dubai
Friday 30 th march 2012
2
3
Welcome Note Welcome to the fourth British Polo Day Dubai, sponsored by Hackett. For those that have been here before, it is good to have you back and for those that are here for the first time, you are in for a thrilling afternoon of polo and a celebration of British heritage and tradition. Polo began in Persia as early as the 5th century BC. The modern game as we know it was rediscovered in India in the 19th Century by the British Army and exported around the world. The Hackett British Army Polo Team returns to the British Polo Day Dubai for their second attempt at winning the Thales Thesiger Trophy. We also welcome back players from Eton, Harrow, Oxford, Cambridge and The Cavalry & Guards Club. Polo is known as the “Game of Kings”, but has recently become more famous for its polo-playing princes. We are also honoured that HRH Prince Rashid of Jordan, the Captain of the Royal Jordanian Polo team and graduate of Harrow, Cambridge and Sandhurst returns for his third British Polo Day Dubai. As ever, we are indebted to all the sponsors for making this event possible. In particular, Habtoor Polo who have again very generously provided the ponies. We start proceedings off today with the Cavalry v Guards Camel Polo match. For those new to camel polo, this is an intriguing spectacle. Both Cavalry and Guards regiments of the British Army had camel divisions in the nineteenth century and we are pleased to be once again reviving the association between these fascinating animals and groups of regiments. We have Eton v Harrow in the Coutts Princes’ Cup. Eton and Harrow’s sporting rivalry goes back more than 200 years with the Eton v Harrow cricket fixture at Lords. Polo is no exception to the school’s sporting calendar and this will be the fourth time the fixture will be played. The Gaucho Cup features Oxford v Cambridge. These two University towns have been pitted against each other for years and this match will continue a thrilling tradition. Finally, UK v UAE: The Hackett British Army Team v Habtoor Polo is the climax of the day. Both sides will be competing for the Thales Thesiger Trophy. The Thales Thesiger Trophy, beautifully sculpted by Old Etonian George Bingham, is modelled on a photo that Sir Wilfred Thesiger took of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan over 60 years ago. Sir Wilfred Thesiger also embodies the essence of today (having gone to Eton, Oxford and been in the British Army). He came to the UAE and made lifelong friends, being awarded the UAE Order of Independence. It is that friendship between the UK and the UAE that we celebrate with this event. We hope that you have a great day.
The Committee of The British Polo Day
6
In association with British Polo Day.
Walpole is the not-for-profit making organisation that furthers the interests of the British Luxury Industry by harnessing and sharing the collective knowledge, experience and resources of the membership. In partnership with over 165 of the most exemplary British luxury brands including Backes and Strauss, Church’s, Gleneagles, Guards Polo Club, Hackett London, Johnstons of Elgin, Quintessentially and Smythson and cultural bodies such as the V&A, Hurlingham Polo Association and the Royal Opera House. Our remit covers a range of activities including cross-industry networking, business development, Government lobbying and thought-leadership. Walpole continues to foster entrepreneurs and emerging talent with our Brands of Tomorrow and Crafted Mentorship programmes.
QUINTESSENTIAL BRITISH LUXURY SINCE 1934 Luxury leather goods and accessories hand crafted in the United Kingdom
For more information, please go to www.thewalpole.co.uk or call +44 207 873 3790
Canvas and Leather Bags for the Elegant Traveller www.ettinger.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8877 1616
8
9
Timetable
12:00 – Camel Polo: Cavalry v Guards 13:00 – VIP Lunch 14:30 – Coutts Princes’ Cup: Eton v Harrow 15:30 – Gaucho Cup: Oxford v Cambridge 16:30 – Thales Thesiger Trophy: British Army v Habtoor Polo 18:00 – Prizegiving 19:00 – Fashion Show & Afterparty
Carriages at Midnight
There will be VIP Coaches returning regularly to the Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai from 9:30pm onwards. Please ask at the lobby of the Polo Club for more details.
10
11
MADE IN SCOTLAND
WWW.JOHNSTONSCASHMERE.COM NEWMILL ELGIN IV30 4AF 01343 554099
DUBAI POLO AND EQUESTRIAN CLUB At Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, you will discover the rich equestrian heritage of Arabia. Whether you want to ride magnificent Arabian horses across the desert at sunset, learn to play polo or take your family on a tour of our stables, this is the ideal venue. Come enjoy it all with us. Launched in April 2006, the Club has already become the heart of equestrian activity amongst residents in Dubai as well as visitors to the city, thanks to the world-class polo, dressage, show jumping, training and livery facilities it offers. The Club House, designed as a distinctive Spanish ‘hacienda’, provides members and guests with a wide variety of dining, leisure, business and entertainment options, featuring state-of-the-art communication facilities. It is the perfect setting for cultivating a common bond of interest in equestrian pursuits, and enjoying a lifestyle unique to the world of horses.
