Queen´s Cup: Four teams now chasing the trophy

Next Wednesday´s semi-finals: Les Lions II vs. Lechuza Caracas; La Bamba de Areco vs. Dubai

Another thrilling polo´s day went ahead at the Guards Polo Club, with the Queen's Cup remaining two quarter-finals taking place at Britain's tradtional venue on Sunday, June 6th. The other two semifinalists emerged in the shape of Lechuza Caracas and Dubai. The first-named team defeated Piaget 10-7, and Dubai edged Zacara by the more ample margin of 14-8.Next Wednesday, June 9th, will see the Les Lions II vs. Lechuza Caracas and La Bamba de Areco vs. Dubai semi-finals take place, from where the following Sunday´s (13th) finalists are due to emerge.Harcourt Developments Queen´s CupResults:Tuesday, May 18thDubai 13 vs. The Telegraph 6El Remanso 10 vs. Talandracas 9Wednesday, May 19thZacara 8 vs. Sumaya 7Saturday, May 22ndLa Bamba de Areco 11 vs. Loro Piana 10Piaget 11 vs. Emlor 10Sunday, May 23rdLes Lions II 14 vs. Enigma 13Dubai 9 vs. Lechuza Caracas 8Tuesday, May 25thLoro Piana 12 vs. Talandracas 11La Bamba de Areco 11 vs. El Remanso 10The Telegraph 11 vs. Les Lions 10Wednesday, May 26thZacara 8 vs. Emlor 4Thursday, May 27thLes Lions II 16 vs. Sumaya 9Piaget 13 vs. Enigma 12Friday, May 28thLechuza Caracas 13 vs. Les Lions 10Saturday, May 29thEl Remanso 15 vs. Loro Piana 14Sunday, May 30thLes Lions II 12 vs. Emlor 11Enigma 14 vs. Zacara 9Piaget 9 vs. Sumaya 8Monday, May 31stTalandracas 11 vs. La Bamba de Areco 12Lechuza Caracas 14 vs. The Telegraph 9Les Lions 10 vs. Dubai 11Saturday, June 5thQuarter-finalsLeis Lions II 11 vs. Enigma 8La Bamba de Areco 12 vs. El Remanso 11Sunday, June 6thQuarter-finalsLechuza Caracas 10 vs. Piaget 7Dubai 14 vs. Zacara 8Dates of the Matches:Wednesday, June 9thSemi-finalsLes Lions II vs. Lechuza CaracasLa Bamba de Areco vs. DubaiSunday, June 13thFinalThe Teams:League 1TalandracasGrey Edouard Carmignac 0 Guillermo Terrera 7 Lucas Monteverde (Jr.) 8 Luke Tomlinson 7Total: 22Loro PianaAlfio Marchini 3 Santiago Chavanne 8 Juan Martín Nero 10 William Beresford 1Total: 22La Bamba de ArecoJean-Francois Decaux 0 Gonzalo Pieres (Jr.) 10 Facundo Pieres 10 TBC 2Total: 22El RemansoGeorge Hanbury 1 Charlie Hanbury 4 David Stirling (Jr.) 9 Jaime García Huidobro 7Total: 21League 2Lechuza CaracasVíctor Vargas 1 Guillermo Caset (jr.) 8 Miguel Novillo Astrada 9 Max Routledge 4 Total: 22Les LionsJonny Good 5 Ignacio Heguy 9 Eduardo Heguy 8 Joachim Gottschalk 0Total: 22Dubai Rashid Albwardy 1 TBC 2 Adolfo Cambiaso (Jr.) 10 Pablo MacDonough 9Total: 20The TelegraphMax Charlton 4 George Meyrick 4 Gastón Laulhé 7 Nicolás Pieres 7Total: 22Group 1PiagetMarcos Araya 4 Bautista Heguy 9 Marcos Heguy 9 Stefano Marsaglia 0Total: 22Les Lions IIChris Mackenzie 2 Sebastián Merlos 10 Max Gottschalk 1 Agustín Merlos 9 Total: 22ZacaraLyndon Lea 1 Javier Novillo Astrada 9 Eduardo Novillo Astrada (Jr.) 9 Ollie Cudmore 3Total: 22EnigmaJerome Wirth 1 James Beim 7 Matías MacDonough 8 Malcolm Borwick 6Total: 22SumayaOussama Aboughazale 0 Carlos Gracida 7 Lucas James 7 Milo Fernández Araujo 8Total: 22EmlorSpencer McCarthy 1 Joaquín Pittaluga 6 John Paul Clarkin 8 Ignacio González 6Total: 2


