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The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad: sophistication, sport, and elegance, 22 to 25 August 2024

16. May 2024

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a special time in the international polo calendar, an enchanted interlude on the world circuit. A unique world of intense competition and glamour in the heart of the magnificent Swiss Alps. At an altitude of 1,100 meters, in the unusual setting of the Gstaad/Saanen airport, this unique event promises four extraordinary days dedicated to the world‘s oldest team sport.

Much more than a tournament, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a unique sporting event and a celebration of equestrian excellence and luxury. The number of teams wanting to take part in the tournament increases every year, making it a daunting task for the organizers to select those who will be lucky enough to set foot on this very special field.

This year, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad will welcome a new team: first of all, a new partner, the prestigious investment bank J. SAFRA SARASIN, whose French captain Françoise Okala will be playing in Gstaad for the first time together with the Argentine Fanelli brothers as well as Horacio Fernández Llorente.

The GSTAAD PALACE will be represented this year by two Swiss brothers, Fabio and Luca Meier, who have often shone in Gstaad: will this be the year? Chances are good as they team up with Argentine brothers Adrian and Raul Laplacette. The latter, who has already won the Hublot Polo Gold Cup twice, knows this particular terrain like the back of his hand.

But the battle will be fierce. Swiss captains Philipp Müller and Cedric Schweri have opted for an all-British squad for their KIELDER AGRO GROUP team, including the formidable Max Charlton, a very fast and responsive player with his English horses. Charlton is an all-round player who shone on the snow in Saint-Moritz and has a handicap of 10 in arena polo! But he is just as impressive on grass: last year he won the traditional Westchester Cup in Wellington (USA), a high-goal match between Great Britain and the United States.

The team of title sponsor HUBLOT and German captain Jürgen Schröder, who was a finalist last year, will also be supported by a sibling pair – there will be four in total at this tournament – brothers Pedro and Manuel Fernández Llorente. The final will be broadcast on Pololine TV and there will be free access for the public, with children‘s play areas and catering.

A VIP experience

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup is not only a top-class sporting event, but also an exceptional experience on the sidelines with a VIP village (open to the public), exhibitors offering exclusive luxury products, the latest models from Aston Martin, as well as the latest model from Dassault Aviation, which will be exhibiting its brand new Falcon 6X at the airport, Albinati Aeronautics, Barnes… and of course Hublot, which will be presenting its new collections.

Celebrate the sport, its conviviality and its festive atmosphere in VIP style, with elegant lunches and refined cuisine prepared by the chefs of the Gstaad Palace, as well as a sumptuous gala dinner with entertainment from the band Dora on Stage.

All you have to do is book your place for this unforgettable experience at www.pologstaad.ch, because the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is much more than just a tournament – it is an event not to be missed for lovers of refinement and thrills.

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a special time in the international polo calendar, an enchanted interlude on the world circuit. A unique world of intense competition and glamour…

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Hublot Polo Gold Cup 2023: Laplacette in his backyard … once again!

24. August 2023

Polo is a team sport. Wearing the colors of Gstaad, Sébastien Le Page and his Argentinian accomplices provide clear proof. On Sunday afternoon, they masterfully executed their game on the unique polo field at Saanen airport, winning the Hublot Polo Gold Cup for the second consecutive year.

Martincito Aguerre‘s genius was not enough today. Indeed, Raul Laplacette‘s team play proved unbeatable. Despite scoring eleven goals once again (Team Gstaad‘s daily rate since last Thursday), it was the fierce defense of the defending champions that made the difference. The Hublot players could never penetrate their opponents‘ defensive wall. When they did, Raul Laplacette calmly stole the ball from the audacious attacker, freeing up space for the men from Gstaad to advance and score on the other end. Martin Aguerre Jr.‘s only option was to try his luck from a great distance. He succeeded twice and scored his other three goals from penalties. Five goals were all the team could muster today.

Earning their second title in two years, the polo field at Saanen airport has become the domain of Raul Laplacette, the most valuable player of the final and the tournament‘s top scorer with 17 goals. „On this kind of field, you have to keep moving forward with the ball, attacking relentlessly,“ said Laplacette. „Thanks to our organization—good players and fast horses—we were able to play excellent polo.“

The Swiss organization was set up at Polo Park Zurich by team captain Sébastien Le Page. „This second victory is all the more pleasing because it‘s practically the same team as last year, proving that our organization is working exceptionally well,“ Le Page celebrated. „I‘m both exhausted and thrilled, and I‘m looking forward to savoring this victory with some champagne, something I‘ve abstained from for the past two weeks.“ The French captain also praised his star player, „Raul is incredible; he controls the game so effectively that it seems like he‘s doing nothing when, in fact, he‘s everywhere and scoring an incredible number of goals. I believe he‘s one of the best players on the planet.“ On the Gstaad field, he could easily be a 10-goaler!

