Cowdray Gold Cup Final

Gold Cup Final 2023 at Cowdray Polo

I have never been to a Polo game before, the Gold Cup was my first and it was an awesome experience! The two teams that reached the final were the U.A.E and Dubai - the latter being undefeated going into the final.

From what I learnt speaking to fellow photographer Paul Grove and a few spectators, it was going to be quite the match up, with brothers Barto and Camilo Castagnola going against each other throughout. There was also a warm reception for the local Kayley Smith who replaced Sheika Maitha for the Gold Cup as the UAE's Patron due to injury.

The first half (broken down into three chukkas of 7 minutes) was very one sided with the UAE taking the lead throughout and Dubai just about scraping a goal back to bring it to a score of 5-4 to the UAE at half time.

The second half began as the first did with the UAE going ahead and then fifth chukka started to get a lot more heated with both teams scoring a few each leaving the score 10-8 to the UAE heading in to the final Chukka. Not much happened to begin with however Dubai gave it everything they had and brought the score level at 11-11 with the clock sinking below the final minute, but it was Lukin Monteverde with the last gasp goal to seal the UAE as the 2023 Gold Cup Winners!