Eduardo Novillo Astrada – Jaeger-LeCoultre brand ambassador talks Gold Cup Quarter Finals, Internationals and his Dream Team
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Some fantastic play and unforgettable moments have unfolded on the Lawns and surrounding grounds of Cowdray Park Polo Club over the recent weeks as the Gold Cup (the British Open Polo Championships) has played out under the new sponsorship of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The teams for the Quarter Finals (to be played this weekend) have now all qualified, with both teams featuring the two male Jaeger-LeCoultre brand ambassadors in their line-ups going through. Seven goaler Luke Tomlinson playing alongside Joaquin Pittaluga, Ignacio Laprida (subbing for Juan Gris Zavaleta) and patron Nick Clarke – team Salkeld, secured the final spot through a penalty shoot-out on Thursday 9th July. Whilst nine goal Eduardo Novillo Astrada playing alongside Luke’s brother Mark, Ralph Richardson and Tom Morley, put through the winning goal earlier in the week for Sir Cow Williams Barbados sponsored Apes Hill side, giving them four straight wins, and a place in the Quarter Finals alongside Dubai, El Remanso, King Power Foxes, UAE, RH Polo and Zacara.
Catching up with Eduardo pitch-side at Trippetts Farm (home of the third Jaeger-LeCoultre polo brand ambassador Claire Milford-Haven) during a pause in high goal play we chatted polo, how Apes Hill had been playing, dream teams and just who he would be supporting at the upcoming Royal Salute Coronation Cup.
As a team Eduardo explained that Apes Hill have been playing well in the tournament and previously won the Warwickshire earlier in the season. Looking to the 19th July he remarked, ‘The two best teams will make it through to the Jaeger Le-Coultre Gold Cup Final and there’s still a long way to go before we reach that stage. In the Quarters on Sunday at 3pm we are facing El Remanso (Charlie Hanbury, George Hanbury, Ollie Cudmore and Pelon Stirling) they are well organised, Pelon and all the side have been playing great so far and they are really well mounted. During the tournament one of my favourite mares to ride is ‘Matera’, she is fourteen years old and was bred by my brother Javier – I keep her in England.’
He explained that being a brand ambassador for Jaeger-LeCoultre is a fantastic opportunity as it takes him to lots of places around the world, and it is great to be playing in a tournament also sponsored by them. After the English season Eduardo will be playing with Camilo Bautista Las Monjitas team for the first time ever in Columbia at Los Pinos Polo Club. This will be the first time in fifteen years that we will not be playing the Sotogrande season – it will be sad to miss that season, but great to be playing in a new place.
So after the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup finishes, the next major tournament to feature in the English high goal calendar will be the Royal Salute Coronation Cup, and it might come to a surprise to some as to which side he will be supporting when England meet South America on Saturday 25th July. I’m English – so England of course. I was born in England whilst my father was over here studying, then he worked here for a number of years. Although I’m English I think it is important that the opportunity to play on the England team is given to younger players, it is good that they get the chance to play a better level of polo. I play at that level all year round.
And if he was given the choice to create a ‘dream team’ who would be playing alongside him? ‘It would have to be my three sons – twins Justo and Cruz who are sixteen years old and Lucio who is eight.’
Eduardo Novillo Astrada will be playing in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Quarter Finals on Sunday 12th July at 3pm, when Apes Hill meet El Remanso. The winner of this match will be presented with the Centenary Cup by Zahra Kassim-Lakha, Director UK Market and Global Strategy for Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Jaeger Le-Coultre Quarter Finals:
Saturday 11th July
12:00PM UAE v Salkeld
3:00pm King Power Foxes v RH Polo
Sunday 12th July
12:00PM Dubai v Zacara
3:00PM El Remanso v Apes Hill – Centenary Cup