Tue 30th Jun 2015The July issue of Polo Times is out now! Hot off the press – our biggest issue ever
The biggest ever issue of Polo Times has arrived with over a hundred and twenty pages packed full of reports, news, training tips, advice, interviews and gossip to see you through July!
Inside this latest issue, England Captain James Beim features as our Guest Editor, where he takes a look at GOW Equine, maintaining the best string possible, his favourite winter destinations, as well as three players to watch for the future. We have reports and comments galore, from The Cartier Queen’s Cup to The Gigaset International, plus a Victor Ludorum update.
This month's edition also includes an interview with Appitized – the all-British, all-ladies’ team – on their return to polo after a seven year hiatus, plus Tack Room Chat with Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres.
Our Youth section is brimming with reports from all levels, featuring University, Junior, Senior and Girls Schools National Championships, as well as action from the La Aguada Guards Youth Tournament.
Also in this bumper July issue, our Knowledge section features updates on the pros and cons of oats for energy, Murray Shotter looks at high suspensory injuries, and of course our Running Reports’ ponies; plus we caught up with the ponies awarded Polo Times BPP rugs.
As if this wasn't enough to keep you busy, all our usual articles are here, providing you with playing tips from Rege Ludwig, a chance to catch up with the Gossip and Sidelines pages, plus News, Letters and Dates for the Diary – all you need to read to be up to date this July!
To avoid missing out, subscribe from as little as £4.50 a month today by clicking here
Photograph: July issue of Polo Times out now!
Mon 29th Jun 2015Drama in Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Talandracas reduced to three-man team after umpire call
Yesterday, Sunday 28 June, the Talandracas vs Zacara match at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup was shadowed by controversy, following an incident which resulted in 4 goal Brit Alastair Paterson being sent off with no option to substitute. The decision was made by HPA umpires Peter Wright, Tim Bown and third man Charles Seavill before the game had even made half-time.
Paterson was playing in place of Zac Hagedoorn for Talandracas in the Midhurst Town Cup, a qualifier for The Gold Cup. The umpires’ decision appears to have been based on suspected ‘dangerous play’ and left Talandracas to continue the game with only three players. Eyewitness reports claim Paterson had chosen to ride a line but, which was closely followed by Zacara patron Lyndon Lea being knocked from his horse, who required medical attention before he continued the rest of the game.
The final score reflected the immense strain that the remaining Talandracas players, (Polito Pieres, Sapo Caset and Eduardo Carmignac) were under, as the game finished 21-11 to Zacara.
Many players, teams and spectators have commented on the decision across social media. One major point of controversy, aside from the ruling, was the knock-on effect of pony welfare on the Talandracas team, as the remaining players and their ponies attempted to make up for Paterson’s absence in stifling heat.
Talandracas may also now find themselves under scrutiny for a lack of effort – some accounts describe the team as standing and watching as talented young player Jack Hyde cantered the length of the ground to score for Zacara.
Talandracas now join Thai Polo, HB Polo and VPS Healthcare Sifani in a group of teams that have lost both of their games. Dubai, UAE, Apes Hill Club and King Power Foxes are all, so far, unbeaten. El Remanso, La Indiana, King Power and RH Polo have yet to play their second games, which are scheduled for today as well as Wednesday 1 July.
The first week of The Gold Cup reviewed
On Tuesday 23 June, UAE played RH Polo in the opening day of the tournament on Lawns 1 at Cowdray Park Polo Club. The match saw the established UAE team dominate over Ben Soleimani's squad, who are new contenders for The Gold Cup this year. The final score of 14-6 represented a runaway victory for UAE in The Carlos Gracida Memorial Trophy.
The second match of the day saw Zacara, previous Gold Cup winners in both 2011 and 2013, take on local patron Nick Clarke’s Salkeld team. A breathtakingly exciting match saw Luke Tomlinson play an outstanding game, keeping Salkeld ahead for most of the match and finally winning with a score of 16-15.
