THE VEUVE CLICQUOT GOLD CUP
SUNDAY 18TH July
By Joanne Hearn - Photos by Nigel Kaye

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A crowd of around 15,000 spectators were at Cowdray Park on Sunday 18^th July to see the conclusion of this year’s British Open Polo Championships for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup.   Fifteen teams entered this year’s British Open, which as first contested at Cowdray Park in 1956 and this is the tenth year that Veuve Clicquot has sponsored this event.

The final was between Dubai (green/white) and Azzurra (turquoise/white) contesting the most prized trophy in European polo, the coveted Gold Cup.

The team for Dubai was patron Ali Albwardi’s fifteen year old son Tariq Albwardy (0), Lola Castagnola (10), the 29 year old Argentinian Adolfo Cambiaso (10) – the world’s finest player, and Bk. Matt Lodder (2).    Playing for Azzurra was Negro Novillo Astrada (5), Juan Martin Nero (8), Marcos Heguy (10) and Bk. Stefano Marsaglia (0).

Although the match was closely fought with magnificent goals from both sides, Dubai could not, even with the formidable teamwork of the world’s finest combination of 10- goalers, Cambiaso and Castagnola, beat Azzurra.   Dubai could not believe what was happening to them as the “click click” of the Veuve Cliquot clock ticked away,  Azzurra won the match 17-9.

The Duchess of York presented the trophy to the winning team of Azzurra.   The Peter Holman Trophy for the Most Valuable Player was awarded to Marcus Heguy.