The Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club’s premier tournament, continued through Monday May 26 to Wednesday May 28, with three busy days and thrilling games. The competition hosted by the club set in Windsor Great Park, sees nineteen teams up to 22 goals, in participation.
Monday May 26 saw UAE and Genrosaleo Clinova victorious, after two hard fought teams, that ended in extra chukka and with identical scores. In the opening contest, UAE faced a tough Jehangiri foursome, who were in search of their first win; Jehangiri had a fantastic first half and by the end of the third chukka they were 6-2 ahead. However, and from the fourth chukka onwards, UAE bounced back, thanks to the impressive team work of the three professionals of the team – Lukin Monteverde, Juan Martín Nero and Santos Merlos – to tie at 6-all. Jehangiri battled back, until Gonzalito Pieres produced the goal that marked a new tie, 9-9, that sent the match into extra chukka; that’s when Juan Martín Nero scored the goal that secured UAE the 10-9 win. Meanwhile, in the follow up, Clinova Genrolaseo – received one goal on handicap – overcame a determined Ferne Park lineup, who dominated the first four chukkas, until Clinova Genrosaleo found their best form in the two following chukkas, to tie at 9-all, and, again, another extra chukka. Alejandro Muzzio became the hero of the day, the man who gave Genrosaleo Clinova their first win.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday May 27, and under poor weather conditions, Sujan Indian Tigers, the tournament’s biggest sensation, claimed their third consecutive win, after defeating White Crane 14-13, led by a grea performance delivered by Juan Martin Zubía. It was the same with King Power, who also remained undefeated after beating Calatagan 14-13. With three wins each, Sujan Indian Tigers and King Power have already their sights on the quarter finals.
Last but not least, on Wednesday May 28, La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal, who lost their previous game against Desert Palm, defeated Park Place by an impressive 14-11. While Matías Maldonado subbed in for Park Place’s Andrey Borodin, Samantha Luff filled in for La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal’s Alejandro Aznar in the fourth chukka. Later on, Ojo Caliente claimed a 10-9 win against Desert Palm, in extra chukka. Dubai’s Javier Guerrero and Tariq Albwardy were subbed in by Mia Cambiaso and Kian Hall, respectively.
Following a break on Thursday May 29, the Queen’s Cup will be back through Friday May 30 and Sunday June 1:
- Friday May 30
11,30am: La Dolfina Scone vs. Genrosaleo Clinova
2pm: Dubai vs. UAE
4,30pm: Signet Thai Polo vs. Jehangiri
- Saturday May 31
11am: Aureus vs. Calatagan
1,3opm: La Magdeleine vs. White Crane
3.30pm: Kazak vs. King Power
- Sunday June 1
12pm: Ojo Caliente vs. La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal
3pm: Desert Palm vs. Gaston
(UK times)
The Queen’s Cup has been played since 1960, and was established in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8, 2022; her 70-years reign made her not only the longest serving British monarch ever (1952-2022), but also the second longest in history, behind His Majesty Louis XIV, known as Le Roi Soleil (The Sun King), who ruled France from 1643 to 1715, a total of 72 years. Queen Elizabeth II was suceeded by her son, His Majesty King Charles III, 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 70 years ago, on January 25, 1955 and remained as the President until his passing, on April 9, 2021. Today, His Majesty King Charles III is in charge to present the trophy to the winning patron, like his mother did before.
The championship match of the Queen’s Cup is due on Sunday June 15.
The Queen’s Cup – Teams & Fixture
Cover photo by Pablo Ramírez.