Fifth Chukker Vol 2 Issue 5 1013

VOL 2 ISSUE 5 | N2,000 | £8

Adventures in Luxury

Cape Town South Africa’s Coastal Gem

Aston Martin A Century of Innovation

Nigerian Monarchs

Captured through the lens of George Osodi

The Emir of Kano

50

Years on the Throne

POLO PEOPLE

POLO. LIVE IT. LOVE IT. www.fifthchukker.com

●

info@fifthchukker.com

4 PROFESSIONAL POLO FIELDS ● 300 STABLES ● EXERCISE TRACK TACK ROOMS ● LUNGING RINGS ● DRESSAGE ● SHOW JUMPING RIDING SCHOOL ● HORSE TREKKING ● ON-SITE VET

Conferencing Corporate Events Luxury Villa Rental ●

●

Set within 3,000-hectares of majestic savanna woodland, Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club is Nigeria’s finest equestrian & lifestyle development, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual business environment and perfect for executive retreats, conferences, meetings, product launches, exhibitions and staff incentives.

I

Fifth Chukker Lawns, KM2, Kaduna to Jos Road, after Maraban-Jos, Kaduna, Nigeria

Fifth Chukker Magazine | OCTOBER 2013

AMG PetroenerGy Africa’s leading Energy Company

An indigenous Nigerian Oil and Gas company specialising in trading, marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

We harness the value in every sphere of the energy chain for our current and prospective clients through our integrated network of inland, coastal and offshore infrastructure.

Passion, Performance, Polo AMG is committed to improving the interests of all its community of stakeholders including investors, employees, customers, suppliers and local communities. It is this passion that drives our participation in sporting activities like the polo tournaments at Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club that engage and support under-privileged youths.

We have a long history with the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club and join with its management and staff to celebrate 10 years of great polo!

Contents vol 2 issue 5

7

chairman’s foreword Ahmed Dasuki

9

Editor’s Welcome Adam Taylor

last season AT FIFTH CHUKKER 10 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield 2013 Another year of top-level polo, fashion and fun 20 Access Bank Fifth Chukker UK Polo Day

More heated competition at Ham Polo Club

POLO PEOPLE

30 Nwankwo Kanu Visits Fifth Chukker

Ambassadorial role for international soccer star 52 The Sport of Kings Gives Back Fifth Chukker’s collaboration with the Work to Ride initiative 54 terri brennan

Terri Brennan on the power of polo and her love of Africa

THE EMIR OF KANO 34 The Golden Emir

Commemorating Alhaji Ado Bayero’s Golden Jubilee

41 The Emir’s Speech Thanks to Allah and advice

for his people 42 An Audience

with the Emir A special interview to mark

50 years on the throne 44 The Royal Fleet

From private jets to classic cars, the Emir travels in style 45 The Nation

on Ado Bayero Celebrated in the words

of his people 46 The Emir at Fifth Chukker

The club’s most esteemed visitor is always welcome

polo supremos

49 Passion for Polo Meet Dubai team captain

Rashid Albwardy 112 World Number One

acundo Pieres says his best is F still to come

ADVENTURES IN LUXURY 58 Sunny Rose

Nigeria’s hottest new fashion label exclusively shown at Fifth Chukker

62 Aston Martin: A Century of Innovation

Marking 100 years of these iconic cars 68 The Glittering Side of Luxury No one does it quite like Swarovski 72 Luxury List

Feast your eyes on these items of perfection

ADVENTURES IN sport

78 100 Years of the Tour de France

Cyclist Nick Sanders predicts an African will one day win the Tour de France

ART IN FOCUS

86 Nigerian Monarchs

Photographer George Osodi’s incredible images of traditional leaders 137 Olympian Artworks

Faye Nasser-Joley’s acclaimed equestrian portraits

POLO HIGHLIGHTS

94 Pomp & polo

Hollywood met royalty at the Cartier Queen’s Cup

98 Gold Cup Zacara claims title for second time 104 Sotogrande Victory for Ellerston in Spain 106 Beach Polo An unforgettable contest

on the Cornish coast 116 In the Pink Guards Polo Club’s first

ladies’ charity match

DESTINATION: CAPE TOWN

120 Delve into Cape Town

Lynn Houghton’s guide to the city 122 HOT SPOTS

Places and experiences you can’t afford to miss 126 The One and Only

Cape Town’s most luxurious resort 128 South Africa in a Glass Explore the country’s

famous vineyards 130 The Blue Train A magical journey through

South African history

chairman’s foreword

“Fifth Chukker is evolving rapidly and we are seeing great changes here in our own slice of paradise.”

I

am delighted to welcome you once again to Fifth Chukker through the pages of our magazine. It’s always fascinating to look back over the past six months and see how the club is moving forwards. We were fortunate indeed to have a beautiful English summer’s day for our second Access Bank Day at Ham Polo Club.

The sunshine ensured we enjoyed it as much as last year, and we were privileged to watch spectacular games featuring some of the best players in the world, no small thanks to Adamu Atta, whose ability to attract these players is impressive.

Access Bank and Fifth Chukker have now had a fruitful partnership for the past six years. We are grateful for Access Bank’s support, particularly through our partnership with UNICEF, which has made a difference to the lives of many orphaned and vulnerable children in Northern Nigeria. Education is the key and we are committed to ensuring that the right knowledge and skills are made available to communities through our projects.

For me it is the culmination of a dream that has become a reality, to see polo identifying with UNICEF and helping society, and to know that hopefully the rest of the world is learning a thing or two from Fifth Chukker about what can be achieved.

I should also like to thank Nwankwo Kanu for his invaluable support.

His visit to Fifth Chukker was an immense privilege for all of us, but most of all for those children who were able to meet their idol. This a memory that will last for their lifetimes and one we are delighted to have made possible for them.

I should also like to thank all our sponsors, old and new, whose support allows us to improve the lives of those around us.

Fifth Chukker is evolving rapidly and we are seeing great changes here in our own slice of paradise. The polo goes from strength to strength, and so does the resort. Now we are able to cater for business retreats, conferences and all kinds of events, and we know that this is the perfect place for these initiatives to take place.

Whether you’re new to Fifth Chukker or an old friend, please do come and visit us. Come and see what so many people are talking about and become part of Fifth Chukker life. You won’t regret it!

AHMED DASUKI Chairman of the Board of Trustees

board members adamu atta, babangida hassan, umaru aliyu, ayo olashoju, kashim bukar shettima

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

7

editor’s welcome

W

elcome to the second volume of Fifth Chukker Magazine. We have made quite a few changes, bringing you more lifestyle and sports features and bigger glossy images to make the

pictures come to life.

As Business Development Manager at Fifth Chukker, I am now wearing the Editor-in-Chief’s hat too. This is to streamline our communication through the pages of the magazine, as we move into a new and exciting phase of our expansion.

First, though, I’d like to thank Ancorapoint and specifically Funmi Oladeinde-Ogbue for all the hard work and dedication that was put into bringing the magazine to where it is today. It’s always hard to pass the baton, but I hope that you the readers will appreciate the new direction the magazine is taking.

As you turn the pages, you’ll see it’s been another fantastic year at Fifth Chukker. The tournaments have been spectacular and we have been able to welcome old friends and new. In particular I should like to thank Nwankwo Kanu for giving up his time to be Fifth Chukker’s 2013/2014 charity ambassador. He is a tremendous role model for us all and we are very proud to be associated with him.

“...I look forward to developing our current collaborations and welcome new brand partners.”

As the mark of a new volume our cover story is the Emir of Kano’s Golden Anniversary. Having had the honour of welcoming the Emir as an esteemed guest here at Fifth Chukker, we have been privileged to have a glimpse into the strength and majesty that Alhaji Ado Bayero has brought to Kano. The respect for him is universal and we are all very fortunate to have benefitted from his knowledge and wisdom.

Our expansion at Fifth Chukker continues apace. We are now proud to be hosting conferences, events, meetings and exhibitions as our wonderful environment lends itself beautifully to constructive thinking. The Bank of Industry and ASO Savings & Loans are two of the recent companies that have benefitted from our facilities for business retreats, and we were very pleased to host Hassan Usman, MD of ASO Savings & Loans and Ms Evelyn Oputu, MD of the Bank of Industry.

As Fifth Chukker Magazine continues to provide a leading platform in showcasing all aspects of the sport and its worldwide patrons, I look forward to developing our current collaborations and welcome new brand partners.

In the meantime relax, enjoy the polo and Fifth Chukker’s hospitality. We always look forward to welcoming all our friends and we hope you have a fabulous time.

Adam Taylor Editor-in-Chief

Editor in Chief - ADAM TAYLOR Editor - SARAH CARTLEDGE Polo Writers - ERNEST EKPEYONG, PAOLA MAQUIN Travel Writer - LYNN HOUGHTON Sub-Editor - LAURA BRIDGESTOCK Design - THE MAGAZINE PRODUCTION COMPANY www.magazineproduction.com CONTRIBUTORS: Sheyi Afolabi Antonia Barrington Terri Brennan George Osodi John Pierce Nick Sanders Tony Ramirez Trevor Williamson Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

9

last season at fifth chukker

Access Bank unicef

Charity Shield 2013 Every year the Access Bank UNICEF charity polo extravaganza provides unforgettable magic, bringing together the best in sport, fashion and fun.

This year was no exception, as Ernest Ekpenyong reports.

F

rom the unveiling of iconic soccer star Nwankwo Kanu as the new Charity Shield Ambassador, to the elegant Sunny Rose fashion show and the 20-goal exhibition game that fittingly drew the curtain on the festival, this year’s Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield event was a huge success on all fronts.

All the way through the opening games to the cliff-hanging finals of the Access Bank Cup, the standard of play at the biggest charity polo event in Africa was in a class of its own.

The unforgettable flair of Argentine professional Diego White pivoted Kano RTC to clinch yet another major title and truly lit up the tournament this year.

The Kano-based team came back from a three goals deficit to score four unanswered goals in the last chukker and clinch a sensational victory against favourites, Abuja Rubicon.

“This was a must-win for us and definitely we were up for it,” declared RTC top scorer, Babangida Hassan. “What pleased me was our fighting spirit. Against DeeBee Farms we were running the ball a lot, but especially in this final we turned them around with our close markings and that was definitely great for us.”

There was great disappointment for the Rubicon team, but they put on a brave face. “All credit to RTC; they played really well and they stuck in it till the end. In the third and the fourth chukker we were on top of the game and we were really going for it, but in a matter of seven minutes, RTC

10

pulled away and won,” Rubicon patron, Senator Hadi Sirika commented after the match.

New champions emerge

The Charity Shield brings together the best polo players of all ages, and this year there was a rich mix that made the fiesta all the more exciting. True to the tournament’s unpredictable tradition, three brand new champions were added to the scroll.

Access Bank Fifth Chukker, Linetrale Delany, DeeBee Farms and MRS are all masters of the game, having all won major titles in their careers. But in this year’s Charity Shield war, there were no free rides. At the end of the ten-day bumperto-bumper polo action, all the big names were blown apart by the titanic wave of competition, and in their place emerged the sole survivor, Auden Kangimi, who overcame fellow outsiders Keffi Ponys 10-9 in a grudge-match final, to win the glittering shield.

“We are delighted to get the win; the Keffi boys put up a really good fight in the first half,” said Musty Fasinro, the Auden Kangimi captain. “They play a great style of polo and are difficult to break down, but I think it was just a matter of building through the phases. Eventually our forward game really took its toll on them and they couldn’t match us!”

Keffi Ponys’ patron, Honourable Aliyu Wadada, had fancied his side taking home the shield, especially after demolishing defending champions Access Bank Fifth Chukker in a

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

last season at fifth chukker

The presentation of the UNICEF cheque to Ms. Jean Gough – the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

11

last season at fifth chukker

shocking semi-final result that set them up for a seemingly easy final and a victory lap of honour. “It is not the result we were all looking forward to, but I am really proud of the boys today. We had a good game and they really played their hearts out,” Wadada said, as he led his players to the podium for the presentation ceremony.

“There are no excuses for us,” Wadada added. “Today we lost but learned a lot and played really well. I hope in the next tournaments we will try to get a win for our pride and for our teeming supporters who came from far and near for this final.”

Former champions return

The wind of change was not restricted to the high and medium goal games.

UNICEF Cup holders, American University of Nigeria (AUN) polo team from Yola could not make it to the podium, no thanks to their disappointing start against debutants, Suraj.

AUN’s poor start was the fuel that former champions Work-to-Ride from the USA needed to make a splashing return to the top, defeating Suraj, AUN and DeeBee Farms (2) in one swoop, to reclaim the title they lost last year.

“After the first two chukkers I thought we were the better side for the cup, and they were just magnificent to come back from where we were to how we ended the game,” Daymar Rosser from the USA stated after the breathless final.

Work to Ride’s US coach, Terri Brennan, added: “I just applaud our guys.

DeeBee Farmers are a fantastic team, they got that lead and you have to give credit to them as well, two very good teams out there. It was pretty tough, but the boys were magnificent and I couldn’t have asked anything more from them.”

In typical sporting tradition, fans rushed into the field at the conclusion of an incredible Access Bank Cup final game, proving once again that the ‘sport of kings’ is not reserved only for royalty, but for all those with the passion to play this magnificent game.

