Argentina, the world’s undisputed polo powerhouse, will return to Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in October to defend their crown against challenges from England, Hong Kong China and USA. The Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013, one of international polo’s most exciting tournaments, will take place from October 1st to 5th, 2013, at China’s Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. Hosted by the Federation of International Polo (FIP) and the Chinese Equestrian Association, this 24-goal handicap tournament is one of the highest-goal international tournaments in the world, making it a unique opportunity to observe some of the world’s finest polo players in action. The draw for this year’s tournament was conducted by Mr. Peter Abisheganaden from the FIP. The opening match on October 1st will see England take on the USA, with the second match on October 2nd contested between Hong Kong China and Argentina.
Team representative from England, Mr. Robert Derry was looking forward to an exciting tournament. “England has a proud polo tradition, but our first club was only established in the 1800s; 1,000 years earlier polo was being played in China. So to join these great polo nations here at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, and continue the legacy of polo in China, is an absolute honour.”
Mr. Wesley Ru from Team USA served as an FIP ambassador when the first modern competitive polo tournament took place in China just eight years ago. “So much has evolved since then, and keeps growing,” said Ru. “As a Chinese representing the USA I’m hugely proud to be here at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Club.”
The growth of the sport of polo in the Middle Kingdom owes a great deal to the work of the Chinese Equestrian Association. Mr. Li Nianxi, Secretary General of the Chinese Equestrian Association and distinguished opening speaker at the tournament press conference and draw, commented on the importance of the upcoming tournament for the development of polo in China. “International tournaments like the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013 will be milestones in the development of polo in China. The Chinese Equestrian Association hopes to be able to encourage the appreciation of equestrian sport among the Chinese people.”
Following the draw, Tournament Director Mr. Peter Abisheganaden was asked about his predictions for the Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup 2013: “I think every team has a chance. All the players are using horses that are from the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club that they will not be used to. There are very exciting player match-ups, featuring the very best teams in the world, this is the world’s highest ranking polo tournament played between countries, so one thing I can predict is the polo will be fantastic.”
Before the action gets underway in October, the final word goes to Mr Asad Jumabhoy, Council Member and Zone D Director of the FIP: “This tournament is proof of how the sport of polo can foster international friendships and build bridges around the world. We all share a belief in the potential of China as a centre of polo, and we look towards developing the sport here and realising the dream of having a China national polo team playing in future FIP tournaments.
In just two and a half years, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club has captured the world’s attention by hosting a range of prominent international polo events, earning itself a reputation as one of the top organisers of polo tournaments in Asia. China’s largest and most prestigious polo venue, it is set amid 222-acre of rolling estate and features two standard international polo fields, extensive training facilities and stables for over 200 horses, with polo ponies handpicked and imported from the best lines around the world.
The teams:
Argentina (+24)
Martin Pepa (+5)
Mariano Obregon (+7)
Michel Dorignac (+7)
Martin Donovan (+5)
England (+24)
Henry Fisher (+4)
Mark Tomlinson (+7)
Luke Tomlinson (+7)
Nacho Gonzalez (+6)
Hong Kong, China (+24)
Dirk Gould (+5)
Joao Ganon (+7)
John-Paul Clarkin (+8)
John Fisher (+4)
USA (+24)
Ulysses Escapite (+4)
Nic Roldan (+8)
Mike Azzaro (+8)
Tomas Collingwood (+4)
