Dubai, led by Ali Albwardy, added their name to the Royal Windsor Cup in 1995. Thirty-one years later his eldest son, Tariq, repeated this feat, ensuring Dubai is one of the few teams that have registered multiple victories in this leading 15-goal tournament.
Tariq’s team were in control of this match from the first chukka. They also had a half-goal advantage at the start as Noor Khadra’s Green Gates were fielding a 16-goal team. This was due to Jake Coventry having seen his handicap rise after an impressive Queen’s Cup competition.
Barto Castagnola, later named the DMMI Brexa Most Valuable Player, was impressive for Dubai and scored the majority of his team’s goals. His partnership with Santos Merlos in this final was strong too and by half-time Dubai had secured a comfortable, 4.5-2 lead. Green Gates had flashes of brilliance though. Jake Coventry was particularly strong, while Khadra did a great job of marking Castagnola – no mean feat when you consider the handicap difference.
So there was still all to play as the teams returned to The Queen’s Ground. Green Gates’ Ignacio Negri and Coventry teamed up well to close the gap (4.5-3) only for Castagnola to find a ball almost on the end of his stick and fire through the fifth goal for Dubai. With the scores reading 5.5-3 at the start of the fifth and final chukka, this was still anyone’s game. However with Castagnola starting the chukka by successfully converting a penalty while Negri sent one wide, the gap was widening. A lovely field goal from Castagnola later in this chukka confirmed their dominance and although Negri successfully converted a penalty three. This closed the gap but it could not change the final outcome.
The sponsors of this tournament, David Matsumoto from DMMI Co Ltd, Dolph Westerbos, CEO of Brexa International were joined by actor Haley Atwel and legendary former sumo Yokozuna Hakuho to make the presentations. Albwardy received the trophy while his team-mate Castagnola was awarded the Best Playing Pony prize for Pacau Olivia. He referred to this 13-year-old black mare as his second favourite horse on the finals’ pony list.
The sub final was a more clear-cut affair. Jindal Steel/La Dolfina won this game 11-5. They defeated the super competitive The Mirror squad, last year’s Guards Polo Club Team of the Year, on The Duke’s Ground. Rufino Merlos was named the Most Valuable Player but Jindal Steel/La Dolfina team-mate Hazel Jackson also had a strong game in the number two shirt.
After the polo had finished, the winners of the neighbouring British Driving Society Summer Show paraded on The Queen’s Ground. This wonderful display of equine elegance has been a popular element of this day for more than 50 years. The Knights of Middle England also brought their own horses to the Club at midday for a spectacular jousting display, another great example of the courage and athleticism of the horse.
Dubai Polo Team: Tariq Albwardy (0); Leo Stuart (0); Santos Merlos (6); Bartolome Castagnola Jnr (9). Green Gates: Noor Khadra (1); Jake Coventry (3); Cesar Crespo (6); Ignacio Negri (6).
Jindal Steel/La Dolfina: Venkatesh Jindal (0); Hazel Jackson (2); Rufino Merlos (6); Gonzalo Ferrari (7). The Mirror: Sarkis Gabrelian (0); Felix Toccalino (4); Nicolas Roberts (5); Benjamin Urquiza (6).