for more info visit www.livingpolo.com

Big apple takes the first bite at finals of Mint Polo in the Park

Well, what a weekend.

My legs feel like lead, and I wasn't even on a horse!

Sunday was the final day for Mint Polo In the Park at the polo grounds in Hurlingham, and what an end to a magical event it was.

The weather, although not as brilliant as the previous day, was nonetheless good, and those that had listened to the London Met Offices' prediction (I often think foolishly, as the microcosm that is London, rarely follows any predicted forecast) of heavy downpour, were more than delighted when the sun eventually did sneak out from behind the clouds.

The cooler weather also allowed me to spend less time away from the press area that had become a small sanctuary on the previous days hot weather frenzy.

The first event was a friendly university match between Edinburgh and Oxford, allowing the younger polo players to show themselves off as true superstars of the polo field.

Friendly the game remained as the teams drew 4-4 and I caught up with Leonora de Ferranti after the match, who played for Edinburgh. Being the only girl on her team, i asked how she felt about women's polo and the way the sport has really taken off in the last few years. She was quick to say how ''important it was to play with the boys as you often get sidelined'' and she told me not to assume women's polo was in anyway a weaker game - in fact, ''the girls can be more aggressive''.

Watch out lads.

Next up was a display from the Devils Horsemen, an absolutely incredible show of skills and stunts, galloping across the field, from riding upside down, to racing horses, standing on their backs two at a time!

(I think, I might just stick to my side saddle, thanks).

And finally, to the event we had all been waiting for. The Finals of the Mint Polo in the Park, played by The City AM team, sponsors of the New Yorkers against IG Index's sponsored team, Paris.

I had heard players and fans gushing about the amazing performance Paris had given in their incredible victory yesterday against Sydney, sponsored by Invisible Zinc. With this in mind, I was preparing myself for one of the most exciting games of the season, well aware of the the unchallenged talent they would face against the New York boys.

Behind the scenes, it is all fun and games as all the players are close friends, however, with a suicide start, it was if a switch had been flipped and the aggression exploded while heartbeats stopped.

Henry Brett, the 6 goal handicap player for NY was the first to touch the ball.

Without wasting any time, Andrea Vianini from Paris, also holding a 6 goal handicap title, made it quite clear that Brett was not going to get away with this.

By allowing Lucas White, player No. 1 for Paris to drive hard against Brett, Andrea secured the ball and turned from his opposition to head for their goal. All too soon, a whistle was blown and Jamie (Morro) Morrison, team NY's 4 goal player, took a penalty.

He scored, securing the New Yorkers a claim for the first chukka.

The next notable battle was between Paris' Tito Ruiz Guinazie and Jack Kidd, Captain of NY, another 4 goal handicap player who tore across the field cheek by jowl, until Guinazie had the ball cleared and aimed for the goal. The ball flew wide and it was Brett that scooped it up and made an easy score for the NY boys at the other end of the field.

The second Chukka was relatively quiet, allowing the boys to regain some much needed energy after the furious opening chukka and as momentum built up, it was clear the new rules on the pitch have allowed polo to be seriously ranked up there with other extreme sports.

Excitement was felt by everyone, and no one more so than myself, when the ball was smashed into the boards behind me, bouncing of and smacking me in the head.

I think the deliriousness I felt was owed to honour of being touched by Kidds ball, rather than any actual damage!

No harm done and i wasn't prepared to leave this prime viewing spot at the sideline, for a safer seat elsewhere, and thank god i didn't move. With a full on collision between Jack Kidd and Andrea Vianini, breaths were held as everyone looked in shock as Jack cradled his head. Andrea was the first at hand to grab Kidd and turn his headlock into a hug, as cheers were belted out from the stands as the two opposing players rode off arms round each others shoulders.

