June 8, 2022

Europe, Polo News

Final Preparations for Sandpolo’s 15th Anniversary

8. June 2022

Polo players and the Sandpolo event management team met at Sandbanks to put the finishing touches to this year’s British Beach Polo Championships. Team Whispering Angel (Chris Gregory, Adolfo Casabal & James Mann) and Team Singha (Garrie Renucci, Nik Rogerson, Ollie Cork) were able to test the sand and pony fitness on the beach as well as talk team tactics. This year the Championships otherwise known as Sandpolo, celebrates its 15th anniversary of hosting the spectacular VIP polo weekend on the golden beach of Sandbanks, Dorset.

Polo ponies race fliteboard on sandbanks beach in preparation for July weekend. © Sandpolo

Sandpolo attracts approx. 8000 people each year. The entertainment of the polo pitch is vital to its success with glamorous parties on both nights enjoyed by players and supporters alike. This year the soulful Friday party ‘Boogie on the Beach’ features legendary act ‘The Real Thing’ while Saturday’s closing party, ‘Encore’ welcomes a 14-piece Ibiza Classics Orchestra to the stage, Soul II Soul’s Jazzy B along with an array of DJ’s.

This year U.S. Polo Assn. returns as the official apparel partner. MOKE, Land Rover, Moët Chandon, Whispering Angel and Singha continue to provide invaluable marketing support and sponsorship. J. Michael Prince, President of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand said: “The UK has been one of U.S. Polo Assn.’s most loyal and fastest growing markets, and it’s great to be back supporting these exciting British Beach Polo Championships. Sandpolo is not only great fun, but it’s a wonderful way for us to expose new polo fans and consumers to the sport and our global brand.”

Sponsors Land Rover & Moke. © Sandpolo

Johnny Wheeler, Sandpolo founder says: “Being our 15^th Year at Sandbanks is evidence that a day on the beach watching polo with friends, family and colleagues and then dancing the night away is an incredible experience. The players, sponsors and supporters have made it a wonderful summer ‘go to’ event.’

Chris Hyde, the most highly decorated UK arena polo player said: ‘Having played at Sandbanks many times it is now a privilege to be returning as part of the commentary team. What a great event for polo’.

Sandpolo luxury – with the Sandpolo site in the background. © Sandpolo

Sandpolo is an enduring event that has enjoyed entertaining an enthusiastic and fun-loving audience. Blessed with a superb beach and surrounding area, a supportive council, loyal supporters and the most talented polo players, there is no reason why it should not continue for another 15 years.

Polo Times will be sponsoring the MVP award.

2022 Event Details:

This year Sandpolo is being held over the weekend of Friday and Saturday July 8^th/9^th

The thrilling Polo matches will take place on each day with international polo players taking to the sand to compete for the British Beach Polo championship trophy 2022.

FRIDAY 8TH JULY 2022
Boogie on the Beach

A day of Sandpolo followed by a night of Soul, Motown and Disco, featuring internationally acclaimed artists, on the UK’s most famous beach. Legendary act The Real Thing, famous for their 1976 smash hit ‘You To Me Are Everything’ will keep the party moving.

SATURDAY 9TH JULY 2022
Encore Beach Party

The final day of adrenaline fueled polo and parties at Sandbanks.The night is headlined by the 14-piece ‘Ibiza Classics Orchestra’, , with a rip-roaring orchestral show featuring the best Ibizan dance music from across the ages. The supporting cast sees DJ Jazzie B OBE, famous for being a founding member of British Soul legends, SOUL II SOUL. Expect back-to -back party hits, all night!

Global brand U.S. Polo Assn are to reunite with the event as Official Apparel Partner for the second year.

J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand said: “The U.K. has been one of U.S. Polo Assn.’s most loyal and fastest growing markets, and it’s great to be back supporting these exciting British Beach Polo Championships. Sandpolo is not only great fun, but it’s a wonderful way for us to expose new polo fans and consumers to the sport and our global brand.”

