Anniversary

Final Preparations for Sandpolo’s 15th Anniversary
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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.”

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…
Oak Brook Polo Club Announces 2022 Summer Schedule, New Field Location, and Centennial Season
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OAK BROOK, IL (May 16, 2022) – It’s a year of celebration for the Oak Brook Polo Club (OBPC) who is proud to announce its 2022 summer schedule, a new field location, the launch of ticket sales on June 1st and the club’s 100th Anniversary! The Cecil Smith Field will mark Oak Brook’s centennial season of polo in addition to being one of the nation’s oldest polo clubs in operation today and the fourth oldest sports property in Chicago.  On select Sundays, from June 26th –September 25th, fans can expect to experience adrenaline-fueled matches between some of the sport’s top players from local neighboring teams as well as from abroad.
 
Located at Butler National Golf Club’s practice golf range (at 700 Oak Brook Road), the Cecil Smith Field is widely known in the sport of polo as an historic and beautiful space located just 17 miles from downtown Chicago.  It was referred to as a “masterpiece” by Oak Brook Polo founder and visionary Paul Butler in a 1962 Sports Illustrated article and embodies the Village of Oak Brook’s long and storied advocacy for sport and outdoor recreation, while being one of the nation’s best residential, commercial and entertainment destinations. 
 
“Oak Brook Polo is undeniably the best secret of Chicago’s western suburbs and the Churchill Downs of polo,” explains Jim Drury, President of the Oak Brook Polo Club. “Oak Brook Polo gives people the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while watching a thrilling sport with friends and family. We are excited to continue to offer spectators a safe and fun activity.  It is our mission to make our matches accessible, affordable, and memorable for everyone who attends, and to reestablish Oak Brook as Chicago’s home for the sport of polo.”
 
Oak Brook Polo was privatized from the Village of Oak Brook in 2016 and is led and supported by Drury whose passion and ongoing commitment to polo is what’s kept the sport alive in Chicagoland for so long.  With many iterations over the years, the first season dates back to 1922 when Butler first established the Oak Brook Polo Club.  He expanded his polo operation to fourteen fields, plus built the necessary horse stables to serve visiting teams. Eventually, Oak Brook became one of the “polo capitals” of the world with Butler’s son – famed producer Michael Butler, and daughter -philanthropist Jorie Butler Kent, acting as the club’s stewards throughout the years.  The summer polo seasons were not only the stomping ground for celebrities and notables alike for decades but also the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts. Oak Brook was often referred to as “the town that polo built.”
 
Oak Brook’s team, led by Drury (position #4, handicap A) includes Tommy Colingwoode (position #3, handicap-5), Horacio Onetto (position #2, handicap-4), and Herdon Radcliff(position #1, handicap-3).
Oak Brook Polo’s 2022 summer schedule includes the following dates:
  • Sunday, June 26th – Centennial Challenge (Season Opener)
  • Sunday, July 17th – Chicago Polo Invitational (Intra Circuit Cup)
  • Sunday, July 24th – General George S. Patton Jr. Cup
  • Sunday, July 31st – General George S. Patton Jr. Cup Championship
  • Sunday, August 14th – Midwest $50,000 Midwest Cup
  • Sunday, August 21st – Oak Brook Polo Open*
  • Sunday, August 28th – Oak Brook Polo Open*
  • Sunday, September 11th – Butler Challenge/Coronation Cup
  • Sunday, September 18th – Butler International Cup
  • Sunday, September 25th – Butler International Cup Championship
*matches and tournament names are subject to change
New and returning sponsors include U.S. Polo Assn., Heineken, Beyond Shades, NeverAsh, Continental AutoSports, Northern Trust, One Oak Brook Commons, Hilton Chicago | Oak Brook Hills Resort, Tapville Social, Boodles Gin, and 1800 Tequila. Matches will include team “meet and greets,” team parade with introduction, National Anthem singer, and contests for both “best tailgate” and “best hat.”  In addition, Oak Brook Polo Club will host a Centennial Celebration Gala on Friday, September 23, 2022, at Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort.
“Jim Drury (Pineoak Partners) have done a tremendous job preserving the legacy of polo in Oak Brook,” explains Gopal Lalmalani, Village of Oak Brook President.   “Polo is such significant part of our history, and we are very excited to be celebrating 100 years of this illustrious sport in our Village. I would like to personally invite everyone to experience the grandeur and excitement of Polo in Oak Brook during this commemorative season!”
Oak Brook Polo Club ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, June 1st and will include a variety of ticket options starting at $15/pp and include lawn seating; tailgating, VIP Saddle Club (elevated), and reserved field-side tables for 4 to 6 people.   For groups of 20 or more, the Club offers small and large private field-side tented areas ideal for large families, corporate outings, birthday parties and other special events.  For more information, including sponsorships, please visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 847.653. 6242 for details and availability. Ticket prices for special events may differ from traditional pricing.  Subscribe to the e-bulletin for season updates and announcements or follow at Facebook -@oakbrookpoloclub or Instagram – @oakbrookpolo. 
About Oak Brook Polo Club
Founded in 1922 by legendary businessman, Paul Butler, the Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport’s epicenter for elite professional polo in the United States and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and social scene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty, and Chicago’s distinguished. Today, Oak Brook Polo Club hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majesty of this timeless sport.
 