12

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

last season at fifth chukker

Main Picture: Work to Ride Team with UNICEF representative Rabiu Musa Below left to right: Okundola Bamgboye (MTN), Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (Access Bank) & Sayyu Dantata (MRS Oil) | Ann Ogunsulire (Brand Manager, Moet Hennessy) | Nwankwo Kanu with Adamu Attta, Adam Taylor and Dolapo Akinrele (former President of the Lagos Polo Club) | Lariposker Sowee Saneo | Babangida Hassan with Barbara Zingg (Fifth Chukker’s Polo & Equestrian Manager) | The Ambassador to Argentina

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

13

last season at fifth chukker

14

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

last season at fifth chukker

far left: Team MTN vs Access Bank Fifth Chukker | Castor Fernández Ocampo

This page left to right: ‘Baba’ – Fidth Chukker’s Landscape Gardener | Femina Kaduna Commissioner of Police | Musty Fashinro with Ann Ogunsulire & friend | Amanda Rice, Chantelle Fraser & Alexandra Feldman | Okundolo Bamgboye, Musty Fashrino & Adamu Atta | Nwankwo Kanu & Adam Taylor | Work to Ride team receiving their trophy

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

15

last season at fifth chukker

16

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

last season at fifth chukker

left page: The

Charity Shield | Hilde Kristiansen at the Veuve Clicquot Champagne brunch | Fifth Chukker Air Crew | RTC Team Winners | RTC Patron Mustapha Sheriff | Kashim Bukar | Terri Brennan & the Work to Ride girls

This page top: Maureen Ikem with the Sunny Rose models | Sunny Rose design – Maureen Ikem with fashion show presenter John-Michael Spano | Mariano Latorre & Hilde Kristiansen

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

17

polo people

Main picture: Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude This page: ‘All Stars Match’ Team Fifth Chukker vs Team Access Bank | Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude with Dolapo Akinrele | Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude & Adam Taylor | Kashim Bukar, Adamu Atta, Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude & Dolapo Akinrele visit the Adamu Atta UNICEF primary school with Rabiu Musa

last season at fifth chukker

2013 Access Bank fifth chukker

uk polo day A magnificent day of polo that raises awareness of UNICEF’s projects to help underprivileged children in Northern Nigeria.

1

20

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

last season at fifth chukker

I

In the midst of a fine English summer, the sun shone over the second Access Bank Fifth Chukker UK Polo Day, when legends of polo played alongside Nigerian patrons in a fast and furious day of sport.

For the second successive year, polo world no. 1 Adolfo Cambiaso and Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai starred for the Fifth Chukker team in the annual Access Bank Polo Day at Ham Polo Club, London.

As this year marked a welcome change from the pouring rain of the tournament’s first year, Cambiaso joined with the rest of his La Dolfina 40-goal team to back up Adamu Atta’s Fifth Chukker and Tajudeen Dantata’s Kangimi Titans in a 24-goal showdown, watched with excitement by hundreds of distinguished guests from around the world.

Adolfo Cambiaso (10) paired with Pablo McDonough (10) to anchor Access Bank Fifth Chukker, while Pelon Stirling (10) and Lucas Monteverde (10) teamed up behind Tajudeen Dantata (2) and Rashid Albwardy (2) for Kangimi Titans.

As the professionals functioned mainly as playmakers, it was left to the two Nigerians and two Emiratis in both teams to make a game of it, which they certainly did.

Tajudeen and Rashid worked up the crowd delightfully with their irrepressible runs and goals, keeping Kangimi Titans on the verge of taking the match even against a run of fantastic goals in response from Adamu Atta (2) and HH Sheikha Maitha (0).

Finally, in the all or nothing sixth and final chukker, Fifth Chukker scored the winning goal to take the match 8-7.

In the 12-goal match decided earlier, Mustapha Sherif’s RTC managed to edge out Kola Karim’s Shoreline Delaney 6-5, despite Shoreline’s forceful comeback rally, to close a 4-1 deficit before the final chukker.

In what seemed like a mirrored repeat of their Access Bank UNICEF Cup win last month in Nigeria, Diego White (7) pivoted RTC behind Babangida Hassan (2), Mustapha Sheriff (-2) and Tomas Uscher (5), who did brilliantly at the back to keep Kola Karim (-1) and his Shoreline at bay for much of the match. It wasn’t until the third of the four chukkers that Shoreline found their rhythm with their 7-goal anchor Juan Ambroggio scoring four goals. Tom De Bruin (7) also assisted Tunde Karim (-1) for his solitary goal. However, Shoreline’s spirited offensive play could not hold RTC, who were firing from all positions with Babangida, Diego and Mustapha all scoring to wrap up the match and secure another team victory.

Although known for his shyness, world no. 1 Adolfo Cambiaso was happy to speak a few words to Fifth Chukker Magazine. “To be here on a charity day is always good fun. I’m pleased to be playing and it is a good time with friends too,” he said. “My patron Ali, who is like a father to me, is a very close friend of Adamu Atta from Fifth Chukker and we are very happy to participate in this important event.”

The UK tournament is an extension of Access Bank’s corporate social responsibility partnership with Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club to support UNICEF in its anti- HIV/AIDS and anti-poverty campaigns in northern Nigeria.

During the lavish lunch that preceded the games, guests and clients of Access Bank private banking were introduced to this social commitment, as well as other financial products and incentives. At the end of the day’s programme, trophies and prizes were presented by Access Bank CEO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Access Bank Deputy Managing Director Herbert Wigwe.

1 Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (Access Bank Chairman) & Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (Access Bank Group MD) presenting the winners trophy to HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 2 Angela Jide-Jones & Akinrodolu with HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 3 Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede & Herbert Wigwe with Adolfo Cambiaso 4 Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Herbert Wigwe & Adamu Atta

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

2

3

4

21

6

5

8

9 11

22

7

10 13

12

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

15

16

14

17

Adolfo Cambiaso said:

18

19 20

“To be here on a charity day is always good fun.

I’m pleased to be playing and it is a good time with friends too. My patron Ali, who is like a father to me, is a very close friend of Adamu Atta from Fifth Chukker and we are very happy to participate in this important event.”

5 Team Dubai Entourage 6 Ejiro Otite, Victor Etuokwu (ED Access Bank), Adamu Atta, Angela Jide-Jones, Adam Taylor & Ejiro Otite 7 Senator Daisy Danjuma, Ms Evelyn Oputu (MD of the Bank of Industry - Nigeria) with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede & his wife Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede 8 Francesco Fiorilla with Jannica Klingborg 9 Singer Gina West 10 Guests enjoying the dance floor 11 Happy guests enjoying the polo 12 Leonora de Ferranti 13 Adamu Atta, Janette Griesel & Olympic Gold Medallist Ryk Neethling 14 Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers with Rashid Albwardy 15 Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers 16 Lucas Monteverde 17 Janette Griesel with Tanimu Yakubu & Tajudeen Dantata 18 Herbert Wigwe 19 Terri Brennan & guests enjoying lunch 20 Farouk with Adolfo Cambiaso 21 John-Michael Spano with his daughter & friends Nadine, Ciccio & brother Shane 22 Gbenga Oyebode & Herbert Wigwe welcome Chief Molade Okoya Thomas

21

22

24

23

26

27

25

28 29

30

31 23 Children making the most of the sunshine & face painting 24 Keeping in with tradition – ladies repairing the divots 25 Akin Akinsete & Eno 26 Bringing a taste of Nigeria through music 27 David Nalbandian – Argentine professional tennis player & former World No.3 28 Herbert Wigwe & Angela Jide-Jones 29 Dolapo Akinrele with his son & daughter 30 Jamil Ibrahim (Accra Polo Club) with John-Michael Spano & his daughter & brother Shane 31 Titans patron, Tajudeen Dantata with Rashid Albwardy, Pelon Stirling & Lucas Monteverde 32 Brothers Kola & Tunde Karim with Adolfo Cambiaso 33 Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude & his wife Ofovwe Aig-Imoukheude 34 Bodie Trenton 35 Aig, Herbert & Gbenga Oyebode with Lucas Monteverde 36 Mustapha Sheriff with Adolfo Cambiaso

32

33

34

35

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

36

25

26

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

27

37 38

Charity Shield: Medium Goal, Four Chukker Match RTC (12) • Mustapha Sherif (-2) • Babangida Hassan (2) • Diego White (7) • Thomas Ussher (5) Shoreline Delaney (12) • Kola Karim (-1) • Tunde Karim (-1) • Juan Ambroggio (7) • Tom De Bruin (7)

Access Bank Cup: High Goal, Six Chukker Match Access Bank Fifth Chukker (23) • Adolfo Cambiaso (10) • Pablo MacDonough (10) • Adamu Atta (3) • HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (0) Kangimi Titans (24) • Pelon Stirling (10) • Lucas Monteverde (10) • Rashid Albwardy (2) • Tahudeen Dantata (2)

28

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

39 40

37 Players of the Charity Shield – Shoreline Delaney vs RTC 38 Akinrodolu, Tunde Folawiyo & Jamie Simmonds (MD Access Bank UK) presenting the Charity Shield to RTC patron Mustapha Sheriff 39 Players of the Access Bank Cup – Titans vs Access Bank Fifth Chukker 40 From left to right: Audu Dantata, Tajudeen Dantata, Adamu Atta, Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude, Adolfo Cambiaso, Herbert Wigwe, Dere Otubu

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

29

polo people

Nwankwo Kanu Charity Ambassador Fifth Chukker The international soccer star was invited to ‘kick off’ the final of the 2013 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield.

N

igerian soccer star Nwankwo Kanu is certainly no stranger to the heated atmosphere at the start of a final, thanks to his many successful years on the international football circuit. But on this occasion, proceedings would have been rather different to what he was used to, with football’s ‘kick-off ’ replaced by the traditional ‘throw in’ of the polo ball.

Kanu, who captained the Nigerian football team for an impressive 16 years up to 2010, brought his characteristic humility to the task of officially opening play in the final of the 2013 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament. Immersed in the dramatic polo extravaganza and taken aback by the beauty of the surroundings, Kanu loyally supported the Fifth Chukker polo team as they battled it out against the team of his good friend and polo enthusiast Sayyu Dantata.

“The beauty of Fifth Chukker is something I never thought existed in Nigeria and I am privileged to be involved in the great charity work being done here with UNICEF,” Kanu commented, adding that he was “thankful for such recognition by Fifth Chukker.”

Kanu is himself an official ambassador both for UNICEF and for the Nigerian Football Association, and was delighted to be appointed as Fifth Chukker’s charity ambassador. Never fading from his tireless commitment to charity, Kanu went on to spend the following morning visiting the children of the Adamu Atta Primary School, which neighbours Fifth Chukker and was built from the money raised in past tournaments.

“I actually started work when I visited the school, speaking with the kids about peaceful co-existence,” Kanu said. “It was great to see the kids excited and I was also thrilled to be in their midst.”

Nwankwo Kanu: An International Career

“The beauty of Fifth Chukker is something I never thought existed in Nigeria and I am privileged to be involved in the great charity work being done here with UNICEF.” 30

1993-6 1996-9 1999-2004 2004-6 2006-12

AFC Ajax (Netherlands) Internazionale Milano (Italy) Arsenal (UK) West Bromwich Albion (UK) Portsmouth (UK)

Golden Goal Moments 1993 Played for the Nigeria U17 team, which won the 1993 FIFA U17 World Championship.

1996 Captain of the Nigeria U23 team, the first African football team to win gold at the Summer Olympic Games; named African Footballer of the Year.

1999 Named African Footballer of the Year for a second time.

2002 Won ‘the double’ with Arsenal (both the FA Cup and the Premier League).

2008 Picked up a third FA Cup winners medal, playing a key role in Portsmouth’s victory.

1994-2010 Captain of the Nigerian national team.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

polo people

Meeting the children at the Adamu Atta Primary School was a privilege for Kanu, who was moved by the beauty of Fifth Chukker.

Enjoying the event with his good friend Sayyu Dantata.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

31

polo people

32

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

The

golden emir

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, commemorated his Golden Jubilee with three days of lavish pageantry, an appropriately memorable tribute to a ruler whose reign has been so remarkable.

I

n over a thousand years of empires, kingdoms and caliphates, Nigeria has rarely had a monarch so majestic, so venerated and so nationally beloved as the current Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who recently celebrated his 50th year on the throne.

Through those five decades, the Emir has elevated the Kano Emirate into a strapping territory of global renown, and he has triggered or personally driven several lifechanging interventions that have led to him being indelibly impressed in the minds of his people and the larger nation.

The physical and social transformation of Kano have been key highlights of the Emir’s reign since he ascended the throne in 1963. Many of the state’s accomplishments in this period, such as the expansion of educational opportunity, have been the direct result of his initiatives.

Bayero has also inspired a new civic consciousness, as well as a cultural and Islamic renaissance, reshaping the character and fate of the emirate. His era has been one of the most remarkable Nigerian success stories, and this has all been built on the power of his immense personality, skilled statesmanship, innovative spirit and exceptional temperament.

Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida eulogised the Emir in a Golden Jubilee tribute: “Indeed Kano Emirate and Ado Bayero are synonymous and synchronous, so much so that it is impossible for a person to separate them. When you speak of Kano, the first thing that comes to mind is Alhaji Ado Bayero – the simple, friendly, elegant, courageous and undaunted Emir, who has a great

34

sense of humour and has shown immense character and valour even in the face of adversity and challenges”.