Europe, Polo News

All set for the 2022 POLO RIDER CUP

8. June 2022

The second edition of the POLO RIDER CUP, the ultimate polo club competition at the international level, kicks off tomorrow Wednesday 8th June at the Polo Club of Chantilly, north of Paris (France).

During the 10 days of this unique international competition, 14 international polo clubs representing 8 different nationalities will compete to lift the POLO RIDER CUP trophy at the final that will take place on Saturday 18th June.

Defending champion Polo Park Zürich (SUI), Hong Kong Polo Association (HKG), Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago (USA), Hamburger Polo Club (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz (SUI), Deauville International Polo Club (FRA), Polo Club of Chantilly (FRA) and Empire Polo Club of Coachella Valley (USA) will return to Chantilly, joining six newcomers to the POLO RIDER CUP: Araucaria Polo Club, Ellerstina Polo Club, and Coronel Suárez Polo Club (all three from ARG), Polo Club Niederweiden (AUT), Preußischer Polo & Country Club Berlin Brandenburg (GER), and BP Polo Malaysia (MAS).

Earlier in the morning, 14 players representing their respective teams attended a photo shoot at the magnificent premises of the Château de Chantilly, inside the West Nef of the Great Stables.

Polo fans worldwide can subscribe now to the POLORIDERCUP.TV and enjoy highlights, exclusive content and access live streaming to watch the Quarterfinals, Semi-finals and Finals. Subscribe now at poloridercup.tv

If you want to enjoy it at close range, a €10-day ticket is available and spectators can access to the village, with food-trucks, champagne bar, stands, merchandising and much more!

Enjoy a Polo VIP Experience during the POLO RIDER CUP at the hospitality located at the Orangerie, an exceptional venue in the heart of the main two polo fields in the Polo Club de Chantilly. All VIP Hospitality packages for all games can be booked at https://www.poloridercup.com/hospitality

The opening day of the 2022 POLO RIDER CUP tournament will witness the following games tomorrow: Araucaria Polo Club against Polo Club Niederweiden and later Hong Kong Polo against BP Polo Malaysia.

Fixture and Teams
Check results at http://chukkerapp.com/

The POLO RIDER CUP starts on Wednesday, June 8
2pm: Araucaria Polo Club vs. Polo Club Niederweiden
5pm: Hong Kong Polo vs. BP Polo Malaysia

© GUADALUPE AIZAGA

The second edition of the POLO RIDER CUP, the ultimate polo club competition at the international level, kicks off tomorrow Wednesday 8th June at the Polo Club of Chantilly, north…

Lifestyle, Polo News

BIANCHET Official Watch & Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP

8. June 2022

Bianchet, the luxury Swiss watch brand, will be the Official Watch and Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP, which will be held from 8 to 18 June 2022 at the Polo Club of Chantilly, north of Paris (France).

Bianchet watches create fine contemporary timepieces, entirely crafted and hand-finished in Switzerland. Blending Italian design and sense of elegance with the French art of fine living and attention to details, Bianchet watches embody a modern essence of lifestyle.

Rodolfo Festa Bianchet, CEO Bianchet, comments: “We are delighted to be the Official Watch & Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP and take part in this prestigious international tournament in Chantilly, which perfectly reflects our Bianchet brand values of sophisticated and sporty elegance.’’

Olivier Godallier, President & Co-Founder of GAME POLO, comments: “We are pleased to partner with Bianchet. The POLO RIDER CUP shares similar values with Bianchet: Both clients look for excellence and elegancy in all our products and services, looking for a unique and exclusive experience.’’

