CARTIER INTERNATIONAL POLO – THE GUARDS POLO CLUB,WINDSOR GREAT PARK
SUNDAY 29TH JULY 2007 – Text By Joanne Hearn, Photos by Peter Henderson.
The Cartier International Polo is the pinnacle of glamour and prestige and celebrated its 23rd anniversary on Sunday 29th July watched by a 30,000 strong crowd. This year the Chilean polo team made a welcome return having been invited to play at Smith’s Lawn in memory of their former captain Gabriel Donoso, who three years earlier had led the Chilean team to victory on this day. Charles Beresford, Gabriel Donoso’s brother in law, said a few words before the match in memory of Gabriel.
Chile defeated England to win the Cup. For Chile playing at 1. Jose Rafael Zegers (4), 2. Martin Zegers (6), 3. Jose Donoso (7) and Bk. Jaime Huidobro (8).
The England team were 1. James Beim (6), 2. Henry Brett (7), 3. Luke Tomlinson (7) and Bk. Nacho Gonzalez (6). For Chile playing at 1. Jose Rafael Zegers (4), 2. Martin Zegers (6), 3. Jose Donoso (7) and Bk. Jaime Huidobro (8). The two umpires were Santiago Gaztambide and the great Carlos Gracida.
Passion and excitement ebbed like thunder around the ground as play commenced at 3.15 with the Chilean team having a one goal advantage. All action came from the England team in the first chukka with James Beim scoring the first goal to make the score 1-1.
In the second chukka Henry Brett’s experience shone like a lighthouse as he scored for England to put them into the lead at 2-1 although Chile evened the score within seconds to 2-2. With seconds to go James Beim took a penalty shot to put England in the lead again 3-2.
The third chukka saw Luke Tomlinson score for England increasing their lead to 4-2 followed by two goals from Chile and at the end of the chukka the score was again even at 4-4.
Following the half time treading of the divots by the crowd and international celebrities the fourth chukka got underway and the Chilean team sprang into life as almost immediately Jaime Huidobro scored again for Chile followed by a 40 yard open goal shot which put Chile well into the lead at 6-4. Following mistakes by the England team, Martin Zegers scored again for Chile 7-4. England woke up slightly to score but with seconds left in this exciting chukka Chile scored to lead 8-5.
The fifth chukka saw Luke Tomlinson trying to turn on a ‘sixpence’ which resulted in him falling from his pony, dazed but unhurt. Nacho Gonzalez scored for England although Chile still in the lead 8-6 followed by desperate play by England and a battle at the ‘front door’ and Chile scoring again to make the score at the end of the chukka 9-6 to Chile.
In the sixth James Bein scored for England and with three minutes to go players rushed to go and get ‘fresh pairs of legs’, England scored again to make the score 9-8 still to Chile and with the screaming crowd cheering on England, they scored another goal only to be disallowed by the umpires. The final whistle went – Chile had won the Coronation Cup 9-8.
The presentation of the Coronation Cup was presented to Jose Donoso of Chile by Prince Michael of Kent in the Queen’s absence. The ‘Most Valuable Player’ was Jaime Huidobro of Chile. ‘Best Retrained Racehorse’ was Shannon ridden by Jose Donoso in the 2nd and 6th chukka and the ‘Best Playing Pony’ was Proof ridden again by Jose Donoso in the 3rd chukka.