OAK BROOK, IL (May 16, 2022) – It’s a year of celebration for the Oak Brook Polo Club (OBPC) who is proud to announce its 2022 summer schedule, a new field…
100th Anniversary Oak Brook Polo Club
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The year 2022 marks the 100th Anniversary since the Oak Brook Polo Club was founded in 1922 by businessman and outdoor enthusiast, Paul Butler.

The year 2022 marks the 100th Anniversary since the Oak Brook Polo Club was founded in 1922 by businessman and outdoor enthusiast, Paul Butler. The Polo Club is one of the oldest in the United States that is still in operation today and one of the most legendary and recognized throughout the global polo playing community. 

Paul Butler, consider by many as the Patron Saint of Polo, turned the Oak Brook Polo Club into the home of elite professional polo following World War II. It would soon become the home of the U.S. Open Polo Championships for 24 straight years (longest in one location) and other prestigious tournaments. The United States Polo Association also had its headquarters in Oak Brook.

Oak Brook Polo organizers are working on a number of projects to celebrate this historic occasion from special events to further developing its event and tournament schedule to include more teams and game action. 

By Daphne Ortiz  
Photography Michael Butler
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The year 2022 marks the 100th Anniversary since the Oak Brook Polo Club was founded in 1922 by businessman and outdoor enthusiast, Paul Butler. The year 2022 marks the 100th…
Chaps vs. Yanks: Newport Polo Reliving a Historical Rivalry
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Newport, RI (September 2, 2021) …. Yet another spirited battle looms on the horizon as England make their way to Newport to take on the patriot, Team USA, in a major highlight of the Newport International Polo Series’ 30th Anniversary Season.

Scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 4PM at Glen Farm, minutes from the Newport waterfront where the British landed, the Labor Day weekend rivalry between the two nations has, since the Polo Series’ inaugural season, reconstructed the overseas power’s 1778 assault on the locals on this very week.

“The English have long held the upper hand over its colonies by going to battle well prepared, and likewise are bringing a crack team to challenge us this year,” evaluates Dan Keating, USA Captain and Polo Series Founder, “but defending our turf has its advantages, as we are nearly tied at 10 wins to 8.”

The history of the Anglo-American sporting matchup dates back over one hundred years ago, when a newspaper publisher, James Gordon Bennett Jr., viewed a Polo match in London and gathered his fellow American sports enthusiasts to try out the game at home.  His ardor for Polo was indeed shared by his peers and thus was founded the first Polo Club in America, in Newport, RI.  An international challenge was made in 1886, inviting the English to compete in Newport in the Westchester Cup, predating the modern Olympic games.  The Westchester Cup continues to this day, as does its sailing counterpart, the America’s Cup, tennis’s Davis Cup, and golf counterpart, the Rider Cup.

Polo Match Lawn tickets are available online at www.nptpolo.com and at the gates.  Pavilion seating upgrades will be available after the first chukker, with an admission purchase for Lawn seating. Standby seating options including Tailgates & Chalets at Gametime, 4PM at the Main Gate, first come first serve.