For more information, please contact GAME POLO at: neus@game-polo.com

Bianchet, the luxury Swiss watch brand, will be the Official Watch and Timing Partner of the POLO RIDER CUP, which will be held from 8 to 18 June 2022 at…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Finals Day 2

8. June 2022

La Magdeleine 11 – 8 Scone Polo Zacara
Park Place Vaara 11 – 9 King Power The Duke’s Ground

With two spots remaining for Wednesday’s Cartier Queen’s Cup semi-finals still up for grabs, an undefeated Scone Polo began Sunday’s action at Zacara against the 2-2 La Magdeleine. Alexandre Garese’s La Magdeleine struck first, blanking Scone Polo from the scoreboard while posting back-to-back goals from Min Podesta and Pablo MacDonough. Mounting a response for Scone Polo in the second chukka, goals from Adolfo Cambiaso Snr in the field and Poroto Cambiaso from the penalty line brought the match back level 2-2, only to be answered once more by MacDonough and Podesta. Scone Polo found themselves in a similar situation to the previous chukka and again relied on the Cambiaso duo. They contributed one more goal each, including a Penalty 1 for Adolfo to tie the match at 4-4 entering half-time. Creating some much-needed separation in the fourth chukka Ollie Cudmore initiated the scoring for La Magdeleine, to be followed by two goals from MacDonough from both the field and 30-yard line. La Magdeleine’s defence was an emerging storyline as Scone Polo would score just two goals from the field on 12 shots, putting immense pressure on Scone’s penalty taking to keep pace in the second half. Two crucial penalty conversions from the Cambiasos brought Scone Polo back to within two goals, but it was short-lived as La Magdeleine’s success in open play resulted in goals from Podesta and MacDonough to put La Magdeleine ahead 10-6. Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso made one last push for a final chukka comeback that included Adolfo’s third penalty conversion of the match but despite these efforts, Podesta’s fifth goal in one of his best performances of the season sealed an 11-8 victory and guaranteed La Magdeleine’s place in Wednesday’s semi-finals.

With one of Andrey Borodin’s Park Place teams already in the semis, his second team, Park Place Vaara were looking to claim the final spot in a match against King Power on The Duke’s Ground. Executing a flawless knock-in, King Power opened the scoring as Mackenzie Weisz fought off Hilario Ulloa to run the ball through the goal. Park Place Vaara responded with consecutive goals from Ulloa and Juan Britos to hold a narrow 2-1 lead. Returning to the King Power line-up for the first time in three games, Nico Pieres brought King Power back to even in a match that was continuing to go back and forth. James Harper kickstarted a run for King Power with consecutive goals in a fast-paced second chukka to inch King Power ahead by one. It was evident though that these two teams were closely matched as Park Place Vaara erased the deficit in the third chukka to tie the game at 6-all. After feeling unwell at the start of the fourth, Britos then stepped up for Park Place Vaara, firing through two goals, including a nice cut shot to hold a two-goal advantage. Their defence stood strong too, keeping King Power off the scoreboard. However, Park Place Vaara’s lead evaporated after Weisz impressively ran a throw-in straight to goal and Pieres successfully fought through multiple defenders as one chukka remained to determine the last semi-finalist. A missed Penalty 4 from King Power opened the door for Park Place Vaara, with Britos scoring from distance and then drawing a foul in front of goal to add a penalty conversion. With just three minutes left, King Power charged down the field but Park Place Vaara produced some strong defensive play, including a backhand from Santos Merlos off the goal line, to secure a hard-fought, 11-9 victory and claim the fourth and final spot for Wednesday’s semi-finals.

Wednesday’s Semifinal Fixtures

12:00 pm – Park Place vs Great Oaks LL at Guards Polo Club. The winner of this game will receive the Hubert Perrodo Trophy.
4:00 pm – La Magdeleine vs Park Place Vaara at Guards Polo Club. The winner of this game will receive the Kerry Packer Trophy.

