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Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup 2019

7. May 2019

Guards Polo Club has announced that 12 teams will be playing in the 2019 Cartier Queen’s Cup Tournament (21 May – 16 June).

One of the world’s most prestigious polo tournaments, featuring the sport’s finest high-goal players and their impressive strings of ponies. Three weeks of 22-goal polo culminates in a stunning final, historically played in the presence of HM The Queen.

The teams include the defending champions, Michael Bickford’s La Indiana. His team will not only feature 10-goal star Facundo Pieres but also Brazil’s top player, Rodrigo Andrade. This impressive duo experienced success in this tournament in 2013 with Zacara and will be keen to repeat that feat in 2019. There are several other familiar names in the mix – 2018 finalists, Andrey Borodin’s Park Place, again featuring tournament top scorer Juan Britos – and 2011 winners, the Carmignac family’s Talandracas team. Spencer McCarthy’s Emlor, winners of the 2018 Cartier Trophy (sub final) are hoping to go even further this year by fielding a strong combination of Alfredo Bigatti, Agustin Merlos and Fred Mannix Jnr.

Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai makes a welcome return and will be looking to secure their seventh win in this competition. The Middle East is also represented by HH Sheikha Maitha’s UAE Polo Team, featuring Guillermo Caset and Santiago Toccalino. It is good to see Top Srivaddhanaprabha and his VS King Power team back in this high-goal mix too. Guards patrons Alessandro Bazzoni (Monterosso) and Hilali Noordeen (Casa La Vista Ibiza) are also returning to contest for honours in this world-class contest.

Corinne Ricard is the only lady patron in the mix, bringing her Murus Sanctus Polo Team to play the high-goal this season. This year she can call on the impressive, high-goal experience of Gonzalo Pieres. Fellow Frenchman Jean-Francois Decaux is bringing some of the sport’s big guns to his La Bamba de Areco matches – 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero and 9-goaler David Stirling – ensuring they will deliver some fast-paced polo.

The final team to this list is a new name to the 22-goal polo here in the UK – David Paradice’s Scone Polo. This Australian is no stranger to the game at the highest level though and with Nico Pieres and England captain James Beim in Scone shirts, they definitely warrant being on anyone’s shortlist.

The matches start on Tuesday 21 May – full schedule will be published at www.guardspoloclub.com

Draw Cartier Queen’s Cup 2019 (Photo: Tony Ramirez, Images of Polo)

Guards Polo Club has announced that 12 teams will be playing in the 2019 Cartier Queen’s Cup Tournament (21 May – 16 June). One of the world’s most prestigious polo…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Final

18. June 2018

Michael Bickford and his La Indiana team made it third time lucky on the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club yesterday. La Indiana fought back from a 6-4 deficit at half-time to win the Cartier Queen’s Cup 9-7. Bickford, who has been a finalist in the previous two years, was the winning patron this time around, receiving the prestigious silver trophy from HM The Queen and Laurent Feniou of Cartier UK. Michael Bickford’s team-mate, Facundo Pieres, who last added his name to this high-goal trophy in 2016, was named the Cartier Most Valuable Player after turning the game around in the second half. His second favourite pony, Cube, winner of the Best Playing Pony prize on this day in 2015, was named top equine again today. Facundo had played her twice in this match, including the crucial fifth chukka.

Andrey Borodin’s Park Place, who are in their first season of high-goal polo, had impressed everyone with their wonderful-to-watch, four-man polo on their road to this final, but fortune did not favour them today. In the first 1 1/2 minutes of the game Hilario Ulloa was on the floor following a collision with La Indiana’s Alec White. Fortunately Ulloa got back in the saddle after a short delay and play resumed – with White spending the next two minutes in the sin bin. Meanwhile, Juan Britos, the Cartier Queen’s Cup top goal scorer – 35 goals under his name coming into this final – converted the penalty awarded for dangerous play only for Pieres to convert a penalty before the end of the chukka.

Things did not improve in the second chukka with Andrey Borodin having to be taken off the field in an ambulance after a collision with La Indiana’s Nic Roldan. He was substituted by the young Charlie Tighe, who has been playing for the Park Place team in some of their 15-goal Out-Sourcing Royal Windsor Cup games this season. This change in personnel did not seem to disrupt the Park Place team too much, although they could not take advantage of a three-man La Indiana side while Roldan sat out his 2-minute penalty. Another penalty conversion by Pieres and a quick goal by Ulloa after the first bell saw the teams all tied 2-2 going into the third.

