Sunday, the 13th of July 2025, saw White Crane and Ferne Park face off for the final spot in the Gold Cup semi-finals, under the scorching summer sun at the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Cup.
Vere Harmsworth (0) rode out at 1 for Ferne Park, with Cristian Laprida (7) at 2, David Stirling (8) at 3, and Joaquin Pittaluga (7) at Back. In the number 1 shirt for White Crane was Alexie Calvert-Ansari (0), with Marcos Araya (6) at 2, 10-goaler Pablo Pieres at 3, and Felipe Dabas (6) at Back.
With the sides of Lawns 2 packed with excited spectators, the game commenced. The first half saw evenly matched play from both teams. Laprida opened the scoring with a 30-yard penalty, but Araya and Pieres quickly responded with field goals, giving White Crane a narrow 2–1 lead after the first chukka. The second chukka brought little change, featuring just one spectacular field goal by Laprida from over 60 yards out in the opening minute. In the third, 10-goaler Pieres added another field goal for White Crane, but Harmsworth answered with an outstanding breakaway goal just before the buzzer, leaving the score at 4–3 in Ferne Park’s favor at half-time.
The fourth chukka turned into a high-scoring showdown, with four world-class goals from the unstoppable Pieres. Ferne Park, however, kept pace with three goals of their own, bringing the scores level at 7–7 heading into the final two chukkas. In the fifth, both sides continued their fierce competition, each scoring twice and setting up a thrilling 9–9 tie going into the final chukka. With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the sixth chukka began with a goal straight out of the first lineout by Pittaluga. Yet again, Pieres responded — this time with his eighth goal of the game — to equalize once more and send the match into an extra chukka. With the future of the tournament on the line, both teams gave it everything in the decisive period. But it was the skilled Pittaluga who broke free in the first minute, clinching a dramatic 11–10 victory for Ferne Park.
The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Trophy -founded in memory of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the founder, owner, and chairman of King Power -was presented to a delighted Vere Harmsworth. The King Power Best Playing Pony award went to Open Tardecita, played by Pablo Pieres, owned by White Crane, and cared for by grooms Adolfo Biris, David Medina, Brian Gomez, Cristian Cepeda, and Franco Alberto.
