Line-up to feature players from Argentina, Brazil and Chile
The South American team has been announced for The Royal Salute Coronation Cup on Saturday 25 July at Guards Polo Club. The visiting team will feature two Brazilians, an Argentine and a Chilean. The South American team is headed up by experienced International Test Match player Jaime Huidobro (8) of Chile, who will play alongside Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (9), Brazil’s highest rated player, Coronation Cup newcomers, Manuel Fernández Llorente (6) from Argentina and Brazilian José Klabin (4), President of the Confederação Brasileira de Polo.
Jaime Huidobro, who has represented Chile three times on this day and is his country’s highest rated player, has been quoted as saying, “It’s one of the best games you can play in the year and it will be nice to play in a team representing Chile, Argentina and Brazil and continue the tradition of this prestigious cup. It’s great that there is an event like this and it would be wonderful if other countries copied the Hurlingham Polo Association, both on and off the pitch. Polo needs more international days – we need to encourage these International Test Matches because they help polo grow.”
England is equally confident, as the HPA is fielding one of its strongest teams on this day. Playing in the No 1 shirt and leading the team will be England 7 goal Captain, and Polo Times July issue Guest Editor, James Beim. This is James’ first year as England Captain but he is no stranger to the big occasion, having represented his country on 8 previous occasions in The Coronation Cup. He has also added his name to the UK’s leading high goal tournaments.
Mark Tomlinson, who has been playing well in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup, will once again wear the No 2 shirt. Even though he is only 33, this will be his eleventh appearance for England in The Coronation Cup.
At No 3 Max Charlton on 7 goals will be making his first appearance in the England Coronation Cup team. Although the youngest player in the team, Max is one of England’s highest handicapped players and was recently named the Most Outstanding British Professional at the annual Polo Awards. He is equally skilled on snow, having won the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz for the past three years. On being selected, Max said “I was thrilled to be selected to play for England at Palermo in April and learnt a lot about playing at this level. I am obviously delighted to be chosen to play for England on Coronation Cup Day for the first time. My main aim is to get myself really well mounted for the match because the horses will be crucial; Sotogrande makes that difficult for many of us.”
At Back will be the experienced Luke Tomlinson on 7 goals, who first wore an England shirt in 2002. Luke has not only won every major UK polo tournament, but has an impressive overseas CV too, including playing in the world-class Argentine Open four times. However Luke secured his place in polo history by being the most successful England team Captain ever, heading up the England Polo Team from 2007 to 2014.
The Royal Salute Coronation Cup will take place at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park on Saturday 25 July 2015. Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to book your tickets to one of the most prestigious and spectacular days in the English sporting calendar please click here.
Royal Salute Coronation Cup Teams 2015
South America: José Klabin (4), Manuel Fernández Llorente (6), Rodrigo Andrade (9), Jaime Huidobro (8)
England: James Beim (7), Mark Tomlinson (6), Max Charlton (7), Luke Tomlinson (7)
England reserves: James Harper & The Earl of Tyrone
England Coach: Eduardo Heguy
Photograph: The Royal Salute Coronation Cup. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com
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