Cartier Polo Report – England by JOANNE HEARN photo by Trevor Meeks. – The Cartier International Polo celebrated its 22nd anniversary on Sunday 30th July at Smith’s Lawn at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park. This event is renowned as one of the most glamorous and prestigious days in the sporting and social calendar.
Following tradition, the morning match which commenced at 11 am saw the Prince of Wales’ team against Hurlingham competing for the much coveted Golden Jubilee Trophy. The Prince of Wales’ team members were 1. HRH Prince Harry (1), 2. Satnam Dhillon (6), 3. Malcolm Borwick )Capt)(6) and 4. Nacho Gonzalez (6). For Hurlingham the team members were 1. Max Routledge (1), 2. Roddy Williams (6), 3. James Harper (6) and 4. Chris Hyde (Capt)(6). Much to the delight of the spectators the Prince of Wales Team won as Nacho Gonzalez scored the winning goal with seconds to spare. The Golden Jubilee Trophy was presented to the Prince of Wales team by Arnaud Bamberger, Managing Director of Cartier UK. The best playing pony award went to Torena played by Chris Hyde.
The main match saw the England team play a quartet from New Zealand for the Coronation Cup. This is the fourth time that these two nations have met in this competition and the score currently stands at 2-1 to England. The England team was 1. James Beim (6). 2. Mark Tomlinson (6), 3. Henry Brett (7) and 4. Luke Tomlinson(Capt)(7). For New Zealand, 1. Simon Keyte (7), 2. Tommy Wilson (7), 3. John Paul Clarkin (Capt)(8) and 4. Cody Forsyth (6).
England started the match 2 goals up due to the handicap and within minutes England scored two goals in the first chukka making the score 4-0. It was a fast and furious first chukka, New Zealand had their chances but failed to score. In the second chukka John Paul Clarkin unfortunately got hit on the elbow by the ball but after a few seconds remounted and the match recommenced. Henry Brett had a brilliant second chukka and was everywhere and at last New Zealand scores! Goal after goal was scored and by half time the score was 5-4 to England. Spectators were lured back to their seats after dreading the divots as there were 12 sets of keys to win a brand new Audi car under 12 different seats!! The second half of the match was just as exciting with Tony Wilson scoring in the fourth chukka making the match equal at 5-5 but brilliant play by England gave them the lead again at 6-5. The fifth and sixth chukkas had cheers from the spectators and England won the match 9-7.
In the Queen’s absence, HRH Prince Harry presented the Coronation Cup to the England team. The Most Valuable Player was Henry Brett and the Best Playing Pony was Glitter, for the second time, played by Henry Brett in the first and last chukka.