Asia

The Asian Beach Polo Championship 2019 seeks to promote the games of kings and benefit society’s disadvantaged.

The Nabha Foundation under HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha was established on the belief that all people should have the opportunity to choose how they live, even if they did not choose society’s disadvantaged and prison inmates to help them start new lives.

​The foundation believes that everyone deserves a second chance. Hence it supports instruction courses in craftmanship as a way of helping inmates to create self-respect and a better way of living when they re-establish themselves in society. Many of the wonderful products on sale at the Asian Beach Polo event are made by beneficiaries of the NabhaFoundation.

​One of Hua Hin’s most enjoyable annual events, the tenth edition of the popular Asian Beach Polo Championship, take place on Saturday April 27 at on the beautiful stretch of white sand in front of the Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort. Polo played on sand offers a different challenge for players and is an exciting sporting occasion for spectators. The tournament is jointly organized by Thai Polo & Equestrian Club co-owners Harald Link and Nunthinee Tanner.

​The event starts at 12.30 p.m. with drinks, lunch and finger foods. Activities include an elaborate opening ceremony. Equestrian activities, fashion show on horseback featuring celebrities and modelling the latest summer collection from Santa Barbara and Misty Mynx, horse racing and the Beach Polo finals. Then at 6.30 pm. the dinner party with live music, shows and a charity auction will take place. The entire event is designed to raise funds for Princess Pa’s Nabha project. A 1,500 baht donation includes access to both daytime and evening activities. 

www.thai-polo-club.com 

E-mail : thaipoloclub@lbg.co.th

 

music: come inside – Snowflake / www.dig.ccmixter.org

Pictures: ©Dominic James

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For the 10th year, it is presented by Thai Polo Equestrian Club and the Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort, Thailand. The Beach Chukkas will be played against the beautiful backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand.

The program starts at 12:30 pm with welcome drinks and lunch. Equestrian activities, a fashion show on horseback and the famous local horse race will entertain the international public before the Beach Polo starts at 4 pm. The event will conclude with an elegant dinner party at the Intercontinental.

1,500 Thai Baht per person will be donated to the Nabha Foundation under H.R.H Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Team Thailand
Harald Link 0
Cliff Punyanitya -1
Worajit Wongkraso “Ead” 1

Team China
Justin Jin -1
David Ko 1
Diego Gomez 4

www.thai-polo-club.com

Fundraising for the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer

The equestrian range at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club was recently filled with good hearted people for the ‘Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2019’, women adventure polo racing and charity to donate to The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation, that aimed towards supporting women in their fight against Breast Cancer.

The Pink Polo 2019 was co-oranized by Dr.Harald Link President of B.Grimm Group and President of the Thailand Equestrian Federation (TEF), along with Nunthinee Tanner, Thailand’s first female polo player and initiator of the charity lady polo tournament, together with BMW Thailand and U.S. Polo Assn.

The Pink Polo marked the 11th year of women polo match in Thailand. It was a feast for the senses. Some famous faces and many good hearted people entered to access the exhilarating sport including H.E.Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Thailand, Ms.Siriyos Devahastin Na Ayudhya, Lee and Pattharapol Puengboonpra, M.L.Ubolwadee Jayankura, Luckana Champa, Vee Marr, Krisna and Krittaya Thiengtham,Tommy and Mira Kittichaiwong, Siriporn Panupong and many more.

For this year, in addition to the ladies polo competition, there was Vintage Flea Market; Lampang Horse Carriages; Fancy Dog fashion show by Yorkshire Terrier Club Thailand which led by Khun Perfume, the pet owned by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana; and Horseback fashion show by celebrities and youth horse riders that everyone was in fancy look, new design look and sport look support by U.S. Polo.

Then, the exciting opening match between the host Thai Polo Team and 1003 Polo Team from China began. The thrilling tournament was filled with joy amidst this paradise landscape. The match was four chukkas long. Finally, the final chukka, Thai Polo Team claimed the championship and won over 1003 Polo Team with scores 7-3. As an added attraction, the organizer presented the ‘Best Hat’ Award to Marie-Nicole Roy with the elegant hat and the ‘Best Dress’ Award to Angel Zhang. The day’s activities concluded with the glittering fireworks before meeting again next year!

POLO+10 LIVESTREAM of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018:
Watch here from 6pm (UAE time / 3pm Central European)

Dynamic kick off of the Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai – Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018, presented by Oriental Pearls.

