Polo Lifestyles - Haiti November 2017

POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti

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VOLUME I / ISSUE III / NOVEMBER 2017

POLO AFRICAN STYLE THE STUNNING SERENGETI Seven Days on Safari

POLO IN HAITI The Untold Story

PLAYERS, POWER, PASSION THE SPIRIT OF AFRICAN POLO PEAK PERFORMANCE ON THE ROAD page 1

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VOLUME VOLUME II // ISSUE ISSUE III III // NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2017 2017

POLO LIFESTYLES Haiti T H E M AG A Z I N E

L’ÉQUIPE:

Claude-Alix Bertrand

President/Executive Editor

Josh Jakobitz

SVP Marketing/Editor

Lucy Crabtree Copy Editor

Oksana Toussaint-Vig

Senior Global Fashion Curator

Trystanne Cunningham

Senior Global Style Curator

Christelle Pierrette Pierre

Style Contributor, Port-au-Prince

Daniel Hawkins

Multi-Media Advisor

Mark Wine

Fitness Columnist

Joey Velez

Wellness Contributor

Wendelle Theodore

Style & Culture Contributor, Paris Desk

Matt Thompson

Travel Columnist

Contributing Photographers:

Alfredo Piola/WWD Nacho Corbalan Themba Mbuyisa Oscar Fridman Jim Chu

Fanny Latour-Lambert Natalie Payne Leeanne Robertson Arthur Edwards Nick Greece

Haiti Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Co. All rights reserved.

For information or to advertise, contact editor@htpolo.com Read online www.haitipololifestyles.com On the cover: Ntsako Mitenda, Raw Afrika Models, photographed by Themba Mbuyisa

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tv

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ARE YOU GOING?

Polo in the City Sydney ♦ November 18 Brisbane ♦ November 25 Melbourne ♦ December 2 Perth ♦ December 9 Adelaide ♦ December 15 www.polointhecity.com Polo World Cup Manipur, India Imphal Polo Grounds November 22-29 124th Annual Hurlingham Open Triple Crown Hurlingham Polo Club November 11 - December 2 Hurlingham, Argentina www.hurlinghampolo.com Bentley Polo Championships November 11-12 Scottsdale, Arizona www.thepoloparty.com New Orleans Women’s Charity Tournament New Orleans Polo Club November 4 New Orleans, Louisiana www.neworleanspoloclub.com 2017 High Tech Motor Cars Victory Cup Boots and Pearls Polo Tournament November 4 Manor, Texas www.manorcup.org

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CONTENTS

Lord Louis Mountbatten A tribute to a great polo player pg. 64

POLO AFRICAN STYLE: the Cups, the destinations, the players and designers, pg. 30

HAITI POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Ambassador ClaudeAlix Bertrand, Executive Editor of Haiti Polo Lifestyles

Editor Josh Jakobitz SVP Marketing and Editor of Haiti Polo Lifestyles

From the Paris desk, Wendelle Theodore explores the PIASA auction of Haitian art, page 54

Functional Muscle Fitness CEO Mark Wine on how athletes can avoid travel pitfalls, pg. 106

Photographer Themba Mbuyisa beautifully captures the spirit of polo in Africa, pg. 30

Journalist and TV host Christelle Pierrette Pierre is bonkers for Billionaire S/S18, pg. 88

Photographer Will Johnson captures professional athletes in their moments of exhilaration, pg. 106

Stylist and influencer Oksana Vig shows us the hottest bags for Spring/ Summer 2018, pg. 84

Wellness coach Joey Velez shares his struggle with an injury that made him stronger, pg. 102

Freelance digital marketer and travel writer Matt Thompson sees the big five in Tanzania, pg. 49

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Players, Passion, Power: the Spirit of African Polo, pg. 42

The untold history of polo in Haiti pg. 76

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MAKE

YOUR HOME BAR THE BEST BAR IN TOWN

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Reposted FOR THE RECORD Curated Instagram posts from October

sodelhi

Delhi is lit up for the celebration of Diwali in India

thetimes

Laila Skovmand on vocals, singing in the tank, “Aquasonic� concert

lunionsuite

Crystal clear waters of the Caribbean enjoyed off the coast of Haiti

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wpc_sydney

Wide-brimmed hats and chic maxi dresses are the perfect polo look

invictustoronto

Invictus Games in Toronto wheelchair rugby

alexander_foung

The Chanel Spring-Summer 2018 runway show at Le Grand Palais, Paris

telegraph

Prince Harry and Megan Markle make their first official appearance together

shezblazed

Blazes in northern California, brings community together

huffpostitalia

Catalonia government dissolved by Spain after declaration of independence

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wpc_sydney

Chile defeated New Zealand 9-2 at XI FIP World Polo Championships

mtourismehaiti

Sunrise Airways inaugurates service from Port-au-Prince to Orlando, Florida

publicnewsservice

Mega fires on the rise in California claim the lives of 42

royalteawithjam

A Maori greeting “hongi” between Prince William and Corporal Willie Apiata

tucan_pereyra

Big scare today as Facundo Pieres tumbled during the Ellerstina finals

sz

German university students enjoy the traditional shaving foam fight

capital.bg

245 people simultaneously ropes on a 30-meter bridge in Brazil

chrismuscat

Team Australia’s Jack Archibald in Australia vs. Spain in Sydney

gemmlisaw

@sothebys Harry Winston 33.63 carats pink diamond to be auctioned 15 Nov

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Scoreboards & Cocktails

TOURNAMENTS & ACTION IN OCTOBER

2017 Lagos International Polo Tournament Nigeria

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2017 Lagos International Polo Tournament Nigeria

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110th Annual Prince of Wales Polo Cup

South African Polo Association ♦ Rosefield Polo Club

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124th Annual Hurlingham Open Triple Crown October 10-28 Hurlingham Polo Club, Argentina

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Kenya International Polo Tournament Nairobi Polo Grounds, Jamhuri September 15-24 Kenya

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World Polo Championship Sydney XI FIP Sydney Polo Club October 10-28 ♦ Australia

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World Polo Championship Sydney XI FIP Sydney Polo Club October 10-28 Australia

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DOS BA NDER AS H A ND-M A DE CUSTOM A RGEN TI NE POLO EQU IPM EN T HAITI POLO TEA M COLLECTION

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Ultimate in luxury of the future.

