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 15th 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 8th/9th
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.”