The match for third place was much tighter, with Kielder Agro Group securing their first win of the tournament thanks to two explosive opening chukkers: 5-0. They maintained this lead by fighting hard until the end, allowing only one goal in the last two periods while Gstaad Palace scored five. The final score was 6-5.

This 26th edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup was unanimously praised this year for its flawless and relaxed organization, technically excellent field, friendly reception, and above all, the attention given to the well-being of the horses. They were well-cared-for under new refereeing rules and, despite the weather, appeared to be in particularly good condition and eager to play.

Teams and progressions :

THIRD PLACE

Team GSTAAD: Sébastien Le Page (hcp 0), Facundo Kelly (hcp 4, 2 goals), Francisco Fucci (hcp 4, 2 goals), Raul Laplacette (hcp 6, 7 goals)

Team HUBLOT: Jürgen Schröder (hcp 0), Juan Correa (hcp 3), Matias Gonzalez (hcp 4), Martin Aguerre Jr. (hcp 7, 5 goals)

Progression GSTAAD: 3/1 – 6/2 – 7/3 – 11/5

FINAL

Team KIELDER AGRO GROUP: Cedric Schweri (hcp 0), Joao Novaes (hcp 5, 4 goals), Tomi Astelarra (hcp 3), Francisco Menendez (hcp 6, 2 goals)

Team GSTAAD PALACE: Peter Cromm (hcp 0), Pedro Fernandez Llorente (hcp 5, 2 goals), Teo von Neufforge (hcp 5), Segundo Condesse (hcp 4, 3 goals)

Progression KIELDER: 4/0 – 5/0 – 5/2 – 6/5

MVP: Raul Laplacette

BPP: Tintin, 8-year-old gelding, dark bay born in Argentina (by Cuarteto – a son of the famous Cuartetera – and Pollilla), played by Raul Laplacette.

Photos by Kathrin Gralla / Der Rote Drache and R&B Presse / P.Renauldon

Polo is a team sport. Wearing the colors of Gstaad, Sébastien Le Page and his Argentinian accomplices provide clear proof. On Sunday afternoon, they masterfully executed their game on the…

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HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP GSTAAD, 17-20 AUGUST 2023

13. June 2023

THE TEAMS ARE UNVEILED

The 2023 edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, from August 17th to 20th, promises to be highly competitive… as usual! Four teams with two captains from Germany, one from Switzerland and one from France (the defending champion), and three other nations will be represented: England, Brazil and, of course, Argentina, headlined by Martin Aguerre Jr, winner of the prestigious Copa Càmara in Argentina.

It‘s in the colors of HUBLOT that ‚Martincito‘ Aguerre, handicap 7, will discover the very special polo field at Saanen-Gstaad airport for the first time in his career. A valuable asset for German captain Jürgen Schröder. Martin Aguerre Jr. is a player who essentially „grew up“ in France, at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly. His father, Martin, was a pillar of the Chantilly-based Swiss team, Marquard Media, and played in Gstaad. Martin Jr. took over naturally, while his father has become a renowned referee who can be seen judging the biggest matches, such as those of the Argentine Open. This Abierto, which Martincito’s uncle Mariano won twelve times with three different teams, including La Dolfina. Enough of a reference to underline the fact that we‘re dealing here with one of the great families of Argentine polo… and therefore of international polo.

Former winner of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad in 2018, Swiss businessman Cedric Schweri returns this year in the green colors of KIELDER AGRO GROUP, still counting on Brazilian World Champion Joao Novaes. The Gstaad public knows and appreciates his spectacular, forward-moving game. In top form, he is capable of turning around the game. Last year, KIELDER AGRO GROUP was a finalist with a different team: will Cedric Schweri‘s new line-up offer him a chance for revenge?

The other German captain, Peter Cromm, will be counting on British player Max Charlton to lead GSTAAD PALACE to victory. Max Charlton is vivid player with his horses from England. Charlton is an all-round player, having shone on the snow in St. Moritz and is handicap 10 in Arena Polo! But he‘s just as daunting on grass: he more or less won all UK medium goal cups like the Queen Mother’s Cup (15-goal) and he recently won the traditional Westchester Cup in Wellington (USA), a high-goal match between the United Kingdom and the United States?

