For the third successive year, British Polo Day Singapore adorned the lush colonial grounds for a day of modern polo and exceptional entertainment. The Singapore Polo Club hosted the equestrian event which presented three breathtaking polo matches and celebrated British heritage and luxury fashion.
Playing for the Hackett trophy, polo proceedings began with excellent play by both home team, Savills Singapore Polo Club I and Hackett London British Exiles. Singapore Polo Club I played instinctively to secure two goals on the board in the first chukka. British Exiles fought back, however in the final chukka were unable to close the gap and contain the free flowing Singapore Polo Club I, who settled the score by 6-1. The final result did not appropriately reflect the match as both teams played well above their handicaps.
The Land Rover Jubilee Cup was the main match of the day, with Johnnie Walker Blue Label Singapore Polo Club II’s Captain, Satinder Garcha setting a fast pace throughout the match. The Duxton Cambridge University team opened the scoring with some talented play by Jamie Hepburn, which remained at 1-0 until the second chukka. Diligent defending by Singapore Polo Club II ensured that the score was contained one a piece at half-time. Two breakaway goals from the lineout and a penalty conversion gave Singapore Polo Club II a 4-1 lead going in to the fourth and final chukka. The closing four minutes were deftly handled by the ever-present Satinder Garcha and Kumar Vinod – who played well above his 0 goal handicap. The excellent and exhilarating match ended with a score of 4-2 to the deserving Singapore Polo Club II.
Complementing the event was a Loud Auction which raised $17,300 for two worthy philanthropic organisations; WheelPower – the national registered charity for wheelchair sport and, the Equestrian Federation of Singapore – an institution committed to the welfare of horses, riders and the local community. An unrivalled afternoon brought a convivial atmosphere to the clubhouse veranda, with local and international VIP guests enjoying the free-flowing Taittinger Champagne reception, and savoring an exquisite lunch with wines selected by Justerini & Brooks. The event saw over 600 of Singapore’s elite, most fashionably dressed and impeccably groomed, partake in another spectacular British Polo Day.
Renowned personalities on the day included financial investor and author Jim Rogers with wife Paige Parker and, entrepreneur Phillip Lord with his wife Natalie, international journalist and writer, who, previously named ‘Best Dressed’ at the 2012 British Polo Day, presented the 2013 award to Luli Orchard from Condé Nast Tatler. Also gracing the field was high-profile business entrepreneur, amateur player and avid polo patron Satinder Garcha, owner of sponsor hotel The Duxton, and property-development company Elevation Developments.
The outstanding day of polo was followed by a highly anticipated fashion show curated by Gnossem, which showcased limited-edition pieces by international designers and captivated British Polo Day guests. The spirit continued into the evening with the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Bar stepping up a gear, and later with DJ “Randy Groover” back in charge once more, the evening ended at Ku Dé Ta’s stunning rooftop setting atop Marina Bay Sands. Proof, if any were needed, that there was still fuel in the tank for one last lap of the town.
On the return of British Polo Day to Singapore, His Excellency Anthony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to Singapore, said: “In a few short years British Polo Day has evolved into a fantastic platform for promoting some of the very best of Britain’s luxury brands. At the same time it celebrates the global reach of a sport that, for many, is uniquely associated with Britain and our heritage. British Polo Day itself, and the success it has achieved around the world, shows what hard work, vision, enterprise and drive can do and it was a pleasure to once again support their efforts here in Singapore”.
The day was made possible thanks to the generosity and support of the British Polo Day’s remarkable partners: Land Rover, Hackett, Savills, Charles Russell, The Duxton, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Charles Russell, Princess Yachts, The Grosvenor Stationary Company, Amouage, Abercrombie & Kent, Zaeem Jamal, Ettinger, 3rd Home, Justerini & Brookes, Bacchanalia, East Imperial, Sipsmith, Pendragon Productions, Billionaire and Taittinger.
British Polo Day is hosted in various locations around the world with the next destination being China on the 19th October, 2013 at the Beijing Sunny Times Polo Club.
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