0), & Josh Clover (2) & Rossendo Torreguitar (4) Quadriga (6): Martin Hay (0), Hugo Davis (1), Jason Warren (2) & Gus Prentice (3)

4 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cheshire Polo Club – The National 4 Goal Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Four Winners: A.W. Jenkinson Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA

Sunday 23 August saw The National 4 Goal Victor Ludorum Championship for The County Cup played at Cheshire Polo Club. An overcast day with some intermittent rain failed to quell the spirit of two teams who fought hard throughout to win the coveted Junior County Cup. A.W. Jenkinson quickly showed their superiority with a quickly taken penalty followed up immediately by Trident equalling with another penalty to level the scores by half-time. Cristian Chaves and then Will Padden scored further penalties and Harrison Patrick put A.W. Jenkinson in the lead. Padden again equalled the score for Trident but Chaves sealed the victory for A.W. Jenkinson with a great lofted penalty shot by scoring late on to win by 4 goals to 3. The Junior County Cup and prizes were presented to the winning team by Chris Broughton and to Jonny Coddington the Most Valuable Player and to Best Playing Pony Stormdos, owned and ridden by Jonny Coddington.

The Pilgrim’s Cup Subsidiary Final was won by G. Basile Properties who beat White Hall by 4½ goals to 1. The Most Valuable Player was Lenny Cunningham and Connor Kay’s Sky won Best Playing Pony.

The Junior County Cup Final Teams:

A.W. Jenkinson (4): Katie Jenkinson (0), Harrison Patrick (-1), Henry Smith (2) & Cristian Chaves (3) Trident (4): Don Gibbs (-1), Martin Brookes (0), Will Padden (2) & Jonny Coddington (3)

The Subsidiary Final for The Pilgrim’s Cup:

White Hall (4): Connor Kay (1), Richard Clark (1), Lucy Coddington (1) & Lenny Cunningham (1) G. Basile Properties (3): Guido Basile (-1), Lord Milo Manton (0), Jamie Thomas (1) & Ben Malasomma (3)

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The Junior County Cup finalists

Photography by Michael Tyrells

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