Three days of celebration

The Golden Jubilee was commemorated throughout the Emirate, with activities spanning three days. Special prayers were held at the Kano central mosque, followed by a book presentation at the palace. Ancillary events by senior emirate counsellors also took place at several other venues, as the Jubilee weekend culminated in a grand durbar on the Emir’s 83rd birthday.

Leading national figures, including two former heads of state, Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Abdulsalam Abubakar, attended the event. The Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, was also present, representing President Goodluck Jonathan and the federal government.

Eminent traditional rulers from across Nigeria and the Niger Republic, state governors, ministers, legislators, politicians, diplomats and corporate titans, all descended on Kano to honour the invitation issued by the chief host and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

For generations of his countrymen, the Emir has been the one constant amid the turbulence and transmutation of the Nigerian landscape since independence 53 years ago. Vice President Namadi Sambo aptly describes Bayero as “one of the pillars of modern Nigeria”. The Emir has resolutely remained a potent focus for local and national identity and unity, providing stability and continuity in a constantly changing society.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

35

the emir of kano

36

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

For generations of his countrymen, the Emir has been the one constant amid the turbulence and transmutation of the Nigerian landscape since independence 53 years ago. Vice President Namadi Sambo aptly describes Bayero as “one of the pillars of modern Nigeria�.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

37

the emir of kano

A dramatic cultural extravaganza

The climax of the Golden Jubilee celebrations was of course the durbar, which was always guaranteed to live up to its billing as a high-octane cultural extravaganza. The grand procession involved more than ten thousand gaily costumed horses, resplendent in dazzling headstalls, breast collars, saddle covers and assorted bling and embellishment.

A cavalcade of princes, district heads, traditional title holders and their ensemble of footmen, musicians, praise-singers and jesters took turns to parade and pay homage to the Emir. There were also horsemen, mounted guards, riflemen, archers, musketeers and acrobats, all representing and brandishing elements and paraphernalia of Kano’s great cultural heritage.

The Emir, incandescent and cheery in a silk and gold robe, rode out for the royal parade in a golden State Landau escorted by the royal troupe, palace courtiers and formidable security. The dramatic highpoint of the durbar came with a series of break-neck cavalry charges by horsemen toward the Emir, wheeling their mounts at the last second in a dramatic salute.

38

Savouring the festivities, Ado Bayero thanked the guests for honouring the invitation, while imploring all to remain steadfast in promoting the interest and unity of the country. He also thanked the people of Kano for their continued support throughout his years on the throne, and urged his subjects to continue to keep their wards in school to make them better citizens.

Describing his relationship with the Emir during his regime, General Babangida added: “The Emir worked tirelessly in a very unobtrusive but firm and brotherly manner with our administration and rendered useful counselling on several matters of national interest in a selfless, respectable manner. I remain grateful to His Highness for all the support and encouragement he gave me during the eight years of our administration.”

Most of the Emir’s subjects would echo these sentiments, agreeing with Babangida that the Emir has been one of Nigeria’s greatest institutions and backbones, and that the country certainly owes him a debt of gratitude, no doubt greater than he would ever claim.

When you speak of Kano, the first thing that comes to mind is Alhaji Ado Bayero – the simple, friendly, elegant, courageous and undaunted Emir, who has a great sense of humour and has shown immense character and valour even in the face of adversity and challenges”.

General Ibrahim Babangida

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

39

the emir of kano

40

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

The emir’s speech All Glory to Allah: At his finest hour, beloved by his people and the nation, the Emir gave thanks to Allah. “Today marks a special day in my life for attaining a unique 50 years on the throne. It is indeed a day of great happiness for me. I want to use this unique opportunity to seek for forgiveness from everyone that I may have offended directly or indirectly, as I have forgiven all those who may have offended me.

I thank all those who have shown concern, support and loyalty to us in our 50 years on the throne and I implore everyone to rededicate their attitude to Allah and shelve all their vices. You must remain God-fearing and abide by religious injunctions in all your activities.

Alhamdulillah! All praises are due to Allah for His mercy on us to occupy this position and witness these wonderful and eventful years. A lot has happened in the past 50 years, such that some can hardly be remembered. Some are for good and others are not, but we give thanks to Allah who has made it easier for me and the people of Kano to get through them.

You should also be more responsible for your children and wards, and guide them to good behaviour and education to make them beneficial to the state and the nation.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

I am profoundly grateful to all Nigerians for rejoicing with us on this occasion. I urge you all to continue to work and pray for the prosperity of the country.�

41

the emir of kano

an

audience

with the emir To commemorate his 50 years on the throne, the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, hosted a press conference in the palace on 13 June 2013.

Your Royal Highness, it is 50 years since you ascended the throne.

How do you feel?

I have nothing much to say, than to thank Allah for sparing my life to witness these years on the throne, as the longest serving Emir of Kano.

as whatever happens to any person is already pre-destined to happen to him, so whenever such kind of things happen, whether good or bad, what is required from that person is to thank Allah if it is for good and exercise patience if it is the opposite.

Over these years, different governors, both civilians and military men, have ruled Kano state. How have you been able to cope with them?

It is not by my doing. It is through the help of Allah that I was able to have a good understanding and good relationship with all the governors who have governed the state during my reign.

For someone to spend 50 years on the throne as Emir in a great emirate like Kano is not a small feat. Your Highness, what can you say about the positive developments that Kano state has experienced during your reign?

Alhamdulillah, all praises are due to Allah who through His assistance made it possible for me to witness these years on the throne, a feat that none of my predecessors achieved. I thank all the people of Kano and the country at large for showing me such love during this time.

In these 50 years, Kano has witnessed tremendous development and challenges in many different aspects of life. How do you see these developments?

This is a very simple task for me. As I have always said, whoever puts his trust in Allah and follows His instructions as prescribed by Islam in whatever he does, that person has nothing to worry about. So, it is through Allah’s assistance that we have succeeded over these years.

When the former head of state, General Sani Abacha died, after the funeral prayer you were quoted as lamenting that both sons of Kano who had been given the opportunity to rule the country died in office. Is there any reason behind that statement, having in mind that late Murtala also died during his time as head of state?

There is no reason in particular for that statement, only that I am showing my gratitude to Allah who made it possible for me to see the coming and leaving of many heads of state, who either died or left at the end of their tenures. Every soul must taste death at the time appointed

by Allah. So, what is left for us is to pray to Allah for His mercy and forgiveness and take our souls as Muslims when our appointed time reaches us.

Your Highness, people are of the opinion that you are not shaken by anything, bearing in mind many things that have happened during your reign, most especially the recent events. How is that possible?

What I believe is that whatever happens to me on this Earth is destined to happen to me by almighty Allah. So, there is no point being disturbed,

42

Your Highness, a lot of your people praise you for your virtues, especially your patience and justice in ruling your kingdom. What is the secret behind this for others to imbibe and become successful?

Alhamdulillah, the secret is that, it is Allah who blesses me with these good behaviours as He is the only one that can grant such virtues to any of His servants.

You are known for your generosity, especially in the areas of helping those in need, and building of mosques and Islamic schools. Why do you engage in such activities?

These things are what we inherited from Sheikh Usman Ibn Fodio, the founder of the Fulani dynasty. Building of mosques and Islamic schools and helping the needy among our subjects is what the empire is known for, and was passed along to us by our forefathers. So, as vicegerent of Usman Ibn Fodio, these things are part of our responsibilities.

Being an Emir in a big city like Kano is undoubtedly very challenging. Your Highness, do you ever have time to rest as other people do?

Initially, I worked almost 24 hours a day, without any particular day to rest. But now, due to age and as the body is no longer as strong as it was 50 years ago, we set aside weekends to rest. Apart from Friday, that is traditionally set aside as a work-free day during which I receive homage from my subjects, we now add Saturday and Sunday as work-free days.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

43

the emir of kano

The Royal Fleet

T

he Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, is used to fulfilling more than a thousand engagements every year, both within and outside the emirate. His loaded itinerary ranges from receiving state and private guests at the palace to commissioning mosques and Koranic schools, opening industrial and cultural events, and attending state functions and religious conferences around the country and the world. These occasions involve journeys which are undertaken in both conventional and more eye-catching forms of transportation.

For air travel, depending on the nature and circumstances of the mission, the Emir mostly travels in his personal jet, an HS 125. For certain official, personal or emergency trips, the presidency sometimes provides a Gulfstream aircraft for larger capacity and ease.

For occasions such as the Durbar parades and cultural festivals, the Emir in his younger years typically rode on horseback, but as the 83-year-old monarch becomes frailer, he increasingly relies on carriages. There are two royal landaus, one cream and the other golden-hued, with red and gold exterior decoration and the green royal crest. The interiors are upholstered in scarlet lambswool and gilt-edge satin with beige panels and red and gold puffs thrown in. Each carriage weighs about two tons and requires two horses to pull from the box seat.

A vintage enthusiast’s dream

For road trips, the Emir makes use of more than ten limousines, consisting of three Rolls-Royces, two Bentleys and two Daimlers. There are also two Mercedes and a Cadillac Fleetwood. A vintage Mercedes 300SL Roadster and assorted SUVs for rough road travel make up the rest of a museum-size collection. Many of the vehicles are built to unique specifications and are of great historical and technical interest in themselves. The limos do not have registration number plates, but bear one of the Emir’s several titles. They also fly the royal standard when the Emir is on board.

The oldest and most celebrated car in the fleet is a 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith four-door convertible, procured by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, shortly before he died in 1953. It is a long wheel base 5-litre straight engine with a Hooper body. The car, which sports the rare and much-treasured ‘kneeling lady’ bonnet mascot (Rolls Royce cars usually have the standard ‘flying lady’ version) achieved worldwide fame when it was used to transport the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 1956 visit to Kano.

Until 1976, when the government of General Olusegun Obasanjo banned luxury vehicles for government officials, the Wraith was used to convey toplevel state visitors around Kano. In 2005, this extraordinary automobile made a historic return to England for a no-holds-barred, no-cost-spared total makeover to restore it to its optimum condition. Today, the Emir’s fleet has never been more fit for royalty.

44

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

the emir of kano

the

nation

ON ADO BAYERO “The Emir of Kano is an embodiment of peace and peaceful co-existence. I pray God to grant him good health to enable him continue to serve his people and the nation effectively.”

President Goodluck Jonathan “Alhaji Ado Bayero is undoubtedly one of the most pre-eminent personalities in contemporary Nigeria and an exceptional Emir in the history of the Emirates in the Northern Region. He is a very disciplined and highly cultured and unassuming person with an exceptional capacity to embrace change patiently but without compromising the status of the institution he represents. He is also the people’s Emir because of his deep-seated love and sense of justice, fairness and equity in all his dealings with his people and surbodinates.”

General Ibrahim Babangida “Ado Bayero is one of the pillars of Nigerian nationhood. In the most difficult and turbulent moments of our history, he has always served as a stabilising force, always offering words of hope and wisdom. He is without doubt one of the greatest patriots of our time, with an unquestionable commitment to the unity and stability of Nigeria.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo “The Emir is a living symbol of integrity whose patience, steadfastness and selfless service to the people has helped tremendously to maintain peaceful co-existence in the country.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar “During the Emir’s half century reign, the emirate has witnessed tremendous growth in terms of human and physical infrastructure development. The Emir has led the people of Kano and indeed other parts of the North to achieve greater heights in education, commerce, agriculture, investments and in all spheres of human endeavour in the last decades.”

Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero “The Emir of Kano is one of the greatest ambassadors of the Nigerian Police Force.”

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar “Ado Bayero is an embodiment of wisdom and learning, compassion and selflessness. He continues to inspire millions as a reference point for authentic leadership and service to the community.”

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole “As a young man, the Emir was loved by all. He was very generous; he would give us money whenever he visited us and would show us affection. Often times, through his wisdom, the Emir had intervened at critical times when all hopes were lost. The Emir always exhibited a high sense of decorum in relating with people so much that one would say he has been designed by God to be a leader.”

Malama Hadiza Bayero,Younger Sister “The 50th anniversary of the Emir of Kano His Royal Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero is worth celebrating precisely because the Emir has been a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence and of our common values not only in the North but across the country.”

Arewa Consultative Forum

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

45

the emir of kano

the emir at fifth chukker Northern Nigeria’s love of horses dates back into history. The Emirate of Kano has always produced great displays of horsemanship, and the Durbar is the highest expression of this. The ceremony dates back 150 years and serves as a way for people to pay homage to the Emir.

The Hausa language has a tradition of horse proverbs that show how horses and the people are intertwined. So it isn’t surprising that the Emir also has a great personal passion for horses. He boasts an impressive stable of thoroughbred race and ceremonial horses and has been riding since childhood.

The Emir takes a keen and highly knowledgeable interest in equine sport and frequently attends equestrian events such as polo tournaments and race days all over the country.

A regular visitor to Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club, he can be seen here with Fifth Chukker owner Adamu Atta during the trophy presentation of the UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament.

Adamu Atta welcoming The Emir of Kano back to Fifth Chukker for the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield

“The Emir of Kano is one of my favourite Nigerian personalities and we are privileged to host him and his colourful entourage here at Fifth Chukker. We congratulate him on celebrating 50 years on the throne.”