America’s oldest polo club hosts the 30th season of the Newport International Polo, with matches every Saturday, in June through September.  As one of the most unique and popular attractions in New England, the matches feature the home team competing against different international and US rivals each week, and a host of associated events.

This Saturday’s match will include a special holiday seafood celebration menu, by advanced reservation, as well as a Silent Auction at the Pro Shop, located in the polo grounds’ Vendor Village, which will feature vintage New England sports and British music memorabilia, and a stunning equine photographic work of fine art by internationally acclaimed international artist.  Auction proceeds will bolster the record-breaking results of Newport Polo’s annual charity gala, benefitting the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music and arts in Rhode Island schools as well as partners like the Amos House, St. Mary’s Home for Children & Family Services, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, and Button Hole. Items can be previewed here.

The International Polo Grounds are located on the acreage of Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off Route 138) in Portsmouth, RI, minutes from Newport’s bustling harbor.  This bucolic setting along the East passage of Aquidneck Island, enjoys a moderating coastal effect in summer for pleasurable afternoon polo spectating throughout the summer.  The property is the last 100 acres of a pre-colonial settlement from the 1600’s that became the Town of Portsmouth’s original gentlemen’s farm, an 800-acre manorial estate established during a Gilded Age movement of retreat from the high life into pastoral country acres.

Its classical 19th century stone barns and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by Polo Series founder, Dan Keating in the early ‘90’s and continue to thrive as an equestrian and community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series. Read about its restoration.

The Newport International Polo Series is proud to roll out its 2021 sponsors including Brenton Hotel, Davitt Inc., TD Bank, Turkish Airlines, Modern Luxury Boston, Herb Chambers Exotics, Vanderbilt International Properties, Hotel Viking, Veuve Clicquot, Polo House Privé, Clarke Cooke House, Stella Artois, US Polo Association, Goslings, ROCKSTAR Limo, McGrath Clambakes and Catering, Classical 95.9 WCRI, and promotional partners including Newport Helicopter Tours, The Cocktail Guru, Hannoush Jewelers, Newport Jaguar Tours, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Mansions, Newport Music Festival, Island Surf and Sport, Northeast Equestrian Life and Audrain Automobile Museum.

“Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Keating.

About Newport Polo: Newport Polo, home of America’s First Polo Club, celebrates the 30th Anniversary season of the Newport International Polo Series, featuring public exhibition polo matches every Saturday, June – September. Founded in 1876, charter member of the United States Polo Association, Newport Polo offers year-round polo club membership and polo instruction.

Newport, RI (September 2, 2021) …. Yet another spirited battle looms on the horizon as England make their way to Newport to take on the patriot, Team USA, in a major…
2021… a Series of “Unprecedented” Events.
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By Kim McDougall, Australia

Windsor Polo Club had a successful 2020 Spring Season after recovering from bushfires and COVID, and with events slowly returning to “normal”, everyone thought that brighter days were ahead in 2021. Boy, how we were so wrong.

2021 kicked off, horses were brought back in and the Autumn Season was underway. It was Windsor Polo Club’s 50th Anniversary. Celebrations and parties were planned and we were also set to host the Countess of Dudley Cup – There was a buzz in the basin.

Then on the 20th March an “unprecedented” one in thirty year flood hit NSW and greatly impacted the Hawkesbury Basin. It was devastating and heartbreaking to see. Many friends, family and much of our community were impacted by floodwaters that you had only ever heard stories about or seen in old photographs. It was surreal to see it happen right in front of our eyes and made the stories told by parents and grandparents about the flooding in the area in 1964, 1986 and 1990 come alive.

Cue the series of “unprecedented” events in the history of Windsor Polo Club.
Unprecedented community spirit.
Unprecedented generosity.
Unprecedented optimism.

For that week when our fields, clubhouse and outbuildings were underwater all we could do was sit and wait to see what damage had been done. In the meantime, the Countess of Dudley was to be relocated to Garangula. When the floodwater finally receded all we could see was the mud, the mess and that smell… Oh that smell. The clean up was swiftly underway with multiple flood working bees organised. Members, friends of members and family members showed up to get Windsor Polo Club tidied up. It was the most wonderful unprecedented show of community spirit we had ever seen.

