England Keeps The Coronation Cup

England Keeps The Coronation Cup

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Luke Tomlinson led the Audi England team to an historic victory in the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club on Sunday 24 July. The England captain lifted the cup on the 100th anniversary of the competition, watched by HRH Prince Philip and Arnaud Bamberger of Cartier. Although England were on home territory, and playing more familiar horses, they faced a tough opposition from the Brazilian team, which was fielding a 29-goal team. In fact Brazil, supported by Equus Wealth Management, were so keen to win the Coronation Cup this year "" they have been defeated by England on their previous two encounters "" that they even flew some ponies over for the game.

However England (rec 1 goal on handicap) won the match 8-7, capitalising on Brazil"s misfortune when their captain Jose Eduardo Kalil had to retire in the fourth chukka due to a recurrence of an old ankle injury. Despite this disappointment, Kalil was magnanimous in defeat at the post match press conference, saying: "England played better this afternoon." He was full of praise for Guards Polo Club too, adding: "This is the best place in the world, the most beautiful club and the best polo."

Kalil"s place in the Brazilian team was taken by Calao Mello, a five-goaler who was just one of a group of Brazilian players who had gathered to watch the game. "I never expected to play," he said afterwards. "There was some symphony but I didn"t know the horses and so I wasn"t that good. And England played better than us!"

England were in great form. The former Mexican 10-goaler Carlos Gracida has taken up a coaching role at the England HQ and he had moved Luke Tomlinson to three, from his more usual position at back. After the match he praised Luke, saying "He did a great job at number three". The judges of the Cartier Pegasus Award for The Most Valuable Player obviously agreed and named Luke as the winner of this trophy.

Pony power was also rewarded and Jose Donoso, the captain of the Chilean team, stepped forward to join James Beim at the presentation table as one of Donoso"s ponies, as the 10-year-old Argentine mare Pelusa, owned by Donoso, but played by Beim, was named Best Playing Pony.

The Retraining of Racehorses organisation supported a prize for any former racehorses on the field on this day. The best retrained racehorse went to Jonny Good"s Minni, a nine-year-old Irish-bred mare. Jonny was the captain of the How To Spend It.Com"s Hurlingham team "" this year sporting impressive black shirts provided by Joules "" in the morning"s Golden Jubilee Trophy, a showcase of English polo excellence. However new team colours, provided by Joules, did not bring the Hurlingham team any success as they were defeated 13-6 by an impressive IG Index/Audi Prince of Wales" team.

Richard Le Poer joined the day's players in the presentation arena as he was named the HPA's Best Young Player of the Year. Richard joins a select band of English players over the years who have won this title, including most of the England team.

Away from the polo action, a large audience, reported to be around 20,000 strong, were entertained by an impressive parade before the game. Samba dancers and drummers from the London School of Samba sashayed in front of the Royal Box, while the hounds of the Bicester and Whaddon Chase Hunt, raced across the ground to thunderous applause from the crowd. The parade of a First World War ambulance reminded the crowds of the main charity of the day, Horses Help Heroes.

Visitors to Smith"s Lawn, the home of Guards Polo Club, also had the opportunity of visiting an extensive retail village which offered everything from Audis to champagne, Argentine food and drink to all your essential polo kit. A variety of hospitality options ensured that the perfect day could be arranged for everyone and Chinawhite brought the event to a close with a spectacular party in their stunning marquee. The evening concluded with a wonderful memorial to the Club"s late Chief Executive, Charlie Stisted, when 40 Chinese lanterns were lit in his memory on The Queen"s Ground.

This may be the final Cartier-sponsored International Day "" the leading jewellery company return to Guards Polo Club next year as sponsors of the high-goal Queen"s Cup competition, but the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) is already planning next year"s event, which will be held on Sunday 22 July, a week before the official opening of the 2012 London Olympics. What a sporting week that will be.

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Article fromgearsoutdoor.com



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