Glamour, thrilling matches and excitement take center stage when the biggest beach polo tournament in the world kicked off yesterday evening under floodlight at Dubai Marina. The uniquely set up polo arena was extended this year with a huge public grandstand which offers the audience free entry to the polo action. The chukkas of the two days competition will be TV broadcasted in 77 countries.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd the beach polo matches with four teams and players from seven countries started after a glamorous red carpet reception with the dynmic encounter of Altaaqa Global and HILLS Advertising L.L.C, featuring team captain Tariq Albwardy, Sam Instone from the UK and Ramiro Cordero, newly based in the UAE as instructor at the Desert Palm Polo Club. After a 4-4 score at the end of the second chukka, HILLS Advertising L.L.C could take the lead and dominate the game against team captain Faris Al Yabhouni, Michael Nseir from Lebanon and Santiago Gomez Romero from then on. What a powerful drive! With a 12-5 final score, Tariq Albwardy’s team proofed their clear advantage and qualified for the final.

In the second match of the day team Tonino Lamborghini Residences with Rashid Albwardy (TC) Saoud Khoory and Maxi Malacalza from Argentina met team Lindt Chocolate. The „sweetest“ teamsponsor of the Beach Polo Cup 2018 presened the first ever female player in the tournament, Dr Sabine Schaffer from Austria, playing alongside her teammates Jan Bladen and Tomy Iriarte. With two goals apiece after the first chukka, team Tonino Lamborghini Residences broke the tie and got up to a cracking start in the second chukka. Though team Lindt did not give up the fight, Rashid Albwardy and his team remained in the driving seat and gained their ticket for the final with a 10-5 final score.

In the matchbreak the audience was surprised by sparky and powerful artistic horse actions in a spectacular lightshow. Gaby Katiela, Tournament Director of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai: „With the new grandstand and free entry we want to contribute to the public and demonstrate how pure and dynamic, fun and thrilling beach polo is. People cheered up and supported the teams and we invite everyboday to pass by and enjoy the finals today.“

Today, doors open at 5pm and polomatches start at 6pm. With their teams Tonino Lamborghini Residences and HILLS Advertising L.L.C, the two Albwardy brothers will meet in the final and play for the trophy. Before the big showdown, Lindt and Altaaqa Global will compete for the third place.

„We expect thrilling matches and an awesome After Party. Watch the Matches LIVE from 6 pm on TV or Livestream!“

www.beachpolocup.com

The Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018, presented by Oriental Pearls, starts on Wednesday evening with the glamorous Player’s Presentation at the Desert Palm Polo Club.

Then, on Thursday 13thand Friday 14thDecember, the following two action packed polo days with thrilling matches guarantee excitement at the stunning purpose built polo arena at the Skydive Dubai. The brothers Tariq and Rashid Albwardy from the Desert Palm Polo Club return as the 2017 title defenders. This year, they will compete in different teams for the coveted trophy. Three consecutive years, Tariq  Albwardy and his team made it to the very top of the podium. Next weekend, he will play for Team Hills Advertising L.L.C alongside Sam Instone from the UK, who is a very well known player in Dubai and the Argentinean Ramiro Cordero, new local instructor and professional 5-goaler at the Desert Palm Polo Club.

The captain of Team Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai, Rashid Albwardy, will of courseplay to win as well and to relegate his brother Tariq to second place. Together with Saoud Khoory (UAE), who starts in the Dubai Beach Polo Cup for the fourth time and Maxi Malacalza from Argentina, this young team has agreed to take on the big task to emerge victorious.

Also a well known face at the Beach Polo Cup in Dubai ist the UK based polo expert, player and commentator Jan-Erik Franck. He is already very much looking forward to the uniqie polo setting at the Dubai Marina: „Last year, tournament directors Gaby and Sam Katiela have once again raised the barr making the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 an exceptional and amazing experience. The atmosphere in the stands and the action on the field was electrifying and enjoyed by everyone. We are excited to get the 2018 matches started.“

This year, the programm of the 2018 polo spectacle will be extended by a holiday market which  offers a colourful choice of gifts, handcrafts and souvenirs. Gaby Katiela: „Tension is rising and we cannot wait to let the first bell start the polo action on Thurday evening under the arena’s floodlight. Many thanks to all our sponsors,partners and friends for supporting this event which we think is going to be a milestone in Dubai’s polo performance.“

The matches will be livestreamed on the Website
www.beachpolocup.com and www.poloplus10.com

 

 

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

Emirates Open Polo Cup International 18th Edition – returns with Half Million AED Prize Money.