Adamu Atta

46

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Supply & trading Services tailored towards customer needs Excellence in commodities trading Akara Building, 24 De Castro Street, Wickmans Cay 1, Roadtown, Tortola, BVI Tel: +971-4-331380 • Fax:+971-4-3311616 inquiry@delaney-petroleum.com • www.delaney-petroleum.com

RASHID ALBWARDY

Passion

star personality

for polo

DUBAI TEAM CAPTAIN RASHID ALBWARDY At just 21 years old, Rashid Albwardy is already making waves in the polo world.

As a carbon copy of his father Ali Albwardy, owner of Desert Palm in Dubai, Rashid started riding when he was 8 and playing when he was 12. At 17, he was the youngest player in the Gold Cup, scoring 13 goals in the tournament.

The next year he went on to win the Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club, following in the footsteps of his father Ali and his brother Tariq.

T

his year at the Access Bank Fifth Chukker UK Polo Day at Ham Polo Club, Rashid played for Kangimi Titans alongside Tajudeen Dantata, Pelon Stirling and Lucas Monteverde in a thrilling game that saw a sudden death playoff in a sixth chukker, resulting in a win for Fifth Chukker. Rashid clearly enjoyed the game, producing a series of impressive goals that wowed the crowd.

Sport has long held a central position in Rashid’s life. He actually started off with equestrian showjumping, before making the change to polo, which he says he finds much more engaging and exciting.

He also skis and plays tennis, but these days he spends more time combining his two great passions, horses and polo.

Rashid is the first to admit he has a pretty impressive mentor in Adolfo Cambiaso, the mainstay of the Dubai team. “I’m with the best in Adolfo, and I want to try to be the best I could possibly be,” he says, with characteristic modesty.

Always striving to improve

In his early playing days Rashid juggled polo with his studies in the UK, making time to go the gym and getting on to the polo field when the weather permitted. These days his training is more intense; he attends polo practice almost every day and works out four or five times a week at the gym. Off-season he tries to keep up the gym routine to maintain his stamina and strength.

Now a veteran of more than 20 tournaments, he does his own personal research in his quest to improve his game. “I watch videos from my previous matches to see any mistakes I have made, because always I can improve”, he says.

And his previous matches are pretty impressive. In 2010 he played in the winning teams in both the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Cup, captaining Dubai for the first time and walking away with some of polo’s most prestigious trophies aged just 18.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Rashid with his Father Ali

49

star personality

goal polo tournament with the final score of 12-11, the winning goal coming from an Adolfo Cambiaso penalty in extra time in the final chukker.

This year, however, the Queen’s Cup was not so auspicious, as Zacara trounced Dubai in the semi-final. The Gold Cup was equally as tough, and despite impassioned play by Cambiaso, Dubai wasn’t able to cut through Zacara’s attacks, and Zacara triumphed 11-8 in the final chukker.

But this is all valuable experience for the young Albwardy. Like any professional sportsman, he recognises the need for down time, and he spent the second half of the UK season resting in Dubai.

Photos: Images of Polo, Sheyi Afolabi

“The Gold Cup and Queen’s Cup are my most memorable victories so far”, he says. “When I was eight years old I was sitting with my friend playing video games and I told them that it was my dream to win both tournaments one day. At the time it sounded funny and unrealistic because I had just started to play polo, so they told me to forget about it. The funny thing is that the same friends that were joking at that time were supporting me nine years later.”

Two years later in 2012 he won the Queen’s Cup again in a thrilling contest against Team Ayala. In a hard-fought game, Dubai defeated Ayala in one of the closest finals in the 52-year history of this great high-

50

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

work to ride

Work to Ride:

The Sport of Kings Gives Back The Work to Ride scheme gives young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to show what they can achieve on the polo field.

F

ounded in 1994, Work to Ride is a community-based non-profit programme focusing on helping disadvantaged young people in urban areas to develop though constructive activities centred on horsemanship, equine sports, contact with the natural world, and education. Based at Philadelphia’s Chamounix Equestrian Center, the project offers longterm support for 7-19 year olds, giving them a positive outlet for their energy and talents. Polo quickly emerged as a favourite activity for the young people involved, and in 1999 Work to Ride established the USA’s first African-American polo team.

They’ve gone on to great success, winning the Eastern Regional Interscholastic Polo Championship in 2005, and taking the National Interscholastic title in both 2011and 2012. These are amazing achievements for young people from disadvantaged inner-city areas, and along the journey they’ve had all kinds of opportunities and experiences that would have been unthinkable without the Work to Ride project.

Since 2008, a team from Work to Ride has been invited to travel to Fifth Chukker each year to participate in the Charity Shield Tournament,

52

and they’ve won the UNICEF Cup twice in the last four years. A major fundraiser for UNICEF projects in Nigeria, this annual tournament showcases some of Nigeria’s top players and teams, and in turn attracts top players from Argentina, South Africa and the UK. Set against the excitement of a major international polo tournament, these trips to Nigeria have given the Work to Ride team the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’, by participating in raising money for UNICEF while also experiencing a cultural exchange in a most unique setting. Through their experiences in Nigeria, they have experienced all that the ‘Sport of Kings’ has to offer.

Work to Ride has now become an integral part of the Charity Shield Tournament, involved in visiting UNICEF sites as well as local schools.

The visiting young people enjoy competing for the UNICEF Cup alongside young teams from Nigeria and beyond, including the college teams from AUN and the Turkish International School, as well Deebee Farms and youth teams from Argentina. And the guests at Fifth Chukker certainly enjoy watching them show off what they can do on the polo field – this next generation of polo ‘kings’.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

work to ride

Work to Ride experiences “I began my journey with Work to Ride in 2003 and graduated from the programme in 2008. I can honestly say that I have experienced and accomplished far more than I could have ever imagined. I had always dreamed of travelling outside of the country one day, but I never thought I’d get the opportunity at the young age of 18.

Fifth Chukker sponsored my trip to their country to play in an international tournament, not once but twice! During my time in Nigeria I experienced hospitality at the highest level.

Everyone that I met, and even those that I hadn’t had the chance to personally meet, have all been so welcoming and kind.

The Work to Ride programme has provided me with so many amazing memories and being in Nigeria has become one of my favourites. I would like to thank everyone that made it possible for myself and my teammates to have a memorable adventure in Nigeria. I’m looking forward to visiting my Nigerian friends again and to continue travelling the world!”

Tasha Harris, first in her family to graduate from high school and now starting her junior year at Temple University.

“Having Tasha go to Nigeria was an eye opener. When you have three to four children sharing a pencil – something Tasha saw when visiting one of the local schools – it makes you treasure things you have always taken for granted. It also showed Tasha that life has an unlimited amount of options; you just have to pick one and go for it. Who would have thought she would visit Nigeria, England and so many other places? We, as a family, are very proud of her.”

Gail Harris, Tasha’s mother.

“I was thrilled to be able to meet the members of Fifth Chukker!

I am so appreciative of the gracious reception they gave my daughter Julia Smith while she was their guest in Nigeria. They gave Julia priceless memories that shaped her perspective, personally and as an athlete.”

Stephany Presti, mother of Julia Smith, who in her first trip to Nigeria ran circles around the boys on the field and was named MVP for the UNICEF Cup. “I would like to say that the WTR program has really helped my child through life’s journey, as well as being a guiding light. I wish there were more programmes in Philadelphia like WTR for our youth. Thanks to Lezley Hiner [founder and director of Work to Ride], these children have travelled and played polo almost everywhere. The most exciting trip was to Nigeria, which gave the children a whole different outlook on life, to keep striving and be thankful for all things.

Tonya Reese, mother of Brandon who first travelled to Nigeria at 12 years old. As the youngest member of the team, his wideeyed wonder and appreciation of what he saw and learned on this trip will stay with him the rest of his life.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

53

work to ride

Terri Brennan Inspired by Africa…

Terri Brennan explains her love for Africa and passion for the Work to Ride programme.

M

y love affair with Africa started with listening to family members who spent time travelling there. As I began to do business here in Africa, I found myself in Kaduna with its rich history and association with horses. Being asked to ride in the Emir of Zazzau’s Durbar celebrations was not only an honour, it was one of the most amazing cultural experiences I’ve ever had.

There is a history of horse culture in Nigeria that is very special. The Hausa proverbs on horses are central in the oral literature in Africa. I’m not surprised by this at all, because horses can teach you so much. Their honesty and integrity are inspirational, as is their ability to be your team-mate just as much as a person. They are a soul that soars, and you can soar with them. Work To Ride is in my estimation one of the most amazing non-profits in the US; the combination of young people and horses is brilliant. Founder Lezlie Hiner has taken her lifelong love affair with horses and created an amazing programme whose benefits for the young people it serves is immeasurable.

Lezlie saw a serious need in Philadelphia to help disadvantaged urban youth off the streets, and through a stroke of genius built a programme centred around horses and equine sports. The idea came to her at Fairmount Park, where she stabled her horse, and she noticed there were always AfricanAmerican kids hanging around, fascinated with the horses.

They were willing to do quite a bit to ride the horses, and coupled with the fact that there were several stables around the city that were no longer needed by the city’s mounted police, she saw the potential for the inner city kids.

The young people develop life skills through the “work” part of Work to Ride; barn management and horse care are core parts of the programme. For these young people this part of the programme is invaluable in developing self-esteem and confidence.

The programme also has a strong focus on academic achievement; the participants must maintain passing grades, and the barn provides a safe after-school environment where community volunteers help with school work in the afternoons.

The success is evident in the number of participants who have graduated from high school and gone on to college, often being the first in their families to do so, as well as those who have been the recipients of scholarships to private prep schools.

The unspoken language of polo

I found out about WTR through an article in Sidelines, at the same time I was retiring my polo ponies in 2003. I was so taken by what Lezlie was accomplishing with these young people that

54

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

work to ride

I donated all my gear to the programme. Having been the typical young girl crazy about horses growing up (always asking for a pony instead of a doll or bike), to see the joy in the young people’s faces as they put their horses through their paces in the ring next to the old police stables where WTR is housed in Fairmount Park was simply the best.

I came to the game of polo later than most, not playing until I was 40-ish – and no, don’t do the math! Having ridden all my life, the game of polo has become the ultimate experience. To play the oldest team sport known to man, to play a game where men and women can play together on equal terms, and to play a team sport where the fourlegged players are just as much members of the team as the two-legged has been beyond fab! I was blessed to have the most amazing “retired” horses as my first teammates; their level of knowledge of the game never ceased to amaze me, that and they loved the game as much as I did. Perhaps for this reason alone polo has become my favourite horse “activity”.

Polo, as the young people from WTR have learned, provides the ultimate introduction. It is an unspoken language that opens doors to meeting like-minded people. Certainly for me, the move to Kaduna was made very easy through meeting everyone at Fifth Chukker – I could not have wished for a warmer welcome. Being able to drive out to the farm at sunrise in the off-season was the perfect “pony therapy” to start my work day. Fifth Chukker is a magical place indeed.

Soaring to new heights

It is said that horses touch a person’s soul – and the part of WTR that may be overlooked in the excitement of polo and riding in general is the therapeutic aspect of the programme that Lezlie has developed.

As a true horsewoman, she has created a safe environment, one where the young people can interact with the horses daily and know that these majestic creatures love them unconditionally. Lezlie has created a programme that is so much more than just polo, riding and academics. It is a programme that encourages personal growth outside the boundaries these young people know. With a horse your growth is more than just the physical; it is also spiritual as well. Anyone with a passion for horses will know that being on the back of a horse allows one to soar to new heights. That Lezlie has been able to pass along her passion for horses is one of the greatest gifts to be given.

Winston Churchill could not have summed it up any better when he said: “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” For all of us who love our horses and share a passion for riding, whatever the discipline, we share this belief.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

55

TM

BEST AIRLINE IN AFRICA 2013

BEST AIRLINE STAFF SERVICE IN AFRICA 2013

MEETING PASSENGERS EXPECTATION AND BUILDING THE YOUNGEST FLEET

www.ethiopianairlines.com

sunny rose

Sunny Rose Fifth Chukker hosted the exclusive launch of the new collection from rising fashion label Sunny Rose.

Creating a visual feast in fabric

S

unny Rose is one of Nigeria’s most exciting new labels and, despite only launching in 2011, it already has a devoted following of fashionistas. Focusing on Nigerian fabrics with a modern wearable twist, the brand has become a staple in the wardrobe of discerning women who seek out quality and style in their everyday lives.

The eagerly awaited new collection from Sunny Rose was showcased exclusively at Fifth Chukker during the Charity Shield tournament.

Maureen Okogwu Ikokwu, the designer behind the label, has taken her love of blue denim and given this much-loved fabric a series of stylish new looks, incorporating it into evening gowns, skirts and dresses in such a way that it is no longer solely a casual choice.

For her 2013 spring/summer collection, Maureen combined blue corsets, beaded gowns and Ankara-inspired fabrics to create elegant designs that enhance the central denim theme, and elevate it to couture levels. Sexy tailored denim shorts with an off-the-shoulder satin blouse, tailored shirts with beaded collars and cuffs and a denim evening dress with a beaded bodice and chiffon overlay exemplify this fabulous collection, which was showcased to great applause from the discerning Fifth Chukker audience.

