Why the UK Season Matters in the Polo World
While polo in the United States is still in full swing, England is already preparing for one of the most competitive and defining seasons in the international calendar. With just weeks to go before the first throw-in, teams are confirmed, line-ups are set, and the focus begins to shift from Wellington to the UK.
For La Natividad and for players like Camilo Castagnola, Barto Castagnola and Lolo Castagnola, this transition marks the next stage of the season. Different conditions, new teams and one of the most demanding environments in world polo.
The next chapter after Wellington
The UK season arrives at a key moment. It connects the end of the US tournaments with the build-up toward the Argentine spring, creating a continuous rhythm across continents. Players move directly from Florida to England, often with very little time to reset.
At the same time, the level does not drop. If anything, it intensifies. England hosts some of the most competitive tournaments outside Argentina, with the 22-goal Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club and the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup standing at the center of the season.
This is where teams are tested again, under different conditions and against equally strong opposition.
The tournaments that define the season
The UK calendar is dense, structured and highly competitive across multiple levels.
At 22-goal level, the main tournaments include:
• Trippetts Challenge (Cowdray Park Polo Club)
• Prince of Wales Trophy (Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club)
• The Queen’s Cup (Guards Polo Club)
• Warwickshire Cup (Cirencester Park Polo Club)
• British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup (Cowdray Park Polo Club)
Alongside these, the 18-goal and 15-goal circuits continue to build depth across the season, while ladies tournaments bring additional high-level competition throughout the summer.
This structure is what makes England unique. It is not just one event, but a full calendar that keeps the level consistently high.
Confirmed teams and key players
As the season approaches, teams have already confirmed their line-ups, bringing together a mix of experienced players and new combinations.
Among them, two teams featuring La Natividad players stand out:
DUBAI (Queen’s Cup / Gold Cup)
Tariq Albwardy (0)
Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. (9)
Santos Merlos (6)
Antonio Heguy (7)
BALANZ CAPITAL (Queen’s Cup) / LA HECHICERA (Gold Cup)
Claudio Porcel / Pablo Galante (0)
Camilo Castagnola (10)
Ned Hine (5)
Lorenzo Chavanne (7)
These line-ups reflect the level of the UK season, where players like Camilo and Barto Castagnola continue to compete at the highest level, alongside strong international teammates.
For La Natividad, this presence reinforces the continuity of the team across the global circuit.
Playing in England
The UK season is not only defined by its tournaments, but also by its conditions. The fields, the weather and the pace of the game all differ from Wellington and Argentina.
The ground is often heavier, the weather less predictable, and matches require a different kind of control. The ball moves differently, the horses respond differently, and teams have to adjust quickly.
For players used to competing across continents, adaptation is part of the job. But in England, that ability becomes even more visible.
A meeting point for the polo world
Beyond competition, the UK season brings together the international polo community. Players, patrons and teams converge across clubs like Guards, Cowdray, Cirencester and Berkshire, creating an environment that extends beyond the matches.
It is where relationships are built, teams evolve and the direction of the season takes shape.
For La Natividad, it is another key moment to remain present within that global structure.
Building toward what comes next
The UK season does not stand alone. It feeds directly into the next stage of the calendar. Performances in England often carry into Argentina, where the level reaches its peak during the Triple Crown.
For players like Camilo Castagnola and Barto Castagnola, the season is continuous. Each tournament is part of a bigger picture, where consistency across countries defines the level of performance.
A season that sets the tone
In world polo, the UK season holds a unique position. It sits between two major circuits, demands constant adaptation, and gathers some of the best players in the sport.
As England prepares to begin, the next chapter is already underway.
