The Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club’s premier tournament, resumed through Wednesday May 20 and Thursday May 21. One of the most significant polo contests not only in England but also in Europe and worldwide, the competition played at the club set in Windsor Great Park, sees nineteen teams up to 22 goals, partake.
The account of both days is as follows:
- WEDNESDAY MAY 20
UAE 13-9 Kazak
Led by Juan Martín Nero, UAE had a terrific start, leading by a comfortable 6-2 by the end of the second chukka. But Kazak made an impressive combecack level the scores at 6-all in the third, with Sébastien Aguettant producing the goal that marked a 7-6 lead for his team. But UAE bounced back in the remaining chukkas – they re-took the lead thanks to an impressive performance delivered by Hugo Taylor and widened their advantage until earning the final 13-9 win.
Dubai 9-8 Ferne Park
The second match was a very balanced contest between Dubai and Ferne Park, that saw the Albwardy family’s team leading by just one goal (5-4) by half time. However, the second half had Ferne Park’s Facundo Pieres in top form, that earned them a 5-all at the start of the sixth chukka. But Dubai was not about to give uop – with Barto Castagnola always in the right place, he picked up a poor backhand from Facundo and drove the ball to secure Dubai their first win in the Queen’s Cup.
Black Bears 13-12 Ojo Caliente
The last game of the day, was another neck-to-neck contest between Black Bears and Ojo Caliente, that saw two consecutive ties, 4-4 and 7-7 in the third and fourth chukkas, respectively. Black Bears took some air in the fifth chukka thanks to the goals of the Panelo brothers, but Ojo Caliente relied on a very inspired Facundo Sola, who was in charge to close the gap for Ana Escobedo’s team to just one goal (10-11). Anyway, the remarkable work of the Panelo brothers secured Black Bears a three goal advantage by the end of the fifth chukka. Ojo Caliente stayed focused, and Facundo Sola leveled the scores once again, in the last chukka. Facundo Sola reduced the gap to one goal again, with seconds to go in the last chukka, en even he could have been able to send the game into an extra chukka, but it was not meant to be.
- THURSDAY MAY 21
Akasha 15-14 Shoreline
Alexandre Garese’s Akasha managed to earn a tight win in their debut against Shoreline, in a very close contest, full of drama, a real battle between the two teams. Although Shoreline managed to take the lead in the second (4-2) and fourth chukka (8-7), the contest was so balanced that it was only decided in extra chukka. Akasha’s Pablo MacDonough was the crucial man of the winners; and despite the loss, it’s worth to notice the remarkable job delivered by Shoreline, especially by Ed Banner-Eve, in his first Queen’s Cup, who made a very good partnership with Alejandro Muzzio.
Park Place 12-11 Sujan Indian Tigers
Title holders, Park Place, and Sujan Indian Tigers played the second game of the day, a contest full of drama. Although Andrey Borodin and Co. played a very good first half, reaching a 7-4 lead by half time, that was extended to 10-6 in the fifth chukka – when Leo Stuart subbed in for Andrey Borodin -, Sujan Indian Tigers broke off led by Juan Britos, Juan Martín Zubía and Marcos Araya. It was Zubía who tied at 11-all with 30 seconds in the clock, but a great team work between Jero del Carril and Ned Hine, found the flags to secure the 12-11 victory for Park Place.
The Queen’s Cup will be back on the weekend with this order of play:
- Friday May 22
11,30am: La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal vs. Cibao La Pampa Murus Sanctus
2pm: Gaston vs. Signet/Segavas
4,30pm: Aureus vs. Jehangiri
- Saturday May 23
11am: Kazak vs. Jindal Steel La Dolfina
1,30pm: Ferne Park vs. UAE
3,30pm: Ojo Caliente vs. Dubai
- Sunday May 24
12pm: Balanz Capital vs. Shoreline
3pm: Sujan Indian Tigers vs. Akasha
The Queen’s Cup was established in 1960, in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8 2022. Her Majesty was not only the longest serving monarch of Great Britain (February 1952-September 2022), but also the second longest in history, behind His Majesty Louis XIV, known as Le Roi Soleil (The Sun King), who ruled France during 72 years (1643 to 1715). Queen Elizabeth II was suceeded by her son, His Majesty King Charles III, who is also the current President of Guards Polo Club, a position he inherited from his father, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who founded the club on January 25 1955 and remained as the President until his passing, on April 9, 2021.
THE FINAL OF THE QUEEN’S CUP WILL BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY JUNE 14.
The Queen’s Cup – Teams & Fixture
Cover photo by The Art Of Polo.