The Westchester Cup will return home to England for 2023. James Beim (6), Max Charlton (6), Mark Tomlinson (6), and captain Tommy Beresford (7) proved uncatchable in an action-packed match at the National Polo Center, Florida, on 31 March 2023.
The teams were well-matched, both playing from a 25-goal handicap. After the first three chukkas it was neck-and-neck on the scoreboard with six goals apiece. The USA team of Matt Coppola (5), Nico Escobar (6), Jeffrey Hall (7), and Jared Zenni (7) have played together all season, but the England team stuck to their game plan. Playing a hit-and-run game from the start, they edged away in the fourth and fifth chukkas to an unshakable four-goal lead. A late goal from Jeffrey Hall in the final chukka was not enough to turn the tide of the game. England emerged the worthy 12-9 winners on the 20th running of this historic tournament.
In the first chukka, Mark Tomlinson opened the card with a nearside backshot beautifully set up by Max Charlton. Matt Coppola was quick to answer for the USA team and make it 1-1 on the board. The first chukka ended 2-2 after another incredible display of teamwork from Mark Tomlinson and Max Charlton. A late goal from Jared Zenni evened the score for the USA as the chukka ended.
The early chukkas saw the teams battle evenly, until a fantastic goal from James Beim gave a two-goal lead. The American team, not prepared to go down without a fight, scored another two goals to claw back to 6-6 at the half-way point. James Beim was clocking a record fourth appearance for England in a Westchester Cup match. ‘Beimy’ and his long-time teammate Mark Tomlinson arrived in Florida seeking a third win, having taken the Cup home in 2009 and 2013. These two hugely experienced players made a fantastic combination with returning victor Tommy Beresford and Westchester newcomer Max Charlton.
England were an unstoppable force as the pace increased in the second half, surging to a four-goal lead by the end of the fifth chukka.
In the lead up to the game, captain Tommy Beresford highlighted the difficulties of playing on unfamiliar ponies and on “enemy territory” as the team’s chief concern. With outstanding coaching from Hilario Ulloa and mindset support from Paul ‘Stalkie’ Stalker, the England quartet played with a confidence that belied these concerns. Making all the running in the sixth chukka, they maintained their four-goal lead until a goal by Jeffrey Hall in the final forty seconds gave the home fans something to celebrate at last. It was unfortunately too little, too late for the American side, who saw a devastating seven missed goals throughout the match. England finished the brilliant winners of this unmissable match on a final score of 12-9.
England captain Tommy Beresford, the youngest player in the game at just 26, was named Most Valuable Player despite his assertion that he “didn’t have [his] best game”. The scoreboard would beg to differ, with this 2023 result the second-largest winning margin since 1939. A margin topped only by England’s 12-6 victory in 2018 – when Tommy also played.
Best Playing Pony was awarded to MC Adele, played and owned by Matt Coppola. This fantastic mare also had two full brothers playing in this Westchester match; a true dynasty of superstars.
The HPA would like the thank the United States Polo Association, the National Polo Center, and all of the generous owners who lent their wonderful horses to the England team. The next England International match will see the England women’s team take on Australia in Sydney on 9 April – make sure you stay up to date with HPA news so you never miss a moment!
