On Sunday July 23, at 3pm, Dubai and UAE Polo will clash to put a perfect icing on the cake to an unforgettable English season, in the much anticipated championship match of the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, the historical tournament established in 1956 by Cowdray Park Polo Club, set in Midhurst, West Sussex.
It is not just a final between two of the best lineups of the season and the clash of two of the most powerful organisations of the Middle East; this final will see the rise of young and talented player and in addition, it will be a family affair as well, because the two fabulous Castagnola brothers will face each other – Dubai’s Camilo and UAE Polo’s Bartolomé Jr. (UAE Polo).
Dubai, the runner up in 2022 (they lost the final against Park Place), played a perfect Gold Cup – unbeaten and positioned in the first place within the genearal standings. Perahps they had to struggle a bit in quarter finals and semifinals, against Green Gates and Marqués de Riscal, respectively, but the truth is that Rashid Albwardy’s team have their lethal weapon, the merciless Jeta Castagnola who isvery well supported by two young boys who already demonstrated they are up to the task, Beltrán Laulhé and Rufino Bensadón. The green jerseys have everything in order to go for a trophy they previously claimed no less than five times (2001, 2005, 2010, 2014 and 2019).
Meanwhile UAE Polo, a runner up two years ago (they lost to Thai Polo NP), were only beaten once, against King Power in the league stage, on July 9. And they managed to defeat the then reining champions, Park Place, not only once, but twice – in the league stage by a narrow 14-13, and then swept them in semifinals by an impressive 18-9 score. It is not confirmed whether Sheikha Maitha is going to play the decisive match (Kayley Mariah Smith is subbing in for her), but otherwise, UAE Polo have three remarkable and young professionals, whose amazing skills could eventually contribute to secure UAE Polo their first ever Gold Cup: Barto Castagnola, Lukin Monteverde and Tomás Beresford. And moreover, the priceless advice and cooperation of the man behind the organisation, the heart and soul of UAE Polo’s steady growth, the legendary Lucas Monteverde.
As a conclusion, it is expected a remarkable final at Cowdray Park, an extraordinary match which probably won’t be decided until the last minute.
THE 2023 BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP IS STREAMED LIVE ON COWDRAY TV, WITH THE PRODUCTION OF POLOLINE HERE.
British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup – Final – Sunday July 23
DUBAI vs. UAE POLO (Lawns 1)
DUBAI: Camilo Castagola 10, Rashid Albwardy 2, Beltrán Laulhé 3, Rufino Bensadón 7. Total:
UAE POLO: Kayley Smith 0, Lukin Monteverde 6, Barto Castagnola 9, Tommy Beresford 7. Total: 22.
ROAD TO THE FINAL
DUBAI
10-3 vs. Twelve Oaks
14-12 vs. La Magdeleine
12-10 vs. Park Place Vaara
13-8 vs. Green Gates
12-11 vs. Green Gates (Quaterfinal)
15-12 vs. Marqués de Riscal (Semifinal)
UAE POLO
12-7 vs. Black Bears
12-8 vs. Monterosso
11-12 vs. King Power
14-13 vs. Park Place
13-4 vs. Vikings (Quarterfial)
18-9 vs. Park Place (Semifinal)
TOP SCORERS (PRO)
1) Facundo Pieres (50)
2) Guillermo Caset (48)
3) Camilo Castagnola (47)
4) Pablo MacDonough (40)
5) Fran Elizalde (36)
6) Tomás Beresford (34)
7) Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. (29)
TOP SCORERS (AMATEUR)
1) Garvy Beh (8)
2) Alejandro Aznar, Guy Schwarzenbach, Charlie Wooldridge (7 cada uno)
3) Joevy Beh (5)
BRITISH OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE COWDRAY GOLD CUP: Fixture & Teams
PHOTO CREDIT: MARK BEAUMONT.