The Gentleman Magazine Issue 3 | June/July | Page 58

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup
The world famous Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup is played to
decide the British Open Polo Championship and is the premier
polo tournament in the world at 22 goal level. Ten teams
will contest the 2017 Championship with most of the world’s
leading players taking part.
The opening match on Tuesday 27th June is the first of around
40 in this year’s competition leading to Quarter-finals over the
weekend of 15/16th July, Semi-finals on Wednesday 19th July
and the high octane Final on Sunday 23rd July.
Up to 15,000 spectators will flock to Lord Cowdray’s estate in
West Sussex to watch the Final. The stunning location, with
the evocative Cowdray ‘Ruins’ as a backdrop, is an idyllic
setting for one of the most exciting sporting events of the
Season. Spectators normally make an early start in order to
set up their picnics, meet up with friends and browse around
the retail village before settling down for the afternoon’s high
octane match. There are plenty of food options and bars as
well as a VIP experience for all day luxury entertainment in the
Cowdray Marquee.
Defending the title of British Open Champions for the third
year is the King Power side once again featuring the mighty
talent of the Argentine Pieres brothers, Gonzalito and Facundo.
Still considered the world’s best player, Adolfo Cambiaso this
year switches sides to join the RH polo team of Ben Soleimani.
The all British side of Britannia El Remanso, with the same
line-up as 2016 comprising Charlie Hanbury, Ollie Cudmore,
James Beim and James Harper, will certainly have the support
of the local crowd behind them. The only woman taking part
is Corinne Ricard with her Murus Sanctus team this year
including 10 goal player Hilario Ulloa.
58 | The Gentleman Magazine
Polo played at this level is not for the faint hearted and Corinne
is relishing the opportunity to take part for a second year.
Michael Bickford’s La Indiana team, which lost to King Power
in the 2016 Final returns with one team change – England
player Luke Tomlinson will be playing at Back.
This is top level polo at its finest and, even if you have never
watched the sport before, Cowdray Park’s experienced
commentators are there to inform and explain as the action
races on. Be sure to put Sunday 23rd July in your diary.
For further information on the Final and the preceding matches
in this year’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup visit:
www.cowdraypolo.co.uk.