58

Maureen’s talent is as much for understanding what women require to look stylish as for her fabulous designs. She actually started her fashion career as a model, when she was spotted at a dinner in Switzerland, going on to become the face of Nescafe Red Cup. But her love for clothing and accessories was really formed as a child, as she raided her mother’s wardrobe for beautiful clothes and jewellery.

She gradually began designing accessories, creating innovative handbags with fringes, exotic skins and semi-precious stones. It was a big leap into ready-to-wear, but that was the obvious move.

Maureen says she finds constant inspiration in travel, drawing on the sights and sounds from her environment to create a visual feast in fabric. And she’s already making waves on the international scene, with her designs appearing in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Style. She was also recognised by designer Roberto Cavalli and Franca Sozzana, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, on their trip to Lagos last year.

“African designers are becoming more and more creative and innovative with the use of our native fabrics, hence making a mark on the international fashion scene,” Maureen says. Fifth Chukker was delighted to be chosen to reveal her new collection exclusively at the club, and is looking forward to more collaborations with Sunny Rose in the future.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

sunny rose

Exclusive showcase at Fifth Chukker Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Photography: Klearpix

59

sunny rose

Fifth Chukker destination shoot

60

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

sunny rose

t

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

61

100 years of aston martin

A Century of Innovation

This year the iconic British sports car manufacturer celebrated its 100th year of operation with a series of special events around the world.

T

he sound of the engine is unmistakable, a soft throaty purr that ends in a roar when the accelerator is pressed. Throughout the last century, Aston Martin cars have been instantly recognisable for their design, engineering and panache, and ever since James Bond (007) drove a DB5 in 1964’s Goldfinger, their legendary magnetism has been firmly established in popular culture.

On celluloid these unique cars have been seen in action rolling, jumping and cartwheeling, so for Aston Martin’s centenary year it was only fitting that a Vanquish should fly. And what a flight it was – a daring helicopter airlift across the Dubai skyline to land on the helipad at the Burj Al Arab hotel.

One of Dubai’s most iconic buildings, the Burj Al Arab formed the perfect fit for one of the world’s most iconic cars. The hotel’s helipad, which sits 1,000 feet above the ground at the top of the sail-shaped building, has seen Tiger Woods play golf and Agassi and Federer play tennis, but had certainly never before been the landing pad for an Aston Martin.

In a stunt worthy of a James Bond movie, the skilled helicopter crew manoeuvred the car into position and, cradled in a pod, it gently touched down. The amazing spectacle of this bright red ultimate GT arriving via helicopter across the Dubai skyline was a sight that spectators and awaiting dignitaries alike described as electrifying. The hotel itself was lit up with the famous Aston Martin wings.

Celebrating a cultural icon

The Dubai stunt was one of the first of a series of events taking place around the world, marking Aston Martin’s century of British innovation, design and craftsmanship. Highlights included special appearances at major automotive events including the 24 Hours Nürburgring, Silverstone Classic, Villa D’Este, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Goodwood’s Festival of Speed and Pebble Beach in the USA. In London, there was a full week of celebrations in July, with one of the largest ever gatherings of Aston

62

Martins in the brand’s 100 year history taking place in Kensington Gardens. Thousands of owners brought their cars along to join in this unique showcase of the finest British sports cars ever made. Some of the rarest and most significant Aston Martin models were on show, alongside six of the cars that used in James Bond films and the 007 signage used at the world premiere of Skyfall in 2012.

Some of these cars may never be seen on public display again, as collectors and enthusiasts joined forces to produce a spectacular timeline of classic Aston Martins, from the oldest surviving A3 to the latest spectacular model CC100. In total some 500 cars were available to view on a blazing hot day that truly paid tribute to the history and achievements of the Aston Martin lineage.

In the shadow of Kensington Palace, visitors recalled the DB6Mk11 used by Prince William and his new bride after their wedding in 2011. The car belonged to his father Prince Charles, who was given it as a 21st birthday gift from the Queen. Since then it has been converted to run on bioethanol fuel distilled from surplus British wine, in keeping with the brand’s reputation for constant innovation and renewal.

Throughout the last century, the rich and famous have queued up to own a piece of automotive history. James Bond actors Piers Brosnan and Daniel Craig are among those who are now proud Aston Martin owners. Other famous owners include tennis champion Rafael Nadal, who drives a DBS, footballers David Beckham and Wayne Rooney and basketball star Michael Jordan, as well as film director Steven Spielberg, actor Sylvester Stallone, model Elle McPherson, and actress and singer Queen Latifah.

A century of engineering excellence

Founded in 1913 by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, Aston Martin began life in Henniker Mews just off the Fulham Road in London. The company has so far produced just over 60,000 sports cars, of which more than 90% are still in existence. Though the Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

100 years of aston martin

From top left to right DB4 GT Zagato, D89, DB2, V12 Vanquish, DBR1 at 1959 LeMans (credit to AMHT), Aston Martin, V8 Volante Zagato, One-77, Aston Martin Centenery, Early Aston Martin outside Bamford and Martin Works (credit to AMHT), 2 Litre Sports – later a DB1 (credit to AMHT), V12 Zagato

company was founded as Bamford & Martin Ltd, the Aston-Martin name was quickly adopted – a reference to Lionel Martin’s success at the Aston Clinton Hillclimb race.

The first car registered under the Aston-Martin name, in 1915, was known as the Coal Scuttle, and was powered by a 1389cc Coventry Climax engine. The second prototype was fitted with a 1487cc engine and front wheel brakes, the true forerunner to the first production cars.

In 1922 a prototype nicknamed Bunny broke ten world records in 16 and a half hours at Brooklands racing circuit, just outside London, averaging 76 mph.

Three years later the company went into receivership, but was rescued by engineering firm Renwick and Bertelli. In 1932, further financial backing came from Sir Arthur Sutherland, who focused the company’s efforts on a new road car range. Fifteen years later engineering magnate David Brown bought the company for £20,000 and formed Aston Martin Lagonda.

In 1958 the DB4 was launched, powered by a new 3.7 litre in-line six cylinder engine and reaching speeds of 140 mph. The four-seater body was designed by Carrozeria Touring of Milan, using their Superleggera construction method in which handmade aluminium panels are fixed to a tubular frame built on to a substantial platform chassis.

In 1959 the DB1 won the World Sports Car Championships and the Le Mans 24 hour race, but it was in 1964 that Aston Martin really reached

64

a global audience, when Sean Connery as James Bond drove the new DB5 in Goldfinger. Despite the company changing hands several times over the next 15 years, the innovation continued. The controversial Lagonda, designed by William Towns, was launched in 1976, attracting a huge amount of publicity and strong sales. In 1986 the Vantage Zagato made an appearance and became one of the fastest supercars in the world with a top speed of 186 mph. Only 89 of these were ever made, 52 Coupes and 37 Volantes.

Following Ford Motor Company’s purchase of Aston Martin in 1987, a period of rapid investment began and the DB7 was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Salon in 1993. It went on sale the following year and became the most significant Aston Martin to date. The same year the 550bhp Vantage was launched to further acclaim.

In 1999 the DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante incorporated the first V12 production engine for Aston Martin, and in 2001 a new supercar, the V12 Vanquish, was launched, with a bonded aluminium chassis and body with carbon fibre composites. In 2003 DB9 production commenced using VH architecture, the first car to do so.

In 2009 the four-door Rapide, the V12 Vantage and the DBS Volante were launched. The company also unveiled the One-7, which won the Design Award at the Concorse d’Eleganza at the prestigious Villa d’Este in Italy – the same award which went two years later to the grand tourer V12 Zagato.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

100 years of aston martin

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

65

100 years of aston martin

Last year the iconic Vanquish name returned for a new flagship car, a grand tourer that combines worldleading design, technology and advanced engineering, and which is being touted as the best Aston Martin to date.

Exclusive centenary designs

To mark the centenary, Aston Martin has created an exclusive Centenary Edition specification that will be available worldwide on just 100 of each model – V8, Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish – featuring a unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wings badges and a special Aston Martin hallmark.

Meanwhile a new logo for 2013 has been designed to represent this historic moment, with 99 points aligned in perfect proportion around the Aston Martin logo, and a final red ‘100’ to signify the centenary year. The dynamic shape of this special edition logo is derived from nature’s nautilus shell.

Not just symbolic of 100 years, the points are also an expression of the Aston Martin marque today, the beautiful and iconic cars and the proud dedication of those who have created them. Who knows what the next 100 years will bring?

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Aston Martin 1. There have been 10 different versions of the iconic Aston Martin badge. The current version was introduced in 2003.

2. The Aston Martin wings badge has its origins in ancient Egypt – derived from the open wings of the scarab beetle.

3. In 100 years Aston Martin has produced just over 60,000 sports cars.

4. It is accurately estimated that more than 90% of all Aston Martins built are still in existence.

5. Aston Martin has manufactured cars in seven locations in the past 100 years.

6. Aston Martin’s global HQ at Gaydon, the company’s first purpose-built home, celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2013.

7. The Aston Martin Owners Club was founded in 1935 at The Grafton Hotel, London.

8. The now sold-out One-77 hypercar is Aston Martin’s most exclusive, powerful and expensive production model to date.

9. It took 2,700 man hours to produce each One-77.

10. The painting process for the current Aston Martin range takes between 50 and 70 hours per car.

67

Swarovski

Glittering the

side of luxury From the red carpet to innovative contemporary artwork, no one does crystals quite like Swarovski.

T

ravel through any airport and you are bound to see a Swarovski shop, alight with glittering crystals in myriad forms. From cut lead crystal figurines to modern jewellery and magnificent chandeliers, it seems the Swarovski empire stretches to every aspect of luxury living.

With a presence in 120 countries worldwide, 26,000 employees and a turnover in 2011 of e2.22bn, this Austrian family firm is definitely doing something right. Founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski, a bohemian inventor and visionary with a newly devised machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewellery stones, the company also manufactures everything from heavy-duty grinding tools and rifle scopes to binoculars and night-time road reflectors.

The company is still family-owned and run by fourth and fifth generation family members, and comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. As a result, Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient of international design.

Since 1985 the company has also catered to the fine jewellery industry with precision-cut genuine and created gemstones. Its own brand of accessories, jewellery and home décor items are sold through more than 1,800 retail outlets worldwide and the Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 350,000 global members.

In 1995 Swarovski Kristallwelten, a multi-media crystal museum, was opened as a celebration of Swarovski’s vision and creativity.

INNOVATION AND IMAGINATION

The evolution of Swarovski from a charming Austrian crystal manufacturer to a global enterprise can be put down to the arrival of Nadja Swarovski on the scene. The great-granddaughter of Daniel, she was determined to revolutionise the way the world saw her family business.

She planned a careful strategy that has seen Swarovski partner with and patronise artists, architects and designers to create innovative works that stand alone in their environment. From a collaboration

68

with John Pawson that has seen his artwork Perspectives displayed in Venice’s Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore, to focus public attention on the need to restore the building. This giant work is essentially an optical device, using the largest and purest lens ever made by Swarovski, reflecting the beauty of its surroundings.

Next time you pass through San Diego International Airport, check out the crystal installation Taxonomy of a Cloud by artist Stuart Keeler, which is suspended from the ceiling in Terminal 2.

It features 35,000 Swarovski crystals in 261 strands that hang from the centre of an abstracted cloud formation made from aluminium tubes. The whole ensemble is arranged to resemble a sparkling rain shower, inspired by the San Diego sky on the longest day of the year of 2011.

MOVIE MAGIC

Swarovski crystals are highly sought-after by the film industry, often seen adorning actresses and their gowns with a magical glitter.

From the early days of Hollywood, Swarovski has worked hand in hand with costume and set designers, creating show-stopping jewels, costumes and sets that are really worthy of the spotlight. The company’s reputation for the largest variety of the finest cut crystal is unchallenged on and off the silver screen, with Swarovski crystals playing a central role in classics including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Wizard of Oz, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and more recently The Young Victoria, NINE, Burlesque, Black Swan, Water for Elephants and Mirror Mirror.

The Brad Pitt and George Clooney blockbuster Oceans Thirteen featured huge Las Vegas chandeliers and champagne flutes. A starring role in Sex and the City for the Swarovski Kiosque handbag led to huge sales, and a role in Skyfall followed on, with one of James Bond’s femme fatales wearing the Queen Cobra and Black Bamboo jewellery.

Now the company has turned its own hand to movie-making, producing Romeo and Juliet alongside Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. Sparkling guests at the LA premiere in September included Taylor Swift, Jaden Smith, Olivia Holt and Rosie Day. Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Swarovski

SWAROVSKI CELEBRITIES

• Queen Victoria – “She loved having her gowns and veils embroidered with crystals to complement her diamond jewellery,” says Nadja.

• Coco Chanel – always a step ahead, Chanel was one of Swarovski’s original fashion designer fans.

• Christian Dior – an early collaborator, who played a role in the innovative evolution of the company.

• Marilyn Monroe – the famous shimmering white dress in which she sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy was covered in thousands of Swarovski crystals.

• Singer Shakira – as well as being a fan of the jewellery, she even has a bespoke pink Fender guitar encrusted with Swarovski crystals, gems and jewels.

• Michael Jackson – loved nothing more than to cover himself in Swarovski sparkle, right down to his iconic gloves.