12
13
THE TEAMS AND PLAYERS ETON
HARROW
WILL EMERSON
(5)
HUGH O’DONNELL
(-1)
TOMMY MAYOU
(1)
RUPERT LEWIS
(1)
ANDREW AITKEN
(-2)
WILL SETH SMITH
(2)
TOM HUDSON
(-2)
CHRISTIAN BEARMAN
(-2)
TOTAL
2
OXFORD
TOTAL 0
CAMBRIDGE
STUART WRIGLEY
(0)
HRH PRINCE RASHID OF JORDAN (0)
JACQUI HOOPER
(0)
MIKE HARRISON
(0)
SAM GEORGE
(0)
JEREMY PEMBERTON
(-1)
TOM MEACHER
(1)
JOSH MORRIS LOWE
(3)
TOTAL
1
TOTAL
2
THE HACKETT BRITISH ARMY
HABTOOR POLO
CORNET DOUG WHITE
(1)
MOHAMMED AL HABTOOR
(0)
MAJOR MATHEW EYRE- BROOK
(1)
HABTOOR AL HABTOOR
(0)
MAJOR RUPERT LEWIS
(1)
JUSTO MOURINO
(2)
MR GASTON DEVRIENT
(5)
GUILLERMO CUITINO
(6)
TOTAL
8
TOTAL 8
14
Cavalry & Guards Camel Polo Team Man has ridden camels almost as long as it has ridden horses, so it was only natural that after horse polo was developed camel polo followed. Dubai has once again been at the forefront of polo, the only place in the region where you can play camel polo.
An Arabian twist on the traditional sport of kings, Camel Polo is a unique, memorable and often hilarious experience. It’s perfect for a fun-packed day out with friends or family - or for taking on colleagues in the ultimate team building activity.
For more information or to book please email: camelpolo@gulfventures.com or phone +97144045883
16
17
History of Camel-riding Camels were domesticated around 2000BC and the first camel saddles appeared in 1200 BC. Between 500-100 BC camels attained a military use. In the East Roman Empire the Romans used auxiliary forces known as Dromedarii, whom they recruited in desert provinces. The camels were mostly used in combat because of their ability to scare off horses in close ranges, a quality famously employed by the Achaemenid Persians when fighting Lydia. Camel cavalry have been used in wars throughout Africa, the Middle East and into modern-day India. Given the history of man’s military connection with camels it is apt that when Dubai’s biggest Camel Polo match took place in 2010, it featured a match between the British Army Cavalry & Guards regiments. The British Army famously turned to using camels in the infamous battle of Abu Klea in 1885 while trying to rescue Charles Gordon from Khartoum. Camel Corps’ regiments were formed from the Cavalry (the Household Cavalry, the Dragoon Guards, the Dragoons, the Lancers, and the Hussars) and the Guards regiment of the camel corps was formed from the Grenadier, Coldstream and Scots Guards.
18
19
THE ART OF ENGRAVING EXCELLENCE LUXURY STATIONERY - ENGRAVED CARDS - WEDDING INVITATIONS
47 ELIZABETH STREET LONDON SW1W 9PP UNITED KINGDOM Phone: +44 (0)20 7730 4515 Fax: +44 (0)20 7730 2379 Email: enquiries@grosvenorstationerycompany www.grosvenorstationerycompany.com
Jeremy Hackett The Summer season of sporting events in Great Britain will soon be upon us with occ asions such as Ascot, Henley and Goodwood being just some of the highlights of the sporting calendar, not forg etting of course Polo where matches take place all over the country from March to September. And while some people attend for the sport a great deal of others go more for the social ambience and the excuse to dre ss up. We Brits enjoy our dress cod es so while Polo events do not require the strict dress code of say Ascot it is usual to show that you have ma de some effort. If you wish to dress more formally then a very lightweight panama weave cool wool suit in khaki or parchment worn with a white or pale blue shirt and polka dot tie will be very smart, if the tie is too much for you then just add a silk pocket square, Linen and cotton suits are widely worn and are more relaxed. Alternatively the navy blazer worn with a Pol o shirt and white jeans is a very popular style and one adopted by many of the players between matches. As far as footwear is con cerned, suede shoes, particularly chukka boots (th ough in Dubai they are probably better known as des ert boots) really look the part. In Britain at the me rest hint of the sun we go dashing for our Panama Hat s and golf umbrellas otherwise worn to protect us from a unseasonal downpour. If you are a newcomer to the sport of Polo then I recommend that you take a pai r of binoculars because wherever you decide to sit to wat ch the match you will find that inevitably it will be bein g played at the other end of the field.
22
23
Rules of Polo 1
The green player has the line, and at fair speed the white player would be crossing the line without sufficient safety margin, resulting in a penalty against white.
3
2
Even at a far lesser angle the white player would still be crossing the line if he continues in that direction, and committing a dangerous foul.
4
Description of a Polo Game The object of the game is to move the polo ball down-field, hitting the ball through the goal posts for a score. Polo teams then change direction after each goal in order to compensate for field and wind conditions. A team is made up of four polo players.
When travelling in the same direction the white player may draw level with green and then force him across the line and take possession of the ball without committing a dangerous foul.
A polo match is usually played outdoors. A polo field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, the largest field in organized sport. A polo match lasts about one hour and is divided into timed periods called chukkers. Each chukker is seven minutes long.
5
The white player may move in parallel with the line and play a shot providing he can do so without interfering with the green’s mount or causing him to check back. If white would cross the line to the dotted position it would be a foul.
6
Play begins with a throw-in of the ball by the umpire at the opening of each chukker and after each goal. Players must change horses after each chukker due to the extreme demands placed on the polo pony. During half time, spectators go onto the field to participate in a tradition called "divot stomping" to help replace the divots created by the horse's hooves.