Even though everyone was thinking that the rest of the Autumn Season in the Hawkesbury wouldn’t go ahead/shouldn’t go ahead – It did.

The fields were inspected and deemed safe. The basic things like toilets and electricity were fixed. The Windsor Polo Club was back, albeit in a limited capacity with basic amenities. On the 24th April polo was once again played in the Hawkesbury after Kurri Burri Polo Club gave the all clear for Windsor to run a tournament on their weekend, as they weren’t ready just yet to host a tournament.

9 teams across 3 grades competed and the positive atmosphere was infectious. We were back playing polo. We even had Allan serving lunch and refreshments outside under a little marquee using a BBQ for some hot food and eskies to keep the drinks cold, as our clubhouse wasn’t operational.  The post flood season highlight was even managing to get crowds back at the Off the Track Thoroughbred Event, which was run by Thoroughbred Events Australia.

Thank you Sharon Lenton for organising such a successful event.


©Freddy Dowling

This led us to our next chapter in the series of unprecedented events. The Windsor Polo Club Flood Relief GoFundMe page and the unprecedented generosity of the polo community Australia-wide.

Even though we were back playing polo there was still a massive damage and clean up bill. Things like the electronic gate motor, pumps for the irrigator, AV equipment and clubhouse fridges that still needed replacing. A GoFundMe page was set up with an original aim of $50,000. This was quickly surpassed and just kept on rising and rising. We ended up raising $120,000! The Windsor Polo Club Committee was blown away and still is in awe of the amazing generosity from the Australian Polo community. 

A plaque is currently being commissioned with everyone’s name that donated. It will be hung proudly in the clubhouse. The Windsor Polo Club Committee would like to acknowledge and say thank you to one and all, especially the following:

Firstly as some are aware Windsor Polo Club has gained a major sponsor in the past year – The Royal Richmond Hotel. We like to thank Karen Anderson, Peter Wynn and Todd Garratt for their unwavering support of the club through all these unprecedented times we’ve faced. We can’t wait until we’re out of lockdown so we can return and show our support. The best times were spent at The Royal after polo to celebrate, commiserate, laugh and tell stories about what happened on the field, off the field and across the weekend over a beer or two.

Next, we would like to personally thank Johnny Kahlbetzer. Johnny single handily managed to get our donations to above $100k by matching everyone’s donations once he heard about Windsor Polo Club’s cause. It made a massive difference and the donations literally doubled overnight. Thank you Johnny.

The Windsor Polo Club Committee would also like to send a whole-hearted thank you to everyone else who donated to our Flood Relief. Every single dollar made a difference. You made a difference.

Windsor Polo Club has now found ourselves in a unique “unprecedented” position allowing us to conduct major capital and maintenance improvements around the club and complete projects that were always limited due to funding. The flood in some respects was a blessing in disguise and it has allowed us to make the club a much better facility because of it.

The biggest capital improvement of note was installing a new bore and pump, which has just been completed. This means we can irrigate our fields more effectively and efficiently, always keeping them in the best condition possible for everyone to enjoy.

Even though all of NSW is currently in lockdown there still is unprecedented optimism at Windsor Polo Club. Yes we might be facing another season cancelled but do you know what? After everything that everyone has gone through together – droughts, fires, floods and now COVID the little spark of brightness that we all share is this amazing sport of polo. No matter what, we shall always reinvent new ways to play within restrictions or pivot in a new direction to find a way to play the game we all love. At the moment a revised spring calendar is being worked on. The Windsor Polo Club Committee is optimistic that we can play some sort of Spring Polo.

Even if that doesn’t happen, and we get out of lockdown after the official season is over, Windsor Polo Club is flagging the idea of playing twilight polo. Why not enjoy those balmy summer evenings playing polo even though polo isn’t traditionally played that time of year. Watch this space.

The Windsor Polo Club Committee.


