La Indiana triumphs in Cartier Queen’s Cup Semis against King Power Foxes

New team La Indiana takes win over undefeated team King Power Foxes and goes on to the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final on Saturday.

Teams lined up and entering the field

Yesterday was a day of surprises, from the weather changing every 5 minutes to the result of the second semifinal match played at Guards Polo Club. Anyone who has been following La Indiana, the new team in the Cartier Queen’s Cup, could see that they have the horse power and skills and they work great as a team, but winning over the champions King Power Foxes in the Semifinals, did surpass most people’s expectations.

La Indiana:

• Michael Bickford 1
• Nicolas Roldan 7
• Agustin (Tincho) Merlos 8
• Julian (Negro) De Lusarreta 6

King Power Foxes:

• Aiyawatt (Top) Srivaddhanaprabha 1
• Gonzalito Pieres 10
• Facundo Pieres 10
• Jose Ramon Araya 1

I have been friends with Michael since 2010 and have watched him play polo in Pilar, Sotogrande and in England several times, but yesterday was extra special and naturally I was rooting for his team La Indiana.

Before the match I talked to Michael and Nic and when I asked them about butterflies in their stomachs they were very calm and collected. Nic said: “It’s just another team and another polo match. We play together as a team and do our best.” and Michael agreed saying: “It’s amazing to be here and all I can ask for is that we play our game and do the best we can do.” Well they sure did that and it paid off.

Shh. Don’t tell them our secret. Michael and Tincho

On the sidelines (and behind the goal posts where I was standing) we were all in nerve-wracking anticipation as this incredible match unfolded, especially the last chukker! The first chukker saw the Pieres brothers score four goals and make it look like this would be like any other of their matches were they trample on their opponents. But no! La Indiana regrouped and took control in the second chukker, not letting King Power score a single goal, whilst Nic and Tincho scored one after the other. By half time La Indiana was ahead by two points.

Nic Roldan keeping his focus during half time

Tincho about to score a penalty shot

Facundo Pieres taking some control in the third chukker

The second half of the game was tight, with King Power Foxes powering ahead in the 4th chukker, leading with 1 point at 9-8. But the boys in white were not having it and didn’t let a single blue goal through in the 5th and scoring several themselves, starting the 6th and final chukker with a 12-9 lead.

The downpour was not going to stop these guys

Gonzalito showed his full 10-goal powers and converted 2 goals with ease and team patron Top scored a goal (almost knocking down a few photographers) and it was 12 all. With only seconds left on the clock La Indiana received a penalty, which Tincho converted beautifully to a 13-12 win, taking his team on to the most prestigious of finals. The entire camp was overjoyed and jumping in celebration.

Winners

Family makes winning even sweeter.

Congratulations Michael! So great to watch you win!!

King Power Foxes won the Cartier Queen’s Cup 2015 over Dubai. Polo fans were expecting to see a do-over, as Dubai secured their spot in this year’s final by squashing their opponent Zacara in the semifinal match earlier that day.

The final against Dubai will be a tough match for the La Indiana guys, but with a bit of luck we can hope for the best. Michael said with a grin in an interview with PoloLine: “The good thing is, even if you lose, you still get to meet The Queen.” and the most important thing seems to be focus, as Michael tells Carolina Beresford in this interview:

Well it is safe to say that we are all very excited for this coming Saturday! Make sure to follow along on Snapchat: PoloPeoplePlace (no s at the end) and on Instagram.