Although Anna did score in the game, the team was sadly beaten 10-5 by Jamjars Polo Team – but Emita did have excuses for the loss, not least of which was that Heloise Wilson Smith, team captain and their highest ranked player, was unable to take part in the game.
Rosie Ross rode as substitute. “Rosie is a good player and did her best at short notice, but inevitably riding with a different player changes the team dynamic and gave our opponents an advantage,” reflected Anna after the match.
Heloise is expected to back in time for the next game.
In this match, the opponents in question did not need much of an excuse anyway. The Jamjars team is higher ranked than Emita because it features two of the world’s best female players, nine goal ranked Milly Hine and eight goal player Mia Cambiaso. Mia is the daughter of polo living legend Adolfo Cambiaso, currently regarded as one of the best players ever, and her brother is Poroto, who is, according to polo afficionados, going to be even better than his father! Consequently, Mia is very well mounted and a significant opponent for anyone.
“For this tournament I was riding Kristina Karailieva’s ponies which I was very excited about because she has a beautiful string of polo ponies,” said Anna. “I had done a few practices on them, which was nice to get to know them a little more and I was feeling confident going into our first game, knowing I would be well mounted, especially against such a strong team. I felt prepared and ready to make our debut in British Ladies Open and was very grateful for the amazing opportunity. I am disappointed we did not win but I feel we did our best and playing against a team featuring Mia and Milly was a terrific learning experience, which we will only make us stronger for our next match of the tournament. This game was the toughest, but the best match I have played in.”
Team Emita play their next round of the competition on Monday 14 July, when their opponents will be the UAE Polo Team whose back player is ten-goal Hazel Jackson, so another fierce player for Anna to meet in open competition.
Anna is protected by KEP Italia helmets.
BRITISH LADIES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAMS
Jamjars Polo Team: Emita Polo:
1 Alyaa Jamaludin 0 1 Anna Dowling 4
2 Mia Cambiaso 8 2 Tamara Fox 6
3 Juana Lavinia 5 3 Emma Wood 5
BK Milly Hine 9 BK Rosie Ross 6
Total: 22 Total: 22
King Power: UAE Polo Team
1 Ploy Bhinsaeng 1 1 H.H. Sheikha Maitha 3
2 Catalina Lavinia 7 2 Ashley Gleenie 3
3 Lia Salvo 8 3 Micaela Saracco 6
BK Sarah Wiseman 6 BK Hazel Jackson 10
Total: 22 Total: 22
La Rosada:
1 Sam Buckles 3
2 Emma Sanderson 4
3 Nina Clarkin 10
BK Stephanie Haverhals 5
Total: 22
BRITISH LADIES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – FIXTURES
Monday July 7: Jamjars vs. Emita (10 : 5)
Thursday July 10: Jamjars vs. King Power and UAE vs. La Rosada
Monday July 14: UAE vs. Emita and King Power vs. La Rosada
Thursday July 17: SEMIFINALS
Saturday July 19: FINAL
Source: Showjumpinfo press release
