Tempus Autumn Nations Trophy comes to thrilling conclusion at Guards Polo Club
Jack Richardson on unbeatable form as Emlor C took the cup after battling Park Place to a 7-4 win
An exciting weekend at Guards Polo Club, Windsor, saw Emlor C take the Tempus Autumn Nations Trophy final 7-4 against rivals Park Place for the final 12-goal tournament of the season. With some of the most promising young polo stars including Jack Richardson and José Ramon Araya playing in the match, it was a fast-paced and thrilling spectacle for fans on the side-lines of the Queen’s Ground.
Polo club Emlor C – who last month won the Duke of Wellington cup – gained ground slowly through the match against Bentley Motors Royal Windsor and Land Rover Duke of Cornwall trophy winners Park Place. Patron Emma McCarthy was forced to bow out due to an injury sustained during a previous game, but she could be seen cheering on her team throughout.
McCarthy was replaced by young British player Will Harper joining Henry Fisher in defense, and the winning team also boasted two of the brightest young stars of the sport in Jack Richardson – the 25-year-old England player who became the youngest 6-goal player in the country and is currently ranked in the top four players in the UK – and 18-year-old Argentinian José Ramon Araya who was the top ranked amateur in the 2015 season.
Park Place – made up of businessman patron Andrey Borodin, English players Nicolas Roberts and Jack Hyde, and Argentinian star Juan Britos – gave Emlor C a run for their money, surging in the final chukka for a thrilling final play. However, they could not defeat their rivals, who each won £500 Ettinger vouchers in addition to their trophy, presented by Tempus owner Shaun Prince.
In addition to his great playing, Richardson also received the Tempus Best Playing Pony rug for his mount Lucky. Tempus also had a team taking part, playing in the first match of the day. In a close game on The Duke’s Ground they were beaten 8-7 by Thilo Sautter’s Leander team. The final of the tournament, which ran from 30 August until 17 September, also marks the last match before the prestigious polo club closes its doors for the winter.