Last, but not least, title-holder Sébastien Le Page of France, seduced by Raul Laplacette‘s play and efficiency at the last edition where he promised to return with the Argentinian this year: „Raul? He‘s the quiet force! Yes, you get the impression that he‘s in slow motion all the time, but in fact he‘s always on the ball. This is the first time I‘ve played with him, but it won‘t be the last.” It‘s true that the Argentinian moves around the field with ease, giving the impression of being in several places at once and regularly sending long, decisive passes to his team-mates. A crucial player capable of bringing a second title to Lepage and a first to the new colors of Team GSTAAD.

For four days, the lawn bordering the airport‘s runway will be transformed into a competition field to which all eyes in the polo world will turn. But this sport is not just for the initiated: it‘s spectacular, easy to follow and fascinating. The beauty of the horses amazes, the skill of the players is jaw dropping. And it doesn‘t take long for the public to take up the cause of one of the four teams battling it out on the field. Six games in all, two each day, on Thursday 17th, Saturday 19th and the finals on Sunday 20th. Friday the 18th is dedicated to the traditional and picturesque team parade through the streets of Gstaad.

After the games, life doesn‘t stop: you can visit the village with its magnificent stalls, eat and drink, meet the players and a huge playground awaits the children.

From August 17th, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is sure to be the Alpine event not to be missed.

THE 2023 TEAMS

TEAM HUBLOT
Jürgen SCHRÖDER – DE – Hcp. 0 (CAP)
Juan CORREA – ARG – Hcp.3
Matias GONZALEZ – ARG – Hcp. 4
Martin AGUERRE Jr. – ARG – Hcp. 7

TEAM KIELDER AGRO GROUP
Cedric SCHWERI – CH – Hcp. 0 (CAP)
Joao NOVAES – BRA – Hcp. 5
Thomas ASTELARRA – ARG – Hcp. 3
Francisco MENENDEZ – ARG – Hcp. 6

TEAM GSTAAD PALACE
Peter CROMM – DE – Hcp. 0 (CAP)
Max CHARLTON – ENG – Hcp. 6
Matias MAIQUEZ – ARG – Hcp. 5
James EMLYN – ENG – Hcp. 3

TEAM GSTAAD
Sébastien LE PAGE – FRA – Hcp. 0 (CAP)
Facundo KELLY – ARG – Hcp. 4
Francisco FUCCI – ARG – Hcp. 4
Raul LAPLACETTE – ARG – Hcp. 6

THE TEAMS ARE UNVEILED The 2023 edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, from August 17th to 20th, promises to be highly competitive… as usual! Four teams with two…

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POLO+10 WORLD Issue I 2023

24. January 2023

Download the current POLO+10 WORLD I 23 here:

POLO+10 World 01/2023

Download the Media Kit POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 here:

We will publish the English and German print editions twice a year, in spring and autumn. For more information about media dates as well as corporate publishing and public relations by POLO+10 please visit the POLO+10 website: https://www.poloplus10.com/advertising-rates/

→ Media Kit extract POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 (1,4MB)

→ Media Kit POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 (4MB)

→ Technical POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 (3,3MB)

→ Public Relations POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 (4,9 MB)

Download the current POLO+10 WORLD I 23 here: https://poloplus10.com/magazin/polo10-world-01/ Download the Media Kit POLO+10 WORLD 2023/24 here: We will publish the English and German print editions twice a year, in…

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POLO+10 Issue I 2023

24. January 2023

Download the current POLO+10 I 23 here:

POLO+10 01/2023

Download the Media Kit POLO+10 2023/24 here:

Download the current POLO+10 I 23 here: https://poloplus10.com/de/magazin/polo10-01-2023/ Download the Media Kit POLO+10 2023/24 here: We will publish the English and German print editions twice a year, in spring and…

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A unique world polo experience!

13. May 2022

At last! After a two-year hiatus due to the health crisis, polo is back in Gstaad, at the Saanen airport, from August 18 to 21 for four glamorous days dedicated to the oldest of team sports: the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad!

