In its 10th anniversary year, British Polo Day was delighted to return to Dubai, the place where it was founded in 2009 with the aim of creating an invitation-only global platform to build relationships with some of the world’s most dynamic cultural and lifestyle leaders, through unforgettable experiences hosted in iconic destinations. Dubai marks the 72nd global British Polo Day event.
British Polo Day unites the great and the good of the UAE for the 10th anniversary year.
On the field, four teams played beautiful exhibition polo competing for the La Pegasus Plate and the VistaJet Cup. The now highly-anticipated camel polo also garnered much attention with the Cavalry and Guards continuing their friendly annual rivalry. Over 250 top British and international players have played at British Polo Day since its inception, with well-known names from across the polo world such as number one female player Nina Clarkin and her husband JP Clarkin, Captain of the New Zealand polo team; and Mohammed Al Habtoor, Captain of Habtoor.
As the seconds were counted down by official British Polo Day timekeeper Jaeger-LeCoultre the Royal Salute British Exiles took on La Pegasus Gulf Team in an even match that saw the British Exiles excel with 6 goals to Gulf’s 4. The excitement of the day continued with Habtoor taking on VistaJet Oxbridge which was also a very close run thing but saw Habtoor lift the plate with a game that ended 8-7.
The Royal Salute Most Valuable Player was Mohammed Habtoor, and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Best Playing Pony was Bochinche. Co-founder Tom Hudson said “in this Year of Tolerance in the UAE, we are delighted to once again bring together so many people from all around the World. Over the last decade, we are proud of what British Polo Day has become and are humbled by the continuous support of players, patrons and partners.”
Ian Moore, Chief Commercial Officer at VistaJet, added: “Our customers expect the most extraordinary experiences at the highest standards. Their passions become our passions and supporting them is a cornerstone of the VistaJet brand. In partnering on such opportunities with British Polo Day, we are able to continue to deliver second-to-none events to our community.”
British Polo Day was delighted to welcome back former England Polo Captain and Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, Malcolm Borwick, to play at his lucky thirteenth British Polo Day event, captaining the Royal Salute British Exiles team and thrilling the guests with his expert horsemanship and charm.
To celebrate the occasion off the field, guests were treated to drams of Royal Salute 21-Year-Old, toasting to the brand’s longstanding support of polo and the lifestyle it accompanies. Dating back more than a decade, Royal Salute’s involvement in polo continues to thrive today, featuring a truly global programme of events spanning four continents and an exquisite collection of polo-inspired limited-edition blends, marking as the ‘King of whisky’ as an iconic and fitting accompaniment to the ‘Sport of Kings’.
British Polo Day is a fast-growing, ambitious company, which partners with some of the World’s best companies, including title sponsor La Pegasus Polo, team partners VistaJet, Royal Salute, and global partners Bentley Motors, Charles Russell Speechlys, Clinova, Justerini & Brooks, Chase Distillery, Lincoln Private Investment Office, Nyetimber, Original Travel, Al Habtoor Polo Resort, BOAT International, and media partner Gentleman’s Journal. Gifting partners included Taylor Morris Eyewear, D.R. Harris, Floris, Barnard & Westwood, Fairfax & Favor, and Hook Polo.
The success of British Polo Day has been largely down to word-of-mouth endorsement from many prominent guests and supporters, including key figures in government, the aristocracy, diplomats, military, fashion, art and popular culture. In addition, British Polo Day have hosted members of 12 royal families, 100 independent billionaires and leaders in world innovation including Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk. Over 20,000 guests have enjoyed British Polo Day in the last seven years, and British Polo Days have to-date raised over $2.2 million USD, from a standing start in 2011.
British Polo Day 2019 Upcoming Events
St Tropez: 10th May
USA East Coast (New York): 1st June
China: 14th September
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