British Ladies Open Championship

Europe, Polo News

U.S. Polo Assn. Announced Official Apparel Partner of the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship and British Ladies Open Championship

30. June 2021

Both Premier Events to be hosted at Historic Cowdray Park Polo Club

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla./MIDHURST, U.K. (June 29, 2021) – U.S. Polo Assn. has announced it will serve as the Official Apparel Partner of the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship. The event will be hosted at the historic Cowdray Park Polo Club from June 29 to July 25 and is considered one of the premier polo tournaments in the world. In collaboration with Brand Machine Group, the U.S. Polo Assn. brand partner in the U.K., the tournament will offer a sweepstakes to win tickets to attend, as well as official sport inspired apparel on-site.

The Gold Cup includes some of the top names in the sport of polo, including 10-goal players Adolfo Cambiaso, Facundo Pieres and Hilario Ulloa. U.S. Polo Assn. will also serve as the Official Apparel Partner for the British Ladies Open Championship which takes place July 5 to July 17 at Cowdray Park Polo Club as well. In addition, the iconic sports brand will provide apparel for staff of both events as well as promote both tournaments globally.

“The historic Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship represents the heritage, tradition and competition of the sport of polo, and we are honored for U.S. Polo Assn. to partner with Cowdray Park Polo Club for this year’s event,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “The U.K. is one of the most important and fastest growing markets in the world for our brand and this amazing venue provides us yet another opportunity to connect with the U.K. consumers and sports fans who love our authentic, sport-inspired brand.”

Inaugurated in 1956 and played on the illustrious Cowdray Estate boasting 16,500 acres, the Gold Cup remains one of the most prestigious high goal tournaments in the United Kingdom and globally today. Steeped in history and tradition and located in the heart of England, Cowdray Park is recognized as the Home of British Polo with its first competitive polo tournaments dating back to 1910. Cowdray Park prides itself on its strong heritage of sporting excellence welcoming some of the top polo players from around the world. Guests can catch the action as VIPs or spectators and enjoy the highest level in the sport of polo while experiencing the British charm of Cowdray Park.

“I’m delighted that Cowdray Park Polo Club and the U.S. Polo Assn. brand have entered into this partnership,” said Andrew Swaffield, Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club. “Both organisations have such a rich polo heritage and I’m certain we will be able to collaborate on some special apparel items for our members and spectators to enjoy. I look forward to many years of successfully working together.”

www.cowdraypolo.co.uk

Both Premier Events to be hosted at Historic Cowdray Park Polo Club WEST PALM BEACH, Fla./MIDHURST, U.K. (June 29, 2021) – U.S. Polo Assn. has announced it will serve as…

Europe, Polo News

British Ladies Championships at Cowdray Park

26. July 2019

A total of eleven teams entered the British Ladies Polo Championships at Cowdray Park, running concurrently with the final phase of the King Power Gold Cup. Six teams were eligible for the 18 goal British Ladies Open Championship and five were entered into the 12 goal British Ladies Handicap Championship.

The 18 goal British Ladies Open Championship concluded with HH Sheika Maitha al Maktoum’s UAE team and Lila Pearson’s Cowdray Vikings reaching the final. Playing alongside Sheikha Maitha were Milly Hine (5 goals) at 2, Hazel Jackson (9 goals) at 3 and Catalina Lavinia (0 goals) at Back. Hannah Parry-Jones (3 goals) took the number 1 position for Cowdray Vikings with Lila Pearson (2 goals) at 2, Lottie Lamacraft (6 goals) at 3, and Sarah Wiseman (7 goals) at Back.

First mark on the scoreboard came from Sarah Wiseman for Cowdray Vikings. Wiseman won the ball from the next throw-in but a good clearance from Hine turned into attacking play from UAE. Lamacraft for Cowdray Vikings finally steered the ball away from UAE and raced away but her shot at goal missed. A whistle brought a free hit for Cowdray; Wiseman tapped the ball on but Millie Hine pounced on it giving Hazel Jackson the chance to charge forward and equalize as the chukka bell sounded. In a pacey second chukka, there was plenty of action but little in the way of goals, Millie Hine finally seeing the ball between the posts to take UAE 2-1 ahead at half time.

Catalina Lavinia raced away to score for UAE in the first minute of the second half. Sarah Wiseman failed to score from a 60 yard penalty and a good cut shot from Hazel Jackson also went wide but she didn’t miss on her next attempt and UAE were 4-1 ahead by the close of the third chukka. In the final chukka, Hine kept up the pressure on Sarah Wiseman who found it difficult to play her usual strong game. A 30 yard penalty awarded to UAE enabled Sheikha Maitha to increase her side’s score to 5-1 and a lovely run to goal by Hazel Jackson gave UAE a final score of 6-1.

Mrs Diana Wiseman presented the winners’ silver salver to Sheikha Maitha and prizes of luxury leather bags generously sponsored by Aspinal of London to the players. Kala owned and played by Hazel Jackson was awarded the Best Playing Pony prize and her pony Farsons picked up the RoR award for best re-trained racehorse. The prize for Best Horsemanship, presented by Aurora Eastwood, went to Lottie Lamacraft.

In the 12 goal British Ladies Handicap Championship Final, Coombe Place met Carlton House. Sophie Kenna (1 goal ) played at 1 for Coombe Place with Sammy Luff (1 goal) at number 2, Dayna Waechter (3 goals) at 3 and Lottie Lamacraft (6 goals) at Back, making up an 11 goal team. Carlton House’s line-up comprised Rebecca Servaes (1 goal) at number 1, Hannah Parry-Jones (3 goals) at 2, Alice Servaes (4 goals) at 4 and Stephanie Haverhals (4 goals) at Back, making a 12 goal team and giving Coombe Place a half-goal advantage on the scoreboard to start the match.

Hannah Parry-Jones scored for Carlton House in the first chukka. Alice Servais went on to make two field goals for her side in the second chukka taking them to a 3-½ goal lead. However a 40 yard penalty gave Lamacraft for Coombe Place the chance to recoup a goal and the first half ended with Carlton House ahead 3-1½ .

Fortunes changed in the second half with Lamacraft making a great field goal and another from Waechter taking Coombe Place into a half goal lead of 3½-3. Try as they might Carlton House could not pull back and a lovely third goal from Lottie Lamacraft gave the victory to Coombe Place on 4½-3.

Sehr Ahmad presented the prizes generously sponsored by Aspinal of London, the Best Playing Pony of the match was judged to be Yonkie owned and played by Stephanie Haverhals who also picked up the prize for Best Horsemanship presented by Aurora Eastwood.

www.cowdraypolo.co.uk

By Liz Higgins

Photo: Mark Beaumont