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Jubilation for the French team patron Jean Francois Decaux as his team La Bamba de Areco were victors this year – beating Dubai 13 goals to 10 at the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championships, Cowdray Park on 19th June.
Spanning more than half a century, the Gold Cup is considered the most coveted trophy in the polo world and at the end of six chukkas, the emotion and euphoria for the Frenchman on winning was too much. As the bell sounded he fell back onto his pony’s rump – then stunt rolled straight off onto the ground and lay there flat out – he was so happy. But he deserved the credit for putting this team together and his pride was justly equalled by the champagne house of Veuve Clicquot, who have supported the event at Cowdray for the past 15 years - as the cork of the magnum bottle popped, the champagne frothed into the famous Gold Cup and Veuve Clicquot President, Madam Cecile Bonnefond, shared the businessman’s – and France’s – long-held dream.
Jean Francois Decaux established his first team, the Buffalos in 1998, changing it to ‘Brittany Polo Club’ in 2005 and then re-naming his new 2009 team line up after his polo estate in Argentina – La Bamba de Areco. The new name launched his scooping up of the 10 goal Pieres brothers, Gonzalito and Facundo, famously connected until this year with Ellerston patron James Packer. The world financial crisis has changed many fortunes over the past year and as well as selling business assets and land, the Australian business magnate also sold some of his legendary polo ponies, but the best stayed with the brothers.
After 18 days of competition between 17 teams and 41 flat out matches, these two final teams have worked so hard to achieve this moment. The horses have had to reach ultimate fitness – both through the horse managers’ skill in rotating the ponies to get them right on the day – as well as by the teams of grooms who have presented them. When top polo players unleash their daring passion they must be mounted on the finest equine athletes – a racehorse with intelligence, agility and acceleration – and there is a special relationship between player and pony that inspires confidence during critical chukkas.
Dubai were considered as the favourites after Adolfo Cambiaso’s display of polo genius in the semi-final against Les Lions II, while La Bamba de Areco’s tough match against Sumaya in theirs was clinched with a late but strong finish. With each team patron both on zero goal handicaps, they have had to work hard for their Pro’s – and Dubai’s Rashid Albwardy at only 16 years of age – has impressed all. But it has been a week of showers and the heavy ground will hamper the chance of a free flowing match. Adolfo’s game plan for Dubai would be to get as many goals as possible at the start before it cuts up – but a prevailing wind of near gale proportions wasn’t a part of that plan.
Chukka 1 :
A sell out crowd, wrapped up warm in everything from blankets to tablecloths, soon saw Adolfo’s first goal from a 30 yd undefended shot, but in the next mele in front of the goal the slippery ground brought down Tommy Garbarini Islas’s horse – it looked worse than it was. Back in the saddle, the battle got under way but another slip caused Adolfo’s horse to stumble but he recovered just in time. Then Facundo chanced a shot to goal but it went wide. Back in play there was a superb save by Laprida literally just inches from the goal mouth – he cut it back but it hit a defender’s stick – resulting in a corner. A further whistle gave a penalty to La Bamba de Areco, taken by Gonzalito, but it went wide. A free hit to La Bamba taken again by Facundo was eventually stolen by Adolfo but the ensuing whistle was a surprise as umpires decided in favour of Dubai, and a hit from centre line. Another big shot by Adolfo went wide, before a further penalty taken by Laprida notched up Dubai with another - but the first chukka saw play as a very tight game of cat and mouse with umpires whistles to maintain discipline. 2:0 to Dubai. .
Chukka 2 :
Play did not run for long as further fouls and whistles broke up momentum. Then a foul on Laprida saw his penalty shot to goal give Dubai a 3:0 lead but still no field goals. However, another whistle was awarded to La Bamba de Areco and Facunda’s penalty ensured the team’s first 3 :1. A heavy ride off resulted in a 60 yd penalty to Dubai but Adolfo’s hit along the ground went wide. The horses still slipped, the ball bounced badly on the ruts but the play engaged everyone with Rashid taking on Facunda, then stolen by Laprida, then umpire’s whistle – the penalty goal was delivered by Facunda - 3:2. As the red shirted Pieres brothers put their strength and strategy into gear they started to break through with runs but at the end of the chukka it was still 3:2.
