The British Open Gold Cup resumed on Wednesday, July 7, with two matches. Both Great Oaks Les Lions and UAE claimed victories at Cowdray Park Polo Club. The championship is considered is one of the three Grand Slams of Polo, alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open. This year’s tournament sees thirteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
The first match saw the clash of the Castagnola brothers, as Great Oaks Les Lions (Barto) defeated Talandracas (Camilo) by 11 goals to 8. Dillon Bacon’s team got off to a powerful start, dominating Talandracas in the first half. Talandracas fought hard to close the gap in the following chukkas, but the damage was already done: Great Oaks Les Lions’ commanding 5-0 lead in the first chukka was enough to secure a 10-8 win.
Up next, Queen’s Cup champions UAE took a 16-12 win over BP Polo. Polito Pieres gave an extraordinary performance, scoring no less than 11 goals.
The British Open Gold Cup continues on Thursday, July 8:
12pm: Thai Polo vs. Emlor (Ambersham 3)
3,30pm: Park Place vs. King Power (Away)
The Gold Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 25.
SUMMARY: WEDNESDAY, JULY 7:
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 10-8 TALANDRACAS
Great Oaks Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 7 (1 goal), Dillon Bacon 2 (2), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9 (3), Cruz Heguy 4 (4). Total: 22.
Talandracas: Edouard Carmignac 0, Camilo Castagnola 8 (6 goles) Diego Cavanagh 8, Marcos Araya 6 (1). Total: 22.
Score Great Oaks Les Lions: 5-0, 6-2, 8-3, 9-6, 10-7, 10-8.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Julian Appleby.
BPP UK: Vasca Mulera, ridden by Cruz Heguy
UAE 16-12 BP POLO
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6 (2 goals), Pablo Pieres 9 (11) , Tomás Beresford 7 (3). Total: 22.
BP Polo: James Beh 1 (1 goal). Joevy Beh 3 (1), Alejandro Muzzio 8 (4), Nicolás Pieres 9 * (6). Total: 21.
*subbed in for injured Juan Martín Nero.
Score UAE: 2-3, 5-4, 9-6, 12-7, 14-10, 16-12.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Julian Appleby.
BPP UK: El Overo Z7 Sagitaria, ridden by Polito Pieres.
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British Open Gold Cup: Wednesday, July 7