The Gold Cup continued on Monday, July 5, as King Power and Emlor claimed wins at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in Midhurst, West Sussex. The tournament, one of the three Grand Slams of Polo alongside the Argentine Open and the US Open, sees thirteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
The day’s opener was the clash of the Thai lineups, as King Power took on Thai Polo. The latter took the lead early on and maintained their advantage up to the fourth chukker, when their opponents fought back. Thai Polo quickly re-took their advantage in the fifth chukka, and by the start of the sixth, they were leading 12-10. But Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s team had other ideas. In a thrilling last chukka, King Power caught Thai Polo’s defence off guard, outscoring them 5-1 to take an incredible 15-13 win.
Up next, UAE Polo Pod got off to a strong start against Emlor. The advantage allowed them to remain in the lead over four chukkas. But Spencer McCarthy’s boys made a comeback in the fifth to secure a 10-8 advantage. They scored once more in the last to take an 11-9 win.
The British Open Gold Cup resumes on Tuesday, July 6:
12pm: Great Oaks Les Lions vs. Talandracas
3pm: UAE vs. BP Polo
The Gold Cup final is set for Sunday, July 25.
BRITISH OPEN GOLD CUP – SUMMARY, MONDAY JULY 5:
KING POWER 15-13 THAI POLO:
King Power: Top Srivaddhanaprabha 1 (1 goal), Hugo Lewis 2, Hilario Ulloa 10 (7), Francisco Elizalde 8 (7). Total: 22.
Thai Polo: Louis Hine 2 (2 goals), Ned Hine 4 (2), Nicolás Pieres 9 (5), James Harper 7 (4). Total: 22.
Score King Power: 1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 9-7, 10-12, 15-13.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & Peter Wright.
Third Man: Jason Dixon.
BPP UK: Loreal, ridden by James Harper.
EMLOR 11-9 UAE Polo Pod
Emlor: Spencer McCarthy 1 (4 goals), Alfredo Bigatti 8 (1), Agustín Merlos 7 (5), Max Charlton 6 (1). Total: 22.
UAE Polo Pod: Lucas Monteverde Jr. 6 (3 goals), Alfredo Cappella 8 (5), Sam Browne 1 (1), Jack Richardson 7. Total: 22.
Score Emlor: 2-3, 3-6, 4-6, 7-8, 10-8, 11-9.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & Jason Dixon.
Third man: Peter Wright.
BPP UK: Estrella, ridden by Spencer McCarthy.
IMAGES: