The league stage of the British Open Gold Cup came to an end on Wednesday, July 14, at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussx. The championship is recognised as 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.
King Power, Park Place, UAE, Scone, Monterosso, Thai Polo, Murus Sanctus and Great Oaks Les Lions all qualified for the quarterfinals, set to be played on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18.
It was a close call for UAE, who qualified after Tomás Panelo scored a goalen goal to give his team a 10-9 OT win and a place in the quarters. Sheikh Maitha’s team made an impressive comeback after trailing in the first three chukkas. Monterosso also qualified, with Juan Martín Zubía filling in for the injured Pelón Stirling, and Great Oaks Les Lions had no trouble claiming a heavy 18-4 win against BP Polo (with Alfredo Bigatti subbing in for Juan Martín Nero) and advancing in the tournament.
The quarter finals will be played as follows (date and time TBC):
Murus Sanctus vs Great Oaks Les Lions
King Power vs Thai Polo
UAE vs Park Place
Scone vs Monterosso
The Gold Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 25.
SUMMARY – WEDNESDAY, JULY 14:
UAE 10-9 MONTEROSSO (EXTRA CHUKKA)
UAE: HH Sheikha Maitha 0, Tomás Panelo 6 (2 goals), Pablo Pieres 9 (5), Tomás Beresford 7 (3). Total: 22.
Monterosso: Alessandro Bazzoni 1 (1 goal), Mackenzie Weisz 4, Cubi Toccalino 8 (4), Juan Martín Zubía 8 (4)*. Total: 22. (*Subbed in for Pelón Stirling).
Score UAE: 0-2, 0-5, 2-7, 5-7, 7-8, 9-9, 10-9.
Umpires: Tim Brown & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Jason Dixon.
BPP UK: Alberta Juniper, ridden by Tomás Panelo.
GREAT OAKS LES LIONS 18-4 BP POLO
Great Oaks Les Lions: Guillermo Terrera 7, Dillon Bacon 2, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Cruz Heguy 4. Total: 22.
BP Polo: James Beh 1, Joevy Beh 3, Alejandro Muzzio 8, Alfredo Bigatti 8 * . Total: 20. (*Subbed in for Juan Martín Nero).
Score Great Oaks Les Lions (0-2): 2-1, 6-1, 9-2, 13-3, 15-4, 18-4.
Umpires: Peter Wright & Julian Appleby.
Third Man: Jason Dixon.
BPP UK: Lovelocks Drogba, ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.