South Africa makes a welcome return to the Coronation Cup
The Hurlingham Polo Association has announced that South Africa has accepted the invitation to play England for the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park on Sunday 22nd July. The Coronation Cup was first played for in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V and has become the showcase match of the English polo season and of the world’s biggest spectator polo day.
South Africa last fielded a team in 1994 which they lost, but polo in South Africa has been increasing in popularity during the past decade. With some fast improving young players, they will field a talented team that will be optimistic that they can avenge that defeat. The South African team will be sponsored by Equus & Co, private wealth advisors to the global equestrian community.
England, having won against New Zealand in 2010 and Brazil in 2011, will be looking for a hat-trick in 2012. Thanks to Audi’s generous, long-term sponsorship, England has one of the strongest national polo teams in the world and provides the HPA with an experienced and talented squad from which to choose the four players who will represent the home side on Sunday 22 July. Whoever is selected though will have play at their best throughout the six chukkas on The Queen’s Ground if we are to see England claim that historic hat-trick.
In recognition of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Hurlingham Polo Association has agreed that the winners of the morning game will receive a new Diamond Jubilee Trophy. This will replace the Golden Jubilee Trophy which replaced the Silver Jubilee Trophy in 2002.