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Your Club News from Home and Abroad
from Polo Times Sept 21
by Edit
Photograph by ©JRidley Photography
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Beaufort Hunt & Portman All Stars teams Burley Polo, winners of The Bat Cup
Photography by Beaufort Polo Club Semper Anticus, winners of The Hurlingham Polo 1875 Somerville Livingstone Learmonth Trophy
The start of August saw the Club welcome the supporters of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society (HSBS) for a day of afternoon tea and polo, featuring The Ronnie Wallace Memorial Trophy. The match featured some friendly family rivalry with Max Hutchinson vs Stephen Hutchinson and Olivia Clowes. By the second chukka the Beaufort Hunt pushed their way to dominate the scoreboard as Charlie Hodges and Stephen Hutchinson both secured fantastic goals which were topped up by Luke Wiles in the final chukka, claiming a one goal victory, 4-3.
On Sunday 15 August, The Bat Cup was won by Burley Polo with a convincing 6-1 win against Freemantle. Ministro, played by Charlie Walton, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony, while in the Subsidiary Final, Neston defeated RedX 6-2.
Semper Anticus won The Hurlingham Polo 1875 Somerville Livingstone Learmonth Trophy with a 7-2 win against Les Enfants Terribles, with Marcus Collie named Most Valuable Player.
Hurtwood Park Polo Club
Photograph by Stephen Bartholomew
The winning Team Uthando
On Saturday 31 July, The Lux Afrique Polo Day event took place at the Club, the third time the event had been held, following its cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic. Despite the rain, spirits were high with the day featuring a tournament plus African food and cocktails. Lux Afrique’s CEO and founder Alexander Amosu commented, “As we were not able to hold the event last year due to the pandemic we were determined to put on a spectacular event for the enjoyment of all our attendees. For many this is the first social event they have attended postlockdown and it was the best one we’ve done so far. The rain did not stop us from putting on an amazing polo day.”
An international line-up of players from Nigeria, Kenya, Argentina and India competed in a match which saw Team Uthando, led by Nigerian polo player Molowa Adesuyi, beat their opponents Team Solando, 7-0.
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Sunday 8 August, saw Klenter Ranch take a 13-11 win against Farmers Merchant Bank in The Silver Cup Final. Klenter Ranch’s Jesse Bray scooped up both the Most Valuable Player award and also the Best Playing Pony award for his mare Sell Tower. Klentner Ranch has enjoyed a fantastic season in California, adding to their Silver Cup win earlier in the season with a dominating run to victory in The Pacific Coast Open on Sunday 29 August. As defending champions, Klentner Ranch held off Bensoleimani.com throughout the first half, securing their second consecutive 16 goal title of the season with an 11-9 win.
The Silver Cup Final Teams:
Farmers Merchant Bank (16): Lucas Criado Jr. (4), Danny Walker (2), Matthew Walker (3) & Lucas Criado (7) Klenter Ranch (16): Jesse Bray (6), Santiago Toccalino (8), Justin Klentner (1) & Jacob Klentner (1)
The Pacific Coast Open Final Teams:
Klentner Ranch (16): Jesse Bray (6), Santiago Toccalino (8) (replaced by Tomás García del Río for the Final), Jacob Klentner (1) & Justin Klentner (1) Bensoleimani.com (16): Ben Soleimani (0), Santiago Wulff (5), Iñaki Laprida (7) & Tomás Alberdi (4)
Photography by David Lominska
Aspen Valley Polo Club
On Sunday 1 August, Rancho Los Amigos (Gussie Busch, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini & Paul Foster) defeated NetJets (Alejandra Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Nacho Figueras & Pablo Spinacci) 8-7 in The Emma Challenge at Aspen Valley Polo Club, while White Birch (Chris Brant, Grant Ganzi, Toro Ruiz & Mariano Aguerre) secured the same score to defeat Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Jimmy Seward, Nic Roldan & Nacho Novillo Astrada) in The Maroon Bells Cup Final.
The High Alpine Challenge Final was played between Santa Rita (Alejandra Foster, Lauren Sherry, Tomacho Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) and Victory Polo (Kevin Schmeitz, Vinny Sangaline, Nic Roldan and Horacio Heguy) and Santa Rita secured the win, 8-5, with Alejandro Novillo Astrada named Most Valuable Player.
On Sunday 16 August, in the feature match of the day, Sopris Mountain Ranch took on NetJets. NetJets commanded the field from the start and the grey shirts of Netjets were dominant throughout and secured an 8-4 win to bag the impressive silverware.