This chukka was dominated by Park Place – finding some of that previous form that had earned them a place in this final. Britos converted a penalty and then produced a lovely run to goal for the subsequent throw in. With goals from team-mates Ulloa and Tommy Beresford to only two in reply from La Indiana – one was off the stick of Bickford who received a lovely pass from Roldan – to make it 6-4 at half-time. It was all change in the fourth though, with Pieres and Roldan firing through a couple of goals to none in reply from Park Place. With the scores back level once again, this was still anyone’s game. A goal apiece in the fifth failed to produce a clearer picture – although it should be noted that the Park Place goal came off the stick of young Charlie Tighe.

So with the score all square at the start of the sixth, the many spectators wondered if this final would be the first match of the 2018 Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament to go into overtime. Man of the match Pieres had other ideas and he not only saved a Britos penalty, but fired through two goals to secure victory for La Indiana and earn himself an MVP award in the process.

Cartier Queen’s Cup Sub-Final for the Cartier Trophy

Emlor and Talandracas produced one of the best games of the tournament this morning in the subsidiary Cartier Trophy match. Spencer McCarthy’s Emlor, featuring his son James in this game, took the lead for the first time in the sixth chukka to win the trophy. Appropriately for finals day, these teams had been finely balanced throughout all six chukkas and Emlor never allowed Hugues Carmignac’s Talandracas team to be more than a goal ahead at any time. Tension was apparent in the early stages of the game, with far too many whistles, but by the third chukka the teams had found their rhythm and the spectators on the Duke’s Ground were treated to a display of fast, running polo. With both teams failing to find the flags at all in the fifth, they headed into the sixth chukka 8-8 and so much still to play for. Agustin Merlos, Diego Cavanagh and James McCarthy all found the flags in this chukka – Merlos making his a double – to only one in reply off the stick of Francisco Elizalde. This immediately shifted the balance and was enough to win the match for Emlor. Patron James McCarthy was later named Most Valuable Player and stepped up to receive his accolade – and the Cartier Trophy – from HM The Queen during the afternoon’s presentations.

Eleven teams had taken part in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup competition and the evenness of the teams was highlighted in today’s finals. Throughout the three weeks of the competition, sponsored by Cartier for the seventh year, no team had stood out head and shoulders above their peers. This even-handedness delivered some superb, competitive polo and no outright favourites. With patrons being as competitive on the field as their pros and several young English players making their mark at the highest level of the game here, it all signifies that the UK polo season is thriving.

www.guardspoloclub.com

Photo: Cymon Skinner

Michael Bickford and his La Indiana team made it third time lucky on the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club yesterday. La Indiana fought back from a 6-4 deficit at…

North America, Polo News

Coca-Cola takes home inaugural Carlos Gracida Cup

3. April 2018

Coca-Cola wins inaugural Carlos Gracida Cup in overtime with 11-10 against La Indiana. Undefeated La Indiana and Coca-Cola met at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, with hopes to secure the first Carlos Gracida Cup title. In a close back-and-forth game, Coca-Cola secured on Saturday, March 31, the win in overtime 11-10.

Adrenaline pumping from the first throw-in, Coca-Cola scored the opening goal in the first 40 seconds off of Steve Krueger’s mallet. La Indiana’s Jeff Hall quickly answered back, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Intense play ensued in the first three chukkers as the Coca-Cola squad played tough defense with Sugar Erskine effectively blocking several La Indiana shots on goal. Despite Coca-Cola’s defensive plays, each player of La Indiana made it on the board in the first half to begin the fourth chukker tied 4-all.

The second half was characterized by several fouls as both teams fought to gain control of the scoreboard. Back-to-back La Indiana goals from Toro Ruiz and Hall were quickly matched by goals from Krueger and a powerful team play by Gillian Johnston and Nacho Novillo Astrada. A Penalty 4 conversion from Hall, his third goal of the day, gave La Indiana a 7-6 lead with two chukkers remaining. Coca-Cola, determined not to let the game slip away from them, added two goals in the fifth, shutting out La Indiana. Only a one goal difference on the board in favor of Coke, sixth chukker play was aggressive. Facundo Obregon, solid from the penalty line, sunk a Penalty 2 to equalize the score yet again 8-8. Coca-Cola’s Sugar Erskine was not about to give up so easily, making an impressive run to goal that had the crowd cheering from the sidelines. With only a few seconds remaining in regulation time, Coca-Cola held the lead 10-9, but La Indiana quickly gained an opportunity to force the game into overtime with an awarded Penalty 2 scored again by Obregon. A successful shot through the uprights sent the game into a seventh chukker 10-all.

Five seconds into the overtime period, a Penalty 4 was awarded to Astrada, who successfully converted, securing the Carlos Gracida Cup Coca-Cola win 11-10. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Erskine whose defensive plays and impressive field goals helped propel Coca-Cola to victory. “We knew they were going to be super tough because of the way they have been playing the whole year. They kind of had us, and scored a few goals on us, but we got it back in the end,” said Erskine. “We kept pushing and pulling, and they are super handy and sticky as a team, but we just kept pushing and were happy to take home the win.”