Left to right: Kirrily Smith, Andrew Bridson, Julie McIntosh, Kim McDougall, Adam Meally, Jessica Sprenger, Adam Buchert. Absent: Nick Wayland. © Erin Meally
By Kim McDougall, Australia Windsor Polo Club had a successful 2020 Spring Season after recovering from bushfires and COVID, and with events slowly returning to “normal”, everyone thought that brighter…
Windsor Polo Club Flood Relief Appeal
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In this, our 50th Anniversary year, Windsor Polo Club needs your help!

We have set up a GoFundMe page for our flood relief appeal. Any support, great or small, is sincerely appreciated.

Please click here to offer your support.

The grounds, clubhouse and fields of our community based club have been severely affected by the recent floods in the Hawkesbury basin.

We‘ve lost agricultural and farming machinery, clubhouse furniture, fridges and fittings and our prized scoreboard may likely never score again.

Polo brings many benefits to the community within the Richmond Lowlands, local businesses from cafes to feed stores to the local laundry are stakeholders in our sport. We live & play amongst a very supportive community and we hope you can help us rebuild and continue our years of tradition in the Hawkesbury.

In this, our 50th Anniversary year, Windsor Polo Club needs your help! We have set up a GoFundMe page for our flood relief appeal. Any support, great or small, is…
Simone Jewels celebrates 15th anniversary with a new beautifully intricate collection titled ‘From Russia With Love’
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LONDON, 16 February, 2021: The award-winning Singaporean designer, Simone Ng, debuted Simone Jewels 15 years ago, and in celebration of this momentous occasion she is delighted to announce the release of her latest collection ‘From Russia With Love’. 

Inspired by Russian heritage, the collection, originally released back in 2011, has been revisited with a contemporary approach encapsulating new stunning elements. Designed with incredibly detailed craftmanship and artistic flair, a key feature of the collection is guilloché technique used in the renowned Fabergé eggs for the elaborate enamelling work and fine figurines.

Ballerina Ring in 18K Rose Gold with Pink Tourmaline and Diamonds ($14,350). Ballerina Earrings in 18K Rose Gold with Pink Tourmaline and Diamonds ($14,350)

 

The collection includes unique, one-of-a-kind pieces such as the Fabergé Delight. Handcrafted over five months, the egg, made of 18K white and rose gold is covered in diamonds, and opens up to a reveal a miniature white enamel Russian ballerina.  The clasp is adorned with a vivid red ruby to finish off this luxurious pendant fit for royalty.

Faberge Delight in 18K White and Rose Gold with Ruby, Diamonds and Enamel ($22,550)

 

Commenting on ‘From Russia With Love’, Founder and Executive Creative Director of Simone Jewels, Simone Ng said, “I have always been absolutely fascinated by the grandeur of Russian and my inspiration for this collection was drawn from the craftmanship and intricacy of the royals’ elaborate pieces.”

She adds “Russian royalties have owned some of the world’s most exquisite jewellery, with Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia, believing that great jewels were as important as a great army!”

Ballerina Earrings in 18K Rose Gold with Pink Tourmaline and Diamonds ($11,000)

 

Launched in 2014 Simone’s designs are inspired by history, architecture, culture and each creation made is an heirloom of timeless essence, transformable and transformative. 

The new ‘From Russia With Love’ collection is now available.

    LONDON, 16 February, 2021: The award-winning Singaporean designer, Simone Ng, debuted Simone Jewels 15 years ago, and in celebration of this momentous occasion she is delighted to announce…
French Polo Open: 20 years already!
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The French polo season resumed last week with the first official tournaments. In Chantilly, 2 titles were already awarded last weekend and polo will now return to a cruising speed, close to what it used to be in „the world before“. With its traditional high point: The French Open and the celebration of its 20th anniversary this year!

The French polo season resumed last week with the first official tournaments. In Chantilly, 2 titles were already awarded last weekend and polo will now return to a cruising speed, close to what it used to be in „the world before“. With its traditional high point: The French Open and the celebration of its 20th anniversary this year!

More than 400 horses currently live on the grounds of the Ferme d‘Apremont, where the Polo Club is located. 300 more will arrive in September for the French Open, during which 3 other important tournaments will take place, including the Women‘s French Open. 