The 18thEmirates Open Polo Championship International, one of the most highly anticipated events on the UAE Polo calendar, will held at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club (GRPC) from December 10thto 21st. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Founder and Chairman of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the prestigious tournament carries a rich purse of half a million AED in prize money.

This year’s renewal of the Emirates Open Polo Championship, a 14-handicap category event, will feature five teams – UAE Polo Team, Abu Dhabi Polo Team, Ghantoot Polo Team, Desert Palm Polo Team and Al Habtoor Polo Team.

Sheikh Falah, a keen polo enthusiast and doyen of the game himself, has given the Ghanoot Polo Team, a Royal seal of approval, and nominated Yousef Bin Dasmal as its skipper. “I believe that the 2018 Emirates Open Polo Championship will live up to all expectations and be just as exciting, if not more, than the previous tournaments,” said Sheikh Falah. “I wish all the teams the best of success and I’m sure we will witness some competitive and entertaining polo matches at Ghantoot. “I genuinely thank all our esteemed partners and sponsors, the club management, volunteers and fans for their continuous support of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, for without you we would not be able to host such prestigious events as the Emirates Open,” Sheikh Falah said.

Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Managing Director of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, added: “We are delighted to host the first major tournament of the season at Ghantoot. The Emirates Open is also a special event as it brings out the best in the players. “We look forward to watching some exciting and entertaining mates over the next two weeks here at Ghantoot,” he said. “The Emirates Open is a tournament with a rich history and has ceaselessly delivered the highest quality of polo and I’m sure that we can look forward to some very competitive matches. The standard of the sport is growing year by year in the UAE and this is very encouraging for club’s like ours to host a sport that is growing not just in terms of the players, but also the quality of polo horses. It all helps to raise the bar and ensure the successful growth of the sport in the UAE.”

Speaking at the official press conference ahead of the tournament, Jad Elias, Vice President Sales – Maserati, Al Tayer Motors, commented: “As the exclusive car sponsor of the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Premier Motors along with Maserati is pleased to be associated with the Emirates Open Polo Championship. “We eagerly look forward to the matches that will be held as part of the first competitive tournament of this season, which promises to close 2018 with an exciting sign-off.

“The 2019 Maserati Ghibli, Quattroporte and the Levante will be displayed at the event giving equestrian sport lovers a chance to take a closer look at the luxurious and sporty vehicles,” Elias added. Abu Dhabi Sports Council is Governing Partner and Premier Motors – Maserati, the Official Car.

Akram Kanso, General Manager Business Development, Sobha Realty said: ‘It’s an absolute pleasure for Sobha Realty to be part of Emirates Open Polo Championship which commences in the next few days. “We are the official partner for the Ghantoot Racing & Polo club and are very excited with this association. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is responsible for hosting some very coveted events throughout the year and The Emirates Open Polo Championship is regarded as one of the region’s most important polo events. “The event will create the opportunity to showcase the pinnacle of talent in the UAE and region and with the tournament gathering together professionals and amateurs alike to help surge the sport’s popularity.’  

Each year the Emirates Open Polo Championship attracts a host of high profile players, prominent guests, ambassadors, dignitaries and sponsors.

www.grpc.ae

TEAMS

UAE Polo Team
Shaikkha Maitha Binto Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Nacho Acuna 4
Tommy Panelo 4
Feck Potobsky 6

Abu Dhabi Polo Team
Faris Al Yabhouni 0
Santiago Gomez 4
Guy Gibrat 5
Hugo Barabucci 5

Ghantoot Polo Team
Yousef Bin Dasmal 1
Bautista Beguerie 4
Cesar Crespo 4
Martin Donovan 5

Al Habtooor Polo Team
Habtoor Al Habtoor 1
Tomas Iriarte 4
Justo Chitinio 3
Tomas Beresfor 6

Desert Palm Polo Team
Rashid Al Bawardi 2
Juan Pedro Marty Heguy 2
Maxi Malacalza 3
Ramiro Cordero 5

 

 

Team Thai Polo were magnificent winners of the 2018 RMPA International League, winning three of four league tournaments in Malaysia. It was Royal Pahang that had started the year brightly, winning the Thai Polo Open in Pattaya in January.  Thai Polo could only manage sixth place at their home tournament. 

