Mon 22nd Jul 2024The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Final 11-3 win for Dubai against La Dolfina Great Oaks
Huge crowds gathered on Sunday 21 July at Cowdray Park Polo Club with high hopes for a battle between the giants in The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Final with Dubai versus La Dolfina Great Oaks. La Dolfina Great Oaks went into the Final as strong contenders having begun the high goal season lifting The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy and reaching the Final of both The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The Cowdray Gold Cup. Dubai were unbeaten in this year’s Cowdray Gold Cup and had reached the Final in 2023 and 2022 – would this be the year they could secure their sixth Cowdray Gold Cup win? Dubai was the youngest team in the tournament with a total combined player age of just 90 years old, but La Dolfina Great Oaks also had youth on their side with 18-year-old 9 goaler Poroto Cambiaso having displayed his flair for open play in the Semi Finals. 17-year-old Beltrán Laulhé began the scoring for Dubai showing their intent to dominate this Final from the outset, which they continued to do through all six chukkas, with a green wall of shirts slowing down any attacks made by La Dolfina Great Oaks and limiting their ability to utilise their usual style of fast, flowing polo. They marked La Dolfina Great Oaks like bees to honey and left them little chance to get on the scoreboard, which was reflected in the 5-1 score in favour of Dubai at the end of the second chukka. There were flashes of open, fast-paced play from La Dolfina Great Oaks’ Cambiaso, but his horsepower was more than matched by Dubai and Castagnola followed these breaks away like a shadow. Dubai worked together tirelessly to mark La Dolfina Great Oaks out of any opportunities they had. The pressure appeared to get on top of La Dolfina Great Oaks as well, with penalties not converted, which only widened the gap as Dubai relentlessly pushed towards goal and left La Dolfina Great Oaks fighting for every single inch. Dubai came out after half-time seemingly determined not to let La Dolfina Great Oaks get back into the match at all; Castagnola carried the ball the length of the ground at a full gallop and deftly slotted it in between the posts to increase the lead to 8-2, and proving just why he is rated at 10 goals. Each year Castagnola returns playing better and better, the chat amongst the spectators rated him above the 10 goal maximum handicap during the Final and this year saw a new dimension with the incorporation of his teammates into his electric style of play. Laulhé ended the Final as he began, with a final goal for Dubai to secure the win 11-3 and with it Dubai’s sixth Gold Cup title. Castagnola was named Most Valuable Player, Alberta Gulfstream, played by Castagnola, was the Best Playing Pony and Dubai Chalita, played by Rashid Albwardy, was the Best Patron Playing Pony. A full report will be in the August issue of Polo Times, click here to subscribe today. The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Final Teams: Dubai (22): Jeta Castagnola (10), Rashid Albwardy (2), Antonio Heguy (5) & Beltrán Laulhé (5) La Dolfina Great Oaks (22): Dillon Bacon (2), Kian Hall (3), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Poroto Cambiaso (9) Photograph: Dubai, winners of The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Fri 19th Jul 2024Polo Times Sponsors 2024 Pony Club Polo Championships Prizes, subscription discounts & coverage of Pony Club Polo
Polo Times is delighted to announce that we will be sponsoring this year’s Pony Club Polo Championships which begin this week with qualifiers at Black Bears (25 July). Polo Times has always championed grass roots polo, so sponsoring The Pony Club Polo Championships was the next step in our support of the vibrant youth polo circuit that the Pony Club provides. As always, full coverage of this year’s Championships at Cowdray park Polo Club over 9 – 11 August will be included in the September issue of Polo Times with the addition this year of prizes for all competitors, subscription discounts and Polo Times t-shirts for the winning players from each division. Nick Hine, Publisher of Polo Times commented, “Going into Polo Times’ 30th year of being the leading polo publication, we are delighted to be sponsoring Pony Club Polo and proud to be supporting the next generation of polo players. Having competed in the Pony Club myself I fondly remember the camaraderie of the Championships at Cowdray Park and although much has changed since then, no more parties in the Cowdray Ruins, it is a vital route for young players to hone their skills. Each month, our Knowledge pages include helpful tips for players on equine nutrition, player mental health awareness and injury prevention, which are an invaluable resource for up-and-coming players, so Polo Times and the Pony Club are a great fit and we are looking forward to the Championships in August!” Justin Stanhope-White, Chairman of The Pony Club, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, "We are delighted to welcome Polo Times as a supporter of the Pony Club Polo Championships 2024. Their commitment to the sport and their dedication to showcasing the talents of our young players align perfectly with our mission. This collaboration will undoubtedly elevate the profile of the championships and provide our members with an unforgettable experience." 2024 Pony Club Polo Championship Dates: 25 July: Black Bears Qualifier Tournament 30 July: Cirencester Qualifier Tournament 1 August: Longdole Qualifier Tournament 5 August: Tedworth Park Friendly Tournament 6 August: Hipwood Semis 8 August: Hipwood Finals Cowdray 9 – 11 August: Cowdray Championships Photograph: Polo Times will be supporting Pony Club Polo Championships 2024. By Ultimate Images
Thu 18th Jul 2024La Dolfina Great Oaks & Dubai Reach Final British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup on Sunday 21 July
Yesterday, Wednesday 17 July, saw huge crowds gather at Cowdray Park Polo Club for The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Semi Final matches. The first game of the day was between 2024 Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy winners La Dolfina Great Oaks and King Power, winners of The Cowdray Gold Cup in 2016, 2017 and finalists in 2014 and 2019. La Dolfina Great Oaks dominated the first five chukkas, with an unmarked Poroto Cambiaso causing havoc for King Power. By the start of the last chukka they held an 11-7 lead, but King Power in their effervescently bright shirts found an extra gear to bounce back and tie the match at 11-11, pushing it into an extra chukka. A foul by King Power in the opening minute gave La Dolfina Great Oaks the opportunity they needed and Diego Cavanagh scored the winning goal, 12-11, securing them a place in Sunday’s Final. As spectators enjoyed the tradestands, pitchside picnicking opportunities and outstanding hospitality in the Brooks Enclosure, the skies brightened and the sun rolled over across the beautiful Cowdray Ruins. The second match of the day was between Dubai, Cowdray Gold Cup finalists for the past two years, and Talandracas, who secured The Cartier Queen’s Cup last month. 11 seems to be Jeta Castagnola’s lucky number as he scored 11 goals in the Quarter Final and again in the Semi Final yesterday, helping to propel Dubai to their impressive 18-9 victory and with it their spot in the Final. The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup Final will be played on Sunday 23 July at Cowdray Park Polo Club and although grandstand seating is now sold-out, there are still general entry and Lawns Enclosure tickets avaialble here. Dubai (22): Jeta Castagnola (10), Rashid Albwardy (2), Antonio Heguy (5) & Beltrán Laulhé (5) La Dolfina Great Oaks (22): Dillon Bacon (2), Kian Hall (3), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Poroto Cambiaso (9) King Power (22): Top Srivaddhanaprabha (1), William Harper (4), Pablo MacDonough (9) & Nico Pieres (8) Photograph: Jeta Castagnola scored 11 goals to help Dubai secure their place in the Final. By Mark Beaumont
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