Dubai, led by Ali Albwardy, first claimed the Royal Windsor Cup in 1995. Thirty-one years later, his eldest son Tariq repeated the achievement, ensuring Dubai remains one of the few teams to have won the prestigious 15-goal tournament on multiple occasions.

Dubai controlled proceedings from the opening chukka and also benefited from a half-goal advantage after Green Gates fielded a 16-goal side. This followed Jake Coventry’s handicap increase after an impressive Queen’s Cup campaign.

Barto Castagnola, who was later named the DMMI Brexa Most Valuable Player, proved instrumental for Dubai, scoring the majority of his team’s goals. His partnership with Santos Merlos was particularly effective and by half-time Dubai held a comfortable 4.5-2 lead.

Green Gates, however, showed moments of brilliance. Coventry impressed throughout, while Noor Khadra did an excellent job of marking Castagnola despite the handicap difference between the players.

The contest remained alive as the teams returned to The Queen’s Ground. Ignacio Negri and Coventry combined well to reduce the deficit to 4.5-3, only for Castagnola to respond immediately with a clinical finish to restore Dubai’s advantage.

With the score at 5.5-3 heading into the fifth and final chukka, there was still hope for Green Gates. However, Castagnola opened the scoring with a successful penalty conversion before adding a superb field goal later in the period to further strengthen Dubai’s grip on the match. Negri converted a Penalty 3 to narrow the margin, but Green Gates were unable to mount a late comeback as Dubai secured the title.

Tournament sponsors David Matsumoto of DMMI Co Ltd and Dolph Westerbos, CEO of Brexa International, were joined by actor Hayley Atwell and legendary former sumo Yokozuna Hakuho for the prize presentation.

Tariq Albwardy collected the trophy on behalf of Dubai, while Castagnola’s 13-year-old black mare, Pacau Olivia, was named Best Playing Pony. Castagnola described her as his second-favourite horse on the finals pony list.he sub final was a more clear-cut affair. Jindal Steel/La Dolfina won this game 11-5. They defeated the super competitive The Mirror squad, last year’s Guards Polo Club Team of the Year, on The Duke’s Ground. Rufino Merlos was named the Most Valuable Player but Jindal Steel/La Dolfina team-mate Hazel Jackson also had a strong game in the number two shirt.  

After the polo had finished, the winners of the neighbouring British Driving Society Summer Show paraded on The Queen’s Ground. This wonderful display of equine elegance has been a popular element of this day for more than 50 years. The Knights of Middle England also brought their own horses to the Club at midday for a spectacular jousting display, another great example of the courage and athleticism of the horse.