At this year’s gathering of the most magnificent classic cars at Pebble Beach in California, Mercedes-Benz is once again set to present a highlight: the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is a car which, with its sensual, emotionally appealing design and innovative technical concept solutions, defines the ultimate in luxury of the future. At the same time the two-seater model pays homage to the glorious “automotive haute couture” 28 ofpage hand-finished, exclusive cabriolets.

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POLO AFRICAN STYLE

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The Prince of Wales Polo Cup, named in honor of the then-Prince Edward of Wales, dates back to the early 20th century. During a royal tour of Africa in 1925, Prince Edward played in and donated a polo Cup to the South African tournament, now one of the premier polo tournaments on the South African Polo calendar.

In 1925, His Royal Highness Prince Edward of Wales embarked on the fourth of his Empire Tours to West Africa and South Africa, where the Prince played in a series of polo matches. His Highness donated the Prince of Wales Polo Cup to the tournament, which now bears his name.

Originally played in KwaZulu-Natal, the Cup moved to Johannesburg in 2014 and typically plays the last weekend of August every year. In 2017, the competition transitioned to a pan-African one, with the South Africa team taking on the Kenya team.

The theme for the 110th Prince of Wales Polo Cup—Past, Present, Future—honors its heritage from Prince Edward while celebrating the present as Africa’s grandest polo tournament, and pointing to a new direction as a pan-African polo tournament.

The editorial campaign Polo African Style was the vision of Johannesburg-born photographer Themba Mbuyisa, 2015 National Award Winner by World Photography Organisation, who’s quickly rising to fame. page 31

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PLAYERS, PASSION, POWER THE SPIRIT OF

African Polo

UNEKU ATAWODI & ADEYEMO ALAKIJA page 42

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ZOMPIE TSOTETSI Zompie Tsotsetsi is Inanda Polo Academy’s shining star, already a professional polo player and coach at the club. He’s expecting to raise his goal handicap in the upcoming polo season.

Uneku Ataowodi is a female professional polo player. She grew up around the polo club in the Nigerian capital of Kaduna and later worked in stables at England’s Epsom Club to pay stable fees. These days, her NGO “Ride to Shine” introduces orphans to polo.

IGNATIUS du PLESSIS Ignatius du Plessis started playing polo on his father’s farm in South Africa. At 15, he went to Argentina to join Indios Chapaleufú II, making his highgoal debut in 2010. Du Plessis played two games for La Aguada and then for Ellerstina. He played in the final of the Argentine Open in Dec ‘14.

“Polo is the sport of kings, so it costs a lot,” says Adeyemo Alakija, a Lagos Polo Club member. “A lot of people play to show off, but for me, it’s an addiction. I love this beautiful game.” page 43

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TUNDE KARIM

Nigeria Polo Team Lagos Polo Club, Lagos, Nigeria page 44

DIRK VAN REENEN South Africa Polo Club Johannesburg

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CRAIG MILLAR Kenya Samurai Polo Club Nairobi

RAPHAEL NZOMO Kenya Samurai Polo Club Nairobi

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CHRISTOPHER MACKENZIE page 46

South Africa Guards Polo Club

BYRON WATSON South Africa

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STUART ERSKINE South Africa Coca-Cola Polo Team

STUART CAMPBELL South Africa Sarasota Polo Club

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Travel

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STUNNING SERENGETI

SEVEN DAYS ON SAFARI IN TANZANIA We awoke with the sun around 6:30 a.m. to the sounds of a buffalo sniffing for breakfast outside our two-bedroom canvas tent. A pack of hyenas cried in the not-so-far distance and countless songbirds were chirping in the trees overhead. My wife and I were on day four of our week-long Tanzanian safari and had already seen the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), witnessed the great wildebeest migration and explored two national parks. We traveled across jungle, desert and plains to a luxury safari camp in the middle of the Serengeti. Surrounded on all sides by the African Savannah and miles from the nearest ranger station, we were truly a world away from the life we knew. page 51

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Over the course of seven days, my wife Lauren and I enjoyed a private safari through Tanzania that included Tarangire, Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks, as well as perhaps the most beautiful safari location in the world, Ngorongoro Crater.

On safari days, we hit the trail from morning until dusk in search of as many animals as we could find. Some of the most memorable moments included watching a family of elephants knock over trees so their calves could eat the leaves, observing a pair of young female lions stalk a herd of buffalo; and, from our perch on a branch of an acacia tree, witnessing a jaguar feast on a gazelle.

The accommodations were incredible and as impressive as the safari itself, ranging from luxury camps offering sunset happy hours to a boutique hotel with its own organic farm and colonial style coffee plantation.

The coffee in Tanzania is world-class, particularly the Arabica beans, the country’s largest export crop. The food was excellent, with each destination serving local grilled meats, fresh local produce and delicious bean dishes for dinner, and quality breakfast buffets. The chef prepared a pack lunch each morning, comprised of fresh baked goods, grilled chicken and fruit. South African wines and zebras grazing nearby, a picnic organized by our tour guide was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Our Tanzania safari was a unique, luxurious experience with just the right amount of adventure. August and September are peak season, but go in early July for excellent weather, few insects and smaller crowds.

