Brits stem Argentine tide
The Dodson & Horrell team takes the title, despite pressure from upcoming Argentinian players
IT was all change this year for the most prestigious ladies’ fixtures in the calendar. Not only was the final played on Lawns One, but there was an extra level (8-12 goal) and 10 teams in the 18-goal, up from five teams in total last year.
There was also a notable Argentine influence, with Argentina’s best player, Lia Salvo, flying in, as well as daughters of two 10-goalers, Mia Cambiaso and Candelaria Fernández-Araujo.
The latter played for UAE Polo Team, which comprised three Argentines and HRH Maitha al Maktoum.
But it was the indomitable Nina Clarkin who captained her Dodson & Horrell team to victory. She scored twice in the opening minutes, despite unrelenting pressure from the superbly mounted Argentines — they had been lent horses by the Sheikha and Lucas Monteverde. The game alternated between flat-out and open, and shut-down and messy, but Dodson & Horrell retained their lead throughout.
Fernández-Araujo, aged 17, showed class, as did Cambiaso’s replacement Milly Sanchez, 18.
Things were closer in the last chukka, with two goals from Sanchez. Huge but hurried shots from UAE sent the ball out over the boards three times, and time finally ran out with the score at
5-4 to Dodson & Horrell.
“I was a bit nervous coming into this match,” said Nina, who won the Polo Quarterly horsemanship prize. “They play really well and are very good. I am going to cling on [to winning at this level] for as long as I can!”
Sanchez was awarded most valuable player, and FernándezAraujo’s ride Millie (owned by Maitha al Maktoum) won best playing pony.
This was a taste of the future, with young Argentines who are making waves in ladies’ polo.
None are even 20 years of age, but they are quick, brave and talented. Several have 10-goal fathers, which helps. England has been the world’s best female polo nation in for years, but it seems that this position will soon be challenged.
Ibiza won the 8-12 goal, beating Areda 6-4½.