The magnificent resort town of Gstaad and its sublime mountain environment are indeed glamorous. But on the field, it‘s all about sport and high-level equestrianism, as the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad demands it to be. The players are both horsemen and sportsmen who follow an extremely rigorous physical and technical training. But the real stars of this sport are the horses. They are the first polo athletes, bred and selected since the beginning of the last century (mainly in Argentina) to become the best partners, the „legs“ of their riders even. Lively, intelligent, playful, fast, tough, brave, these four-legged rugby players are very endearing horses. As soon as the player has thought of an action, his horse responds and sometimes even anticipates because it knows the game and its rider so well. They are also sometimes called „ponies“ and adapt to all conditions and therefore to the altitude of 1100 m, making this the highest summer tournament in the world.

There will be about one hundred and twenty of these little horses setting up camp for a week on the grounds of the Saanen airport to accompany the sixteen players of the four teams who are dreaming of winning this coveted trophy of the international circuit. Three teams, GSTAAD PALACE, HUBLOT and newcomer KIELDER AGRO, will try to topple title holders CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE, which will be led this year by the Frenchman from Zurich, Sébastien Le Page. The „boss“ of Polo Park Zurich has built a very competitive team around the Argentinean handicap* 6, Raul Laplacette, winner of last year‘s Pakistan Open. KIELDER AGRO is a new team and will be led by the Swiss Fabio Meier who has entered a 7-goal player, the Argentine Ezequiel Martinez-Ferrario, who is used to playing the high-goal season in Palm Beach where he won the famous Whitney Cup and who also won the Silver Cup in Dubai.

Dario Musso has spent most of his career in France, where he has won the Silver and Gold Cups in Deauville and the French Open in Chantilly, among others. Together with the Brazilian Joao Novaes – a Gstaad devotee and former winner of the French Open – they will be a strong support for the Swiss Cedric Schweriwearing the colors of the GSTAAD PALACE. This captain, loyal to Gstaad, will be more than motivated to renew the victory he celebrated in 2018.

Finally, the HUBLOT team, led by the American Marco Elser, finalist of the last edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup, will be able to count on the Argentinean handicaps 5 Teo von Neufforge and Pedro Fernandez Llorente.

Beyond this absolutely exciting sport – and all the more spectacular in Gstaad because the public can watch the games right from the border of the field – the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a unique experience in Switzerland. It goes beyond the simple sporting competition: an incredible green setting, on an airport surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks, transformed into a polo club for the duration of four days, on a quality ground that has been „worked“ and maintained for many months before the tournament. This polofield allows a rare proximity with the players and the horses, and is surrounded by a VIP village and exhibitors with original luxury products to discover, a resolutely friendly atmosphere, a catering area for the public and a playground for children. Another tradition of this unique tournament is the parade of the teams on Friday, a picturesque event in the streets of Gstaad. A different way of experiencing high-level polo, unique to the Hublot Polo Gold Cup!

* The handicap corresponds to the level of the polo player (it varies between -2 and +10). The handicap evolves according to the player‘s performance in games and the progress made during the year. The highest handicap in Europe is 7 (England). The very rare handicap 10 is currently held by 9 Argentinians and one Uruguayan.

© Polo Club Gstaad

Polo Club Gstaad – Lauenenstrasse 18 – Postfach 419 – CH-3780 Gstaad
Tel: +41 33 744 07 40 – info@pologstaad.ch – www.pologstaad.ch

At last! After a two-year hiatus due to the health crisis, polo is back in Gstaad, at the Saanen airport, from August 18 to 21 for four glamorous days dedicated…

Europe, Polo News

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2019

16. May 2019

The ‘‘Sport of the Kings and King of Sports’’ is back in Gstaad, at Saanen Airport, from August 22nd to 25th for four days dedicated to the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad – at an altitude of 1000m the highest summer tournament in the world.

Three teams, Clinique La Prairie, Gstaad Palace and Hublot will try to overthrow the one of Banque Eric Sturdza and his Swiss captain, Cedric Schweri, unbeatable since he won his first title in 2017: ‘‘Well, I wouldn’t say that the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is my only goal of the season, but it’s one of my favourite tournaments since it’s the most important one in Switzerland and, of course, as a Swiss player, I am honoured to be a participant. I’m as ready as I can be, I mean it would be amazing to win for the third time”. He will count this year on the Brazilian Novaes brothers to win a new victory in this new edition.