About the Author Matt Thompson is a travel writer and freelance digital marketing professional with over nine years’ experience working for prominent brands in the travel industry and writing for one of Forbes’ Top 10 Travel Influencers, JohnnyJet.com. Travel is Matt’s true passion, and he particularly enjoys exploring and experiencing foreign cultures, from their history to their local cuisine. Follow his travels on Instagram at @theurbanbear.

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Both Beats by Dr. Dre and Balmain are connected by a love for music, fashion and culture. We celebrate diversity, innovation, and the constant challenging of status quo. It’s with this very connection that our unique partnership was born. A shared belief that without the diversity that music brings us, our world would be nothing. Music is the thread that connects us all, allowing us to dream, and giving us a way to escape. page 57

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Art

PRIVATE AUCTION

GLOBE-TROTTING FRIENDS OF HAITI GATHER IN PARIS PIASA, a Parisian auction house, in conjunction with Le Centre d’Art de Port-auPrince, Fondasyon Konesans Ak Libète (FOKAL), La Fondation pour le Rayonnement de l’Art Haïtien, and Fondation Daniel & Nina Carasso, hosted an auction to raise money for Haiti’s Centre d’Art, which was damaged in the 2010 earthquake.

The exposition, “L’Art Haitien de 1940 à Nos Jours” (Haitian Art from 1940 to Present Days), opened October 19 to close a nearly week-long celebration of Haitian art and culture.

One highlights of the week was Les Voix d’Haiti, a concert at Parisian nightclub New Morning where Haitian artists performed for hundreds of people. Haitian singer James Germain said he was happy he was to be part of the event and that the concert was his way of using his voice to serve a great cause. Music icon Beethovas Obas came from Belgium for the event, and the young singers Ayiiti and Melissa Laveaux were also part of the show.

On the day of the auction, the guests trickled in, as diverse as they were rich: Marie Laure Croiziers de Lacvivier, the granddaughter of Léopold Sédar Senghor, writer, poet, and former president of Senegal; Vanessa Matignon, the Ambassador of Haiti in France; and Haitian

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businessman Mathias Pierre were among the distinguished guests. Art lovers, musicians, collectors, journalists, businessmen, friends of Haiti—all were there to show support. The Centre, founded in 1944 by American painter DeWitt Peters, collected nearly 100 pieces of art for the auction, from artists such as Préfète Duffaut, Prospere Pierre-Louis, Georges Liautaud, and Wilson Bigaud.

Axelle Liautaud, president of the Centre’s board, said the auction was promising. The

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Left page, “Femme en Son Boudoir” by Simil (Emilcar Similien) was the highest-selling piece of the night.

This page, “Le bateau rouge de Bossu” by Edouard Duval-Carrie and below “Nina et Romi” by Pascale Monnin.

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highest-selling piece of the night was “Femme en son Boudoir” by Simil (Emilcar Similien). The 1979 painting sold for 32,000 Euros (over $37,000 USD).

Other notable pieces included “Femme Endormie” by Luce Turnier (23,000 Euros) and “La Sirene Jetant son Filet” by Rigaud Benoit (18,000 Euros).

Liautaud’s goal is to ensure that Haitian art gets the recognition it deserves, and return it to its glory days of the 1940s and 1950s.

The exposition was the second of its kind. In 2015, the Embassy of Haiti in Paris held an art exhibition called “Haiti—Two Centuries of Artistic Creation.” The Grand-Palais, one of the biggest exhibition centers in Paris, hosted the exposition, introducing the beautiful Haitian culture to thousands of visitors.

Wendelle Theodore is the Paris Desk Style Contributor for Haiti Polo Lifestyles. She recently became vegan and blogs about it at hellocrepuscule.com. She is a brand ambassador for Ayizana and former radio show host in her hometown of Jacmel, Haiti.

The Centre d’Art is considering auctions in other cities around the world, and we’re packing our bags. Next time, we will even bring something home.

Nadege Azor, left, attended the festivities around the art auction and Haitian artist Ayiti “Ayiiti” Coles, right, performed during the live program. page 60

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Top: Poet James Noel recited from his collection of poetry. Bottom left: Ambassador of Haiti in France Vanessa Matignon and the diplomatic corps. Bottom right: Renowned African art collector Marie Laure Croiziers de Lacvivier and guest at the cocktail reception.

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On the Market

BETHENNY FRANKEL & FREDRIK EKLUND’S DESIGN-BICKERING COLLABORATION RESULTS IN A TWO-BEDROOM MASTERPIECE 10 Madison Square West Flatiron District, NYC

Listing agent: Douglas Elliman, www.elliman.com

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WWW. HAITIPOLOLIFESTYLES.COM Completely gut renovated and with the highest ceilings (11.5’) in the building, Residence 2D at 10 Madison Square West is the realization of world renowned designer Alan Wanzenberg’s original vision, expertly tailored with every inch custom and upgraded in 2017 by interior design team at Carlyle Designs. This impeccable, south-facing 1,690 square foot split two bedroom, two and a half bath luxurious condo loft, where uptown meets downtown, features one of the largest, most dramatic master suites and custom-built dressing area.

10 Madison lies next door to Eataly and has one of city’s best amenity package, which includes 24hr doorman, live-in super, gym, swimming pool, steam, treatment rooms, yoga and pilates studios, a children’s playroom, and garden.