The final few minutes were nail-biters as both teams had everything to play for, scores reading 9-9 and with perhaps only seconds to go, It was the Kidd, a true soldier who tore in and decided the scores in the final moments, winning a goal, and also the trophy for team New York.

Celebrations continued well after the campaign fight, initiated by Jack Kidd, at the presentation giving, getting everything, including our camera lenses wet as the players and many of the fans partied well into the night at the Nikki Beach Polo After party.

Lets hope Jacks head feels better than his broken mallet from Saturdays match.

For more info visit www.livingpolo.com

Mint Polo in the Park- A breath of fresh air on a scorching afternoon in London

Lots of jobs have perks.

Some companies will pay for your mobile phone, others may pay for your car. But when you get to sit outside in the glorious sunshine, amongst hoards of beautifully dressed people sipping Pimms and watching some of the worlds finest polo playing, I'm pretty certain I won´t be handing in my resignation any time soon.

It does also help that I´m a polo fanatic.
Seeing the huge crowds of people from all walks of life queuing up to watch the two qualifying semi finals of the weekend, it confirmed my belief that polo is finally being realised as a sport for everyone.

The first woman I spoke to was a makeup artist from Poland who had never even so much as heard of a chukka, and her enthusiasm for the whole event reminded me of my first polo match.

She wasn´t the only person I spoke to whos first time it was at a game, and I am certain that not even the newbies were left disappointed.

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denver, chairman of the HPA (Governing body of UK and European polo) once referred to polo as the godfather of extreme sports and i don´t know if it was the new rules that came into play this year or the scorching sun that beamed down on the pitch, but the players were literally on fire.

Having missed yesterdays match, it had been a long time since i´ve seen polo being played with quite the same energy.

With three players on each team, it made individuals playing much easier to follow and it meant teamwork had to be absolutely fine tuned.

As the two opposing ponies galloped towards the ball in the centre of the pitch to kick off the match, roars of cheer could be heard from the crowds and the ball was struck so hard that a mallet was snaped in half and went flying towards the unprepared spectators.

The relationship between Jamie Morrison, the four goal handicap player for team New York (sponsored by City AM) and Jack Kidd, also a four goal player, was electric.

The two British players were often faultless in their passes to one another and Henry Brett, the other 6 goal player for NY was able to maximise their quality passing by rigorously defending the boys against team Geneva (sponsored by Thompson Reuters).

It would be unfair to say Piki Diaz Alberdi outshone those playing for the Geneva team, but leading with a huge 9 goal handicap, his talents on the pitch were undeniable.

He was so controlling of the ball at times, Morrison and Kidd often had to pick at him, riding off hard and often beating into Diaz Alberdi´s side to try and knock his confidence.

With 3 goals scored by NY in the first Chukka, it was clear that regardless of Diaz Alberdis ability, it was going to be a real battle for Geneva if they wanted to win this game.

The game did not fall short of spot hits and penalties, and an own goal as nearly scored by Morrison in the third chukka.

Sacha Pictet and Martin Luginbuhl, a three and a two goal player wasted no time in defending their champion player but unfortunately Kidd and Morrison were only too eager to do the same for Brett, and often it became a ride off for the two leading handicap team players- Brett and Diaz Alberdi.

Scores now at 14 for NY and 5 for Geneva, with seconds left to go before the game was called, it was clear that the City AM boys had outshone the Thompson team and surpassed even their own game objectives and ambitions.

The Semi Finals were ended and the crowd, in a frenzy of delight, screamed and cheered the teams off the pitch.

Standing only feet away from the riders and their ponies, you could see the affect the 30oC heat was having, and in conversations with Jodie Kidd (sister of Jack Kidd and Polo in the Park Ambassador), she explained how much of a priority it had been today to keep the horses from dehydrating.