On Sunday 22 August, Casablanca defeated Tonkawa in the final of the Rocky Mountain Open by 10-6, with Gonzalito Pieres named Most Valuable Player, while Ladybug, a seven-year-old dark bay mare, owned and played by Jimmy Seward, took Best Playing Pony.
The following Sunday, 29 August, Tonkawa secured the Aspen phase of the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo, with a 9-8 win against NetJets. Gonzalito Pieres was once again named Most Valuable Player, while Cruella deVille, played by Pieres and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
Tomacho Pieres reaches over to hook Horacio Heguy
Govinda Quish of NetJets rides off Alex Gooding in the Mount Sopris Cup
Rancho Los Amigos, winners of The Emma Challenge 2021 Rocky Mountain Open winners, Casablanca 2021 World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo Aspen winners, Tonkawa
Photography by Nick Tininenko/ ChukkerTV
Druids Lodge Polo Club
Over 7 – 8 August, five teams went head-to-head in the 6 goal Whippet Trophy at Druids Lodge Polo Club, with Coombe Place taking a 6-4½ win against Thursday Thinking Digital.
Newport Polo
Expectations were high for the 20th annual International Polo Charity Ball in Newport, RI, particularly as last year’s event was cancelled to Covid-19. The 400 guests, including the Dominican Republic Polo team as guests of honour had a fantastic time and over $80,000 was raised for the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation.
Photograph by Cocoa & Co.
Photography by Carlitos White Waltham Polo Club
Cedar Polo Team, winners of The Esperanza Cup Mar del Plata Polo Team, winners of The Mar del Plata Challenge Cup Cedar Polo Team, winners of The Cedar Trophy
HK Polo Team won out against Carlitos Polo Cedar Polo Team, winners of the 1947 Three Handled Cup Telemark, winners of The Telemark Trophy
Help for Heroes defeated HAC
On Saturday 14 August, Cedar Polo Team defeated Mountgerald Polo Team by half a goal to take home The Esperanza Cup.
On Sunday 15 August, Mar del Plata Polo Team defeated Maple Leafs Polo Team in The Mar del Plata Challenge Cup Final. The second match of the day saw Cedar Polo Team win the 4 goal Cedar Trophy with a 5-4 win against Mountgerald Polo Team
The weekend 21 – 22 August began with an inter-club challenge between White Waltham and Ranelagh Polo Clubs, it was a very close match with HK Polo Team steaming ahead scoring three goals in the last three minutes to win against Carlitos Polo. The 1947 Three Handled Cup was won on Sunday in the Final by Cedar Polo Team.
ABERCAIRNY Polo Team, winners of The 3 Goal Final
The last match of the weekend against HAC and Help for Heroes was a close match with the Help for Heroes team taking the final winning goal in the last few minutes of the match. On Saturday 28 August, Madeva won both their matches to secure The American 0 Goal Challenge.
Sunday 29 August saw two matches being played, the first was the 3 Goal Final, which was won by the ABERCAIRNY Polo Team. The second match of the day was followed by The Telemark Final, an exciting match ending in a draw; each team member took their shot, one by one missing their penalty until Tele Kyriacou stood up to the mark and scored to win the Final for Telemark.
The weekend’s action was rounded off on Monday 30 August with the Final of The Divot Trophy, which was won in a close match by Cedar Polo team.
Cedar Polo team, winners of The Divot Trophy
Longdole Polo Club Cowdray Park Polo Club
Los Chinos, winners of The Longdole Mate Trophy The Longdole Mate tournament was this year sponsored by Hurlingham 1875 and saw four teams compete. After the rain called off the game scheduled for Friday, they managed to enjoy a break in the weather to see Alison Clark’s Los Chinos vs Amy Nizolek’s AWOL. With Will Lucas vs Tom Beim and Los Chinos’ Hari Dhillon, Los Chinos secured an 8-4 win, with Dhillon taking home the Most Valuable Player prize. The Subsidiary Final saw Paula Rushton’s Bluestone defeat Longdole, 6-4, with Stuart Lodge awarded the Most Valuable Player prize of a padded jacket.