Everything is new, every square foot is custom, and every detail has thoughtfully been upgraded in this residence. The entry foyer possesses British oak chevron floors and opens into a gracious living space with soaring ceilings & Great Room with massive, south-facing windows. The chef’s kitchen with island and separate dining area are perfect for entertaining, featuring German SieMatic cabinets, Italian Bianco Carraro marble, large island with a stonework waterfall edge, and Allied Maker Brass and frosted glass pendant lighting over-

head. A custom book-matched stonework hood + range surrounds top-of-the-line appliances by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele, and has custom details, including a Watermark hammered faucet.

The south-facing Master Suite features a grand custom builtout dressing room with LED-lighting. The five-fixture master bathroom features a Catch Pole & Rye freestanding metal bathtub from London, a separate glass-encased shower and custom gray-stained oak wall paneling. The brass-trimmed shagreen double-vanity with oversized custom-recessed medicine cabinets are surrounded by back-lit stonework and recessed cove lighting.

The guest bath, which is ensuite off of the secondary bedroom (also south-facing), is delicately outfitted with alabaster and bronze wall sconces, brass-trimmed shagreen vanity, hammered brass w/ frosted glass ceiling fixture, herringbone Calacatta marble floors, and Watermark hammered fixtures.

The powder room includes a Glass Rod Brass decorative ceiling light from Hudson Valley Lighting, bespoke brass fragmented wall mirror, mosaic Calacatta and Thassos marble flooring, and Watermark hammered faucet. Furniture, Art, Décor by Interior Marketing Group.

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Player profile: Lord Louis Mountbatten A great man and polo player

Lord Louis Mountbatten was not only an outstanding naval officer, war hero and diplomat, but also a passionate polo player. He reached a 5-goal handicap and left an invaluable polo legacy, serving as mentor to several important members of the royal family: his nephew, Prince Philip, as well as Princes Charles, William, and Harry.

A BRILLIANT NAVAL OFFICER AND WAR HERO, AND HIS PASSION FOR POLO

“Polo is a wonderful sport, one which combines several skills: one must be a good rider and there is the challenge of striking the ball at speed. But the best thing about the sport is playing with friends ... I was never a natural polo talent, nor a good rider at the beginning: I had to work hard to be good. I had to study the game. I watched English and American films in slow motion and analyzed the players hitting the ball.

I also remember that my team and I used to come up with tactics around a billiard table. As polo is amateur, I had to do everything myself. I remember one time I was speaking to an international player, and I asked him advice about how to hit the ball. He said: ‘My dear Dickie, hit it quickly! Hit it like a snake!’” — Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, as told by John Terraine in his book, “The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten” (1968). page 68

Prince Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas of Battenberg was born on June 25, 1900, in Forgmore House, Windsor, son of Prince Louis of Battenberg, 1st Marquis of Milford Haven, and Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. On his mother’s side, he was the grandson of Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria, making him great-grandson of the famous monarch. Prince Louis had three siblings: Alice of Battenberg, Louise (later Queen of Sweden) and George, 2nd Marquis of Milford Haven.

In 1917, due to tensions with Germany caused by World War I, King George V decided to change the surname of the royal household from Saxe-Coburg Gotha to Windsor. The King also ordered the modification of every German surname in the family; thus Battenberg became Mountbatten. Louis was therefore Lord Louis Mountbatten, but to his closest friends, he was Dickie.

Louis was home schooled until the age of 10. At 13 he entered the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth before going on to serve in World War II. Between wars he pursued a career in the navy, specializing in communications. In 1922, he married the Honorable Edwina Ashley at St. Margaret’s Church, London—the greatest

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social event of the year. A year before his wedding, Louis accompanied his cousin David, Prince of Wales, to India, where Louis discovered polo. The sport captivated him for the rest of his life, and he would go on to become a great advocate for polo.

Clare Milford Haven, an avid polo player, married to George, current Marquis of Milford Haven, great-nephew of Louis, remembered Louis’ introduction to polo in India in an interview: “He was not a natural rider in his youth, but the future Lord Mountbatten definitely fell in love with polo.” In his diary entry for December 1921, Louis wrote enthusiastically, “It was one of the best mornings of my life ... I played my first ever polo match. I played two chukkas, the eighth and the eleventh. I think the average handicap of the players in India is five, but it is undoubtedly one of the best things in India.” In India Louis played matches with the Maharaja’s team, against Prince David. That first interaction with polo was the beginning of a long love affair. Clare Milford Haven recalls what

Lord Louis wrote to his mother: “For the first time in my life I am excited about a sport. Soon I will be playing polo more than anything else!”

After their wedding, Louis and Lady Edwina moved to Aldstean, West Sussex, near Cowdray Park Polo Club, founded in 1910, the epicenter of English polo at the time. Louis already had his polo team, Aldstean, and competed in several club tournaments. His naval team was the Bluejackets, and from 1930–1931 they stood out in tournaments at Hurlingham, Ranelagh and Roehampton. In 1937, he was promoted to captain in the navy, and later served in World War II commanding HMS Kelly, which was torpedoed in 1941 during the Battle of Crete. By orders of Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Louis became the first chief planner of Operation Overlord, which came to an end with the Allied Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. In 1943, Churchill appointed Louis the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command, and promoted him to acting full Admiral. During Louis’ time page 69

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in that post, his command oversaw the recapture of Burma from the Japanese. A personal high point was the reception of the Japanese surrender in Singapore.

After the war, Louis was named Earl of Mountbatten and Burma, and he became the last Viceroy of India (1947) and the first Governor-General of the independent Dominion of India (1947–48), from which the modern Republic of India emerged in 1950. Louis then went back to his naval career, and concentrated on polo, which he never abandoned.