• J-Lo – frequently selects Swarovski accessories to complete her show-stopping red carpet outfits.

Recent Swarovski Movie Appearances

2013 – Oz The Great and Powerful 2012 – Skyfall 2010 – Black Swan 2009 – The Young Victoria 2009 – This Is It 2004 – The Phantom of the Opera 2002 – Chicago 2001 – Moulin Rouge Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

69

SWAROVSKI

Atelier swarovski

S

warovski’s collaborative ethos has found its most creative expression in the Atelier Swarovski line, a collection of beautiful items of jewellery designed by international artists. Collaborators include world-renowned product design duo Frederikson Stallard, fashion designer Christopher Kane, multi-disciplinary artist Arik Levy, and Ugo Zaldi, costume designer for Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson.

“For the past six years we have been privileged to work with almost 50 of the world’s leading designers to create collections that demonstrate the versatility of crystal and push the boundaries of fashion jewellery,” says Nadia Swarovski.

In an old-fashioned sense, Swarovski is a patron, allowing the artists to exercise free creative expression. Frederickson Stallard chose to contrast the precise cuts of Swarovski crystal with the soft refined elegance of a mirror polished dome for the collection Space Flower, using just one crystal poised at

70

the centre of polished reflective metal discs to create bold neckpieces, bracelets, earrings and rings that change with every movement.

Christopher Kane’s iconic crystal mesh Bolster collection, with its multi-strands in several colourways, emerged out of his 2007 runway collection. Similarly celebrity costume designer Zaldi has taken inspiration from the fashion world, but sculpting his designs from clay to create truly unique pieces of jewellery.

Artist, photographer, filmmaker and designer Arik Levy chose the geological world as the starting point for his creations. “With RockCraters I aim to celebrate a contemporary return to futuristic nature,” he says.

“Just like a mineral discovered in the wild, the sculpted craters expose the beauty of the formation composed by man-made micro chaton cut. These crystal formations, in a unique mix of multiple colours, create depth, reflection and shine.”

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

SWAROVSKI

swarovski

Maison Martin Margiela and

C

ontinuing Swarovski’s tradition of innovation through creative collaboration, five uniquely cut crystal pieces were presented at the Maison Martin Margiela haute couture show in Paris in July.

The ground-breaking Crystal Fusion technique merges crystal and matte white resin during the production process, before being cut, making gluing unnecessary and creating a startling futuristic and avant-garde, asymmetric beauty. The vision for this project was inspired by stalactites.

“Naturally and spontaneously, an imposing crystal emerges from its raw, stony origin, patiently growing into its iconic stalactite shape.”

A limited edition collection inspired by this Crystalactite range is available, featuring a pendant, ring and bracelet, each of which displays the same striking asymmetrical look. The fusion of Maison Martin Margiela’s clean and innovative style with the sparkling purity of Swarovski crystals makes it a perfect creative partnership, as Maison Martin Margiela says: “Collaborating with Swarovski was an opportunity that could not be resisted. This project achieved outstanding outcomes from a design and a technologically advanced point of view, creating a complex structure with a natural aesthetic.”

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

71

luxury list 1

2

3

1. Hublot MP-02 Key of Time www.hublot.com 2. Piaget - Ultra-thin 3. Piaget - Limelight Gala Collection www.piaget.com

luxury list

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

73

4 4. Hublot Big Bang Ferrari - www.hublot.com 5. Richard Mille Jean Todt Limited Edition

5

6. Piaget - jewellery wristwatch 7. Piaget Polo www.piaget.com 8. Beyer www.beyer-ch.com 6

74

7

8

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

luxury list

Purple Drops Collier/ Ref. 1288 Coll.

Rubellite necklace, White gold 750 9 rubellite drops total 100.32 ct.

102 brilliants 16,56 ct. F/G vvs-vs Beyer www.beyer-ch.com

Purple Drops Ring/ Ref. 1288 Ring Rubellite – ring, White gold 750 1 rubellite cushion cut 17.06 ct.

6 brilliants 0,77 ct. F/G vvs-vs Beyer www.beyer-ch.com

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Purple Drops Ohrringe/ Ref. 1288 ORI Rubellite earrings, White gold 750 2 rubellite drops total 18.6 ct.

10 brilliants 1,36 ct. F/G vvs-vs Beyer www.beyer-ch.com

75

luxury list

Piaget Limelight Collection Blue Sea Cocktail Inspiration 18K white and yellow gold ring set with 1 cushion-cut aquamarine (approx. 28.03 cts), 13 fire opal beads (approx. 3.18 cts) and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.36 ct).

Ref. G34LR500 www.piaget.com

Piaget Limelight Collection 18K yellow and white gold pendant set with 1 cushion-cut aquamarine (approx. 12.89 ct), 19 fire opal beads (approx. 9.57 ct) and 52 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.12 ct).

Ref. G33LC300 www.piaget.com

Piaget Limelight Collection Strawberry Margarita Cocktail Inspiration 18K white gold ring set with 1 oval-cut morganite (approx. 9.38 ct), 82 round rubies (approx. 1.46 ct), 34 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.50 ct), and 8 round emeralds (approx. 0.06 ct).

Ref. G34H1100 www.piaget.com

76

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

luxury list

Piaget Limelight New York earrings in 18-carat white gold set with 102 brilliant-cut diamonds, 8 triangle-cut diamonds, 2 troida-cut blue sapphires, 6 pearshaped blue sapphires, 10 round blue sapphires and 10 triangle-cut blue sapphires (19.5 ct).

Reference: G38L9500

Piaget Limelight New York necklace in 18-carat white gold set with 439 brilliant-cut diamonds, 12 triangle-cut diamonds, 5 troida-cut blue sapphires, 5 pearshaped blue sapphires, 14 triangle-cut blue sapphires and 5 round blue sapphires (62.32 ct).

Reference: G37L9170

Piaget Limelight earrings in 18-carat white gold and set with 98 brilliant cut diamonds (1.3 ct). www.piaget.com

Piaget Limelight Collection 18K white and yellow gold ring set with 1 oval-cut rubellite (approx. 10.91 ct), 58 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.63 ct) and 28 round tsavorites (approx. 0.22 ct).

Ref. G34H1300

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

77

tour de france

100 Years

of the Tour de France An African will one day win the Tour de France, predicts round-the-world cyclist Nick Sanders.

S

ince the Tour de France was first established in 1903, the pool of winners has been extraordinarily select. Until 1986 France had 36 successes, Belgium 18, Italy 8 and tiny Luxembourg hung in there with 4 victories. Perceived wisdom suggested Europeans were the best because they understood what the Tour was all about, instinctively knowing how the emotional and mental mindset had to turn if those pedals were to put you on the podium of the greatest bike race in the world.

However, in 1986 the European monopoly was broken. Greg LeMond became the first American to win the yellow jersey, followed by 7-times winner, the man from Texas, Lance Armstrong.

What exactly is the Tour de France? Well, it’s a ‘stage-race’ whereby each day’s event, a race in itself with points and prizes, creates a daily winner. The time taken for each daily stage to be completed is rounded up as a cumulative time, so after approximately 21 days racing and 21 separate stages, the winner of the Tour is not necessarily any of the individual stage winners. Rather, it is the cyclist with the lowest accumulated time over the duration of the 3 weeks who is named the winning rider in what makes up the overall ‘General Classification’.

Races within the race

There are various other competitions within ‘le Tour’ that command attention for the competitors. The best climbing category is called the ‘polka dot competition’, in reference to the markings of the jersey worn by whoever proves most proficient on the race’s many climbs. A green jersey is worn daily by whoever accumulates the highest amount of points on a series of ‘first across the line’ sprints liberally sprinkled throughout each stage. The white jersey is for the youngest rider who places highest on the General Classification. And of course the rider in the leading position each day wears the coveted ‘yellow jersey,’ perhaps the most significant piece of clothing in cycling history, along with the World Championship’s ‘rainbow jersey’.

Sounds complicated, but it isn’t. The Tour de France is a bicycle race like any other, just longer and more famous. The key qualities required to win it include physical durability, mental and moral strength, and an immense desire to succeed.

Each rider is part of a 9-man team, normally funded by commercial sponsors as diverse as banks, agricultural concerns, car companies and telecommunications. Basically anyone with big money – because the starting costs to fund a team for 12 months now approaches $8m.

78

Chris Froome, who was raised in Africa, powered to victory in this year’s Tour de France. (right).

Celebrating on the podium (above).

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

tour de france

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

79

80

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

tour de france

Constant innovation

As in football, there’s an increasing trend for the Tour de France, which boasts an annual audience of around 12 million along its route and 3.5 billion worldwide, to attract investment from Russian oligarchs and media barons such as the Murdoch dynasty, which sponsors Froome and Wiggins in Team Sky. Meanwhile Formula 1 technology has been seeping into the way bicycles and riders’ clothing is manufactured, with innovations including machines weighing just 4 kilos and ever-sleeker kit designs.

While the American LeMond seemed a surprising winner back in the 1980s, his success heralded the start of a new era. Winners of the Tour de France have begun to come from all sorts of unusual parts of the world, with little or no history of competing in this intense level of cycling: Stephen Roche won for Ireland, Cadel Evans for Australia and Sir Bradley Wiggins from Kilburn in north London.

Most encouraging of all has been the 2013 victory of Chris Froome. A British passport holder, Froome was raised in Kenya with strong ties to South Africa, and is a charming ambassador who now leads the way for Africa’s participation in what some consider the greatest sporting event in the world.

South Africa’s Daryl Impey rode imperiously for Team Europcar to further convince everyone in traditional tour territory that, having wowed the world with its runners and endurance athletes, Africa is about to arrive on the world cycling stage.

Black Africans already utterly dominate distance endurance racing. Of the last 10 London marathons, 8 have been won by Kenyans and 2 by Ethiopians.

Their physiology is also perfect for the bike, and then it’s just a numbers game. By the year 2100 there will be more 18-to-25 year olds on the African continent than in China, creating the biggest mass sporting population in the world. The word on the street is very much: watch this space. An African will one day win the Tour de France.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

81

82

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Mark Cavendish

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

83

tour de france

GIRO D’ITALIA If the Tour de France is the most prestigious of the three major stage races that exist in the world of cycling, the Giro d’Italia comes a close second. It’s primarily held in Italy, but like Le Tour, extends its geographical boundaries to include other countries in Europe. First organised in 1909 to increase the circulation of the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, its format is similar to the other Grand Tours – 21 stages including at least 2 time trials and routes through the Alps and Dolomites, over a 3 week period during late May and early June. The 2013 Giro was won by the Italian rider Vincenzo Nibali.

VUELTA A ESPAÑA

84

Image: PhotoSport International

Inspired by the successes of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, the Tour of Spain, or Vuelta, was first organised in 1935.

The race was prevented from being run during the period of the Spanish Civil War and World War Two, but has operated every year since 1955. Presented on exactly the same lines as the other two prestigious tours, all of the stages are timed and the total times taken to ride the 3,200km of all the stages are compounded to give the overall winner. The 2013 Vuelta was won by the 41-year-old American Chris Horner.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Nigerian Monarchs

Nigerian monarchs

Born in Nigeria in 1974, George Osodi began working as a photographer on the Comet newspaper in 1999. From 2002 to 2007, he was a stringer for Associated Press. Osodi took up photography because he wanted to “document Africa from an African perspective.”

Osodi’s work straddles photojournalism and art photography. The two strands are indistinguishable on his best known project, Oil Rich Niger Delta. Shot between 2003 and 2007, the project documented the environmental destruction of the Niger Delta by multi-national oil companies.

Photojournalists struggle to be accepted by the art world, which tends to consider news photography as a lesser, ephemeral medium. Osodi made the transition after his Delta photographs were shown in 2007 at the influential modern art exhibition dOCUMENTA in Kassel, Germany. Oil Rich Niger Delta has since been shown in art galleries and museums around the world.

Osodi’s latest project, which will be exhibited at London’s Bermondsey Project gallery this October, is titled Nigerian Monarchs. It is a collection of portraits of traditional Nigerian kings, their entourages and regalia.

While Oil Rich Niger Delta was often horrifying, a modern Armageddon, Nigerian Monarchs is an affirmation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage. Osodi hopes the collection will help foster national unity.

African monarchs only began to be portrayed as Osodi photographs them, from an African perspective, in the last few decades, following the colonial era. Photographs of Africa and Africans taken by Europeans between the mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries, mostly portrayed Africa as an example of backwardness. African culture was primitive, European culture was progressive.

“The colonialists would take photographs of themselves with the traditional rulers whenever they conquered a territory,” says Osodi.

“You can see the kings are not happy to be there. They were being photographed for and by the colonial masters, not for themselves.

They look sad.” These Victorian and Edwardian photographs resemble contemporary trophy portraits of “white hunters” showing off their kills.

Nigerian Monarchs is an antidote to that. The quiet dignity of the kings in Osodi’s portraits is as moving in its own way as the images in Oil Rich Niger Delta. When the portraits are viewed together as a single artwork they acquire a collective potency. The Bermondsey Project exhibition will harness this cumulative effect through an installation in which around 200 slides will be shown one after another in rapid succession, each flashed up for five seconds. There will be no accompanying text or soundscape. The same device was used in Oil Rich Niger Delta and the impact was considerable. Between 35 and 40 large-scale portraits of the kings will also be hung in the gallery.