Remembering the final 2018 won on a knife edge by the team Banque Eric Sturdza after an incredible ‘‘remontada’’ when Cedric Schweri and his team were led by three goals, it looks like, once again, it will not be easy for the Swiss captain even though his combativeness got the upper hand. The competition will be strong. The Swiss captains of Clinique La Prairie, Piero Dillier and Andy Bihrer, for example, have called on Lucas Labat, the Argentinian handicap 6 player, who is playing at the highest level on all continents. Julio Novillo Astrada (h7), who is said in his country that he is certainly the strongest player of this renowned family who won the prestigious Argentinean Open, will return to Gstaad for Team Hublot and American Captain Marco Maximilian Elser. As for the captain of the Gstaad Palace team, Gerardo Cosentino of Liechtenstein, he will introduce three new Argentinean players to the cosmopolitan public of Gstaad, including handicap 6 Franco Gai.

Beyond this thrilling sport – and all the more spectacular in Gstaad on a field close to the public – the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a unique experience in the Swiss sports calendar that goes beyond the competition: a stunning setting of greenery, on an by alpine peaks surrounded airport that becomes a polo club for a single weekend, a rare proximity with players and horses, a VIP village and exhibitors with original luxury products to discover, a friendly atmosphere, a public dining area, a playground for children and, on Friday, a picturesque animation in the streets of Gstaad with the parade of teams. A different way to live high level polo!

www.polo-gstaad.ch

Photos: R&B Presse

The ‘‘Sport of the Kings and King of Sports’’ is back in Gstaad, at Saanen Airport, from August 22nd to 25th for four days dedicated to the Hublot Polo Gold…

North America, Polo News

Greenwich Polo Club season kicks off on June 9th

9. April 2019

The 2019 summer polo season at Greenwich Polo Club is right around the corner. “We could not be more excited to welcome players, fans, and guests alike back for another incredible season of polo.” Greenwich Polo Club’s 39th season features nine Sunday matches open to the public, with four exciting tournaments and a one-of-a-kind polo experience that offers something special for absolutely everyone.

This season’s Opening Day will take place on Sunday, June 9th, with the first match of the Shreve, Crump & Low Cup (June 9 & 16). Huntsman team (Dillon Bacon, Segundo Merlos, Toro Ruiz and Tomas Garcia del Rio) won the title in its inaugural year. The tournament season continues with Monty Waterbury (June 23 & 30) and the new American Cup (July 14 & July 23), and crowning the season will be the East Coast Open® (August 25, September 1 & September 8).

Mark your calendars for a family friendly and action packed way to spend your Sundays this summer. Greenwich Polo Club promises an unforgettable experience for each guest. Check out the news items below for more of what to expect this season.

2019 SUNDAY PUBLIC MATCHES
SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW CUP
June 9th and 16th
MONTY WATERBURY
June 23d and 30th
AMERICAN CUP
July 14th and 21st
EAST COAST OPEN®
August 25th, September 1st and 8th

www.greenwichpoloclub.com

Europe, Polo News

23rd Hublot Polo Gold Cup started in Gstaad

17. August 2018

Two games and two completely different scenarios marked the sunny opening of the 23rd edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad. In the first game, Faris Al Yabhouni, the captain of team Clinique La Prairie, did not have to suffer too much to win whilst Cedric Schweri and his team Banque Eric Sturdza had to fight a more complicated battle to start their way towards the final.

For Faris Al Yabhouni it was the first time in Gstaad: “It is a nice place: the surroundings, the people who are welcoming us here, everything is perfect. It is of course great to have won this first game especially as the teammates did not know each other yet nor did we know our horses that we rented from Saint-Tropez. The first two chukkers were pretty tight, but then we started to get to know and understand each other and the last two periods were easier and we managed to take the lead.” They defeated team Hublot, led by Swiss Captain Matteo Beffa: 13 to 6 ½.

It is this last team that the titleholder, Cedric Schweri, will face in the semi-final next Saturday, his game of the day was already quite difficult: “Actually, it was very «hard» for a first game, confirms the captain of Banque Eric Sturdza. The problem is that it was the first time we played together and we needed some time to really hit it off. When the team knows each other, it is easier.” Cedric contributed to the victory with an incredible golazo (Argentinian, meaning a beautiful goal) in the second chukker at the end of a beautiful solo run: “It is always nice to score a goal like that. In general, we the patrons, are there to defend, but scoring a goal is good.” And an important one as well as the team only won by a half-goal: “But this victory makes us confident for the rest of this Hublot Gold Cup, I think we will go to the finals, and after…”!

But before that, they will have to pass the semi-finals, which promise to be open. They will be played on Saturday at 1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. In the meantime, the teams will parade tomorrow through the streets of Gstaad, a nice tradition that brings polo closer to the public.

www.polo-gstaad.ch

by R&B Presse – Sophie Pailloncy & Pascal Renauldon