Mon 17th Jun 2024Talandracas Secure Cartier Queen’s Cup 12-11 win in final seconds from Polito Pieres
The 2024 Cartier Queen’s Cup Final took place on Sunday 16 June between Talandracas and La Dolfina Great Oaks.
Excellent teamwork from both squads ensured this match would be a battle to the final bell. La Dolfina Great Oaks held a slight edge in the first half, leading 7-5 at halftime. Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (Poroto) and Diego Cavanagh were a perfect duo, scoring all their team’s goals, while teammates Dillon Bacon and Kian Hall expertly cleared their path to goal.
Talandracas, featuring Polito Pieres, Alejandro Muzzio (later named the Cartier Most Valuable Player), and Rosendo Torreguitar, matched their brilliance. This squad remained unbeaten after three weeks of intensive play, keeping La Dolfina Great Oaks under constant pressure.
The tension peaked in the fourth chukka as Talandracas levelled the score at 9-9. The teams continued to trade shots, remaining even at 11-11 in the fifth chukka. Remarkably, the sixth chukka saw no fouls for the first four minutes, a rarity in high-stakes matches. The game flowed with thrilling horse races from both teams.
The drama intensified in the final minutes. A brief delay occurred when Pieres dismounted while changing ponies, followed by Muzzio falling in pursuit of Cambiaso. Diego Cavanagh seized the opportunity to take the ball to goal, but the whistle blew as Muzzio's horse, instead of heading back to the pony lines, ran with the other players. Kian Hall of Great Oaks skilfully caught the errant horse at top speed.
With 30 seconds left in the sixth chukka and the score tied, the umpires dropped the ball 60 yards from the Talandracas goal. Cambiaso took the hit, but Pieres intercepted and carried it downfield. The ball hit the post but stayed in play, leading to a chaotic melee where almost every player touched the ball. In the final seconds, Pieres fired through the winner. The thrilling finish was a fitting end to such a closely contested game.
Hugues Carmignac received The Cartier Queen's Cup from HM King Charles III, a former winner of the trophy in 1986, and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK. This victory marked the second time the Carmignacs have won this prestigious silverware, with Hugues' father Edouard, who joined his son for the post-match presentations, having lifted The Queen's Cup in 2011.
A full report will be included in the July issue of Polo Times, click here to renew your subscription. The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final Teams:
Talandracas (22): Hugues Carmignac (0), Rosendo Torreguitar (5), Pablo Pieres (10) & Alejandro Muzzio (7)
La Dolfina Great Oaks (22): Dillon Bacon (2), Kian Hall (3), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Poroto Cambiaso Jnr (9)
Photograph: HM The King, Laurent Feniou and Lt Col Sean O'Dwyer with Talandracas, winners of The Cartier Queen’s Cup. By Pablo Ramirez
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