Croatia

Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón

8. November 2019

On November 1, our friend Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón passed away at the age of 56.

We met him playing the Rovinj Polo Cup in Croatia 2018. He was moved to tears talking about his croatian roots and was proud to play his game in Croatia for the first time. Always friendly, always with a smile on his face and with a warm handshake for everybody in the big polo family. As the president of the Mexican Polo Association, which he was for eight years, and as a passionated player he travelled the world for polo. As a member of the Méxican polo team he played in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, India, Spain, Panama, Barbados, the United States, Canada, England and Germany. Born in México City Billy started playing polo as 12 year-old boy at the Jalapa Polo Club. He was an ambassador for the Federation of International Polo (FIP), a member of the Pan-American Polo Confederation and an active member of the U.S. Polo Association (USPA). Our editor Thomas Wirth last met Billy at the Argentine Open in December in Buenos Aires: „With Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón the international sport of polo is loosing a great personality, supporter of the mexican polo, succesful sportsman and a dear friend. Thank you, Billy, for all of the good you did.“

© Thomas Wirth

On November 1, our friend Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón passed away at the age of 56. We met him playing the Rovinj Polo Cup in Croatia 2018. He was…

Europe, Polo News

3. Rovinj Beach Polo Cup in Croatia

23. March 2018

The 3. Rovinj Beach Polo Cup with six teams is coming up from June 7.-10. in Rovinj/Croatia. The international press conference for the 3rd edition of the ROVINJ BEACH POLO at the WESTIN Hotel in Zagreb welcomed journalists from local and international media as well as several ambassadors. Olive Hempenstall, ambassador of the Republic of Ireland from Croatia received a special warm welcome from the President of Rovinj Beach Polo, Uwe Zimmermann. In cooperation with Bentley Vienna, Leo Ivanjko presented the latest model of the Bentley fleet – just perfect for a trip to the beaches of Rovinj.

Six international teams will participate at the Beach Polo Cup in Rovinj 2018. The journalists got also some information about the technical setup and the improvements of this year’s beach polo tournament. David Flam, Marketing Director of the Maistra Group and his team organized this outstanding media event on the 17th floor of the newly acquired WESTIN HOTEL in Zagreb, providing an amazing view allover Zagreb.

POLO+10 is honoured to be again in charge of the production of the tournament magazine of the Rovinj Beach Polo Cup 2018.

Together with the press, croatian business people, sponsors and partners listened to Ivica Blazicko, a famous sport moderator in Croatia, and Uwe Zimmermann’s introduction to the four days program in June. This includes indeed some great surprises! With great pleasure they announced, that Sophie Ellis Bextor will perform on 9th of June in a private concert at the polo arena in front of the skyline of Rovin’s old town.

Several high profile celebrities are expected to visit Rovinj during the four days event. Among them Lothar Matthäus, formal captain of Germanys world champion team 1990. Each day up to 600 invited guests will be entertained by top class polo matches with players from twelve nations and 60 Argentine polo ponies.

A welcome party is scheduled for the 7th of June at the port of Rovinj. For the first time in history, „Polo by Night“ will be played under floodlight in Rovinj on 8th June, accompanied by a first class dinner. On Saturday, 9th of June, the traditional parade of polo players and horses through the streets of Rovinj will attract again thousands of spectators, who welcome the teams and ponies.

Of course, the exclusive stopping for a champagne reception in front of Hotel Adriatic is a must.

In the afternoon, three matches will be played as qualification for the final and define the two encounters, who play for the coveted trophy on Sunday’s final. But before the teams line-up for the decisive games on Sunday, 10th June, the organizers present a spectacular private concert of Sophie Ellis Bextor on Saturday night.

Sunday is seeing the final of the tournament framed by an amazing entertainment program and the award giving ceremony. In the evening players, sponsors and a selected group of invited guets is having a farewell party in the premises of the beautiful Hotel Mulini.

With it’s third edition the Rovinj Beach Polo Cup has grown into a international recognized event in the world of polo, attracting international players and guests. Croatia, Rovinj and it’s Beach Polo Tournament range among the top events in the summer of 2018. Uwe Zimmermann: „We like to thank our sponsors for their support and contribution to make this happen. Adris Group, Bentley Vienna, Franck Dubarry, Mevisto, Veuve Clicquot, La Martina, S.T. Dupont, POLO+10 Magazine and many others are contributing and helping to realize such event. We are looking forward to welcome all of you from 8th-10th June in Rovinj for the 3rd ROVINJ BEACH POLO CUP 2018.“

For more information and ticket reservation please check: www.rovinjbeachpolocup.com

1. Team
Celine Lawrence SIN
Markus Schalldach BRAZIL
Harold Hodges UK

2. Team
Frank Kirschke D
Philipp Zimmermann D/H
Agustin Kronhaus ARG

3. Team
Guillermo Steta MEX
Bruce Colley USA
Marcello Caivano ARG

4. Team
Denise Schurzmann D
Alexandra Plenk D
Santiago Schweizer ARG

5. Team
Marie-Isabel Wendeln-von Fricken D
Sunjay Kapur IND
Nicholas Sherring RSA

6. Team
Cedric Schweri CH
Uwe/Maxi Zimmermann D/H/CH
Sebastian Dawney IRE

Referee: Marc Holmes UK
Speaker: Tarquin Southwell UK

Photo: Slavko Midzor/PIXSELL