MALTA, THE POLO PARADISE FOR ENGLISH OFFICERS, AND THE INFLUENCE OF LORD MOUNTBATTEN Like many British officers and members of the Royal Family, Louis made Malta his special place. The small archipelago in the central Mediterranean was a compulsory stop for officers returning from India. In 1865, English officers introduced polo to the West on Malta. Louis not only played; he spent hours analyzing the game and even the sticks. In 1931, he designed

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and patented a special stick that became popular at the time, developed to give the player greater reach when striking the ball. That same year he published his famous book, “An Introduction to Polo,” under the pseudonym “Marco.” The copyright belonged to the Royal Naval Association, which Louis presided over.

The book became a best seller, and is considered an essential guide to polo to this day.

Malta is and has been a very special place for both the British Royal Family and Louis. In 1870, his father, Louis, played polo there while serving as a marine officer. Two important trophies at the Malta Polo Club are attributed to Lord Mountbatten: the Prince Louis Cup, in memory of his father, and the prestigious Cawnpore Cup, the origin of which dates back to 1901, and which Mountbatten insisted on taking to Malta from India after the war. Malta remembers Lord Mountbatten fondly. He was generous with and gave personal lessons to the local players.

Louis talks about polo in Malta in “The Life and

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Times of Lord Mountbatten.” He states: “Polo was very important to me in Malta, particularly as captain of my team, the Bluejackets. … I have many wonderful memories of the Marsa field [the main ground of Malta Polo Club].”

King George V started the polo tradition in Malta, and his children continued his legacy. Louis introduced his nephew, Philip (later Prince Philip Mountbatten, husband of Elizabeth II), to polo in Malta toward the end of the 1940s.

Encouraged by his uncle, Philip became an avid polo player, playing with his team Windsor Park in the 1960s. Like his uncle, he reached a 5-goal handicap and spent part of his naval and polo, career in Malta.

During the 1960s Louis also shared his love of polo with his great-nephew and godson, Prince Charles.

Louis greatly influenced the young Prince Charles, who in turn adored him. Charles referred to the tradition of polo in the Royal Family and the importance of Louis in his life when he wrote the prologue to the book, “Profiles in Polo,” compiled by historian Horace Laffaye: “My family seem to have been involved with polo since its introduction into Britain ... my greatgreat-uncle, the Duke of Connaught, my great-grandfather, King George V and his brother, the Duke of Clarence were amongst some the early players … my grandfather, King George VI and his three brothers were all devoted to polo … And later my great-uncle Lord Mountbatten took a great deal of interest in the improvement of my game.”

Louis stopped playing polo in the 1950s, but his enthusiasm for the game never diminished. He attended matches and watched from the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club. He was patron of the New Forest Polo Club, where he donated the Bluejackets Cup, the club’s main trophy today. His last visits to polo were in 1979, when he presented the Gold Cup for the British Open at Cowdray Park, and the Rundle Cup to his great nephew-in Tidworth, who won the tournament with his team Royal Navy.

On August 27, 1979, Louis went lobster potting and tuna fishing in his 30-foot wooden boat, Shadow V, which had been moored in the harbor at Mullaghmore, Ireland. IRA member Thomas McMahon had slipped onto the unguarded boat that night and

attached a radio-controlled bomb weighing 50 pounds (23 kg). When Louis was aboard, just a few hundred yards from the shore, the bomb was detonated, destroying the boat. Louis’ legs were almost blown off.

He was pulled alive from the water by nearby fishermen, but died from his injuries before being brought to shore. His funeral was held at Westminster Abbey.

The polo legacy left by Lord Louis Mountbatten is invaluable. Just like his public service, his polo career was one of enthusiasm and passion. Today he is honored at the club founded by his nephew in 1955, Guards Polo Club, with the Mountbatten Cup. Louis’ legacy continues with his great nephew George Milford Haven and his wife Clare, and his royal great-grandchildren, William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.

By Alejandra Ocampo, courtesy of Pololine.com page 71

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Accessories

GHANAIAN COUSINS PUT A NOTCH IN YOUR POLO BELT Sykes & Woodrow, founded by cousins Michael Sykes and William Wood in 2016, has emerged as one of Africa’s most unique fashion and lifestyle brands. Earlier this year, they collaborated with the Accra Polo Club in Ghana, one of Africa’s oldest polo clubs.

Sykes & Woodrow supplied the club with a selection of the brand’s Classic Edition belt collection, which many of the club’s riders wear.

The cousins were inspired to create belts after a trip to a modest market in Rome, where they stumbled across a vendor selling scarves in a rainbow of woven colors. Sykes and Wood were stirred by the energetic colors and wanted to adapt a similar style with woven belts to introduce to the growing retail market in Africa and boutique stores in London.

After a few late nights filled with pencil and digital drawings, Sykes & Woodrow was born, and now operates from both London and Accra. This cross-continent partnership combines the rich and vibrant colors of African culture and style with the European minimalistic aesthetic, producing a distinct and desirable limited edition woven belt collection.

The Sykes & Woodrow Color Edition collection sold out within two months of launch, prompting them to design and add more luxurious textures to their range, including their new Polo Edition. The brand is ever evolving, with plans to expand beyond woven belts and design additional fashion essentials.

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Men’s Style BILLIONAIRE

ZIPPY SPRING/SUMMER 2018 COLLECTION Christelle Pierrette Pierre | christellepierre@gmail.com

Billionaire represents power and influence. The first look or the first impression explains a way of life, and with Billionaire, a man passes from incognito to classy and sophisticated—a man of society who shines with the spark of his fire, exudes his strength, who is sure of himself like a billionaire.

During Billionaire’s Spring/Summer 2018 fashion show in Milan, we discovered a collection that demonstrates the dexterity of the Philipp Plein Group-owned Italian brand through each of the pieces shown to la crème de la crème of the Italian high society.

