Despite the threat of heavy rain in the morning, the sun came out to the delight of the crowd gathered to watch the Cowdray Gold Cup on Sunday, July 23. 

It was a tense polo match, but United Arab Emirates were victorious following a last-minute goal against Dubai.

There was action off the pitch too with food stalls, bars and a fun fair for children as well as a busy shopping village. 

Competitions also took place on the day including the U.S. Polo Association Longest Shot and an exhibition match of Roda Polo, which is polo played on e-wheels.

The winning UAE team was made up of Kayley Maria Smith, Tommy Beresford and Lukin Monteverde, for whom Sunday’s win was the first of their career. The nine-goal player Barto Castagnola, who has lifted the Gold Cup trophy once before, was the fourth member of the winning team. Kayley is only the second lady to lift the trophy in the history of the Gold Cup.

There was a lot of support in the crowd for Midhurst-based Tommy Beresford who has long standing connections with the Cowdray Gold Cup with his grandfather winning the coveted trophy and his father also playing in the tournament.