All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package

Photos by IMAGES OF POLO

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La Magdeleine 11 – 8 Scone Polo Zacara Park Place Vaara 11 – 9 King Power The Duke’s Ground With two spots remaining for Wednesday’s Cartier Queen’s Cup semi-finals still…

Europe, Polo News

Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Finals Day 1

8. June 2022

Park Place 16 – 15 Dubai Polo Team Les Lions
Great Oaks LL 12 – 10 UAE Polo Team The Princes’ Ground for the Platinum Jubilee Trophy

Kicking-off today’s quarter-final action in the Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club was an undefeated Dubai Polo Team in action against a 2-2 Park Place team that only secured their place after a thrilling penalty shootout on Wednesday evening. This match quickly established itself as a high-scoring affair as these two teams traded goals to open the first chukka of play, with contributions from Park Place’s Francisco Elizalde and Facundo Pieres to be matched by Dubai Polo Team’s Camilo Castagnola on back-to-back drives from the field. Holding Dubai Polo Team to just one goal off the stick of Guillermo Terrera, Park Place’s high-octane, attacking play seized control of the second chukka to score five unanswered goals, including three from Pieres to secure an early four goal advantage. Despite a brief refuge from Park Place’s scoring onslaught from Castagnola at the penalty line, Park Place continued to apply pressure, with Andrey Borodin getting in on the action as another run of three goals gave Park Place a firm 10-5 lead at half-time. Regrouping in time for the fourth chukka, Dubai Polo Team emerged out of the break with a spectacular fourth chukka from Castagnola, who produced a five-goal individual run, taking advantage of Park Place’s foul troubles to score three of his five goals from the penalty line. Tied for the first time since the first chukka at 10-all, Castagnola continued his dominant play from the line with two more conversions, only to be matched once again by Elizalde and Pieres. These teams could not be more evenly matched, delivering an exhilarating quarter-final and entering the final chukka tied at 12-12. Both teams continued to score at an electric pace, with the battle continuing until the final bell. A Dubai Polo Team foul sent Pieres to the 40-yard line with a chance to win the game. Incredibly this penalty sailed wide with 20 seconds left. Overtime now seemed certain. A broken knock-in from Dubai Polo Team was jumped on by Park Place and Pieres was given a second opportunity to win the match. This time Pieres tapped through the penalty to confirm a 16-15 victory for Park Place and their ticket to the- semi-finals.

Turning to the Princes’ Ground for the second quarter-final, Great Oaks LL faced the reigning Queen’s Cup champions UAE Polo Team. Both teams came into this match with 3-1 records. Early goals from UAE Polo Team’s Tomas Beresford were equalled by a team effort from Great Oaks LL’s Cruz Heguy from the line and James Beim in the field in what was surely going to be close contest. Continuing to exchange goals, neither team could build a significant lead as Beresford’s four goals accounted for all of UAE Polo Team’s attacks on goal in the first half. However, it was a final conversion from Heguy on the 30-yard line that kept Great Oaks LL ahead 5-4 entering the half-time break. The back-and-forth match carried into the second half with UAE Polo Team striking first with Beresford delivering some strong, attacking play. Team-mate Bartolome Castagnola Jnr found his first goal of the match to bring the game even at 7-all. Castagnola stuck once more for UAE Polo Team in the fifth, but three fouls committed in the chukka allowed Heguy to convert twice more from the line and turn the momentum back in Great Oaks LL’s favour. Conceding seven penalty goals to Great Oaks LL on 13 fouls proved to be detrimental to UAE Polo Team’s title defence. Unable to score in the final chukka, UAE Polo Team conceded three more goals to Heguy as he finished with a game-high nine goals to secure the 12-10 victory and ensure a new champion will be crowned in the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final on Sunday 12 June. Dillon Bacon had to leave immediately after the game and so Great Oaks LL team-mate Juan Martin Nero stepped forward to receive the Platinum Jubilee Trophy, especially created by Guards Polo Club to honour HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which was being celebrated across the country this weekend.

Sunday’s Quarter-Final Fixtures

12:00 pm – Scone Polo vs La Magdeleine at Zacara
3:00 pm – King Power vs Park Place Vaara on The Duke’s Ground. The winner of this match will receive the Gerard Leigh Trophy

All games are being livestreamed by Guards TV in association with Polocam TV. Go to https://guards.polocam.tv/package