The show exudes charisma and an uncontrollable aura, with a palette of sunflower yellow, turquoise blue, fluorescent pink, grass green, and vermilion. A sensational, sexy model, divine and beautiful, wore a new men’s jumpsuit-pajama, an Adonis in a satin combination. And so many jackets! Tailored jackets in different shades with pockets, buttons, patch pockets. Golden coats and embroidered ruby ​​guns.

Sophisticated jackets, neatly sewn in black, beige, imperial yellow, avocado green, and sea blue. Elegant straight shorts, sports pants, sweaters and shirts reflect a prism of varying shades: ivory and white platinum; sapphire, Persian, and royal blue; grenadine red; blushing coral. Even denim made a stealthy appearance among these daring pieces. The tuxedo also has its place in this complete collection for men.

The accessories were superb in their own right: gloves, leather belts and flashy crocodile coats. The refined Italian elegance of designer shoes did not disappoint: slippers, loafers, sneakers and moccasins adorned with leather, soft velvet and crocodile.

A breathtaking show where the virility could melt even the iciest of hearts showcased models straight from a James Bond film. No one but Philipp Plein, creator of the Swiss-German label that bears his name, could sell better men’s fashion—a dash of audacity in a beautiful collection that captivates attention. All men need to look like Billionaire. page 76

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History

POLO IN HAITI:

THE UNTOLD STORY Lucy Crabtree | editor@htpolo.com

When one thinks of Haiti, the Sport of Kings does not automatically spring to mind, however back in the 1920s and 30s, polo was once a part of Haiti’s very elegant social landscape.

The American occupation (1915-1934) consisted of several military commissions. W. Cameron Forbes led the Hoover Commission in Haiti. A big lover of the sport, he had a hill leveled to construct Haiti’s original polo field near the capital of Port-auPrince, soon after arriving on the island. page 80

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Grooms in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in the early 1900s.

The sign advertises Horse Racing and Matches at the Champs-de-Mars government plaza.

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THE UNTOLD STORY OF POLO IN HAITI From military occupation roots to present day global power A noted polo expert, Forbes started by organizing tournaments and inviting notable players, mostly American.

Their time on the island not only facilitated savoring and exploring the beauty of Haiti but also competitive polo matches. Notable players included Walt Disney, Erick Pedley, Tommy Hitchcock, Jr. and Cecil Smith.

Forbes also introduced the sport to local army officers, and with proper training and skills, they were soon participating very competitively in the matches.

Quite naturally, the sport became the subject of curiosity and speculation among the local population. American officers stationed in Haiti for the occupation mingled with the highest level of Haitian government officials at sunny afternoon matches.

As polo grew in popularity, so did the attendance and guests. The Haitians elite flocked to the matches played most afternoons between local army officers, wealthy Americans and stationed Marines.

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Above: President of the Republic HE Louis Borno and First Lady Marie-Helene Saint Macary; Below: Soldiers lined up to watch polo; Left, top: Spectators at a polo match; Left, middle: Place Saint Pierre in Petion-Ville; Left, bottom: horses crossing the river

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Top to bottom: Haiti Polo Team members at the San Francisco International: Claude-Alix Bertrand, Akin Sotomi, Francisco Pizarro, and Peter Laughlin.

Claude-Alix Bertrand and then-Minister of Tourism Stephanie Balmir-Villedrouin at a gala in Port-au-Prince.

Current Minister of Tourism in Haiti Jessy Menos with Bertrand on the sidelines of a match.

A 1932 issue of Leatherneck Magazine, a publication for the U.S. Marine Corps, noted that polo in Haiti had long since arrived. In fact, in July 1929, veteran polo players from Haiti and China formed the Marine Corps Riding and Polo Association in Quantico, Virginia. Unfortunately, when U.S. troops left Haiti in 1934, enthusiasm for polo waned.

Fast forward 80 years to 2013, Stephanie Balmir-Villedrouin, newly appointed as Haiti’s Minister of Tourism, was brainstorming ways to improve Haiti’s image and increase tourism in the country. In conversation with the first known Haitian professional polo player, Claude-Alix Bertrand, the idea to create a national polo team for Haiti was born.

Bertrand has big plans for his motherland. In addition to spearheading Haiti’s national polo team, he vowed to bring polo back not just as entertainment, but as part of Haiti’s sporting panorama in an ambitious tourism project, currently in development.

A competitive polo player, his passion for the sport and his native land are palpable. Bertrand was introduced to the sport of polo at the age of seven while vacationing in Barbados.

Over the years, his emphatic passion for the sport has continuously gotten him back into the saddle despite major injuries. A United States Polo Association player from 2003-2013, Bertrand is now captain of Haiti Polo Team. The team trains rigorously in preparation for competition regularly representing Haiti. Since 2014, Haiti Polo Team has made history several times, winning notable tournaments on the global polo tour. page 84

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Land Rover “Polo in the City” is part of the Urban Polo series, the largest national polo series in the world. Established in 2005, the award-winning “Polo in the City” spans five major cities in Australia, from November 18th to December 15th. Haiti Polo Team is thrilled to compete in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

Come cheer us on.

Tickets: polointhecity.com/hospitality

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Fashion

80S INSPIRATION Oksana Vig | oksavig@gmail.com

The Spring/Summer 2018 season will give us our most colorful closets ever, with breathtaking accessories: jeweled sunglasses, dramatically shaped heels, Aladdin shoes, elf sneakers, and fidget spinners.

Many big brands have decided to go back to the 1980s for inspiration for the next season. Who would have thought that boots, sequins, pearls and stones would make a comeback? The standards have changed. We made a list of new trends for Spring/Summer 2018.

