HACKETT RUNDLE CUP DAY

The 2007 Hackett Rundle Cup Day at Tidworth Polo Club was yet another triumph for polo, spectators and organisers alike.

Thousands of people soaked up the unique atmosphere, with music from The Portsmouth Royal Marine Band, to witness two very exciting matches.

The ICOA Trophy, sponsored by BAE, was round two in the Chapple Cup series with the Eastern Circuit United States Polo Association side looking to level the scores having lost the opening game at RMA Sandhurst two days earlier.

This time six-goaler Nacho Figueras was in the starting line-up alongside John Muse, John Goodman and Juan Salinas-Bentley – and they were looking for revenge.

It was, however, the CSPA team of Lt Col Hunter, Capt Verdon, Maj Hayward and Gp Capt Brown who settled the quickest to turn early pressure in goals. They led comfortably until the third chukka when the American side began their fight-back – thanks mainly to Figueras.

He began to dominate this exciting whistle-free match with some brilliant play, and in the final chukka it was the ECUSPA side who stole the honours by just half a goal. The result set the stage for a momentous Chapple Cup decider at Guards Polo Club the following day.

In the Hackett Rundle Cup itself the Army and Royal Navy battled it out in a clash which produced a spectacle even better than the previous year. HRH Prince William lined up alongside Capt Hayman-Joyce, Capt Eyre-Brooks and Lt Col Stanhope-White for the Army against the Royal Navy's Cdre Mason, Lt Cdr Wilson, Cdr Lustman and Lt Cdr Cooke-Priest.

The Royal Navy did very well in the initial stages and in fact took an early lead which they doggedly held on to for as long as they could. But it was the Army pony power which won through in the end and the team in red ran out victors by five goals to three.

During the prize-giving, the PQ Saddle – awarded to a member of the Combined Services who has significantly contributed to the work of the CSPA – went to Gp Capt Tim Brown, chairman of RAF Polo.

Events at Tidworth had begun with the Jockeys versus Eventers clash in aid of the charity Inspire, and the crowds were also treated to a freefall parachute display.

For the Hackett Rundle Cup Day photo galleries click here