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England- Coronation Cup 2012

guards_polo_club.jpgSouth Africa makes a welcome return to the Coronation Cup
The Hurlingham Polo Association´s International Polo Day, Sunday 22 July 2012

The Hurlingham Polo Association is delighted to announce 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.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Guards Polo Club is situated in the heart of Windsor Great Park. Europe’s leading polo club, it boasts 10 grounds, two Royal Boxes and an elegant Clubhouse, which was opened by HM The Queen in 2009. The Club was founded by HRH Prince Philip in 1955 and he remains President of the Guards Polo Club to this day, taking an active interest in all events at the Club. Guards Polo Club hosts more than 400 matches throughout the season, which runs from late April to mid September. Tournaments include several prestigious competitions, including the high-goal Cartier Queen’s Cup, The Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup, Jack Wills Varsity Day, Ganjam Jaipur Trophy Day, The Pommery Archie David Cup and the Laureus Polo Day.

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) is the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland and many other countries throughout the world. As such, it is responsible for the regulations and rules under which the game is played. This includes the handicapping of any one playing in the UK or Ireland, and the fixtures list. The object of the HPA is to further the interests of polo generally and support by all possible means the common interests of its affiliated clubs and associations.

  • For information on the HPA’s International Polo Day please contact Diana Butler in the Club’s Press Office on 07876 452170 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The Ticket Office will open on 1 April 2012, tel: 01784 437797. Tickets can also be purchased on line after that date at www.guardspoloclub.com
  • For information on the Hurlingham Polo Association please go to www.hpa-polo.co.uk
  • To book Keith Prowse hospitality please go to www.keithprowse.co.uk
  • To book hospitality or evening tickets to the Chinawhite marquee please go to www.chinawhite.com/polo