Jamie Morrison was also around for a quick ´hello´ as we had met the week before at a Russia vs England match and I was eager to congratulate him on New York´s victory. He seemed to be having a great afternoon and didn't hesitate to get out of his sweaty kit and into his stylish Holland Cooper Brett gear, a clothing collaboration by team mate Henry Brett and Jade Holland Cooper.

The rest of the day was spent listening to Blake, a classical boy band who gave an outstanding performance on the pitch and attempting to stop my makeup from sliding down my face from the heat.

The second Semi Final was held at 4.30pm, Team IG Index Paris vs Invisible Zinc Team Sydney, Winners of the 4th Quarter final.

It was a fun and fast paced match with no injuries and plenty of entertainment from the commentators, which is often the most entertaining part of a game.


For more info visit www.livingpolo.com

One man to rule them all

Don Corleone once said, "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.". Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers argues real men spend time with their horses.

Last week I was lucky enough to meet with the Godfather of Polo himself, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers , Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association at his wonderful office in Chelsea.

He spoke to me in great length about all aspects of polo from its history to the way junior polo is shaping up in the UK today. Truly an ambassador for Polo across the globe, it was my pleasure to be welcomed into his world.

His bronze pony statues were pretty neat too.

LP: Nicholas, please tell us a bit about the Hurlingham Polo Association and what it does.

NCD: The HPA is basically an association of clubs within the UK and Ireland, and many clubs in the commonwealth and Europe. This association is headed by a council and then you have the stewards and the clubs. We represent around 71 clubs in the United Kingdom and Ireland alone.

LP: How were those clubs founded?

NCD: It was founded back in 1869, and its headquarters were at the Hurlingham Club. It was set up to write the rules for polo after the sport was brought back from India by the British Army and subsequently disseminated around the world.

LP: Can you become a member of the HPA?

NCD: Currently you have to be a member of a polo club within the UK or Ireland or through a club in one of the commonwealth Nations to become a member of the HPA, then you will become one of the associate members of the HPA.

LP: I'm also aware you are associated with Ham Polo Club. Could you please tell us how you are involved with the Club.

NCD: Ham Polo Club is the last of 13 Polo Clubs that were in and around London, and we are quite proud of that.

We were established in 1926, and we have two grounds at the club, one in the park, and some stick and ball grounds as well. We have about 100 playing members, and a lot of social members and we play low goal polo for fun although we also have an eight and a twelve goal tournament every year.

LP: How often are you able to play polo yourself?

NCD: I play four times a week in the summer, subject to the weather.

LP: Fantastic! And aside from polo, what else are you doing?

NCD: I run the London office of an Oil and Shipping company based in the Middle East.

LB: Very busy then! So at the moment, UK polo is kicking off in a big way. Which are the main events in the polo calendar that you are looking forward to?

NCD: I think the finals of the Queens Cup at Guards Polo Club and the Gold Cup, which is of course the British Open, which is played down at Cowdray.

There are many other polo tournaments that are quite fun! Polo in the Park, which is a way of bringing polo to the public. It lets people see it, quite often for the first time which is great.

They had great success last year and I understand that this year’s event was even better.

LP: Is that an 'all weekend' event?

NCD: Yes, it was on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the 4-7^th of June.

LP: Are there any key players we should be looking out for?

NCD: I think if you look at our lady players, as we were discussing before, they are very impressive. They played the two eight goal tournaments last year. Also James Beim and the Tomlinson brothers you always have to keep an eye out for. They are always at the top of their game.

LP: It could be said that polo was once viewed as an 'elitist' sport, but with events like the Cartier International Day and Mint Polo in the Park, it is allowing polo to become a lot more accessible. Why do you think that is?

NCD: I think it has been a long campaign to try and explain to people that is not quite as 'elitist' as they all believe it is. Traditionally, it was associated with royalty and wealth (and all the rest) but there are different levels of polo. Yes, if you want to play High Goal, which is the Formula One equivalent, it is quite an expensive sport to play. But, it is much less expensive down at the lower end and I think people are starting to realise that.

