Final Scores; Thai Polo NP 9 – 7 UAE Polo | Venue: Cowdray Lawns 2
With persistent rain, looming dark clouds and even the threat of thunder and lighting, the conditions were testy for the Final of the 2021 Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship on Sunday 25th July at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
Unperturbed by the wet weather, enthusiastic spectators sheltering under a canopy of umbrellas along the side-lines, looked eagerly on as Harald Link's Thai Polo NP and H.H. Sheikha Maitha's UAE Polo Team battled it out for the prestigious title. Leading in the early stages of the game, Thai Polo NP effectively managed their lead to never trail in the game and emerged as the champions, defeating UAE Polo Team 9-7 to raise the coveted Gold Cup.
The inclement weather did nothing to curb the excitement of the day as spectators embraced the rain and flocked to the beautiful Lawns Polo Grounds to picnic by the pitch with family and friends, peruse the shops in the luxury retail village, which included tournament Official Apparel Partner U.S. Polo Assn, sip glasses of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine, listen to live music on the bandstand, and enjoy The Naked Food Company’s delectable seafood platters and lobster rolls in the EFG Lawns Enclosure.
Cowdray Gold Cup 2021 Finals Gallery
Two minutes into the game, Thai Polo NP opened the scoring after Ned Hine left the ball for Harper and he skilfully finished the goal with a nearside neck shot. Heavily outshooting UAE Polo Team 7-0 in the first chukka, Thai Polo NP increased their lead to two after Nico Pieres outran Beresford and knocked the ball out of the air to end the chukka ahead 2-0. Displaying a balanced attack, Thai Polo NP scored their third consecutive goal to begin the game, this time off the mallet of Ned Hine, as UAE Polo Team was left with the challenge of playing from behind.
Rain forced a temporary break in play, however the Final went on with UAE Polo Team ending their scoreless drought on a Penalty 4 conversion for Beresford. Finding momentum at the start of the third chukka, a pass from Polito Pieres was converted by Tomas Panelo to bring their team within one, but Thai Polo NP provided a significant response as 15-year-old Louis Hine scored to get all four Thai Polo NP players on the scoresheet and end the first half with a 5-2 advantage.
The Hon Emily Pearson, daughter of Lord Cowdray, presented the golden trophy to Thai Polo NP Captain, Nico Pieres, who also stepped down from the podium to receive the Most Valuable Player prize from U.S. Polo Assn. representative, Boo Jalil of Brand Machine. Nine-year-old Argentine mare, Open Lourdes (Virgin x Sportivo), played and owned by Nico Pieres, was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug, presented by the Hon Mrs Lila Pearson. Celebrations continued into the evening with music and dancing in the EFG Lawns Enclosure and the Goalmouth Mouth as DJ Simon Horn took to the decks.
Cowdray Gold Cup 2021 Finals Gallery - Around The Grounds
Photographer: Mark Beaumont
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