Best Playing Pony honors were awarded to Gillian Johnston’s eight-year-old mare Fanta (Rayo Gringo x Fresca) played in the first, fifth and overtime chukker.

Erskine went on to share the significance of the win, “I feel super lucky to be back after my injury and to win this tournament. Carlos Gracida was a huge part of my heart throughout my life. I was a fanatic back in the day when we didn’t have all of the coverage and internet articles. You would get the occasional magazine and he was in it, and he was a huge part of my life; I idolized him when I was a kid. When I got here to the states, I got to meet my hero and play against him and it was a very sad day when he passed. It meant a lot to me to win the first tournament here in his name, the Carlos Gracida Cup.”

www.uspolo.org

North America, Polo News

Carlos Gracida Cup Final on Saturday

29. March 2018

Undefeated teams Coca-Cola and La Indiana prepare for Carlos Gracida Cup final, which is the last 20-goal final of the International Polo Club Palm Beach season on Saturday, March 31. Following cross-bracket play between seven teams, four progressed into the semifinals to battle for a spot in the Carlos Gracida Cup Final. In the first semifinal played on Tuesday, March 27, at the Everglades Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, Coca-Cola held onto a slight lead in the second half, outscoring Prestige Worldwide 9-7. A few hours later at nearby International Polo Club Palm Beach also in Wellington, Florida, La Indiana came back from the penalty line to capture the second spot 10-9 from Pilot. Coca-Cola will challenge La Indiana in the final this Saturday, March 31, at 3:00pm ET at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, each vying for the opportunity to be crowned Inaugural Carlos Gracida Cup champions.

Coca-Cola Advances on Home Turf

Confident having placed first in Bracket III, Coca-Cola’s combination of teamwork and strategic play earned them a spot in the semifinal on Tuesday, March 27, with only Prestige Worldwide standing between them and the final. A tight game throughout, Coca-Cola’s precision from the penalty line gave them the advantage needed to claim their third win 9-7.

Eager to be the first on the board, both teams played the first chukker with fervor, resulting in several right-of-way violations. Assisted by his teammates, Sugar Erskine struck first for Coca-Cola with a field goal which Steve Krueger* followed up with a Penalty 2 conversion. Mirroring their opponents’ goals, Prestige Worldwide reset the game and entered the second once again on a level playing field. After an attempt to score went wide, Miguel Novillo Astrada finally found his target, closing in on the posts with a nearside neckshot to pick up his second goal. Benefiting from an automatic Penalty 1 goal, Coca-Cola established a brief two-goal lead and through expert ball control, Krueger slowly guided the ball close enough to shoot. “We tried to use Gillian [Johnston] to go long and Steve helping in the back,” Erskine shared. “Also us slowing down a little bit more and then releasing helped us control the ball, making a transition in the speed of the plays.” Elevating his game, Stevie Orthwein secured three consecutive goals from the field as Prestige Worldwide unleashed strong offensive maneuvers to end the half 6-all.

As both teams struggled from disrupted plays in the second half, Coca-Cola’s Krueger remained steady from the penalty line, converting two additional Penalty 2 shots. Fueled by adrenaline, Felipe Viana* continued to break up Coca-Cola’s plays and exhibited excellent defensive skills long enough for Orthwein to make a single goal in the last 30 seconds of the fifth chukker. Hitting back and forth unsuccessfully up until the last minute of the sixth, Prestige Worldwide lost their chance to force overtime after a turning call resulted in a second Penalty 1 in favor of Coca-Cola. Unable to respond, Prestige Worldwide conceded victory to Coca-Cola 9-7.

Although playing without Julio Arellano due to a hand injury, Coca-Cola has continued to work together cohesively. “Now we’ve hit our stride playing with Nacho [Novillo Astrada] and hopefully it will carry over to the finals,” Krueger said. “We are going to have to play really well to win.”

La Indiana Sets Their Sights On Tournament Final Win

Unphased by their previous loss in the Iglehart Cup Final, La Indiana’s determination paid off, finding themselves in the Carlos Gracida Cup Semifinal. Edging out Pilot by one goal, La Indiana fought vigorously for a well-deserved win 10-9. Many attempts on goal fell wide leading to a low scoring initial chukker. Pilot’s Matt Coppola* managed to score the single goal of the first to put Pilot on the board. Headed into the second chukker energized, La Indiana produced results with Michael Bickford finishing off a play on the south end and immediately scoring again on the north end. Forcing his way through the pack of defenders, Toro Ruiz kept the drive alive with a powerful neckshot to goal. As play continued in the third, La Indiana demonstrated well-executed teamwork, earning them three additional goals from the field. Resisting the offensive force, Gonzalito Pieres forced a final goal for Pilot in the last 30 seconds before the half, moving the tally to 6-4 in favor of La Indiana. “Our strategy was to put one man in front and another behind Gonzalito,” La Indiana’s Jeff Hall said. “He’s an excellent player and very well mounted so you have to box him in.”