To me, it is the Great Grandaddy of all extreme sports, it's one of the oldest of all stick and ball sports, and when you look at the history of the sport, it dates back to around 600 BC in Persia. A lot of other modern stick and ball sports came from Polo. It is a very exciting combination of many different things; you have the horse riding, the team sport, the tactics, the striking of the ball.. I mean, there is nothing like it.

LP: Absolutely. And as we said before, polo can really be seen as a family orientated sport.

NCD: Yes, well people regard it as a sport, but I really regard it as a way of life.

It's much more than a sport, and it’s certainly for families, for kids and dogs etc.

You will find there are a lot of generations of polo players, where the Grandfathers, fathers and their children will play. It has become something that the family can play together, which is fantastic.

LP: What about Junior Polo in the UK as there seems to be a trend for that.

What can be said about the way the new generation has taken to polo?

NCD: It is something that is growing incredibly fast. Encouraged by Pony Club, and by the HPA as well, we tend to look at the people coming through for real talent, and then try and help them and assist them to realise that talent and to help them get better by sending them on courses and schemes. We often send them to Argentina to play with much better players, which is the only way they will improve. There is a real resurgence in schools as well. Schools polo has taken off incredibly, over the last few years, with the help of Schools and University polo Associations- all credit to them.

LP: You mention the school swap in Argentina, which kind of clubs are involved? How does it work?

NCD: A lot of people will go over there and book into an estancia, to play polo for a week or two weeks, while they are over there.. that is sporting tourism if you like.

What we do, is select some of the better players and send them to Argentine players, asking them if they will take this 'youngster' under their wing for six months, or four months, and get them into a higher grade of polo. This allows them to realise their full potential.

LP: That seems wonderful. How lucky to be playing in the sun every day!

NCD: So long as there is sun! Every time I've been there, they have rained off the final of the open.

LP: Oh no! Well let’s hope that doesn't happen in any of the major tournaments this summer in the UK!

NCD: I think we are a bit more used to playing in the rain over here.

LP: True.

LP: Well, it has been wonderful talking with you, thank you very much.

NCD: It has been my pleasure. Thank you.

Queens cup action

Those who attended the Bank Holiday league matches were treated to some top class polo by some of the world´s best players. With a truly international crowd in attendance, it was clear that UK polo is becoming ever more recognised as one of the leading countries in the world for the ancient sport.

La Bamba´s game against Talandracas was closely fought all the way through, with Talandracas taking a strong lead in the first half, thanks to the talent of Luke Tomlinson and Lucas Monteverde, with the team 4-0 up on La Bamba after the first chukka.

Despite La Bamba´s patron, Jean-Francois Decaux, taking a tumble and suffering bruised ribs in the 4th chukka, the Pieres brothers´ teamwork were backed up by substitute George Gemmel, effectively to see them not only equalise the scores, but put a goal in two minutes before the end of the last chukka to win the game by a barely perceptible 12-11.

The game between Dubai and Les Lions was more aggressively played, with strong attacking play all the way through by Rashid Albwardy. Eduardo Heguy seemed to be dominating the pitch, putting in a goal within 3 minutes into the first chukka. With Eduardo´s back firmly defended up by Nachi Heguy from Les Lions and Rashid working the ground with Pablo Macdonough, the teamwork on both side swas evident from the beginning.

Mirroring the previous game, the teams were equal to each other until the last couple of chukkas. The first chukka saw a goal draw of 2 all, while by the end of the second it was 4 all. Cambiaso´s modest playing allowed Rashid Albwardy to excel, and he only stepped in to show off his skillful stickwork and expertise when he was needed.

Surprisingly for two such talented sides, the game was stilted in the second half by lots of fouls and missed goals, most surprisingly penalty shots at goal. It was in the third chukka that Dubai turned it around, pulling into the lead thanks to goals by Rashid Albwardy and Cambiaso.

Still on fire, Rashid Albwardy´s fast and furious attacking saw a one on one between him and Joachim Gottschalk while the others were changing ponies, and even a loose pony couldn't distract from their focus. But by the last chukka, Eduardo Heguy´s goal scoring frenzy was matched by Cambiaso turning up the pressure on the opposition to keep Dubai ahead by one goal, winning them the match 11-10.