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STILETTOS, PUMPS, WEDGES AND MORE

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Trends

HOT OFF THE RUNWAY Christelle Pierrette Pierre | christellepierre@gmail.com

A well-dressed gentleman is like a thunderbolt, capturing attention without excess, combining luxury and taste. A gentleman adapts to trends because he already knows what he wants and likes to bring a bit of novelty to his personal style. The 2018 trends in men’s fashion will add a punch to his daily life.

MEN’S BAGS: The most en vogue bags come from fashion houses such as Billionaire, Hackett, Bleu de Chauffe, Herschell, Louis Vuitton, Longchamp and Thom Browne, and in a myriad of styles like the 24-hour and 48-hour, vintage, satchel, sport, messenger and weekend.

CHELSEA BOOTS: The most elegant boots of all, Chelsea boots bear a military influence. The boots convey both a casual and a costume look—leather and suede with a little elastic on the side.

FANNY PACKS: Gaining in popularity and practicality, fanny packs in all styles, shapes, and widths can be found in collections from Supreme, Louis Vuitton, Herschell, Nike, and Calvin Klein, to name a few.

DOWN JACKETS: A trendy piece of sportswear, down jackets are available in leather or fur, lined with goose feathers, and hooded. The jacket’s extra-light material and quilted appearance provides a cozy wellness and makes for a timeless piece.

CORDUROY PANTS: Corduroys offer a particular charm over denim that will appeal to men in search of comfort.

These eye-catching trends will bring happiness to the gentleman’s Spring 2018 wardrobe. page 92

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S o l d exc l u s i v e l y i n Lo u i s Vu i t t o n s t o r e s a n d o n l o u i s v u i t t o n .c o m 8 6 6 -V U I T TO N page 94

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Guilty Pleasures

GO BAG OR GO HOME Oksana Vig | oksavig@gmail.com

The end of the year is coming, and with it, giving gifts and updating our wardrobes.

Look no further than the Spring/Summer seasons for fashion inspiration. Several trends are popping up in fashion shows of from the biggest brands.

One special accessory will revolutionize the next season: the handbag. Designs vary in style and color, shapes, materials, and sizes; regardless, the handbag is one of the hottest trends for Spring/ Summer 2018. Why not grab one, or all, to bring your wardrobe to the next level?

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Extreme Sports

PARAGLIDING IN HAITI Haiti boasts a small but burgeoning adventure sporting industry led largely from the private sector. Niche hobbies such as paragliding and swimming competitions are luring tourists back to the Caribbean island once a chic destination for celebrities and A-listers.

Avid adventurer Jim Chu saw the opportunities for extreme adventure sporting years ago when he first arrived in Haiti as a humanitarian aid worker. He invited his friends to spend their vacation time with him in Haiti paragliding over the natural mountain ranges and challenging them to swim from beach to beach in the crystal blue waters off the coast of Cote-des-Arcadins.

Recently, Chu took to the skies with another paragliding enthusiast over the mountains of the Artibonite and down to the white sand coast of Montrouis. A number of appropriate launching sites allow adventurers to fly over the island -- from Les Anglais to Tiburon, Aquin over the mountains to Léogâne -- gliding over the colorful Caribbean scenery.

Chu’s friend Nick Greece launched from the side of the UNESCO Heritage Site “Citadelle Laferrière” and flew around the imposing structure for several hours capturing the Caribbean’s largest fortress in all of its glory.

On January 28, the fifth annual Swim For Haiti competition will return to the Cote-des-Arcadins. Olympian Naomi Grand’Pierre alongside defending champion Diego Lopez will return to participate in the open water swim. For more information, visit swimforhaiti.org.

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Growth Mindset

MOLD YOUR MIND Joey Velez | joeyavelez@yahoo.com

Failure is an inevitable aspect of our existence, but ironically, failure is also essential for success. The most successful individuals in the world didn’t get to the top of the mountain by taking an airplane; they climbed up the mountain, slipped and fell, and sustained injuries along the way. What separates these individuals from the rest is how they respond to failure.

People tend to commit to one of two mindsets: growth or fixed. People with a growth mindset believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. In other words, a growth mindset enhances one’s ability to learn from every situation, whether or not the situation is successful.

People with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, believe their basic qualities, such as intelligence or talent, are fixed traits. People who think this way are more likely to choose less challenging tasks, rather than taking risks and dealing with the potential of failure.

An effective way to learn from failure is by following a four-step reflection process: Start with the basic facts of what happened. Look back at the situation and see how it played out.

Think about what went well and/or what went wrong. Acknowledge successes and failures and consider specific areas for improvement.

Think about what you’ve learned from the situation. Personal growth begins to manifest now. page 106

Think about what to do the next time you are in a similar situation. Active reflection conditions your subconscious, so when you are placed in a similar situation, your response is closer to your ideal.

I recently injured my wrist during a workout. Certain exercises are now painful, and not too long ago, I reached the point of extreme frustration.

As I went to perform a simple triceps exercise, I dropped the barbell because my wrist could not support the weight, which wasn’t even that much!

I was frustrated because I knew I had to step away from weight training until my wrist fully healed.

This was devastating. The gym is my sanctuary where I release stress and frustration, not gain it.

I knew an extended break from weight training would heal my wrist, but also increase the likelihood of inactivity. As I stood there, focusing on what I couldn’t do because of my wrist, I reflected on the situation and how I was feeling. I realized I was focusing on the wrong thing! Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do, I started thinking about what I could do.

In that moment of reflection, I noted that my wrist

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hurt when I did certain movements, but not others. From then on, if an exercise was too painful, I switched to an exercise that worked the same muscle but minimized the pain.