Two players riding for a ball from opposite directions in the open must both give way to the left and take the ball on their right or offside.
When two players are approaching a ball in the open from different directions, the player (white), with the line of the ball on his offside, right hand side, has right of way.
24
france JUne 9 TH 2012
A Wonderfully British Day of Polo For more information or to book please contact henrietta@britishpoloday.com www.britishpoloday.com/france
27
The eton team The Eton team is captained by Will Emerson, who has a 5 goal handicap, he will be returning for his second year. Eton has won the fixture twice in Dubai, losing once in the second year – they are confident of continued success. Of course the most well known Eton players are its polo playing princes, William and Harry. Eton also has produced some other fine polo players recently, perhaps typified by Luke Tomlinson, an 8-goal player and captain of the England Polo Team. However the history of Eton polo stretches a long way back with the first match played by Old Etonians outside of England being held over 100 years ago, when an OE team played in the United States.
Will Emerson
(5)
Tommy Mayou
(1)
Andrew Aitken
(-2)
Tom Hudson
(-2)
28
29
The Harrow team The Harrow team is captained by Will Seth Smith who also captained the victorious Harrow team at British Polo Day Singapore. Will is joined by Hugh O’Donnell, a veteran of the region who in 2009 played alongside Rupert Lewis in the inaugural British Polo Day Dubai. We also welcome Christian Bearman who took part in the first Eton v Harrow fixture at Guards. Harrow too boasts some other famous polo players: Jack Kidd in the modern era, a 4 goal player, and, perhaps most famous of all, Sir Winston Churchill.
Hugh O’Donnell
(-1)
Rupert Lewis
(1)
Will Seth Smith
(2)
Christian Bearman
(-2)
Although the ancient sport of polo began in Persia and China many centuries ago, the British reinvented the modern game in the nineteenth century. Sir Winston Churchill, one of the greatest proponents of the game, once famously said “a polo handicap is a passport to the world� and polo is still thriving everywhere it is played, from Argentina to New Zealand. British Polo Day carries on the tradition of the British playing polo against friends in a host of different countries around the world.
www.britishpoloday.com
British Polo Day India 2011
32
33
THE INTERCONT INENTAL LONDON PARK LANE. PROUD SPONSOR OF BRITISH POLO DAY.
the cambridge Team The Cambridge University Polo Club was founded in 1873 by the Hon John Fitzwilliam, making it one of the oldest surviving clubs in Europe. In 1879 the University players felt strong enough to enter a team in the Hurlingham Club’s Champion Open Cup which was the premier competition of the time and is equivalent to the modern day Gold Cup. Although they were quickly defeated, the experience served them well and they returned later that year to defeat Oxford in the first Varsity Match. The Varsity Match is still the oldest continuing polo fixture in the western world.
T he I nt er C ont i nent a l L ondon P a rk L a ne st a nd s pr oud l y a t Nu mb er O ne P a rk L a ne, s u r r ou nde d b y L ondon’s f i ne st shop s a nd f a mou s a t t r a c t ion s . We pr ov ide ou r g ue st s w it h t he b e st L ondon h a s t o of fer, but of cou r s e r e a l lu x u r y now a d ay s i s mor e t h a n i mp e cc a b le s er v ice. S o we encou r a ge a l l ou r p e ople t o sh a r e t hei r k now le d ge of L ondon w it h you s o t h a t you get mor e f r om you r st ay w it h u s .
D o y o u l i v e a n In t erC o n t i n en t a l li f e?
HRH Prince Rashid of Jordan is captain of The Royal Jordanian Polo team who joins Dubai-based Mike Harrison, Senior Cambridge Polo Club Committee member Jeremy Pemberton and Josh Morris Lowe of Haggis Farm Polo Club, two miles from Cambridge.
HRH Prince Rashid of Jordan
(0)
Mike Harrison (0)
P le a s e c a l l us on + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 7409 3131 Or vi s i t u s o n www.lon don .in t e rc o n t i n e n t a l .c o m
Jeremy Pemberton
(-1)
Josh Morris Lowe
(3)
34
35
the Oxford Team The Oxford University Polo Club was founded in 1874, three years after the introduction of polo to Britain, by undergraduates from Christ Church and Brasenose Colleges, led by Mr. Walter Long (later Viscount Long of Wraxall and First Lord of the Admiralty). The first match was held on the 1st of July 1877, and was contested by its two founder Colleges amid considerable pomp and ceremony. The great success of that day encouraged the players to establish a Varsity match with the Cambridge University Polo Club. This Varsity match is the oldest polo fixture in the western world and was first played at the Bullingdon Cricket Ground in Oxford on the 27th of November 1878. It is the oldest continuing polo fixture in the western world. During the late sixties and early seventies, polo at Oxford enjoyed a purple patch, winning the annual match eight times in a row. Many of the players from this period are now well-known figures in the polo world. General Sir Redmond Watt played off a two-goal handicap while at university and subsequently became the highest rated Old Blue after the war when he peaked at five-goals. The Oxford Team at British Polo Day Dubai features the current University Polo Club Captain (Sam George) and other current OUPC players (Tom Meacher) as well as Jacqui Hooper (former Oxford Blue and Club Captain) and Stuart Wrigley (Oxford Graduate and Dubai Rhinos Patron).