When the missionary Dr David Livingstone set off to preach to the people living along the Zambezi river in 1858, he took along a photographer. He also took along a magic lantern on which to show illustrated Bible stories. Livingstone described his lantern as “the oxyhydrogen light of civilisation.”

George Osodi is shining the light right back.

opposite

HRM Pere Donokoromo II, Pere of Isaba Kingdom

86

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Nigerian Monarchs

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

87

nigerian monarchs

What led you to become a photographer?

I took up photography for the love I have for my continent and my country. We don’t really document our history. Most photographs of Africa have been taken by foreign photographers. I want to document Africa from an African perspective.

What is the idea behind Nigerian Monarchs?

The kings are the custodians of our cultural heritage, and my idea is to mirror that culture through their personalities. As well as their portraits, I am documenting the kings’s environments, where they live, the people around them, their architecture and fashion. I also want to highlight their traditional role as peace makers. The kings often resolve disputes in their kingdoms or with the central government, and this is particularly needed in Nigeria right now. My intention is to present the collection as a symbol of national unity rather than evidence of division.

How many kings are there?

Honestly, no-one really knows. There are no statistics. I estimate there must be over 2,000.

Nigeria is a vast country with hundreds of different languages. There are around 250 different ethnic groups and that is just the major ones. We should be happy with such an abundance of diversity rather than allowing it to create discord. Bringing together portraits of our traditional kings, from a broad range of ethnic and geographic centres, makes this point.

Looking at the images as a group, there is so much that is shared by all the kingdoms that the degree of diversity ultimately suggests unity.

Above HRM Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano Kingdom Right HRH Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman The Emir of Katsina Far right HRM Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, The Dein of Agbor Kingdom Opposite top HRH Obi Imegwu II, Obi of Aboh Kingdom Opposite bottom HRM Felix A Mujakperuo Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom

88

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

nigerian monarchs

How many kings have you photographed?

I am planning on photographing 100 kings. So far I have done about 50. The number 100 is symbolic. In 2014 Nigeria celebrates the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation of the northern and the southern protectorates by the British colonial government. All the kingdoms were meshed together as a country in 1914. In 2014 Nigeria will have a hundred years of living together as one entity.

How did you choose which kings to photograph?

What is most important to me is the age of the kingdom. Does it have a rich culture, in terms of architecture, fashion? And how much impact has a particular monarch made in his community? How big a contribution does he make? I also want a broad geographic scope, with all regions of the country included equally.

How do the Nigerian people regard the kings today?

They are still regarded with high esteem. In the olden days, many of the kings were almost worshipped. They were believed to be the link with the gods and spirits. People would lay down their lives for the king. It was very intense in the pre-colonial era. But under colonialism, many of the traditional structures of government were dismantled and new ones put in their place, and later a central government was introduced. So the kings became less influential and the respect that they enjoyed from the people was reduced a bit, because they were no longer fully in charge of their kingdoms.

What is the role of the kings today?

Today the kings tend to be supplementary to the central government.

They do not have constitutional power. They are consulted and they advise. They are seen as peace makers and conflict resolvers. They are still seen as the custodians of a kingdom’s culture and they are far closer to the people than the government. The central government is the all-in-all, but the kings are still very important. There are some bad eggs among them, of course. In the Delta, for instance, some of the kings tried to prevent the harmful things the oil companies wanted to do. Other kings only thought about the money they could gain. They were part of the problem and their greed led to problems for their region. But other kings have worked hard to end the conflict.

Are the kings hereditary or elected?

Most are hereditary, some are not. Sometimes the position of king rotates between several families. Some of the kings can trace their line back several thousand years, some were created more recently. Groups of people can still come together to form new kingdoms today.

Having survived colonialisation, is globalisation putting the kings under new pressure?

The same thing is happening, this time through technology. It’s OK to look at other people’s culture, but we should not just abandon the world that existed here for many centuries in favour of Western culture. Now there is cross-cultural interference, especially with the younger generation.

It is easy for them to see the kings and what they stand for as irrelevant in modern Nigeria. So it is important to me to bring back evidence of the culture that existed before even the colonial era, when we lived in harmony. We have to look back to where we are coming from and appreciate our identity if we are to live together in peace.

When will the project be completed?

Because Nigeria is so big, this project involves a lot of travelling, often over very long distances. That takes time here. Just getting permissions from the kings takes a lot of time. They are very important people and it’s Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

difficult to get access to them. You have to go there and present yourself and explain your project, and then they get back to you if they are interested. It often involves travelling twice to a kingdom. The first time, you deliver a letter requesting a sitting with the king. Then you go home and wait for a call. Then you go back to take the photographs. Just one king could involve travelling thousands of miles. I started last year and my target is to finish by the end of this year or early next year. I want to complete it before the 100th anniversary celebrations begin.

89

nigerian monarchs

this page: top

HRM Oharisi III, Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom near right

Oharisi III, Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom far right

HRM Agbogidi Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi II, Obi of Idumuje Unor Kingdom opposite page: HRM Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikateland Kingdom

90

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

nigerian monarchs

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

91

pomp & polo

Pomp & Polo

Hollywood met royalty on the polo field this June, as film stars and celebrities rubbed shoulders with members of the royal family at the Cartier Queen’s Cup. Held at the UK’s prestigious Guards Polo Club, the tournament has always been as much about seeing and being seen as it is about polo – and this year was no exception.

94

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

pomp & polo

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

95

pomp & polo

M

ovie legend Sharon Stone brought her 13-year-old adopted son Roan as her guest to the elite gathering, which was also attended by HRH Princess Beatrice and Charlotte Casiraghi, the beautiful daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco. Actress Thandie Newton, Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins, former actress Stefanie Powers and James Bond star Colin Salmon were also among the guests at a thrilling tournament that saw Zacara sweep to victory.

Most eminent of all was Her Majesty the Queen, who watched from the clubhouse balcony, appearing completely engrossed in the action.

Also among the spectators was the Marchioness of Milford Haven, one of polo’s top female players, alongside her husband the Marquess who also plays polo. Former jockey turned television presenter Clare Balding, whose father Ian trained the Queen’s racehorses, was also following the action closely. The Band of the Grenadier Guards brought further pomp and ceremony to the occasion.

Meanwhile polo’s very own ‘royalty’ was out in full force on the field.

Facundo Pieres, Zacara’s 10- goaler, was in fine fettle, scoring 11 goals to lead his team to a convincing 15-9 victory. Both Zacara and El Remanso came to the competition unbeaten in the season, Zacara fresh from winning the US Open. El Remanso’s 10-goaler Pelon Stirling wasn’t going to let Pieres win easily, but despite Stirling’s impressive scoring, Facundo was unstoppable.

96

New milestone for the world number one

The victory must have been sweet for the world number one, who had not won the Queen’s Cup until this year. In 2008 he was a member of Ellerston, who went on to win, but due to injury Facundo was unable to make it through to the final. This time he was rewarded with Most Valuable Player, as well as seeing his pony Galactica receive the Best Playing Pony Award from HM The Queen.

Her Majesty seemed delighted to present the prizes to the finalists, admiring the cup she presented to Zacara’s captain Lyndon Lea and the Cartier watches she awarded to the Zacara players. She chatted animatedly to Pieres and admired Galactica, who had distinguished himself in two chukkers during the afternoon.

This was the second year in which Cartier sponsored the Queen’s Cup, moving on from the Cartier International, which the renowned jeweler had sponsored since 1985. The company, known for its popularity among both royals and celebrities, proved to be exceptional hosts as usual. Guests were treated to an exquisite meal in a quintessentially English marquee, decorated with classic English flowers such as sweet peas, hydrangeas and roses.

An impressive 16 teams took part in the tournament, producing three weeks of electrifying high-goal polo. Arnaud M. Bamberger and Laurent Feniou, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Cartier UK, accompanied the Queen as she presented the prizes, reinforcing Cartier’s commitment to the game of polo and enthusiasm for this thrilling game of passion, discipline and skill.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

pomp & polo

Zacara White/Blue • • • •

Facundo Pieres 10 Lyndon Lea 1 Rodrigo Andrade 8 Matt Perry 3

El Remanso Blue/White • • • •

George Hanbury 3 David Stirling 10 Guillermo Terrera 7 Ali Patterson

opposite page

Photos: Images of Polo

Princess Charlotte of Monaco and Mr Arnaud Bamberger, Executive Chairman of Cartier Top left Sharon Stone and Son Roan Top right Princess Beatrice and fiance Dave Clark Left Stefanie Powers and friends

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

97

gold cup

Gold Cup Zacara Takes Two in Three

Team of the moment Zacara claimed a second Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup in three years, after another spectacular duel between Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres.

Trevor Williamson reports.

T

he final of the 2013 Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship was deftly orchestrated by the world’s two leading maestros, Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres. They respectively led Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai Polo and Lyndon Lea’s Zacara to the tournament’s decisive game from a crowded league of seventeen teams, five of them previous winners.

Zacara, the 2011 champion, was hot on the bounce from victory in the Queen’s Cup and the successful defence of their US Open title. The team was also the only unbeaten side in the tournament going into the final, on the journey to which they overcame La Bamba de Areco in the quarter-final and Talandracas in the semi-final. Dubai, winners in 2001, 2005 and 2010, dropped a game in the group stages before downing Twelve Oaks in the quarters and El Remanso in the semis.

Celebrities in the sun

Typically, the ambiance at Cowdray Park, Midhurst, was astonishingly delectable. It was another perfect occasion for British stars to turn out in force and shine in the glorious summer sun. Lord and Lady Cowdray, as always, were the perfect hosts. Polo diva Jodie Kidd, accompanied by her son, husband and brother, impressed in smarts and aviator sunglasses.

Actresses Annabelle Wallis and Olivia Grant, and models Daisy Lowe and Portia Freeman, also ramped up the style factor for the paparazzi.

Flaunting her growing baby bump was designer Charlotte Dellal, while Freeman’s rock star husband Peter Denton of The Kooks looked every inch the part.

A robust Nigerian contingent added their inimitable colour to the sunny English countryside, continuing the special relationship they’ve maintained with the Gold Cup since that 1979 triumph of Ahmadu Yakubu’s Songhai. Perennial contender and patron of Ashbert Raiders, Prince Albert Esiri, was conspicuous in the exclusive Veuve Clicquot VIP lounge. Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo, Chris Atkinson, Kola Karim, Dawule Baba, Babangida Hassan, Bode Makanjuola and Damian Duncan also attended, as did several others who came all the way from Africa for the annual Gold Cup fraternity reunion.

Side entertainment for the rambling crowd included dozens of trade stands, bars and food outlets. There was even a children’s funfair to get all the family in on the act. Naturally, all the schmoozing seemed to be spinning on Veuve Clicquot champagne (what else?) and nothing was ever going to take the gloss off the swelling euphoria, so much so that when prompted by the commentator, the crowd poured onto the pitch with abandon to tread in the divot at the end of the third chukker.

98

Close battle to the end

At that half-way point Zacara was ahead by four to three, and had been leading since the second chukker, after Cambiaso opened the scoring for Dubai in the first attack of the match. That salvo was promptly replied in kind by Rodrigo Andrade. Goals proved hard to come by in the second chukker, except for the go-ahead goal by Zacara from a 40-yard penalty, as both teams toiled hard on a game strategy of closing their opponent out of goal-scoring breaks. Zacara appeared to have slightly done a better job of it as Matt Perry, performing way above his +3 handicap, hounded Cambiaso to distraction while Facundo somehow eked out more wriggle room.

The fourth and fifth chukkers harvested nine goals in total after a flurry of well- executed attacks, field goals and penalty conversions.

Nicolas Pieres, Facundo’s 7-goal youngest brother, hit perfect penalties for Dubai, while Alec White, Andrade and Matt Perry all scored to augment the haul from Cambiaso and Facundo. Zacara nearly fouled their way into trouble in the fifth, to their supporters’ utter breathlessness, but Facundo redeemed the situation with two late goals to maintain the advantage at 9-7.

Zacara increased their goal tally at the start of the last chukker, but Dubai restored the status quo almost immediately and pressed even harder for the game-changer. With the score at 10-8 it was still anyone’s match, until that decisive move when Andrade broke free from the scrum and Cambiaso followed in desperate pursuit. Turning suddenly to lay the ball for the hot-tailing Facundo, Cambiaso was left stranded as the Zacara ace coasted down the pitch for his ninth goal to settle the 2013 Gold Cup final – marking 55 years since 1956, when Los Indios won the first championship.