My confidence was restored, and my frustration level quickly decreased. Giving up the gym for an extended period of time would have left me feeling lost. Had I not reflected on the failure I experienced, I may have left the gym for who knows how long.

Failure doesn’t have to define you. Instead, let failure be the key to your success. Use failure as a motivating tool to become stronger and smarter. Whether you are in the business, sport, or academic world, don’t be afraid to fail! Challenge yourself and consciously choose to learn from each and every situation.

About the Author Joey Velez, MA, MBA Sports Psychology, taking athletes to peak performances by training and improving the mind to elite levels through mental skills and techniques. www.velezmentalperformance.com

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PEAK PERFORMANCE ON THE ROAD

You spent countless hours in the arena, on the field and in the gym. The last thing you want to do is weaken your performance because you couldn’t fit in enough training sessions while traveling. Prioritize training, even during tournaments or match weeks, to stay at peak performance.

Long periods of travel for tournaments, matches, or even practice require athletes to maintain optimum levels of strength and power. Adjust training volumes to accommodate high-intensity playing in order to protect muscles from breaking down. Muscular breakdown occurs within 72 hours of the last training session. For athletes who are resistance training, skipping resistance training a mere two times a week results in loss of power and performance.

Follow these five guidelines to maintain performance, even while traveling:

1. Avoid steady-state cardio unless you are recovering.

Endurance exercises can turn off muscle-building pathways while promoting catabolism through an increase in the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol, inhibiting muscular development and slowing recovery times. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone that degrades muscle, leads to fat gain, and makes you feel stressed out.

For a polo player—or any athlete for that matter—being recovered and fresh is vital for enhanced competition performance. page 110

Polo athletes require both Type I and Type II fiber, but when traveling, focus on sport-specific training, not performance training. Endurance training should come by way of sprint intervals or high-intensity circuits that involve sleds or other strongman equipment.

2. Plan your meals based on training times.

Proper nutrition during times of play will allow you to recover faster while facilitating leanness. Ingest an adequate amount of protein daily. Eating a healthy dose of protein at every meal will help you avoid muscle loss. Higher-protein diets enriched with amino acids result in fat loss and muscle gain.

Carbohydrates are required for energy and recovery, especially if you are playing twice in one day. However, I do not recommended ingesting large amounts of carbohydrates if you are not going to be training for longer than 60 minutes at a vigorous pace. Ingest a complex carb meal a few hours prior to competition. Start with 30–50 grams and see how you handle it. After your match, ingest liquid carbs or faster-absorbing carbs to replenish

glycogen stores and re-energize for the next match later in the day. If you are not playing a second match, stick to a moderate carb diet for the remaining part of the day to recover and maintain.

Take fish oil for leanness and recovery. Fish oil encourages cellular growth, decreases cortisol and fights inflammation in the body. I suggest 3–5 grams per day with meals.

My recommendation is that all professional athletes have nutritionists who understand athletes and know the energy requirements specific to their sport and training habits. There is no such thing as “one diet fits all” when it comes to sports nutrition.

3. Allocate 45 minutes for resistance training Think big when it comes to resistance training. Bicep curls are out. During times of play there are generally two categories of training: 1) day of or day before training and 2) day after match training.

Day before or day of training means the body needs to be pushed hard enough to keep the muscle active while not causing muscle soreness that

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would adversely affect match performance. One application of pre-match training is focusing on concentric style training. Concentric muscle action occurs when you apply force against an object. For example, when you are doing bench press, the concentric motion occurs when you push the weight up, applying force to the bar. Concentric training utilizes explosive movements such as Olympic weightlifting pulls, battle ropes, medicine ball throws, and plyometrics.

Another application is intensity.

Pre-match training is slow, controlled and big. When choosing resistance, shoot for fewer reps and sets and utilize eccentric training, which occurs when the weight is applying force to

you. For example, lowering the weight during a bench press is eccentric motion. The eccentric motion should be focused on moderate to light weight, using a tempo style format. In a tempo format, large movements such as bench presses, squats, and pull-ups take longer with the eccentric muscle action. At Functional Muscle Fitness, we train our athletes to take four seconds to go through the eccentric motion. Classic lifts and core exercises, such as squats and planks, allow athletes to move through wide range of motion with optimal blood flow, allowing for recovery and muscular sustainability.

Our athletes perform explosive intense movements in prematch training with fewer sets

while in post-match training we focus on the opposite, slow and controlled movements of eight to twelve repetitions.

4. Allocate soft-tissue recovery sessions Take care of fascia, the tissue linking bones, muscles, nerves, organs and blood vessels while aiding in-force transmission and movement. In athletes, the fascia layer becomes damaged during both high- and low-intensity training, and tending to the fascia is a vital component in the overall picture of health, performance and recovery.

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seriously as you do the training itself. Second, find and invest in a highly qualified sports massage therapist and/or someone who performs Active Release Technique (ART) therapy. Use their services as often as needed, generally every other day or even every day at times.

Third, consider blood circulation therapy. The more blood you push through the damaged fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments, the faster you heal.

5. Sleep, sleep and more sleep—listen to your body Sleeping is an athlete’s best friend. If you feel tired, take a nap. Skip the late-night dinners and social gatherings during times of play. Focus on sleeping well every night. Sleep is when your body heals, recovers and grows.

polo players, that is all they do! Get into a routine you can follow when you are traveling.

Coordinate conversations and plans with the head coach and the performance coach. Being organized and disciplined in match play, practice, training and recovery is the difference between a first or second place finish.

Traveling and playing is one of the most difficult things to get used to. However, for many

Coach Mark Wine is the CEO of Functional Muscle Fitness, Inc. in Concord, California. functionalmusclefitness.com

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PROUD SPONSOR OF THE HAITI POLO TEAM.

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