Because polo is played by both men and women, especially in Chantilly during the 2 tournaments exclusively dedicated to female players: the Ladies Cup in August and the prestigious French Open in September, attracting the best players in the world for the most important women‘s competition outside Argentina.

At least 6 teams are expected for each version of the French Open, represented by players from 10 nations. For the men‘s Open, it will be a special year: created in 2000, we will celebrate its 20th anniversary! In the past 2 decades, this prestigious tournament has welcomed many great names of the sport, including living legends who have won the most coveted title: the Argentine Open.

The French Open is also the last step of the French Triple Crown, after the Silver and Gold Cups of Deauville. So far, only one team has achieved this triple crown, the Argentinean team of Cibao La Pampa in 2017.

Live a polo experience, a sensational sport par excellence: breathtaking accelerations at the speed of a racehorse – in the open air at the heart of the forests of the Domaine de Chantilly. This is a sport open to the world, open to everyone.

Come and breathe the air of South America… only 45 minutes away from Paris! Discover Argentina and its gauchos, its horses on the 160 hectares of greenery of the Ferme d‘Apremont, and its delicacy in the restaurant Estancia, the little jewel of the Chantilly Polo Club. Share the great moments with family and friends, whether during a weekday match or on the days of the finals. This is the ultimate definition of, the glamourous “country chic”!

During these 3 weeks of tournaments in September, the Polo Club de Chantilly will become a cosmopolitan where everyone is welcome to join!

Despite the exceptional circumstances this year, the loyal partners of the Domaine de Chantilly Polo Club and its prestigious tournaments have decided to renew their support.

A big thank you to RICHARD MILLE – COMMUNITY OF COMMUNES AIRE CANTILLIENNE – CREDIT AGRICOLE BRIE PICARDIE – DS AUTOMOBILES SAINT-MAXIMIM – ENGEL & VÖELKERS – MOËT et CHANDON – OMEDIA PARIS – PAPREC – WALLIMIK

www.poloclubchantilly.com

The French polo season resumed last week with the first official tournaments. In Chantilly, 2 titles were already awarded last weekend and polo will now return to a cruising speed,…
10 Years Ascona Polo Club
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Polo thriller at its best and double-digit results in almost all matches of the polo classic Ascona Polo Cup, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

It was a breathtaking and even final between the two finalists Engel & Völkers Ascona and team sponsor newcomer The Winston/Hotel Maloja Kulm: The six players from five nations, who faced each other here, could not have been more different. The Frenchman Constant Jacquot and the Argentinian 4-goaler Carlos Genes were in top form at the side of Gerardo Cosentino from Liechtenstein, who had already won the Ascona Polo Cup for sponsor Porsche last year and who now played with his team in the colours of Engel & Völkers.

The Brazilian Marcus Schalldach played together with the German Caroline Juls and the 6-goaler Santiago Schweizer from Argentina for the new sponsor The Winston/Hotel Maloja Kulm, who took part in the tournament as team sponsor and catering partner for the first time. Fighting stakes in the first two chukkers brought Engel & Völkers, who had started with one goal ahead because of the teamhandicap, in the first round to a 4-1 lead. But Marcus Schalldach and his team held against it and caught up with powerful defensive and cleverly used scoring chances to 4 – 4, before they took the lead themselves. Marcus Schalldach had already played in 2015 in Ascona and won here. In the jubilee year he was now awarded as the “Most Valubale” player of the tournament. Cosentino turned several penalty into goals. The last regular chukker seemed to end in a draw when Carlos Genes shot the 11-10 for Engel & Völkers just a few seconds before the final bell. Fast-paced, exciting, acclaimed – a final that did credit to the anniversary tournament at the only Swiss Polo Club south of the Alps. These polo highlights were even crowned by the breathtaking Player’s Party on Friday at the Isola do Brissago.The teams CAT Financial Products and Porsche Ticino faced each other in the “small final” in the game for the third place. With Reto Gaudenzi and Valeriy Mishchenko on one position, Tito Gaudenzi and Adrian Laplacette “old polo champions” met the tournament organiser and president of the Polo Club Ascona, Matteo Beffa, who played together with Frank Kirschke and the 4-goaler Tomi Astelara. After Tito Gaudenzi had already delivered a sensational game on Saturday, he was also the powerhouse of the team together with Astelara on Sunday. Only very close with 10-11 (the same score on the scoreboard as in the final), Beffas team finally had the nose in front and secured third place.