Returning in the fourth, neither team would give up a point easily which resulted in over two minutes of continuous running from one goal mouth to the other. Possession going to La Indiana, Ruiz finally ended the stalemate with a goal, but Pilot was right behind him with two. Opening the fifth with an agile backshot between the goal posts, his fifth of the game, Pieres inspired Pilot to pull together as a team and play their strongest chukker yet. Blocking high-scorer Ruiz from their goal, Pilot picked up the lead 9-8 to end the fifth, but it would not hold for long. The renewed aggression of Pilot’s plays sparked by the desire to overturn the game resulted in two critical right-of-way violations which cost them the game. Capitalizing on the advantageous Penalty 2 call, Facundo Obregon converted both from the line to sweep the victory 10-9.

Playing together since the start of the 2018 Florida season, La Indiana is confident in their progressive growth and ability to take the tournament title. “We’ve gotten to the quarterfinals, semifinals and now our second finals and we keep getting better,” Hall revealed. “We know each other better as players and when we start moving the ball I feel like nobody can beat us.”

www.uspolo.org

Undefeated teams Coca-Cola and La Indiana prepare for Carlos Gracida Cup final, which is the last 20-goal final of the International Polo Club Palm Beach season on Saturday, March 31. …

North America, Polo News

Pilot’s perfect record predicts Iglehart Cup results

16. March 2018

Succumbing to Pilot in their first game of the tournament, La Indiana was granted another opportunity to rectify their one loss in the Iglehart Cup Final on Thursday, March 15, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Despite a strong comeback in the sixth, La Indiana was unable to stop Pilot’s offensive drives and they ultimately took the trophy 11-9.

Utilizing the strong defensive skills of their teammates to create breaks, Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres opened the first with two commanding goal shots from the field. Winning the next throw-in and galloping straight to goal, La Indiana countered with two impressive goals of their own. Excellent blocking from Timmy Dutta kept Facundo Pieres well out of La Indiana’s reach throughout the first half, as he thundered across the field relatively unchallenged, easily picking up two field goals by the end of the second chukker to double up the score 6-3 in favor of Pilot.

“It was a pleasure to play with Curtis as a team,” Dutta said graciously. “He and I go back and forth, one of us to one guy one to the ball, it’s amazing. We knew that after playing La Indiana before they were going to come back even stronger in the finals, so we had to prepare, but I think we did well today.” Benefiting from penalty conversions, La Indiana slowly began to close the deficit with strong plays by Facundo Obregon and Toro Ruiz, ending the half trailing by one 6-7.

Making the only goal with a shot approximately 40-yards from the posts, Ruiz played a fearless fourth chukker. Diverted temporarily in the fourth, Pilot’s prowess accelerated them into the lead in the fifth with three consecutive goals by the Pieres brothers. Once in possession of the ball, Facundo Pieres surged forward, dodging the mallets of defenders as he rode out in front free and clear. Starting off the sixth 10-7 with Pilot leading, La Indiana would have to elevate their game in an attempt to overtake the lead.

Aggressive plays by both sides led to two pivotal penalty conversions for La Indiana, providing the motivation they needed for a final push. The clock ran down as La Indiana searched desperately for the equalizer. In the final moments however, Facundo Pieres would seal Pilot’s victory with a goal from the penalty line, his eighth of the game, bringing the final score 11-9.

His first time competing in a high-goal final, Curtis Pilot enjoyed every moment of the experience. “It was a fantastic win, we played La Indiana which I think is one of the best teams to play because they are very aggressive,” Pilot said. “We have great horses and a great organization with Gonzalo de la Fuente.”

Responsible for four out of nine total goals for La Indiana, Toro Ruiz was named Most Valuable Player. Best Playing Pony honors were awarded to So Easy, a 12-year-old mare ridden by Gonzalito Pieres in the second and sixth chukkers. “She’s a mare that has played in the [Argentine] Open with me many times, she in the last one too, and I decided to bring her because I knew she was going to help me a lot—and it’s happening,” Gonzalito Pieres said with a laugh. “She is bred from an American mare called Easy Go, that Facundo [Pieres] bought from Charlie Armstrong, and a stallion named Picaro.”

The USPA Polo Network will livestream both the USPA Gold Cup® and the Carlos Gracida Cup on Saturday, March 17, beginning at 10:30 am ET from the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

www.uspolo.org