Stuart Wrigley
(0)
Jacqui Hooper
(0)
Sam George
(0)
Tom Meacher
(1)
36
GERMANY JULY 7 TH 2012
A Wonderfully British Day of Polo For more information or to book please contact henrietta@britishpoloday.com www.britishpoloday.com/germany
38
39
Hackett British Army Team As history has shown, Polo and the Army are intrinsically linked. The modern Army still actively promotes polo. The Army Polo Association (APOLOA) was founded in 1998 to co-ordinate and encourage polo in the Army, both at home and abroad. The APOLOA runs the Inter-Regimental which is the oldest Polo tournament in the World. This tournament focuses on the highest standard of military polo and looks to encourage all Regiments/ Services to enter. Spread over 3 weeks and 3 rounds, the final is played at Guards Polo Club on The Queen’s Ground on a Sunday in June. Often quoted as the sport ‘played’ by kings, Hackett’s association with polo is well known and immortalised in the now iconic Hackett Polo Shirt. From humble beginnings of providing shirts for the Guard’s Polo Team, Hackett has made a welcome return to the polo field by becoming the sponsor of the British Army Polo Team.
Proud sponsors of the British Polo Day, Dubai & British Army Polo Snow Polo, Klosters
The Army Polo Association now keeps polo in The Army alive under the watchful eye of its Chairman, Colonel Simon Ledger who will also be our guest commentator for the day.
Cornet Doug White QRH
(1)
Major Mathew Eyre- Brook 9/12L
(1)
Major Rupert Lewis RHG/D
(1)
Mr Gaston Devrient
(5)
41
Habtoor polo Team The Habtoor family are one of the Middle East’s great polo patrons. The Al Habtoor brothers have played around the world with such high goal players as Alejandro Piki Diaz Alberdi to play 22 goal tournaments such as the Melbourne Polo Club, the Cartier Polo in Dubai with Adolfo Cambiaso and Lolo Castagnola, as well as sponsoring for the past three years the Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup. They also participated at numerous exhibition charity matches and played medium handicap goal games in Spain & St Tropez as well as snow polo in Austria. In 2010, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mohammed Al Habtoor launched the Dubai Polo Gold Cup which is one of the most important and prestigious polo tournaments in the region. In 2011, the Silver Cup was added to the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series. In 2012, Mohammed Al Habtoor led the Habtoor Polo Team to victory winning the Dubai Polo Gold Cup in a thrilling final.
Mohammed Al Habtoor
(0)
Habtoor Al Habtoor
(0)
Justo Mourino
(2)
Guillermo Cuitino
(6)
BRITISH POLO DAY
42
43
FASHION
British Polo Day India 2011
44
45
46
47
Join the british polo day around the world As British Cavalry Officers travelled the four corners of the earth, they learnt to play and love polo, spreading the game from Argentina to Australia. Polo is thriving everywhere it is played. British Polo Day celebrates the heritage of the game in each country, reviving some of the old rivalries whilst bridging cultures, in a quintessentially British Day. www.britishpoloday.com
British Polo Day France, June 2012 British Polo Day United Kingdom, June 2012 British Polo Day Germany, July 2012 British Polo Day China, September 2012 British Polo Day Russia, September 2012 British Polo Day Singapore, November 2012 British Polo Day India, December 2012 British Polo Day Thailand, February 2013 British Polo Day Dubai, March 2013 British Polo Day Abu Dhabi, April 2013
48
49
History of the Game Polo is perhaps the oldest game in the world – having been played over 2500 years ago and is truly international. The name polo is said to have been derived from the Tibetan word “pulu”, meaning ball.
Ancient Polo In 600 BC the first recorded game of polo took place between the Turkomans and Persians. The Turkomans won. Polo began as a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen, who played it with as many as 100 to a side, it was a miniature battle. Persian literature and art give us the richest accounts of polo in antiquity. Ferdowsi, the famed poet-historian, gives a number of accounts of royal polo tournaments in his 9th century epic, Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings). In the earliest account, Ferdowsi romanticizes an international match between Turanian force and the followers of Siyâvash, a legendary prince from the earliest centuries of the Empire. The game spread into North India. In fact Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim Emperor of North India, actually died accidentally in 1210 playing polo.
From Persia, in medieval times polo spread to the Byzantines (who called it tzykanion), and after the Muslim conquests to the Ayyubid and Mameluke dynasties of Egypt and the Levant, whose elites favored it above all other sports. Notable sultans such as Saladin and Baybars were known to play it and encourage it in their court. Polo sticks were features on the Mameluke precursor to modern day playing cards. Polo was passed from Persia to other parts of Asia including the Indian subcontinent and China, where it was very popular during the Tang Dynasty and frequently depicted in paintings and statues. The Moguls were largely responsible for taking the game from Persia to the east and by the 16th century the Emperor Babur had established it in India. Polo was revived in Japan by the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684-1751) and was played until early 20th century. It was the favourite sport of the last Shogun who surrendered power to the Emperor in 1868.
