The Engel & Völkers Polo Cup took place on 1 Au-gust on Christian Völkers’ private finca estate “Son Coll” for the sixth time this year. More than 600 employees, business partners, friends and international guests from the worlds of politics, media, culture, business and sport accepted the invitation to the event, extended by the CEO and Founder of Engel & Völkers AG. Famous names on the guest list included Janine White, the artist Ingeborg Princess zu Schleswig-Holstein and her husband Nikolaus Broschek, Oliver and Dina von Boch, Maximilian Count and Nesrin Countess zu Königsegg, the Spanish super model Nieves Álvarez and Simoneta Gómez-Acebo, the cousin of the Spanish King Felipe VI.
The Engel & Völkers Polo Cup was held for the first time in the summer of 2009, and has since established itself as a highlight of the social calendar on the island. “The first Polo Cup six years ago was a relatively small-scale affair with 180 invited guests. I’m proud to see how the event is now gaining ever more prestige within the polo scene too, and how increasing numbers of people are discovering a new love for the sport as a result,” said Christian Völkers.
Renowned sponsors put forward top international teams
A total of six top-class teams of three players each competed against one another over the three-day tournament. The teams were put forward by the sponsors Bentley, Cartier, Vertu, La Martina, Forest Lakes, and Engel & Völkers. The top international players included Christopher Winter, Christopher Kirsch, Tim Ward as well as the brothers Eduardo and Santos Anca. The host Christian Völkers participated in the Engel & Völkers Team on all three match days. After the pre-rounds on Wednesday and Thursday, the semi-final and final were then held on Friday. More than 60 horses had been transported by ferry from the Spanish mainland to Mallorca for the tournament. Polo fans, celebrities and friends alike all attended the event in white, in accordance with the dress code.
Sporting rivalry set against a sensational backdrop
As in previous years, the tournament took place in glorious sunshine, with wonderful views overlooking the vineyards and the Mediterranean. Nobody on the sidelines could fail to be swept away by the thrill and excitement of the agile, Argentinean polo ponies and their accomplished riders as they galloped across the grass at up to 60 kilometres an hour. The historic property “Son Coll” formed a serene contrast to all this action. It is an incredibly idyllic setting in which the speed of the matches and the peacefulness and impact of an exceptional estate coalesce in perfect harmony. At the end of the sporting tournament, Ninon Völkers presented the winning team Engel & Völkers with the E&V Polo Cup Trophy.
Fundraising auction and silk scarves go towards the E&V Charity
Once again this year, the Polo Cup was held under the aegis of the Engel & Völkers Charity, founded in 2008, and carried the motto “It’s time to share”. A total of 45.000 Euros was raised for the E&V Charity from donations at the event. Among the auctioned prizes was a 12-day cruise on Hapag-Lloyd’s “MS Europa 2”. Another fundraising initiative for the Engel & Völkers Charity was the sale of silk scarves with a special E&V print. The motifs on the scarves, produced in a limited edition of just 350, are the work of the Mallorcan artist Jaume Vilardell. All proceeds will go directly to the E&V Charity’s own primary school project in Togo, one of the poorest countries in the world. These donations will contribute to the extension of the school grounds and to covering general running costs.
Spirited finale with an Argentinean asado and estate-grown wine
“Traditionally, the sporting aspect of the E&V Polo Cup has always been the main focus. But polo is more than just a sport. It doesn’t end with the final whistle. It is also intrinsically related to a sophisticated lifestyle and a love of life,” said Christian Völkers. After the sporting event, an asado – an Argentinean-style barbecue – was held in the gardens of the estate. The menu was created by the Michelin-starred chef Maca de Castro. Guests were treated to wine produced on the estate and South American specialities. They then danced to live music at a party that went on late into the night.
Ranking:
1st Engel & Völkers (+4)
Christian Völkers / Fabien Pictet (0)
Diego Leal (+1)
Christophe Kirsch (+3)
2nd Cartier (+4)
Carl-Eugen zu Oettingen-Wallerstein (0)
Alfonso Castillo (+1)
Christopher Winter (+3)
3rd La Martina (+6 / +5)
Yoanna Otto (-1)/ Rackham Schröder (-2)
Gustavo Velazquez (+1)
Eduardo Anca (+6)
3rd Forest Lakes (+4)
Daniel Crasemann (0)
Bernhard Schurzmann (0)
Tim Ward (+4)
4t Bentley (+4)
Bolko Kiessling (+1)
Conrad Kiessling (+1)
Jose Luis Baretto (+2)
5th Vertu (+5 / +4)
Valerie Crasemann (-1) / Christian Philipp Völkers (-2)
Alberto Comenge (0)
Santos Anca (+6)
