A rainy day on Ambersham 1 saw an impressive conclusion to the Easebourne Cup, with Strategic Armed Forces Equine Charity (Strategic) taking on UAE Polo Team on Saturday, the 7th of July. 

For the UAE side, Lorenzo Nero (0) rode out at 1, with Lucero Monteverde (0) at 2, Lorenzo Metro (0) at 3, and 6-goaler Marcos Araya at Back. For Strategic Armed Forces Equine Charity, Peter O’Rorke (0) played at 1, Sam Wisbey (1) at 2, Ollie Cork (4) at 3, and Matt Evetts (3) at Back. Due to the handicap difference, UAE started play with a goal and a half advantage. 

The first chukka opened with a brilliant backhand goal by Cork in the second minute to put Strategic on the scoreboard, but a costly foul against Strategic saw a beautifully converted 30-yard penalty by Lucero. The second chukka started in the same manner, with another field goal by Cork; however, the young UAE side responded with incredible breakaway goals by both Nero and Monteverde, finishing with another goal by Monteverde on the buzzer to leave UAE leading 7½ – 5. 

With the rain worsening, both teams came back with determination following the halftime break, with Cork opening play with a successfully converted 60-yard penalty. However, UAE were not letting Strategic catch them, retaliating with an under-pressure goal by Metro, taking them into the final chukka 6½ – 3. Metro continued where he left off with another great field goal; however, a final push by Strategic saw further goals by Cork and Evetts, but a final goal by the unstoppable Lucero secured victory for UAE, 7½ – 5. 

The delighted young pair, Lucero Monteverde and Lorenzo Nero, stepped forward to collect the Easebourne Cup from Peter Walters, founder of X-Zony. The X-Zony Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Doozy, played by Lucero Monteverde, owned by UAE Polo Team, and groomed by Juan Cruz Benoit and Issac Olguin.