Things were very different when Thai Polo came to Malaysia for the three Malaysian legs, the RSPC Open, RMPA Classic and RMPA International League Final. Led by Dato’ Harald Link, Thai Polo won all their 11 matches in Malaysia.  Thai Polo’s dominance of the Malaysian Triple Crown gave them their fifth consecutive league title, their eighth in thirteen attempts.

Not only did Thai Polo do it in style, they also did it sportingly. When La Sarita disputed a goal in the final of the RSPC Open, Thai Polo gave them a lesson in sportsmanship.  With less than two minutes to play in the match, and having just scored to take the lead in the game, Thai Polo heard the cries of La Sarita’s players that one of their players had had a fall but the game had not been stopped.  Thai Polo decided not to contest the throw-in after the goal, allowing La Sarita to walk it in to level the score again at 6-6. With less than a minute to go, the ball was thrown in. Raul Laplacette took it to goal, and won the game for Thai Polo.

Raul Laplacette was voted Most Valuable Player in each of the three Malaysian tournaments, earning himself another goal in Malaysia’s handicaps for next season.  He also top-scored in Malaysia, with 36 goals in 11 matches. 

Carlos Pando is the most successful player in the RMPA International League, having won it on eight occasions.   The 5-goaler is now based at the Singapore Polo Club when he is not playing for Thai Polo.

Juan Manuel Garcia Grossi was a revelation as a 1-goal player.  The handicappers raised him to 2T after the RSPC Open, but allowed Thai Polo to play on with the same team, giving away goals to their opposition.  It did not matter as Thai Polo made up for every handicap goal given away, winning every match they played.

Dato’ Harald Link was unable to play two league games this season. He gave his place, and an international league debut, to Ms Jennifer Too, who normally plays low goal polo with her own Windhorse team. 

Royal Pahang were gallant runners-up.  In addition to winning the Thai Polo Open, they were beaten finalists in the RMPA Classic and RMPA International League Final.  When the chips were down, Royal Pahang just could not match the uncanny partnership of Laplacette and Pando.

The RMPA’s International Polo League was a 12-goal league that consisted of four tournaments in 2018.  Participating teams in the league are awarded points for every game played in league tournaments, and for their finishing position in each tournament.  Started in 2005, the league has been run every year since.

The tournaments that made up the 2018 RMPA International League were:

  1. Thai Polo Open
  2. RSPC Open
  3. RMPA Classic
  4. RMPA International League Final

The RMPA International League reverts to a 14-goal level in 2019:

  1. Thai Polo Open 9 – 19 January
  2. Thai Polo Masters 24 January – 3 February
  3. Royal Pahang Classic 24 July – 3 August                    
  4. RMPA Classic 14 – 24 August
  5. RMPA International League Final 4 – 14 September

Photo: Shahrol Bahril Shamsudin/Killercamphoto Studio

www.thai-polo-club.com

Thai Polo wins RMPA Classic 2018 – the second Malaysian Leg of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA) International League 2018 at Royal Selangor Polo Club, Malaysia. The tournament saw four 13-goal teams in competition. Thai Polo could emerge victorious against Team Royal Pahang with 8 : 4,5.

The RMPA International League 2018 consists of the Thai Polo Open (won by Royal Pahang), the RSPC Open 2018 (won by Thai Polo), the RMPA Classic (won by Thai Polo) and the RMPA International League Final which will kick off this week on September 5th and will see five teams in participation. The tournament will be played at Taman Equestrian Putrajaya and Royal Selangor Polo Club.

Team Thai Polo
Harald Link 0 
Juan Manuel García Grossi 2
Carlos Pando 5
Rauli Laplacette 6

Team Royal Pahang
HRH Tengku Hassanal Shah 1
HH Tengku Amir Ibrahim 1
Tomasito Fernández Llorente 7
HH Tengku Shazril 3

Best Playing Pony: Mandinga, owned by Thai Polo and played by Raul Laplacette.
Most Valuable Player: Raul Laplacette

RMPA International League 2018 Standings:

Thai Polo, 39 points
Royal Pahang, 30 points
La Familia, 16 points
La Sarita, 13 points

www.thai-polo-club.com

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