Ojo Caliente’s Cowdray Gold Cup debut delayed by England heatwave
Ana Escobedo was preparing for one of the biggest moments of her polo career this week – a debut in the British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup with her team Ojo Caliente. England’s unexpected heatwave forced a postponement, with tournament organizers delaying matches to protect horse welfare as temperatures soared.
“We were told on Monday, that because of the heatwave, there would be no games in the Gold Cup this week on Wednesday or Thursday,” said Ana. “The conditions for the horses were not good in the heat.”
The directive to suspend play during the heatwave – that has seen record-breaking temperatures across England this past week – came from the sport’s governing body, the Hurlingham Polo Association. Guidelines, echoed from other equestrian disciplines, dictate that when temperatures hit red weather warning levels above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit no play, be it practice or competition can take place. Most importantly, horses are not allowed to travel either unless there is a veterinary emergency. “It’s unfortunate,” Ana said of the delay, “but it’s the same for everyone.
Polo was not Ana’s first foray into equestrian sport. She grew up in Mexico – her family were heavily involved in show jumping and she pursued the same path. “I showjumped to a good level,” she said. “I competed quite intensely. But when I was 22, I thought I wouldn’t ever make the big jump to being a professional.” In 2005 she made a life-changing move to England to pursue a Master’s Degree and a career in the industrial sector. “I chose to study and pick up my independence from my family,” Ana said. “It was a tough decision, but that’s how I got out of show jumping.”
Giving up equestrian pursuits proved detrimental to Ana’s mental health. “It lasted two years without me riding, and then I got into a huge depression,” she said. “I decided, okay, I cannot pretend that I cannot ride. It was not working.”
The solution came unexpectedly through a friend who suggested she try polo as a social weekend activity rather than a serious sporting pursuit. “She said, ‘Do the polo for the weekend. You will enjoy it. You will meet people. It will be more social. You’re not going to be so into it that it will affect your career,’” Ana said.
Polo turned out to be far more than a sideline hobby. “I never intended to get where I am today. It was literally just the weekend,” she said. Ana’s polo journey began in 2008 and she progressed through the ranks of low goal polo to the high goal stage, while balancing a high-powered career in the industrial sector. “I have a very demanding job. I don’t know how it happened, to be honest,” she said. “I never thought it would work – but I made it work.”
This is Ana and Ojo Caliente’s second year in the high goal in England, but the first time competing in one of the world’s most important polo tournaments for the Cowdray Gold Cup. Ojo Caliente lining up Ana, Martin Podesta, Captain Facundo Sola and Alfredo Cappella, were due to face Dubai – one of 19 teams in contention – in the opening match, which has now been postponed.
Matches are underway in the Cowdray Gold Cup with finals slated for July 19th. The European heatwave is still a factor and there is the proviso on the Cowdray Park web site that ‘All matches are subject to last minute cancellation’. Ojo Caliente makes its debut against Shoreline on June 30 and will meet Dubai three days later. “Dubai has incredible players,” said Ana, having narrowly lost to them in the recent Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club. “We’re looking forward to that one. But you can’t think too far ahead. The minute you start planning the second game, you’ve lost.”
This could be interesting: