Thu 21st May 2026And We’re Off The Cartier Queen’s Cup is officially underway
The weather’s heating up and so is the action. The Cartier Queen’s Cup has burst into life with six high-quality opening matches producing drama, overtime thrillers and several standout performances across Guards Polo Club.
On Day 1, Tuesday 19 May, La Dolfina/ Marqués de Riscal edged White Crane 13-12 in arguably the game of the opening rounds, with Poroto Cambiaso scoring the winner on the bell after a thrilling back-and-forth contest against Pablo Pieres. Simon Prado was instrumental early for La Dolfina/ Marques riscal before White Crane stormed back into the lead, only for Cambiaso and Prado to wrestle momentum back late in the game. Aureus defeated Signet / Segavas 17-11 behind sharp shooting from Diego Cavanagh and Teodoro Lacau, who combined for 14 goals, while Jake Coventry made history as the first Zambian player to compete in the Cartier Queen’s Cup. Jehangiri also made a strong opening statement, comfortably beating Gaston 14-7 after establishing a commanding 9-3 half-time advantage.
On the second day, UAE Polo Team held off a resurgent Kazak side to secure victory after Kazak fought back from 6-2 down to level the scores in the third chukka. Hugo Taylor and Juan Martin Nero proved key for HH Sheikha Maitha’s side. Dubai then edged Ferne Park in another thriller, with Barto Castagnola scoring the decisive goal in the closing seconds after Facundo Pieres had inspired Ferne Park back into contention. The final game saw Black Bears narrowly overcome Ojo Caliente in a fast, evenly matched encounter. Facundo Sola kept Ojo Caliente alive throughout with excellent shooting, but strong teamwork from Tommy and Benjamin Panelo ultimately secured the win for Black Bears.
The action continues with match ups between Shoreline and Akasha followed by Park Place vs Sujan Indian Tigers.
Photograph: Talk about getting out of the saddle. By Art of Polo
Tue 19th May 2026Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera’s Debut Win Dominant Victory in The Trippetts Challenge
It was a big day on Saturday 16 May as the second of the first two high goal tournaments to wrap up on the same day saw Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera produce a dominant display to defeat defending champions Gaston 17-6 and claim the 2026 Trippetts Challenge title at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
The tournament featured six teams up to the 22 goal level, with the Final taking place on the historic Midhurst grounds after a week of tightly contested matches which paid testament to the strength and equality of all the high goal teams involved.
Gaston entered the match hoping to retain the title they won in 2025, but from the opening chukka Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera imposed themselves on both the game and the scoreboard. While Gaston remained within reach in the early exchanges, the match swung decisively before half-time as Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera delivered a devastating run through the third and fourth chukkas.
Led by the outstanding Lorenzo Chavanne (winner of this year’s USPA Gold Cup and U.S Open Polo Championship), who was later named Most Valuable Player, the white-shirted side produced six unanswered goals across the two middle chukkas, completely shutting out Gaston and opening up a commanding 10-3 lead by the end of the fourth. Chavanne’s pace and attacking precision combined perfectly with the creativity and firepower of Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola, while Ned Hine provided structure and control throughout.
Despite efforts from David Stirling and Beltrán Laulhé to pull Gaston back into contention, Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera maintained complete control in the second half, extending their advantage steadily before closing out an emphatic 17-6 victory.
The Best Playing Pony Award went to V8 Back Home, played by Lorenzo Chavanne.
In the Subsidiary Final, Ojo Caliente defeated White Crane.
The Trippetts Challenge Final Teams:
Balanz Capital La Hechicera (22): Pablo Galante / Claudio Porcel (0), Ned Hine (5), Lorenzo Chavanne (7) & Camilo Castagnola (10)
Gaston (22): Jean-Paul Luksic (0), Beltrán Laulhé (7), David Stirling (8) & Cruz Heguy (7)
Photograph: Balanz Capital/ La Hechicera raise The Trippetts Challenge trophy high. By Mark Beaumont
Mon 18th May 2026Golden Goal Win for Juan Pepa Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus victorious at The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy
Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus claimed The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy after edging Jindal Steel/La Dolfina 9-8 in a dramatic extra chukka Final at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Saturday 16 May.
One of the most prestigious tournaments of the English high-goal season and the first of the 22 goal Victor Ludorum tournaments, the competition featured 12, 22 goal teams with the Final delivering a closely fought contest between two well-mounted and tactically strong sides.
Jindal Steel/La Dolfina, led by Adolfo Cambiaso, started the stronger of the two teams and quickly established control in the opening stages. Goals from Cambiaso and Gonzalo Ferrari helped them move ahead early, but Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus gradually settled into the game through the tireless work of Paco de Narváez Jr and Carlos Ulloa. By the end of the fourth chukka, the scores were level at 5-5.
Jindal Steel/ La Dolfina regained momentum in the fifth chukka, taking back the advantage 8-7 thanks to the attacking pressure of Cambiaso and Ferrari, who both finished with three goals apiece, while Rufino Merlos added two. However, Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus refused to let the match slip away. A determined final chukka saw them equalise once again at 8-8, forcing the game into extra time.
With momentum now on their side, it was Juan Pepa who produced the decisive moment. Breaking quickly towards goal in the extra chukka, Pepa converted a fairytale winning goal to seal a hard-fought 9-8 victory and secure the title for Cibao La Pampa/Murus Sanctus.
A truly thrilling Final to watch, both sides produced some crowd-pleasing, open and fast polo. Cudmore was later named Most Valuable Player for his influential all-round performance throughout the Final. An incredible start to the season for the team who will go on to play The Cartier Queen’s Cup, starting this week, with the same line-up.
The Best Playing Pony Award went to Antu Wallung Rumba, played by Paco de Narváez Jr.
The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy Final Teams:
Cibao La Pampa / Murus Sanctus (22): Juan Pepa (2), Carlos Ulloa (7), Paco de Narváez Jr (8) & Ollie Cudmore (5)
Jindal Steel / La Dolfina (22): Naveen Jindal (0), Rufino Merlos (6), Gonzalo Ferrari (7) & Adolfo Cambiaso (9)
Photograph: Cibao La Pampa/ Murus Sanctus in an extra chukka victory for The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy. Courtesy of RCBPC
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