Sir Winston Churchill Old Harrovian
The celebration of polo in Jodhpur
Modern Polo The modern game of polo, though formalized and popularized by the British, is derived from Manipur (now a state in India) when British tea planters discovered the game in Manipur (Munipoor) on the Burmese border with India and established the first polo club in the world at Silchar, west of Manipur in 1862 In 1869, Edward “Chicken” Hartopp, 10th Hussars, read an account of the game in The Field, while stationed at Aldershot, and, with brother officers, organised the first game known then as “hockey on horseback”- on a hastily-rolled Hounslow Heath against The 9th Lancers. The 1st Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards were quick to follow suit on grounds at Hounslow and in Richmond Park; and then on a small ground near Earl’s Court known as Lillie Bridge. The first polo club in England was Monmouthshire, founded by Capt. Francis “Tip” Herbert, 7th
Lancers, at his brother’s seat, Clytha Park, near Abergavenny in 1872. In 1875, the first official match in Argentina took place on 3rd September, where the game had been taken by English and Irish engineers and ranchers.
Prince Philip playing polo
50
Proud partner at The British Polo Day - Dubai
INNOVATIVE FOOTWEAR
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY, VISUALLY, POWERFULLY We work with you to help you clearly define your needs and goals. Through this collaborative approach, we will create film and digital content that captures the essence of your company. Utilising the power of the Internet and its multiple distribution platforms, Pendragon provides you with a tailor-made end to end solution that will build a community based around content we develop. Founded in 2000, Pendragon Productions deliver exceptional production values and services to its clients who value their communication output and recognise that digital media is at the core of today’s marketing channels.
LONDON
ABU DHABI
KUWAIT
We are delighted to be chosen as the digital and social media partner of The British Polo Day. www.pendragonproductions.com HARRYSOFLONDON.COM
TOKYO
OSAKA
51
52
53
Thales – proud to sponsor British Polo Day Thales’s 68,000 strong team based in locations throughout the world, serves markets as diverse as aerospace, defence, security, transportation and space, providing unsurpassed technological excellence and commitment to our customers.
www.thalesgroup.com
54
55
George bingham Polo and art have been intertwined as long as people have played the game, be it cave paintings, intricate sculptures or modern high definition photography. George Bingham, the renowned British sculptor brings some of his sculptures to the region and has created the “Thesiger Trophy” for the winner of the Hackett British Army Polo Team v Habtoor Polo. George tells his story: Wilfred Thesiger was one of the 20th Centuries greatest explorers and travel writers. This tall, lanky old Etonian, known in the Arab world as Mubarak bin London (the blessed one from London) spent most of his life roaming the most distant, desolate and inaccessible parts of the world. He crossed the Empty Quarter twice, frequently lived as a bedu, travelling with the hardiest and most daring of regional tribesmen. Thesiger’s travels frequently took him through the Emirate, through the southern oasis of Liwa and to Al Ain where he formed an enduring friendship with Sheikh Zayed, the future ruler of Abu Dhabi and the ‘father’ and first president of the UAE. In 1949 Thesiger stayed for a month with Sheikh Zayed, hunting with him on the nearby Jebel Hafeet, the highest mountain in Abu Dhabi. So when British Polo Day asked me to think of a subject for a trophy that encompassed both Britain and the UAE and celebrated the relationship of our two countries, the friendship of Wilfred Thesiger and Sheik Zayed immediately sprang to mind. Thesiger was a prolific photographer, and he bequeathed his entire collection of some 22,000 photographs to the Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford. Amongst those photographs there are many pictures of the hunting trip he went on with Sheik Zayed, and it is from these that I was inspired to make this trophy. I envisaged the Sheik seated on his camel ,a Saker Falcon perched on his arm, both looking at a quarry in the far distance. I had the idea, now for the research. I am principally a sculptor of horses and English wildlife so the anatomy of the camel was then somewhat unfamiliar to me. Outside of a zoo, where it is difficult to get close to the animals to study them well enough to sculpt, where was I going
56
57 to find camels in England? The power of the internet soon provided me with the answer; to my amazement I found a couple with 7 camels in Warwickshire, only a few hours from our home in Dorset. Jo Fossett and his wife Rebecca could not have been more helpful and invited me up to meet their wonderful creatures. Sitting in the kitchen before going out to the camels Joe advised me that the Sheik’s camel in the photographs was most probably of Syrian origin due to the long length of her legs,and he showed me how the camels are ‘’tacked up’’. Intrigued, I asked him what he did before he became a camel expert and trainer. With a dead pan face he told me he had been a lion tamer – I don’t know what I was expecting but certainly not that. Their camels were keen to come in as it was raining steadily, and I spent a couple of hours photographing, sketching and generally getting to understand the physiology of these good natured animals. Whilst the Saker Falcon is small in this piece, I needed to research this bird never the less. This time the Hawk Conservancy came up with the model, a female Saker about 4 yrs old. She was in a foul mood the day I met her, and definitely not a creature to argue with. Back in the studio I started sculpting in wax, working from the copious references I had made from the animals and Thesiger’s photographs of Sheikh Zayed. A couple