Chukka 3 :
An early penalty to Dubai again went wide, with the gusting wind skewing the ball off course, It also proved difficult for anyone to hear the whistle. Then a 5b in favour of La Bamba started with Facundo with Gonzalito racing up for the pass, but somehow Laprida hit a steeply angled shot to pass through just inches inside the goal post - Dubai 4 : 2. The big four race end to end, with Adolfo hooking Facundo to steal, then a frenzy as Laprida ready to shoot at the goal mouth had the ball snatched away by Gonzalito. The last minute save proved temporary as when Adolfo galloped back, refuting the tackle, he turned his horse seemingly in mid air and scored – 5:2. However, the rain had started and the Pieres brothers seemed to find an advantage throughout the rest of the chukka - with superb precsion play by Gonzalito he scored 3 field goals and then his brother Facundo another, 6:5 to La Bamba de Areco.
Chukka 4 :
Adolfo tried a big shot to goal, hitting as hard as possible but the increasing and gusting cross wind sent it wide. Then another chance and some brilliant work by Rashid saw Adolfo go through the field to score – 6 goals all. Gonzalito with the ball, fired to Facundo and the brothers went all the way to score another, 7:6. The game started to open out, the brothers swarmed through the pack, piling on the pressure. Laprida’s shot went wide, and while out of play, Adolfo’s question to the umpires went unfavourably – a technical (5b) was given. Gonzalito took the undefended hit but it went wide. As Adolfo was with the ball, it happened that Facundo collided into him – the resultant penalty to Dubai made it 7all. Another superb field goal from a tremendous distance by Adolfo made it 8:7, before the final goal by Martin Valent was tapped in 6 inches from the line and the Dubai lead showed 9:7.
Chukka 5 :
Considering the wind, some fantastic polo (and tennis) was being played. Although La Bamba looked very strong, Dubai continued to fight heroically – but as tensions rose the umpires awarded another technical in favour of Dubai. After the free hit, Adolfo was hit in the face by someone’s shoulder and he dismounted in obvious pain. The ambulance check saw him remounted a few minutes later - the pace had been eased. But the Pieres brothers’ double act meant Facundo was soon away and he had the legs on Laprida all the way to goal –still 9:8 to Dubai. But the powerhouse of the brothers continued relentlessly until they scored another – 9 all, and then yet another as La Bamba de Areco went back into the lead 10:9. Then, Adolfo appeared in the rough and tumble as he was bumped by a horse’s head, he immediately dismounted holding his hip - the chance to change ponies and re-group helped and he was soon walking back looking for a pony. A 30 yd undefended penalty was awarded to Dubai, taken by Laprida who tapped it through 10 all. A Gonzalito rally, with the brothers set up in formation for Facundo to score a superb goal - made it 11:10 - La Bamba de Areco were back in the lead. With Dubai under pressure the whistle decided a 60 yd penalty to the white shirts - the Pieres brothers could not believe it – but Adolfo’s big hit along the cut up ground went wide. The score : 11:10 to La Bamba.
Chukka 6:
Adolfo captured the ball and launched a random big hit to goal – as hard and high as possible, but it was still carried off in the wind. The final nail biting chukka turned frenetic as players flung themselves to reach passes - Adolfo did not like the score as it was – but the long shots kept going off course. The Pieres brothers could not be held back - they were un-catchable on their horses – despite Adolfo changing his more often. Adolfo could only continue to make lofty shots, but all carried wide, what else could he do ? As neither team was ready to throw in the towel - the drama and spirit captivated the crowd. Then, with Gonzalito on his best horse Shannon, it was not long before he scored, 12:10. The Pieres brothers started to smell victory – they power on and another fantastic goal by Gonzalito hits the goal post first before ricocheting through – 13 :10. With seconds left Adolfo pounced on the ball, scooted it onto Laprida who hit it as hard as he could – but the bell had sounded and it was too late to change the final score.
Most Valuable Player – the Peter Holman trophy : Gonzalito Pieres
Best Playing Pony – Shannon, a 10 year old Irish thoroughbred black mare owned and played by Gonzalito Pieres
Player of the competition award – to receive a specially commissioned Veuve Clicquot yellow saddle for the highest number of goals scored in the Gold Cup competition : Facundo Pieres – with 55 goals, including 7 in the final
La Bamba de Areco (red) : Jean Francois Decaux (0), Gonzalito Pieres (10), Facundo Pieres (10), Tomas Garbarini Islas (1) – total 21.
Dubai (white/green) : Rashid Albwardi (0), Martin Valent (4), Cristian Laprida (7), Adolfo Cambiaso (10), total 21.
In the match following the Gold Cup, a young South African 12 goal side beat a young England 14 goal side - 6 goals to 4.
Photos : courtesy of Ms Becca Hallewell : www.hallewellarts.com
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