major general’s Cup

Stable Cottage battle hard to win military honour

Stable Cottage stayed focused and in command to win the 2023 edition of the Major General’s Cup. Major Jamie Hayward’s team beat a competitive Sladmore squad, last year’s runners-up, 4–3. However Alexander Nix, a key member of Edward Horswell’s team did head home with the Most Valuable Player prize after a strong performance for Sladmore. Meanwhile, Antony Fanshawe received the Polo Times Best Playing Pony for Charlie Wooldridge’s Mantecol.

Six teams had entered this annual contest featuring military squads and Club teams. In addition the Club welcomed an ensemble from the Band of the Household Cavalry, plus a wonderful appearance from Juno, the first female Household Cavalry drum horse, ensuring there were echoes of the Club’s military roots throughout the day.

Everyone had an opportunity to play on finals day. First up was a match featuring the Household Cavalry versus Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz and Alan Fall’s blended Porto Ronco Dogs. The military team won this encounter, claiming the Wooden Spoon thanks to a 6–3 scoreline. Next up were last year’s winners, The Army in action against Heiko Voelker’s Tchogan. Like the final, this was another tight game, with the Army team coming out best, winning 4–3. u

The Teams

Stable Cottage: Rhett Wooldridge (-1); Major Jamie Hayward (0); Antony Fanshawe (2); Ramzy El-Ashkar (1). Sladmore: Archie Heseltine (0); The Lord Milo Manton (0); Alexander Nix (1); Edward Horswell (1).

The Army: Capt Tom Windsor-Clive (Coldstream Guards, -1); Capt The Hon Freddy Benyon (Coldstream Guards, 0); Capt The Viscount Chelsea (Welsh Guards, 1); Capt Oliver Powell, late Welsh Guards, 2). Tchogan: Heiko Voelker (0); William Berry (0); Logan Anderson (0); Max Voelker (2).

Household Cavalry: Lt Col Thomas Armitage (-1); 2Lt Ben Humphries (0); CT Jonty Barlow (1); Capt Paddy Selfe (2). The Porto Ronco Dogs: Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz (0); Robert Wilson (0); Alan Fall (1); Nicholas Hiller (1).

Equine VIP

Guards Polo Club welcomed a very special visitor to the Club during the final of the Major General’s Trophy. HM Queen Elizabeth ll’s beloved Fell pony Emma paraded the teams in the final of the Major General’s Cup.

Emma was accompanied by Terry Pendry, who was Her Majesty’s Head Groom for some 28 years, regularly accompanying the Monarch on her rides at Windsor. This unique visit had been organised by the Military Knights of Windsor, of which Terry is one.

Her Majesty regularly rode Emma, now aged 27, at Windsor for some 18 years, the last time on 18 July 2022 – just two days before Her Majesty headed to Balmoral for the last time. Emma then had a key role at Her Majesty’s funeral standing on the Long Walk with Terry as the funeral cortege passed.