of weeks later I was pleased enough with my efforts to decide that it was finished, and headed off to the foundry. The process of ‘Lost wax’casting has changed very little over the last thousand years or so. Briefly,the foundry makes a mould of my original sculptures, from which a hollow wax version is made. I correct any imperfections on this, and it is then encased in plaster. Once the plaster has had a week to dry it is placed upside down in an oven, so the wax melts and drains out. Molten bronze is then poured into the cavity, and when that has had time to cool the plaster is beaten off the bronze. You then have the bronze sculpture ready to finish in the chasers workshop, and finally it is patinated with various chemicals and heat, giving each piece it’s unique colouring. This is a very simplistic description of a hugely skilled and time consuming operation, and I am lucky to have the services of Atelier Foundry in Hampshire who produce such wonderful castings for me. I have hugely enjoyed the making of this trophy, and look foreward to seeing it again in the more appropriate setting of Dubai! For more information on George’s work www.georgebingham.com
58
59
A VERY BRITISH AFFAIR
Cutlery set exclusively created by Mappin & Webb, available in Sterling silver or Mappin plate www.mappinandwebb.com
60
61
Specialists in Contemporary Equestrian Paintings and Sculptures
The Osborne Studio Gallery, 2 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JU Tel: 020 7235 9667 Fax: 020 7235 9668 Email: gallery@osg.uk.com
www.osg.uk.com
62
63
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE BRITISH POLO DAY
BRITISH POLO DAY CHARITY AUCTION
64
IN AID OF :-
65
A Humanitarian Disaster Over the course of the 2010 monsoon season heavy rainfall, flash floods and river floods combined to create a moving body of water that resulted in the worst floods in Pakistan’s history. The devastation caused by the floods impacted upon the lives’ of over 20 million people. Essential infrastructure including roads, bridges, housing, schools, medical facilities, farm structures and markets have been destroyed, causing damage of approximately £25bn. The Pakistan Recovery Fund
HRH The Prince of Wales’ Message of Thanks Since the devastating floods in Pakistan both in 2010 and 2011, there is a desperate need to draw our attention to the plight of the victims. Events, such as the British Polo Day are an excellent way to draw the spotlight back towards those in Pakistan to whom our hearts went out in 2010 and again last year. Through the activities of the day and the related entertainment, participants and supporters can enjoy the event whilst also offering their support to the cause. Through the Fund supporters have a unique opportunity to rebuild towns, villages and infrastructure, not to mention livelihoods and health in manner, which is in harmony both with the natural environment and with the needs, wishes and traditions of local communities May I therefore take the opportunity to sincerely thank those involved with the British Polo Day. I am delighted to be able to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for supporting the Pakistan Recovery Fund in making a real and positive difference to the lives of those about whom we care so much.
Concerned, with regard to the people of, and situation in Pakistan, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has initiated a recovery fund, which aims to help raise funds for those most severely affected by the forgotten floods in Pakistan. Placing strong emphasis on transparency, quality control and impact measurement, the Fund will select quality delivery partners, high impact projects and tightly managed and monitored programmes in order to ensure that donations are wisely and efficiently spent.By match funding our partner organisations, we aim to double the impact of every donation made, in the areas of homes, health, education and livelihoods. British Polo Day: 30th March 2012, Dubai, United Arab Emirates British Polo Day are hosting a prestigious event at the Dubai Polo& Equestrian Club with proceeds going to the Pakistan Recovery Fund. Not only will this event attract significant support from those who are concerned with the humanitarian plight of the people affected, it will also be a fun filled day with a range of polo matches and a VIP Lunch. The day will culminate with a prizegiving ceremony and a VIP reception to follow.
66
67
Heritage The Villas, Mauritius Value: $7,000 USD (25,700 AED) 7 nights stay in a 2 bedroom Villa including Bed & Breakfast Heritage The Villas...luxury villas in the heart of the unspoilt South of Mauritius. Nestled in the Domaine de Bel Ombre between the mountains and a pristine lagoon and set in the breathtaking beauty of a nature reserve, these scenic villas offer high end services and privileged access to a 18-hole golf course, a 19th century manor house and facilities at two neighbouring deluxe beach resorts...Paradise found! The villas are built with excellent quality finishes. All have air-conditioned master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, infinity pools, large verandas, state of the art communications, a barbecue area, a gazebo day bed and landscaped tropical gardens. They are fully furnished and equipped and they offer free internet access and satellite TV channels as well as daily cleaning and 24 hour concierge service. www.heritagethevillas.mu Prize Includes 7 nights accommodation in a 2 Bedroom Villa including daily breakfast 1 Relaxing Spa treatment per person at Seven Colours Millesime Collection 1 Frederica Quad Excursion for 2 adults Complimentary Limousine Airport Transfers This offer is valid from 30 March 2012 – 30 March 2013 All extras and personal expenses will be for the account of the winner, including: lunches, dinners, telephone, fax, minibar, room service, laundry, etc. and should be settled by the guest upon departure. Reservations are on request and subject to availability.
