The third annual Veuve Clicquot Masters polo tournament took place this past Saturday, 23 February 2013 and proved, once again, to be one of the most sophisticated events on the South African social calendar. The prestigious Champagne House sponsors some of the world’s leading polo events such as the Manhattan Classic, the LA Polo Classic and the UK’s Gold Cup and the Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town, is their first and only on the African continent. Enjoying near perfect weather on the day, crowds were entertained by musical act Magic Carpet Ride, a striking fashion show by Jenni Button Couture and Hilton Weiner and impromptu games of table tennis and pétanque on the grass.
Best Dressed competition judges Warrick Gautier, Creative Director for Jenni Button, celebrity reporter Jen Su, and representatives from Grazia magazine and BlackBerry awarded the best dressed prizes to Greta Scholtz (Best Dressed Female, dressed by Gavin Rajah) Matt Gerstner (Best Dressed Male) and Elrico Bellingan and Ritza van Rensburg (dressed by Ricci Janse van Rensburg), who won Best Dressed Couple on the day.
Some of the celebrity guests in the Veuve Clicquot VIP Lounge this year included Jeannie D, Jen Su, Bjorn Steinbach, Natalie Becker, Liezel van der Westhuizen, Tanya van Graan, Lee-Ann Williams, Mathew and Sonia Booth, Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon, and MC for the day, Top Billing presenter, Simba Mhere.
The 2013 Veuve Clicquot Masters also attracted sponsorships by some of the world’s top brands, such as Bentley Motors, who was the official automobile partner for the event, BlackBerry, the official technology partner and Elizabeth Arden, the official beauty partner, who created a Pamper Lounge for all female guests to enjoy. Media partners include a broadcast partnership with SABC 3 and Grazia as the magazine partner. Other significant brand partners on the day included Jenni Button and Hilton Weiner, who put on a showstopper of a fashion show, Haagen Dasz, The Taj Hotel, Avantgarde, and Mango Airlines as the official airline partner for this year’s event.
With international commentator, Jamie Hayward, providing up to the minute play, the nail biting game will certainly become the stuff of local legend with Team Val de Vie beating out the crowd favourites Team Veuve Clicquot by 5 goals to 4 in the end.
The Veuve Clicquot Masters was a day not to be missed, and the 2014 event has already been diarized for Saturday the 1st of March 2014.
The Standings:
1. Val de Vie (+7)
Martin Hartman (0)
Louw Schabort (+1)
Aki van Andel (+3)
Johan du Preez (+3)
2. Veuve Clicquot (+7)
Charl du Plessis (+2)
Rupert Hackwil (0)
Johan du Plooy (+2)
Adamu Atta (+3)
Gallery:
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