The third edition of the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup saw a surprising victory by the team from England: In the final Max Routledge (+5), Jack Richardson (+5) and Max Charlton (+6) defeated the reigning champions of team Hong Kong / China by 6-5 at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in China. Facundo Fernandez Llorente (+4), John Fisher (+4) and Guillermo Terrera (+8) of team Hong Kong / China were placed second. Hong Kong / China enjoyed a short-term lead, but then the English trio got in the lead and kept it in hand until the end of the match.
Among the guests was Dr. Richard T. Caleel, President of the Federation of International Polo (FIP), who had the honour of throwing the ball in to set in motion the grand final. At the tournament’s closing ceremony he congratulated England on their victory. Hong Kong / China had been the winner at both previous editions of the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup, but this time they were not successful. It was a surprising victory for England, in the previous years always being placed third. Accordingly the winning team celebrated its victory.
In the subsidiary final, the South-American nations Chile and Brazil fought for the third place. Ignacio Vial Mazieres (+4), Juan Eduardo Jaramillo (+6) and Matias Vial (+6) of team Chile triumphed over Garcia (+4), Willian Rodrigues (+6) and Renato Junqueira (+6) of team Brazil. Tied at nine goals each after four chukkas the game went to a fifth sudden death chukka, with neither team able to score. This meant a penalty shoot-out with Chile winning after keeping their nerve to score all three of their goals to Brazil’s two.
England’s Jack Richardson was awarded Most Valuable Player. The young polo player received the award as a testament to the skill and courage he had exhibited throughout the tournament. The Best Pony Award went to Negro, ridden by Hong Kong / China.
The teams:
1. England (+16)
Max Routledge (+5) / Richard LePoer
Jack Richardson (+5)
Max Charlton (+6)
2. Hong Kong / China (+16)
Facundo Fernandez Llorente (+4)
John Fisher (+4)
Guillermo Terrera (+8)
3. Chile (+16)
Ignacio Vial Mazieres (+4)
Juan Eduardo Jaramillo (+6)
Matias Vial (+6)
4. Brazil (+16)
Gustavo Garcia (+4)
Willian Rodrigues (+6)
Renato Junqueira (+6)
Australia (+16)
Edward Goold (+4)
Kelvin Johnson (+5)
John Baillieu (+7)
Canada (+15)
Brandon Phillips (+5)
Marcelo Abbiati (+5)
Todd Offen (+5)
France (+14)
Clément Delfosse (+4)
Pierre-Henri N’Gournou (+5)
Brieuc Rigaux (+5)
Mexico (+16)
Julio Gracida (+5) / Diego Solorzano
Valerio Aguilar (+5)
Carlos Gracida (+6)
New Zealand (+16)
Angus McKelvie (+5)
Christopher Brooks (+5)
Sam Hopkinson (+6)
Reserve: Tom Hunt (+5)
South Africa (+16)
Chris MacKenzie (+5)
Leroux Hendriks (+5)
Gareth Evans (+6)
Spain (+16)
Mario Gomez (+4)
Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña (+6)
Martin Ituarspe (+6)
USA (+15)
Del Walton (+3)
Pelon Escapite (+6)
Thomas Biddle Jr. (+6)
Gallery:
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