re, o l p x e o t d e e n d the n a d l i w e h t ll of u p to. e h d t e n t l r e a f e y r e v y e l p e v m , or si s u h If you ha t i w d e l l e trav e v a ya. h n e u K o y h g r e u h o t r h t whe y ourne j a n o u o y e Let us tak THE SAFARI COLLECTION Exceptional experiences in East Africa
www.thesafaricollection.com
69
Safari of a Lifetime in Kenya with The Safari Collection Prize Value $6,420 USD for 2 adults sharing (23,582 AED) During this adventure of a lifetime you will be staying at some of Africa’s most unique destinations. You will stay at Giraffe Manor, the only hotel in the world where you can eat breakfast with the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Secondly Solio Lodge, which is nestled in the valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains. The lodge is located on a private ranch, and is home to a diverse population of wildlife, including both black and white rhino. Thirdly Sasaab is perched above the Ewaso Nyiro River where you will be blown away by the sensational views from your enormous room each with a private plunge pool. Fill your days with game drives (during which you can see some of Kenya’s more unusual wildlife such as the grevy zebra and wild dog), walks, mountain biking, camel riding and a truly genuine cultural experience. Alternatively you can just relax in the infinity pool and enjoy a massage overlooking the river. Prize includes: - 2 nights at Solio Lodge in Laikipia - 2 nights at Sasaab in Samburu - 1 night at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. This prize is only valid for travel completed before 30th November 2012. It is subject to availability and non transferable. Please be aware that international flights, internal flights and park fees are not included.
GIRAFFE MANOR | SALA’S CAMP | SASAAB | SOLIO LODGE
For more information on your journey of a life time please see our website www.thesafaricollection.com and to organize the details of your holiday please email info@thesafaricollection.com
70
71
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman Value: $1,381 USD for 2 sharing (5,072 AED) 1 Night’s Accommodation in a Pool Villa Beachfront (Bed and Breakfast complimentary basis) Six Senses Zighy Bay is located in a secluded bay on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, less than two hours drive from Dubai International Airport, and is the first property operated by Six Senses Resorts and Spas in the Middle East. The Resort resembles a traditional Omani village, consisting of 82 luxurious pool villas that have been carefully designed and furnished to reflect local Omani culture and blend into the outstanding landscape. Six Senses Zighy Bay offers a wide range of restaurants and bars, a Six Senses Spa and an extensive variety of leisure facilities and activities including a fully equipped Fitness Centre, water sports, mountain trekking and biking, guided off road excursions, tandem paragliding, dive centre and marina, offering Yacht charter and berthing. The Six Senses Spa offers nine treatment rooms, a juice bar, two Arabian Hammams and a full menu of local and signature treatments. The spa focuses on holistic wellness programmes to rejuvenate and revitalise the senses and can personalise programmes to meet individual goals. Please note that the above offer is subject to availability, valid from 1 April 2012 to 20 December, 2012 (Excluding Easter, Eid, and high occupancy dates). Transfers not included. www.sixsenses.com
72
73
Goodwood Races, Great Britain
1 day with full hospitality for a couple at Glorious Goodwood Goodwood is one of Europe’s most beautiful and prestigious racecourses. Steeped in a rich history, the Goodwood Estate has been home to the Dukes of Richmond for more than 300 years and uniquely combines a dedication to tradition with a calendar of innovative and exciting sporting and social events. Royalty, celebrities, sporting heroes, statesmen, artists and diplomats have all enjoyed the unforgettable experience of Glorious Goodwood. Offering breathtaking views across the undulating beauty of the South Downs, to the Solent and the Isle of Wight, Goodwood is an idyllic setting for what promises to be some of the seasons finest flat racing. We look forward to welcoming the winner to Goodwood this Summer.
74
75
”
Business Card Drop Please drop your business card in the bowl at the entrance for a fantastic opportunity to win a holiday in a private luxury apartments for you and up to three friends in the Hideaways City Collection. The Hideaways Club is a global property company managing two international investment Funds – a luxury villa and a city apartment collection. Members of The Hideaways Club City Collection have exclusive year round access to a portfolio of luxurious apartment across Europe, USA, Middle East and South-East Asia. Explore the shops in New York, visit the Opera in Vienna, take a tour through the museums in London, or relax in the Spas in Asia. This amazing auction prize gives you and your friends the opportunity to spend 2 nights living in luxury. Simply select one of the exclusive apartments from The Hideaways Club portfolio and your personal concierge will take care of your every need. From arranging in-house chefs or restaurant bookings to spa treatments, all you have to do is relax and enjoy a hassle free holiday in one of our exquisitely designed and stylishly furnished luxury properties. This is the perfect break for friends or family. Includes 2 nights accommodation for up to 4 people on a self-catering basis. Complimentary Central and local concierge service and full apartment service. Subject to availability. Excludes Christmas, Easter and school holiday periods. All arrangements made through the concierge will be charged as taken. Does not include international travel or local transfers.
The Hideaways Club, a key player in the British Polo Day – invest in your lifestyle The Hideaways Club Members own an equity share in a global collection of exceptional properties and benefit from any future capital growth. They have exclusive use of the entire portfolio of properties, in either Fund, ranging from elegant beachside villas, luxurious ski chalets to stylish apartments in the world’s most fashionable cities, all complemented by a personal Concierge Service each time they travel.
Investment from £65,000 to £250,000 This investment carries the risk of potential loss of capital
W: www.thehideawaysclub.com T: +44 (0) 20 7824 9940 E: info@thehideawaysclub.com Investment in this scheme is restricted to certified high net worth or sophisticated investors. Evidence of this certification will be required before detailed information can be provided to you. The price or value of, or income from, investments can fall as well as rise. This investment carries a risk to your capital and an investor may get back less than the sum invested. You may have difficulty selling this investment at a reasonable price and in some circumstances it may be difficult to sell it at any price. Do not invest in this unless you have carefully thought about whether you can afford it and whether it is right for you. This financial promotion has been approved for the purposes of section 21 Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in the United Kingdom by Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, 25 Moorgate London EC2R 6AY, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
largemortgageloans.com
77
Residential - Development - Commercial - Overseas
Property - Finance - Wealth - Luxury
Specialists in property finance with extensive arrangements in place to assist you with your personal requirements. Comprehensive global links through high street banks and building societies, private banks, boutique lenders, and private investors.