Arena polo is particularly worth seeing at the old Ascona airport. A treat for the spectators, who can watch the games from a high position. In addition, the special flooring makes the matches fast and the horses’ grip secure. The first match of the day for the 5th place of the 10th Ascona Polo Cup already showed this. Here, Team Styger & Partner with the Swiss Cédric Schweri and Stefan Locher together with the 6-goaler Joao Naves from Brazil relegated the opponent Team Ascona-Locarno with Vivian Sauter, Gabriel Eckenstein and Juan Marenda to 6th place with a final score of 13-11.

The elegant and entertaining “Black & Gold” Gala Dinner was hosted in the VIP area during the polo matches on Saturday night. After the first match of the final day, the charity games sponsored by the Styger Foundation for Children were followed by the polo audience at the elegant polo Sunday brunch created by Hotel Maloja Kulm. The proceeds of almost 40,000 Swiss francs this year go 100% to the Elisa Foundation in Locarno (Fondazione Elisa Locarno), which supports seriously ill children and their families.

As in previous years, the experienced referee Mark Holmes from Cambridge was responsible for the smooth and fair course of the game. Jan-Erik Franck “The Voice of Polo” enthused the audience as commentator of the matches. On the final Sunday he had the sympathetic support of the well-known Swiss presenter Sandy Altermatt (RSI), who introduced the Italian audience to the Who is Who and the most important polo rules. Jan-Erik Franck: “It was great to be here in Ascona again after a year’s break. Ascona has long since become a highlight and “jewel in the crown” for the European Polo Circuit. An absolutely international tournament with players from almost every continent. The surroundings here in the enchanting Ticino on Lake Maggiore do the rest to make Ascona an unforgettable polo destination. I look forward to the 11th edition of the Ascona Polo Cup next year”.

www.poloclubascona.ch

 

RANKING

1. Engel & Völkers Ascona (+7)
Gerardo Cosentino (+1)
Constant Jacquot (+2)
Carlos Genes (+4)

2. The Winston / Hotel Maloja Kulm (+8)
Caroline Juls (0)
Marcus Schalldach (+2)
Santiago Schweizer (+6)

3. Centri Porsche Ticino (+6)
Matteo Beffa (+1)
Frank Kirschke (+1)
Tomi Astelara (+4)

4. CAT Financial Products (+7/+6)
Reto Gaudenzi (+1) / Valery Mishchenko (0)
Tito Gaudenzi (+3)
Adrian Laplacette (+3)

5. Styger & Partner (+8)
Stefan Locher (+1)
Cédric Schweri (+1)
Joao Naves (+6)

6. Ente Turistico Lago Maggiore / Municipio di Ascona (+5)
Vivian Sauter (+1)
Gabriel Eckenstein (+1)
Juan Marenda (+3)

 

© Thomas Wirth
Polo thriller at its best and double-digit results in almost all matches of the polo classic Ascona Polo Cup, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It was a breathtaking…
Africa Youth Tour
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For two weeks, young polo players from Africa toured in the United Kingdom.

2019 is the 150th year anniversary of the game of polo in the United Kingdom. As part of the celebrations, the organisers of the “150Polo” invited the Poloafrica Development Trust to send a team from South Africa on tour to England. In collaboration with the U.S. Polo Assn., the two-week trip culminated in a game played at the world-famous Guards Polo Club in June, at the same day as the Royal Windsor Cup Final. The Poloafrica Development Trust was founded by Catherine Cairns, a management consultant, who made a polo destination out of the Uitgedacht Farm in the Free State in South Africa. “We are thrilled to partner with PoloAfrica,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing Inc.

www.poloafrica.com

© Thomas Wirth
For two weeks, young polo players from Africa toured in the United Kingdom. 2019 is the 150th year anniversary of the game of polo in the United Kingdom. As part…
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