December 6, 2018

Asia, Polo News

The Beach Polo spectacle returns to the Dubai Marina

6. December 2018

A thrill of anticipation: The Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018, presented by Oriental Pearls, December 13th – 14th.

One of the most spectacular Polo Events in the world is coming up in Dubai on 13th and 14th December 2018. For more than a decade the Beach Polo Cup Dubai has been a part of the prestigious sporting events calendar in the region. Due to an immense transformation of the event and growth in the vibrant city of Dubai over time, tournament organisers Gaby and Sam Katiela have shifted the date to December last year. Now, the Beach Polo Cup in Dubai is constantly pushing the limits at the purpose built arena at Skydive Dubai.

Four polo teams featuring local as well as players from all over the world will compete for the Beach Polo Cup Trophy 2018. Fun thrilling and exciting polo matches capture the imagination of the enthusiastic audience and the elegant atmosphere in front of the stunning backdrop of Dubai’s skyscrapers creates a unique and unforgettable polo experience.

Last year’s winners Tariq and Rashid Albwardy from the Desert Palm Polo Club are competing against each other in different teams this year (Team Hills and the Title Sponsor Team Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai). The sons of Ali Albwardy have participated in the major polo tournament worldwide and are experienced and successful players since many years.

Team Lindt welcomes the first ever female player of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai, Dr. Sabine Schaffer from Austria. She plays together with Jan Bladen (Switzerland/England) and Argentinean Tomas Iriarte.
Team Altaaqa global is fearturing Faris Al Yabhouni, who is Emirati Owner & Patron of the Abu Dhabi Polo Team. He is this year’s “Newbie” to the Beach Polo Cup Dubai. Al Yabhouni is playing alongside his teammates Rashed Al Sayegh (UAE) and the 4-Goaler Santiago Gomez Romero from Argentina. “Santi” is returning to Dubai for the 7th year and will be a great tactical support for his team.

This year, the organisers surprise visitors and guests with a new idea. “We are delighted to announce the Beach Polo Cup Dubai will be hosting a Holiday Market for the first time. The market will offer fun and interesting trends, arts & crafts, jewelry, holiday gift ideas, toys, home decor, health & wellness products and of course anything related to horse and rider.” During the polo matches the half time shows will amaze the guests again as every year.

The Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018 will once again be held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. Beach Polo was played in 2004 for the first time ever on the sands of Dubai. “Beach Polo in a way changes the perception of traditional Polo as it is more relaxed and accessible to a huge audience and as well younger people. Beach Polo offers a modern take on an old and privileged social experience.”

www.beachpolocup.com
#bpcdxb

Teams: Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018, presented by Oriental Pearls

A thrill of anticipation: The Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018, presented by Oriental Pearls, December 13th – 14th. One of the most spectacular Polo Events in the world…

North America, Polo News

St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship

6. December 2018

A Who’s Who in polo will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 17-22 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Gonzalito Pieres and 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan head a star-studded field for three days of exciting polo action at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park.

MacDonough, currently competing in the Argentine Open with favorite La Dolfina, will make his Aspen snow polo debut with the Richard Mille Polo Team. Mille is the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo MacDonough for its Brand Ambassador.

Pieres, also competing in the Argentine Open with Ellerstina and brothers Facundo and Nico Pieres and cousin Polito Pieres, has played every major tournament in the world several times including the Argentine Open, British Open and U.S. Open. He was a member of the 2009 U.S. Open team with his brothers and Marc Ganzi.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada is a fourth generation player. He teamed with Melissa Ganzi and Juan Bollini to win back-to-back United States Arena Handicap tournament titles in 2017 and 2018 and was tournament MVP in 2017. He was MVP at the 2018 Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbuhel which his team won. He was also a member of the 2016 Flexjet team that won the St. Regis Snow World Polo title. Roldan is coming off the fall season in Argentina where he played for La Albertina Abu Dhabi. He is the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Open at age 15 in 1998 with Escue. The third generation polo player is one of America’s top players and has competed in most of the sport’s U.S. and international polo tournaments.

Last year’s champion U.S. Polo Assn. with Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini and Nic Roldan will return to defend its title. Ganzi is a member of Team USPA and Bollini is a Brand Ambassador for U.S. Polo Assn. and newly-minted U.S. citizen. It will be Bollini’s first tournament as an American citizen. In addition to being the title sponsor, St. Regis will return as a team sponsor with team captain Nacho Figueras, the sport’s ambassador and face of Ralph Lauren playing with his son Hilario and Julio Gracida, son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Memo Gracida.

In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen. With the breathtaking 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation with a membership increase of 75 percent over five seasons. Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi founded the club in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club’s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Gladiator Tuesdays and Asado, Kids Polo, The Polo School and Polo On Demand. All ages are welcome to enjoy polo at Aspen Valley Polo Club. Admission, food and refreshments are free for fans in a relaxed, laidback atmosphere.

By Sharon Robb

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

Teams St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, Aspen:

Richard Mille
Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough.

Flexjet

Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada.

St. Regis

Hilario Figueras, Julio Gracida, Nacho Figueras.

U.S. Polo Assn.
Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan.

Aspen Valley Polo Club
Sarah Magness, Jason Crowder, Jesse Bray.

Blade & Bow
Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Gonzalito Pieres.