After over 3 weeks of world-class polo, 19 teams were whittled down to four, facing off in the Semi-Finals of the St. Regis Cowdray Gold Cup on 15th July. The first game saw Dubai, the most successful team in Gold Cup history, take on English-based Ferne Park, playing for the Ellerston Cup. The Tramontana Cup marked the second game, with the unstoppable newcomers La Hechicera taking on the ever-popular Gaston Polo Team.
With the sidelines of Lawns 1 buzzing with excitement, Dubai rode onto the pitch for the first game with Tariq Albwardy (0) at 1, Antonio Heguy (7) at 2, 9-goaler Bartolome Castagnola (9) at 3, and Santos Merlos (6) at Back. Vere Harmsworth headed out at 1 in place of Lord Rothermere for Ferne Park, with Javier Guerrero filling in for Chris Mackenzie (6) at 2, 7-goaler Joaquin Pittaluga (7) at 3, and 9-goaler Facundo Pieres at Back.
Chukka 1 got off to a good start for Dubai with a breakaway goal by Merlos two minutes in, but Harmsworth quickly responded with a great finish. A successful 30-yard penalty conversion from Heguy quickly put Dubai back ahead; however, a confident shot by Pieres levelled the scores once again. Two quick back-to-back goals from Heguy and Merlos in the final minutes left Dubai leading 4-2 going into the second.
The second told a similar story, with Castagnola kicking off the scoring with a shot from far out. A Safety 60 penalty converted by Pittaluga, followed by a 40-yard penalty from Pieres, kept Ferne Park in contention. However, a cut shot to goal by Heguy regained the momentum for Dubai, followed by a goal from Castagnola in the final 30 seconds to give Dubai a comfortable 7-4 lead.
Castagnola opened the scoring in the third for Dubai in the first minute, but Pieres swiftly responded with a goal assisted by Pittaluga. A last-minute neck shot by Castagnola finished the scoring in the third, with Dubai leading 9-5 going into the second half.
Following a half-time divot stop, the fourth chukka saw three goals apiece, including two successful penalties for each team, and field goals under pressure from Pittaluga and Heguy, leaving Ferne Park still trailing by four. The fifth saw strong defensive play from both sides, but Merlos broke through with three minutes left to add another goal. Despite this, Ferne Park rallied with an impressive response, including a 30-yard penalty conversion from Pieres and a last-second goal by Guerrero, leaving the scores at 13-10 going into the final chukka.
The final chukka saw both teams give it their all, with Castagnola opening the scoring with a neck shot, before Pittaluga responded two minutes later. Castagnola then struck again. A last-minute 30-yard penalty gave Ferne Park fans hope, but it was too little, too late, leaving Dubai victorious, 15-12.
A delighted Tariq Albwardy was presented with the Ellerston Cup by Emmanuelle Sheila Packer, granddaughter of Kerry Packer. The Gusbourne MVP prize was awarded to Bartolome Castagnola following his dominant performance, presented by Jonathan White, CEO of Gusbourne. The 1901 Group Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to Lovelocks Fidel, played by Bartolome Castagnola and owned by Dubai, with the presentation made by Aaron Sparkes, Founder of the 1901 Group.
After guests and spectators dined, shopped, and enjoyed the pitch-side offerings, the second game commenced. Riding out at 1 for Gaston Polo Team was Jean Paul Luksic (0), Gonzalo Ferrari (8) at 2, 7-goaler Beltran Laulhe at 3, and Cruz Heguy (7) at Back. In the floral shirts for La Hechicera, Pablo Galante (0) wore the number 1 shirt, with Ned Hine (5) at 2, Lorenzo Chavanne (0) at 3, and 10-goaler Camilo Castagnola at Back. Gaston started with a one-goal advantage due to the handicap difference.
An early error opened the first chukka with a successful 60-yard penalty by Castagnola to equalise the scoreboard. Ferrari swiftly replied with a high-pressure goal, but La Hechicera finished the first with their noses in front following a 30-yard penalty from Chavanne and a composed cut shot by Castagnola to lead 3-2.
The second was very evenly contested, with Castagnola opening the scoring in the fifth minute with a near-side neck shot, followed by a well-worked team goal finished by Chavanne. Gaston responded with a 30-yard penalty and a last-minute strike from Laulhe to leave Gaston trailing by one, 5-4.
La Hechicera pushed further ahead in the third, with two more field goals from 10-goaler Castagnola, as well as a perfectly taken 40-yard penalty by Chavanne. With Gaston managing only a Penalty 1, La Hechicera led 8-5 going into half-time.
Coming back refreshed, the fourth opened with a huge push from Gaston, with Heguy starting his flurry of goals with a 30-yard penalty, quickly followed by an under-pressure finish from Laulhe. La Hechicera responded with a third-minute 40-yard penalty from Chavanne, followed by another goal from Chavanne, assisted by Hine. However, two more goals from Heguy in the final minute completed his hat-trick and once again left Gaston within one goal at 10-9.
The fifth saw high-stakes defence from both sides, with an early neck shot from Castagnola and a last-second penalty from Heguy leaving La Hechicera leading 11-10 going into the final chukka. The last chukka had everyone on the edge of their seats, but a huge team effort from Gaston saw an early near-side strike by Heguy to equalise. With just seconds remaining, an extra chukka looked imminent, but Heguy once again broke through the La Hechicera defence to score just before the buzzer and secure the last Final spot for Gaston, 12-11.
In front of an ecstatic crowd, Jean Paul Luksic received the Tramontana Cup from Anthony Embiricos, Patron of the Tramontana Team. The Gusbourne MVP prize was deservedly awarded to Cruz Heguy by Laura Rhys, Head of Wine at Gusbourne. The Christopher Hanbury Trophy for the best mounted English high goal player went to Ned Hine, presented to him by Charlie Hanbury and Jessica Copcutt. Aaron Sparkes presented The 1901 Group Best Playing Pony Rug to Vasca Origía, played and owned by Cruz Heguy. .