The Longdole Mate Teams:
Los Chinos (4): Hari Dhillion (-1), Alison Clark (-1), Jack Aldridge (2) & Tom Beim (4) AWOL (4): Amy Nizolek (0), Tom Pitman (0), Lorna Broughton (0) & William Lucas (4) Longdole (4): John Whitehead (0), Rich Hine (1), Jonny Pitman (0) & Oscar Luard (2) Bluestone (4): Paula Rushton (-1), Charlie Hitchman (1), Stuart Lodge (1) & Ollie Jones (3)
Photography by Mark Beaumont Photography
Tchogan, winners of The Midsummer 12 Goal tournament Bolebac, winners of The Brecknock Cup
Cirencester Park Polo Club
Photography by John Hankin
Los Chinos, winners of The Chairman’s Cup Final OKL Equestrian, winners of The A’Brassard Trophy Final
On Sunday 29 August, due in no small part to an outstanding display by MVP Zac Beim, Alison Clark’s Los Chinos beat Smith’s Polo 7-3 on Ivy Lodge in The Chairman’s Cup Final. This 6-10 goal tournament attracted six teams, Irongate took the subsidiary 3-1 from Tafie Mafia in a spirited match.
The following day, Monday 30 August, saw a lively match on Ivy Lodge Ground which ended with OKL Equestrian just edging out Virgo Stone by 4½-4 in The A’Brassard Trophy Final. In the Subsidiary, Noon Giraffe had a more comfortable win, beating Ruton 7-4.
La Aguada Polo Club
On Sunday 15 August, La Aguada Polo Club unveiled their dates for the upcoming 2021 Spring Season, which will take place at the Club in November and December: Julio Novillo Astrada Cup (22 goal): November 16 – 30 La Aguada Ladies Cup (16 goal): 29 November – 4 December Spring Cup (14 goal): 29 November – 8 December On Saturday 21 August, Cowdray Park Polo Club hosted The Midsummer 12 Goal tournament, with a 6-4 win for Tchogan against Maiz Dulce. The following day, Sunday 22 August, was the second Final of the weekend with Bolebac winning 7-6 against The Crane in The Brecknock Cup.
Polo Club SaintTropez
On Sunday 15 August, The Côte d’Azur Cup Finals were played at Polo Club Saint-Tropez, with a 16 goal and 10 goal section. La Magdeliene defeated Kazak 12-7 in the 16 goal Final, while Amanara enjoyed an 8-4 win against The Plants in the 10 goal Final.
La Magdeliene, winners of the 16 goal Côte d’Azur Cup Final
Photography by Prensa Polo
Rutland Polo Club
Photography by Rutland Polo Club
The Twidale Cup finalists The Ruddles Cup finalists
The weekend 21 – 22 August, The Sandicliffe 2 goal was an 8 chukka match played over two days, between Offchurch Bury team Bob Music and Suffolk team Cambridge Neurotech. Grant Collet’s powerful shots meant that Bob Music ran out the winners on this occasion.
The Gilks Trophy, a beautiful bronze sculpture kindly donated by the family of the late Col. Tony Gilks (one of the founder members of RPC) was played for between Bramham Polo Academy, Rutland and Los Cambios. Bramham Polo Academy were to run out the winners just ahead of Rutland in second and Los Cambios in third.
Over 21 – 22 August, The Westerby Group visited the Club for their annual polo lunch, with guests enjoying two tournaments. The Twidale Cup was played as a three chukka match between local team Axholme and visitors Knightmares, which was called a draw and after a discussion between team Captains and umpire Henry Browne it was decided they were all happy to do a coin toss to see who would get to take home the silverware; Axholme won the toss and so proudly took home The Twidale Cup.
The Ruddles Cup took place between two local teams, Holmefield and Rutland, with Holmefield awarded a 1½ goal handicap advantage; Holmefield had many more close calls and some really unlucky shots at goal that just missed, but it wasn’t to be their day as the last bell went with a score of 8-2½.
The Twidale Cup Final Teams:
Axholme (-4): Amanda Hawthorne (-1), Lesley Maxfield-Gullett (-2), Linda McCullough (-1) & Paul Maxfield-Gullett (0) Knightmares (-6): Jasmine Speed (-2), Jos Habershon-Butcher (-2), Hannah Woodward (-1) & Amy Sallabank (-1)
The Ruddles Cup Final Teams:
Holmefield (-5): Ned Hercock (-2), Camilla Ross- Wilson (-1), Hugo Ross- Wilson (-1) & Alex Ross-Wilson (-1) Rutland (-3): Ryan Hutchinson (-2), Camilla Speed (-2), Amy Sallabank (-1) & Ed Winterton (2)
Toulston Polo Club
Photograph by EKS Images
LMES Leeds Mechanical & Electrical Services, winners of The Yorkshire 6 Tournament
The Yorkshire 6 Tournament Final at Toulston Polo Club, was organised by Bramham Polo Academy, on Saturday 21 August. Under very heavy rain the four chukka match was the highest level of polo that has been played in the North of England for a number of years. It was a closely fought game with L&D leading for the first two chukkas, the third and fourth chukka saw LMES pulling away with their extra horsepower to win over L&D Consultancy. It was a great turnout despite the rain and excellent prizes of bridles from Newmarket Saddlery, Champange from L&D Consultancy and Polo Times merchandise. The Most Valuable Player was Bautista Funes who won a saddle from Newmarket Saddlery.
