The Argentine Polo Fields in Palermo hosted a series of matches last Thursday 19, for the Ciudad de Lobos Cup and its subsidiary Cups. One of them, the Salvador Maria Trophy, was won by El Remanso Lovelocks Polo Stud, after they defeated Araucaria El Martillo 10-9. The winning formation had Cruz Heguy, Thomas Severn, Charlie Hanbury and Oliver Cudmore. It was the last match before the start of the English season for the last two.
“This season was great, I love the short season here, it's great preparation for the English season. It's nice to try new horses and try to get organized for the big season," said Cop Hanbury to CLICKPOLO.
-What do you feel after having organized the 16 goal Easter Cup in your club and playing in Palermo?
"It's fantastic, it's great that the APP are now, well they always help Lobos a lot, but it's good to have a day when everyone from Lobos can come and see the big city.”
“We've invested in more horses as a group, I think we'll have a great season”
-What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
"We're looking forward to it, had a great year last year, with the semis at the Queen's and the final at the Gold Cup. Our aim is obviously to go one further and try and to win one of the tournaments, if not both. The other teams... there are a lot of new teams, they've all improved, changed formations and things. We've invested in more horses as a group, I think we'll have a great season."
-What was the repercussion of an All-English team making it to the finals of the Gold Cup?
It's fantastic, I think that it's one of the first times. There were six English on the field, on the day of the final, with the two boys from King Power. Every one of the locals got behind us, it was a great day, it was a shame we couldn't finish it, but maybe this year.
"It's great to have sponsors behind us"
-Did your success help in getting sponsors?
"Companies help us to consolidate. We've got Hurlingham 1875 helping us with the clothing, they’re a fantastic sponsor, it's looking very cool on the new kit; and we've got Furst Wallerstein which is a beer company from Germany that is looking into England a bit more and Flannels, which they do a lot with the England team; and Saracen Horse Feeds who obviously help to feed the horses. It'll obviously help, it's great to have such a good group of sponsors behind you."
-Are you going to be part of the British team that will play against the US in the Westchester Cup?
"I don't think so, I don't know. England's captain James Beim has just walked past. It would be very nice of him, but I don't think so. Hopefully the other three will be, Ollie Cudmore, James Harper and Beimy; it'll be nice to see them on the team together."
-Will you be playing in Argentina in October?
"October, I'll be here, still making plans at the moment, nothing is confirmed, Cámara de Diputados or other tournaments. We'll see what happens, but at the moment I don't have anything confirmed."