On the second day of the tournament, Wednesday 24 June, Sir Charles Williams’ Apes Hill Club, with an all-pro team of Mark Tomlinson (6), Ralph Richardson (1), Eduardo Novillo Astrada (9) and Tom Morley (6), faced Talandracas. A hard fought match saw Apes Hill Club claim victory, with a final score of 11-10.
HB Polo didn’t get the easiest match to start the tournament, as they were drawn to face a strong Dubai side. The team featured up-and-coming Josh Cork (0), replacing patron Rashid Albwardy, and Martin Valent stepped-up in place of Tom Brodie. Their back players remained strong with the combined skill of Diego Cavanagh (8) and Adolfo Cambiaso (10). A high scoring match resulted in a final score of 17-9 to Dubai, which must have been somewhat of a disappointment for the Pailloncy brothers.
Thai Polo were drawn against King Power in the first round of qualifiers. Thai Polo’s patron Harald Link was regrettably sidelined through an injury sustained in the Subsidiary Final for The Bathurst Cup in The Bledisloe Warwickshire Cup, and was replaced by Gustav Rausing. This year is ‘Tal’ Srivaddhanaprabha’s King Power’s inaugural year in The Gold Cup, although the team are no strangers to the UK high goal – with a win in The Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final this year already under their belts. King Power played excellently, and unfortunately Thai Polo were unable to gain the ground needed during the second half, which resulted in a final score of 6-0 in favour of King Power.
Thursday 25 June saw El Remanso’s first match drawn against Hilali Noordeen’s VPS Healthcare Sifani. The Hanbury borthers’ side El Remanso won 15-12.
Spectators were treated to a fabulous display of polo in the match between new Gold Cup entrant Michael Bickford with his La Indiana side, and King Power Foxes. La Indiana got off to a blistering start and led 3-1 at the close of the first chukka. However, by the sixth chukka the scores were 10-10, resulting in extra time. The seventh chukka saw both sides miss goals, before Facundo grabbed the ball and set-up for Gonzalito who bypassed Clarkin, and continuously accelerated to score a brilliant goal, which secured the match for King Power Foxes, 11-10.
To see the full list of scores and teams please click here.
Photograph: Zacara with Mariya Burton of Aspinal of London and The Midhurst Town Cup. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Mon 29th Jun 2015Great Western Railway Polo On the Beach  Watergate Bay saw weekend of excitement
An action-packed weekend at Watergate Bay saw three polo matches played over 26 – 28 June.
On Friday 26 June, Land Rover Cornwall took on a Rest of the World side, following a hard fought match Land Rover Cornwall were victorious with a winning score of 7 goals to 6. The Watergate Bay Trophy Match was played for on the following day, Saturday 27 June, between Joules and Beach Retreats. The final score read 12-8 in favour of Joules, who lifted the Watergate Bay Trophy. Despite its title as the 'Sunday Friendly' match, the fast-flowing and competitive match, which was focused in providing a spectator-friendly display of polo, eventually saw Joules lose out to Carrs Land Rover with a final score of 7-5. Players included Welsh team member Andrew Blake Thomas, playing alongside Tim Vaux of Vaux Park Polo Club.
A Segway polo match provided a different kind of polo experience, and saw the Watergate Bay Buccaneers take on the Camborne Crusaders. After a closely contested match, the final score read 4-3 in favour of the Watergate Bay Buccaneers.
In addition to the polo played over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the family-friendly weekend also saw an eye-boggling exhibition from the legendary Devil's Horsemen stunt team, who have provided both displays and film extras for over 30 years. Additionally, there was entertainment in the form of a family dog show in aid of St Francis Home for Animals, as well as demonstrations from the Watergate Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Saturday night saw a party on the beach, with live music from both Duke and DJ Krystal Roxx.
Photograph: Action from the GWR Polo on the Beach Tournament. By James Ram
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