The Yorkshire 6 Tournament Final Teams:
L&D Consultancy (4): Antonino Menard (5), Fran Stuven Ortelli (2), James Farrell (-1) & Lee Burgin (-2)
LMES Leeds Mechanical & Electrical Services (6):
Sebastia Funes (3), Bautista Funes (2), Rob Shearman (1) & Ben Foreman (0)
Thoresby Park Polo Club
Matches were rained off on Saturday 21 August, but action resumed on Sunday 22 August with renewed vigour and saw Farriers by Farriers (Angus Wilson, Steve Radford, James Haigh and Suzanne Hart) win The Thoresby Challenge, with Angus Wilson named as Most Valuable Player. Caunton Bulls (Koren Danby, Ed Morris, Ryan Hutchinson, John Michael and Amy Sallabank) won The Thoresby Cup, with Ed Morris’ Carlita chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
Thoresby Challenge winners, Farriers by Farriers
Northern Ireland Polo Club
Joss Ridley, Jayne Darling-Parks & Claire Allen
Photograph by Nicky WilsonPeter O’Rorke, Matt Evetts & Tony Haynes
Ian Megahey happy to be taking home The Glenpatrick Cup NIPC hosted their main tournament of the season in mid August. The Ulster Cup was presented to the Club in 1936 and is now played for annually at the 4 goal level. This year the winners were the formidable Rhone Hill, back on home soil after successful seasons in South Africa and Sotogrande. Tyrone held their own, with the fast paced game ending with a score of 5½-7. Charles Heffron of Rhone Hill was the deserving winner of the MVP award, a new mallet from KM Mallets sponsored by Ian Megahey of Workpal.
Ian Megahey of Workpal sponsored the inaugural Glenpatrick Cup which will be played for annually by the lower teams with the hope of encouraging new members into tournaments. Three teams played an American style tournament, Workpal, KM Mallets and Tyrella. Workpal (Ian Megahey (-1), Anna Boyd (-1), Nicholson Boyd (0) & Keelan McCarthy (1)) came out victorious but it was James Donnelly of runners up CPPC Christmas Party; Cowley Manor, Cheltenham; KM Mallets who piloted the Friday 13 December Polo Times Best Playing Pony Moneda – to read more about Moneda, please turn to our Pony Power pages. Ciren Does Christmas
Susie Godwin & Barrie Upton A delicious lunch
Ulster Cup 4 Goal Final Teams:
Rhone Hill (4): Jemima Heffron (0), Charles Heffron (0), Patrick Heffron (0) & Gonzalo Lopez Vargas (4) Tyrone (3): Eamon Laverty (0), Dan Laverty (1), John Corbett (1) & April Kent (1) Tedworth Park Polo Club
With Christmas on the horizon, Cirencester Park Polo Club members and friends gathered to celebrate the festive season at the iconic Cowley Manor near Cheltenham. Alongside a delicious lunch, served to perfection by the lovely Cowley staff, there was laughter and festive cheer aplenty, as guests exchanged Christmas tidings of great joy! With all eyes turned to the 2020 season, gossip flew around the room – who will the next big Ciren star be? Which pros will play for which teams next year? Who will take the most falls? Suffice to say, a wonderful lunch was had by all; the perfect way to begin a thrilling festive season.
Christine Williams & Duncan Branch
The Royal Navy beat the Royal Air Force by half a goal and the Army by six goals in the Inter Services Development Tournament at Photography by John Hankin Tedworth Park Polo Club, becoming the first team to win The Tiger Yanna Mudie, Ginny Williams & Natalie Meredith Trophy in memory of Group Captain Sir Henry Riley.
Maureen Moseley, Georgie Seddon-Brown & Isabel Branch
Photograph by Royal Navy Polo
Royal Navy, winners of The Tiger Trophy
