Adolfo Cambiaso, the greatest polo player in history, made history at Cowdray Park last weekend when he won the Gold Cup at the British Open for a record ninth time.
The victory was made extra special as his 23-year-old daughter, Mia, was part of the triumphant La Dolfina/Scone (LDS) team with him.
Mia was just the third female player to win the Gold Cup and she also received the award for the Most Valuable Player while her mare, DS Altamira, won the Best Player Pony prize.
LDS came out on top in a nail-biting final against Kazak, a French team who were contesting the competition for the first time, which finished 9-8. Also in the LDS team were British player Hugo Taylor and Argentina’s Paco de Narvaez.
Drama in the closing stages
Substitute Tommy Panello from Argentina replaced Adolfo for the final two minutes of the match after a fall resulted in the polo legend breaking three fingers.
“It’s very special. My ninth Gold Cup and to do it with my daughter, Mia, is incredible. I am so proud of her; the first Argentinian woman to lift a Gold Cup,” said Adolfo.
“It was a fantastic polo match and I want to thank my whole team for all their hard work and especially David Paradice, a great friend whose support means everything to us.”
World’s best polo players
The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup welcomes the sport’s best players to Cowdray in West Sussex, the home of British polo, each summer for Europe’s premier 22-goal polo tournament.
The world-famous tournament saw 18 teams from around the world battle it out over a three-week period at Viscount Cowdray’s 16,000 acre estate, which is located in the South Downs National Park, for the chance to lift the historic Cowdray Gold Cup.
The British Open Polo Championship for The Cowdray Gold Cup is one of the three most prestigious polo tournaments in the world, together with the US Open and the Argentine Open.
‘We couldn’t have asked for more’
“We couldn’t have asked for a better, more exciting finale to what’s been another huge Gold Cup for the British Open,” said Martine Hartridge, managing director at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
“The teams’ rivalry and sportsmanship were fantastic to watch, along with the equine partnerships.
“The ponies were in excellent condition and I am always delighted to see what great care the teams take of these incredible animals.
“I would like to thank all the fans for coming and especially all our sponsors for their support; U.S. Polo Assn., Brand Machine Group (BMG), Rathbones Group Plc, Gusbourne and Bentley Motors.”
Images © Cowdray Park Polo Club/Mark Beaumont.
