From 30 June – 2 July 2023 the Aston Martin München Polo Cup took place at La Tarde Polo Club in Thann, near Holzkirchen.This was the second year of this tournament, the first having taken place in 2022. Helena Schoeller and her husband, Juan Martin Sarli, the owners of the club organised the weekend together with Wolfgang Oswald from Aston Martin München. Over the weekend eight teams competed in twelve games, with participants from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
A total of 32 players took part, including 13 women and an impressive 140 horses. The Steigbügel München team were the winners of the tournament, with Philly & Phil coming in second and Aston Martin München in third place. The trophies were presented by Corenn Lange, Head of Q & Special Projects Europe & MENAT at Aston Martin. The team Käfer Gut Kaltenbrunn won the Silver Cup against the Beverly Hills Polo Club team. Patricio Gaynor Jr won MVP playing for the Steigbügel München team. At 14 years old he was the youngest player of the tournament. His horse Fantasma also won Best Playing Pony. Jan Zavazal commentated the tournament with great enthusiasm and did an excellent job in making guests feel that bit closer to the sport. The weekend offered Polo fans the unique opportunity to watch fantastic players and fast polo ponies in action in southern Germany. Around 500 guests attended the event, many of whom jumped at the opportunity to drive on to the field in the Aston Martins ((Aston Martin DBX, Aston Martin New Vantage Roadster F1 Edition und Aston Martin DB11) as part of the players presentation before each match. Among the guests were former FC Bayern trainer Julian Nagelsmann with girlfriend Lena Wurzenberger, Erich and Regine Sixt, Bernd Herzsprung (actor), Prince Georg-Victor zu Bentheim und Steinfurt with his wife Madeleine,Mike Kraus (Photo Artist) with wife Constanze and many other enthusiastic spectators.
The tournament was supported by the sponsors, Privatklinik Jägerwinkel with a Feel Good Lounge where guests could get free massages and advice. EVO ICL and Realeyes offered free eye tests followed by a consultation. Beverly Hills Polo Club perfumes presented their exclusive fragrance collections.
At KW-Bikes the guests of the Polo Tournament could test and ride electric bikes. At Bspoken, the male guests could order tailor-made suits and shirts. Tilma and Verili presented their handmade dresses from Mexico with matching jewelry for the female audience. At the Schmankerlstand of Käfer Gut Kaltenbrunn, visitors could enjoy delicious food and cold drinks.
La Tarde Polo Club aims to create the typical Argentinean polo atmosphere in Germany. If anyone would like to learn how to play “The Sport of Kings”, lessons can be arranged during the summer months. You don’t need your own horse for this as Helena Schoeller and Juan Martin Sarli have brought polo ponies from their breeding program in Argentina over which can be rented and are also for sale.
RANKING
Gold Cup
1. Steigbügel München
2. Philly & Phill
3. Aston Martin München
4. EVO ICL
Silver Cup
1. Käfer Gut Kaltenbrunn
2. Beverly Hills Polo Club
3. Berlinosos
4. Prisa Polo
Photos by VAF Photography & Michael Tinnefeld