MillionPlus is a service for entrepreneurs and professionals, offering a specialist search engine for UK properties valued at £1million and above, tailored residential and commercial finance solutions, chartered financial planning services and exclusive offers on luxury items such as watches, boats, jets and jewellery. 12 Pepper Street, Glengall Bridge, Docklands, London, E14 9QY Tel: +44 (0)20 7519 4950
E-mail: info@millionplus.com
Web: www.millionplus.com
MillionPlus is a trading style of Million Plus.Com Ltd.
Fully qualified professionals available to speak or meet at short notice to assist you. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage Changes in the exchange rate may increase the sterling equivalent of your debt
12 Pepper Street, Glengall Bridge, Docklands, London, E14 9QY Tel: +44 (0)20 7519 4900 E-mail: info@largemortgageloans.com Web: www.largemortgageloans.com Largemortgageloans.com is a trading style of Largemortgageloans.com Ltd. A fee of up to 1% of the mortgage amount is payable, of this 25% is payable on application and the remainder on completion. E.g. on a mortgage of £100,000 the fee would be £1,000 in total of which £250 would be payable on application. The total fee is non-refundable. We may also be paid commission from the lender.
79
Fortnum & Mason • Big Ben • Afternoon Tea • Changing the Guard • Bond Street The Grand National • Stonehenge • The Royal Family • • Wimbledon • The Tower of London • Harrods •
Polo
The Ritz
Buckingham Palace • Strawberries & Cream • Saville Row • Rain • The Houses of Parliament • Smoked Salmon • Tweeds * Roxtons Field Sports • Stately Homes
*Another Great British Institution
You can be there! Don’t miss the chance to see, hear and feel the excitement this summer. Be there to witness history being made at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with Prestige hospitality. - Guaranteed official London 2012 tickets - A world-class hospitality experience - Packages from only £495pp (+VAT)
First Class Shooting and Fishing in the UK and around the World. Traditional British Service. By us. For you.
Availability is very limited – contact an advisor today to book your place at this year’s ultimate sporting spectacle on
44 (0)20 7235 6606
+
or sophie@britishpoloday.com 25 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0NF www.roxtons.com info@roxtons.com +44 (0)1488 689788
80
81
BRITISH POLO DAY PERSONALITIES Simon Ledger
Major Rupert Lewis
The voice of British Polo Day
Player - British Polo Day
Simon Ledger is a retired Lt Col in the British Cavalry regiment, The Light Dragoons. He joined the Army in 1975 and has served all over the world including Northern Ireland, UK, Germany, Norway, Cyprus, the Middle East and Kosovo. His last appointment was the Deputy Garrison Commander at Tidworth.
Rupert Lewis commissioned into The Household Cavalry in 1997. As a junior officer he held numerous Regimental posts and served on operations in Bosnia. In 2004 he spent a year in Sierra Leone working as an Advisor to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces before returning home to serve with The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on ceremonial duties in London. Over the last 4 years he has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, more recently in Afghanistan commanding D Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment.
Playing polo since 1976, he has run the Tidworth PC as well as the Cyprus Polo Association and the CSPA. He began commentating in 1987 (polo, eventing and race calling) and since 1994 has commentated for all the major polo tours at Tidworth PC, Guards PC, Sandhurst and all British Polo Days worldwide. Chairman of the Army Polo Association since 2003; he organises all Army Polo activity.
Rupert started playing polo through the Pony Club and counts the Guards Polo Club as his home club. Since joining the Army he has represented the Regimental, Army Polo and Combined Services teams. He has played across the world including America, Argentina, Dubai, India, Jordan, Kenya and Singapore.
Patrick Gather British Polo Day Film Director Patrick graduated from London Metropolitan University’s BA Film Studies course with a first class degree and in late 2008 started working for Andrew MacDonald’s ‘DNA films’. Since then he directed and AD’ed a variety of shorts shot all over Europe, which have been screened in the festival circuit, including Cannes and Venice Film Festival 2010/11. His most recent directing credits include ‘The Fair Sex’ (s16mm) which was produced by Bafta winning producer Gary Holding and WW2 epic ‘Shelter’ (35mm), starring a number of popular British actors. Apart from TV work for ‘Media Trust’, the ‘Community Channel’ and the BBC, he has also produced and directed various commercials and promos and most significantly the British Polo Day films since 2011.
Stuart Wrigley Patron - Started polo through British Polo Day Stuart - and his Rhinos team plays every year in the Dubai Silver Cup. He is a member of the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club and is a rising star. He captained the Oxbridge team at the British Polo Day Middle East and his Rhinos team got to the final of the Dubai Silver Cup. He has played polo in Thailand, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom and was very pleased to add Beijing to his polo destinations. He looks forward to playing for his alma mata here at British Polo Day Dubai.
82
partners
83
84
info@britishpoloday.com - +44 (0) 207 235 6606 - www.britishpoloday.com