VIVARI QUEENS CUP FINAL 2007 GUARDS POLO CLUB
By Joanne Hearn and Photos by Nigel Kaye
The final of the Queens Cup, sponsored for the first time by Vivari – the London based lifestyle company, took place on Sunday 17th June on the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club. This tournament attracted a record 22 teams starring the world’s greatest polo players and today’s final was betwen Ellerston and Loro Piana. This is the first time that Loro Piana have reached the final of this 20-22 goal competition.
The Ellerston team playing in white were 1. Richard Le Poer (3), 2. Facundo Pieres (10), 3. Gonzalito Pieres (9) and Back John Williams (0).
For Loro Piana playing in Blue and white were 1. David Stirling (7), 2. Alfio Marchini (1), 3. Juan Martin Nero (9) and Back Martin Espain (5).
After picnic lunches to the sounds of the band of the Irish Guards and playing before Her Majesty the Queen, the match commenced at 3 pm in brilliant sunshine with Ellerston taking the lead in the first chukka but by the end of the sixth chukka the score was all square at 11-11. Into the seventh chukka and within seconds Juan Martin Nero scored the winning goal for Loro Piana making the final score 12-11.
Her Majesty the Queen, who first donated the Queens Cup to Guards Polo Club in 1960, presented the cup to Loro Piana, who also won the award for the best turned out team. The best playing pony was Nutria, a nine year old mare from Argentina and ridden by David Stirling in the third and seventh chukka. The best retrained racehorse was Forrest ridden by Facundo Pieres in the fourth chukka and at 14 years old, was the oldest. The most outstanding player was David Stirling.
The presentation also took place of the Vivari Cup which was held at 11 am between Talandracas and Les Lions with Talandracas winning 7-6. Edouard Carmignac collected the trophy on behalf of the Talandracas team.
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| For Loro Piana playing in Blue and white were 1. David Stirling (7), 2. Alfio Marchini (1), 3. Juan Martin Nero (9) and Back Martin Espain (5). Not listed in order. |
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Her Majesty the Queen
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