England defeats USA in Westchester Cup
England was victorious in the battle for the Westchester Cup on Sunday (28 July).
The home side took on the USA at the Audi International Day at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park.
Skippered by Luke Tomlinson, the England team took the spoils winning 12-11.
In a match that went right down to the wire, it couldn’t have been scripted better as John-Paul Clarkin scored the winning goal — 2 minutes into the 7th chukka.
“That golden goal by John Paul had to be the game’s best goal,” said H&H columnist Luke Tomlinson.
England has now won the Anglo-American competition three times in a row. Overall the USA lead 10-7 in the Westchester Cup series that started in America in 1886.
Top names from the equestrian world and celebrities were out in force to watch the polo world’s oldest and most famous international trophy.
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Gold medal-winning dressage rider Laura Tomlinson was there supporting her husband, England player Mark, as well as former trainer Ian Balding, showjumper Mark Armstrong and eventer Jay Halim.
Meanwhile Les Miserables star Eddie Redmayne, as well as actors Billie Piper, Alice Eve, Laurence Fox, Naomie Harris, Zoe Saldana were among the famous faces sipping Champagne in the VIP area.
For a full report don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H — out tomorrow (Thursday 1 August).
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.