Facundo was predictably named MVP, and his mount Top Model was crowned Best Playing Pony.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

gold cup

Score Card Zacara – Dubai: 1-1, 2-1, 4-3, 7-4, 9-7, 11-8 THE TEAMS HB Polo (+21)

Ludovic Pailloncy (+1) Ignacio Toccalino (+8) Juan Ignacio Merlos (+9) Sebastien Pailloncy (+3)

Les Lions (+22)

Henry Fisher (+4) Agustín Merlos (+9) Sebastián Merlos (+9) Joachim Gottschalk (0)

Salkeld (+22)

Nick Clarke (+1) James Beim (+7) Miguel Novillo Astrada (+9) Max Routledge (+5)

Twelve Oaks (+22)

Jack Hyde (0) Cristian Laprida (+8) Marcos Di Paola (+7) Ignacio Laprida (+7)

Zacara (+22)

Facundo Pieres (+10) Lyndon Lea (+1) Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (+8) Matt Perry (+3)

El Remanso (+22)

George Hanbury (+3) Guillermo Terrera (+7) David Stirling (+10) Alastair Patterson (+2)

Emlor (+22) Spencer McCarthy (+2) Joaquín Pittaluga (+7)

Luke Tomlinson (+7) Ignacio González (+6)

Lucchese (+22) John Muse (0) Mark Tomlinson (+6)

Javier Novillo Astrada (+8) Jaime García Huidobro (+8)

UAE (+22)

Maitha Al Maktoum (0) Lucas Monteverde (+8) Pablo MacDonough (+10) Jack Richardson (+4)

Black Bears (+22)

Guy Schwarzenbach (+2) Ignatius Du Plessis (+8) John Paul Clarkin (+8) Patrick O’Dwyer (+4) Dubai (+22) Rashid Albwardy (+2) Nicolás Pieres (+7) Adolfo Cambiaso (+10) Alec White (+3)

Enigma (+22)

Jerome Wirth (+1) Charlie Hanbury (+4) Guillermo Willington (+7) Guillermo Caset (+10)

La Bamba de Areco (+22)

Jean Francois Decaux (0) Pablo Pieres (+8) Gonzalo Pieres (+10) Ollie Cudmore (+4)

Cortium Jaeger-LeCoultre (+22)

Francisco Elizalde (+7) Chris Mackenzie (+5) Eduardo Novillo Astrada (+9) Adrian Kirby (+1)

Sumaya (+22)

Ahmad Aboughazale (+1) Tomás Garbarini Islas (+4) Facundo Sola (+8) Hilario Ulloa (+9)

Talandracas (+22)

Edouard Carmignac (0) Juan Martín Nero (+10) Lucas James (+7) Juan Jauretche (+5)

Thai Polo (+22)

Harald Link (0) Nick Roldan (+8) Alejandro Novillo Astrada (+8) Malcolm Borwick (+6)

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

99

Babangida Hassan with his wife & son

Portia Freeman

Photos: Images of Polo, Sheyi Afolabi

Tunde Karim

Jodie Kidd

Prince Albert Esirir

polo people

ELLERSTON ROARS TO VICTORY IN THE 42ND INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT IN SOTOGRANDE Facundo Pieres proved he is the best polo player in the world, as his team swept to a double victory in Spain’s Sotogrande.

102

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

polo people

I

n the dramatic final of this year’s Hublot Gold Cup at the Santa Maria Polo Club in Spain, Facundo Pieres scored a winning goal in overtime to bring home the laurels.

The competition was fierce. Powerful teams from around the world battled it out for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Cups that were on offer, with many of the finest international players in the mix.

But with Facundo’s winning streak already evident after his triumphs at the Queen’s Cup, Gold Cup and US Open, there was no doubt he was on fire to win another prestigious title.

The glorious setting of the Costa del Sol provided a wonderful backdrop to this hard-fought tournament. The Santa Maria Polo Club dates back to 1965, when its legendary polo field, La Playa, was created. The first tournament was held in 1967, and the Gold Cup was launched in 1971, with the first victory going to the Casarejo Portales team captained by Pedro Domecq de la Riva. These days there are nine polo fields, and the club celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Gold Cup in 2011.

Now one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, Santa Maria attracts the very best players, particularly since the High Goal Tournament has been raised to 22 goals, equal to the top tournaments across Europe. This year’s Gold Cup saw Adolfo Cambiaso return after four years in California to play with the Dubai team, while there was a huge welcome for Pablo MacDonough, who won the Triple Crown here in 2008. Other players on the field this year included Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr, Gonzalo Pieres and Guille Terrera.

Spanish model Alba Carrillo and matador Sebastian Palomo Danko presented the Gold Cup to winning team Ellerston. The winners were also awarded a Big Bang Steel Ceramic 44mm watch.

Ellerston returns to victory

It proved a wise decision for Jamie Packer’s Ellerston to return to Sotogrande following a season away. Brothers Facundo and Gonzalo Pieres, alongside John Williams and Ali Patterson, gave their all against Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

103

polo people

the UAE team. Facundo played a fabulous game with a goal almost within the first minute of the match, followed by three penalty conversions to take the lead.

A further penalty conversion kept Ellerston in the lead 5-4 going in to the third chukker, followed by another one – keeping Ellerston ahead despite goals coming fast and furious from UAE. Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s team proved formidable opponents, and soon the lead was with UAE in the second half. By the fifth chukker they were winning 12-9, but Facundo converted further penalties to reduce the lead to 13-11. A further two penalty conversions

by Facundo and a team goal brought the score level at 14-14, and yet more consistent scoring by both teams levelled the tally at 17-17, forcing a sudden death overtime. Unsurprisingly, it was a penalty conversion by Facundo that brought victory for Ellerston and a record scoring for the Hublot Gold Cup. Facundo’s 17 goals capped a fantastic year for the Argentinian, giving him his fourth European high-goal title. Merlos was named Most Valuable Player while Gonzalo Pieres’ mare, ridden by Facundo, was named Best Playing Pony.

“I think they had a very good day, and we weren’t working that well; they won all the throw-in. We had to change our game plan, retain and dominate the ball between Gonza and I. Now I´m enjoying the win but tomorrow I´ll start to think about the high goal season in Argentina which will be very hard,” said Facundo after the match.

Five weeks of thrilling polo

Ellerston also took home this year’s Silver Cup at Sotogrande.

104

Fighting it out for this title were 30 teams: 10 high goal, 14 medium goal and 6 low goal. Ellerston met Guille Terrera’s team The Halcyon Gallery in a high-octane final and defeated them 13-11, playing some amazing chukkers that thrilled the crowd. The skilled tactics of the rookie team of Terrera, Jota Chavanne and Englishmen Charlie Hanbury and Max Routledge created much respect amongst their adversaries.

In the Bronze Cup, Cambiaso’s Dubai team came out on top among the 25 teams (7 high goal, 12 medium goal and 6 low goal), beating Eduardo Novillo Astrada’s Scapa. The first chukker ended in a tie 2-2, but the rest of the game was dominated by Cambiaso’s foursome, who controlled and managed the game with authority.

“It was a great win to start the season with confidence and I think Scapa is one of the teams to beat,” said Cambiaso after the match. “I like to win but the team was an unknown. Also I had 7 or 8 new horses that had not played, my second batch in fact, so I am pleased.”

Dubai patron Rashid Albwardy had to return to Dubai, so was unable to play, but he was replaced by rising Spanish star Luis Domecq, descendent of the famous sherry family. “Luis has a great future but he should go to Argentina where he can grow and improve his polo skills,” commented Cambiaso.

These thrilling games came towards the end of the fiveweek long Land Rover International Polo Tournament, during which 159 games were played by 32 teams of more than 120 players and 1,100 horses. Already plans are underfoot for the 43rd edition of the tournament next year, which no doubt will see the world’s top players return to the Spanish coast once again.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

THE TEAMS High Handicap Zone A

THE TEAMS Low Handicap Zone A

Halcyon Gallery Charlie Hanbury 5 Juan Chavanne 5 Guillermo Terrera 7 Max Routledge 5 Total: 22 Dubai Polo Team Rashid Albwardy 2 Martin Valent 5 Adolfo Cambiaso 10 Patricio Cieza 5 Total: 22 HB Polo Team Ludovic Pailloncy 2 Ignacio Toccalino 8 Juan Ignacio Merlos 9 Sebastien Pailloncy 3 Total: 22 Scapa Michael Redding 1 Jack Richardson 4 Eduardo Novillo Astrada 9 Marcos Di Paola 8 Total: 22

Los Dragones Andrew Nulty 0 Carlos Piñal 1 Diego Gallego 4 Mariano Iturrioz 1 Total: 6 Blueye-Shakib Polo Kaveh Shaki 0 Joanna Mobley 0 Juan Ignacio González Otharan 2 Tiago Gallego 4 Total: 6 Costa Rica Polo Team Miguel Gómez 0 Nick Johnson 2 Hernán Pieres 4 Steve Rose 0 Total: 6

Zone B Woodchester Edward Banner-Eve 0 Guillermo Cuitiño 6 Silvestre Garros 5 Craig Mckinney 1 Total: 12 Kaptive Leones Petrus Fernandini 0 Luis Domecq 2 Martín Iturraspe 6 Ignacio Domecq 3 Total: 11 Costa Rica Polo Team Felipe Gómez 1 Tomás Garbarini 4 Gonzalo Von Werniche 7 Philip De Groot 0 Total: 12 Valdeparras Jaime Espinosa De Los Monteros 1 Diogo Gallego 4 Santiago Cernadas 6 Kaveh Atrak 1 Total: 12

Zone B Silex Richard Fagan 1 Edwin Morris Lowe 2 Santiago Torreguitar 3 Martin Stegeman 0 Total: 6 Windmill Farm Paul Knights 0 Pepe Simo 1 Mario Gómez 4 Luciano Irazábal 1 Total: 6 Mahra Polo Team Rashid Al Habtoor 0 Pedro Beca 2 Dabiel Gariador 3 Héctor Haynes 1 Total: 6

Photos: Images of Polo

Zone C Santa Quiteria/John Smith Gabriel Aguirre 1 Ricardo Trujillo 3 Pedro Soria 6 Gonzalo Entrecanales 2 Total: 12 UAE Polo Team Carla Álvarez 0 Santiago Stirling 3 Julio Ruggeri 4 Martin Valent 5 Total: 12 La Indiana Michael Bickford 1 Freddy Horne 2 Mat Perry 3 Marcos Araya 6 Total: 12 Sainte Mesme Robert Strom 3 Corentin Lepape 2 Clemente Zavaleta 6 Birger Strom 1 Total: 12

Zone D Sapphire/Bayswater London Gin Pablo Mora 1 Tomás Fernández Llorente 5 Horacio Fernández Llorente 5 Lawrence Isola 1 Total: 12 Cheval Des Andes/Esperanza Ian Galliene 0 Kevin Korst 2 Cristian Bernal 5 Santiago Laborde 5 Total: 12 Dr. “A” Abbar Abdelrahman 0 Maximiliano Malacalza 4 Alejo Taranco 6 Jaime Serra 2 Total: 12 Marqués de Riscal Luis Aznar 0 Miguel Ameva 4 Gerardo Mazzini 6 Alejandro Aznar 2 Total: 12

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

105

beach polo

polo on the beach

This year’s British polo season got under way in unique fashion – on the beach.

T

he British polo season opened in spectacular fashion as surf met turf at the Polo on the Beach event in Cornwall.

The dramatic 1.5 mile unspoilt Watergate Bay at the foot of large cliffs is more usually home to surfers, who flock to the area for the Atlantic swells. But for the past seven years the beach has hosted arena polo, drawing crowds of up to 8,000 people for action-packed chukkers, entertainment and horse skills.

This year the event opened with an impressive competition between world record-holding kitesurfer Andreya Bennett and polo supremo Andy Burgess. Riding Shrivar, a former racehorse, Andy thundered to victory in a 200m race along the beach that saw horsepower defeat wind power to claim the Veuve Cliquot champagne buried in the sand.

This part of Cornwall is very fashionable, with holiday homes worth millions lining the clifftops and beach fronts. Many of the owners were out in force, cheering on the teams while enjoying the abundant hospitality from the champagne deck, beach front bars and beach hut barbecues.

seconds of the klaxon, got the match off to a flying start, putting the Rest of the World in the lead. Cornwall soon came back with goals from Tim Vaux and Daniel Loe taking them ahead by the end of the first chukker, from which point their lead became unassailable.

Commentator Peter West was thrilled by the quality of play. He said: “It was very good. For some reason or other for the Rest of the World it didn’t quite click, whereas Cornwall were on fire. They played as a team: they backed each other up and they looked after each other.”

The highlight of the weekend came with a high-goal polo match between teams from Joules and First Great Western, starring England international Jamie Le Hardy and Europe’s best arena polo player, Chris Hyde.

The Joules team, captained by Tim Vaux, narrowly retained their hold on the Watergate Bay Trophy, presented by Vivek Menon from Veuve Clicquot, by the smallest of margins. Vaux’s team of Andrew Blake Thomas and Jamie Le Hardy won by a single goal, beating the First Great Western team by 13 goals to 12.

Fast-paced competition

Unrivalled hospitality

The spectators soon saw Andy Burgess go on to a second win, as his Cornwall team put in an impressive victory against the Rest of the World, winning 13 goals to six. Rob Brockett’s opening goal, scored within 20

With miles of coastline lining the British Isles, it’s perhaps surprising that beach polo isn’t more prolific. Thundering hooves, flying sand, whistling wind and sea spray all combine to make a magical day out. Arena polo is

106

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

beach polo

particularly popular in winter months, as the smaller pitch and modified rules mean that only three players compete in each team in a fast-paced game that is even more thrilling.

It was Veuve Cliquot who first suggested the Watergate Bay Hotel would provide a perfect host for beach polo. This large Edwardian building, overlooking the beach, offers an Extreme Academy which teaches kitesurfing, traction kiting, waveskiing, stand-up paddlesurf and hand planing. Veuve Cliquot then teamed up with Andrew Burgess’s South West Polo school to secure the riders and horses, while the hotel took care of ensuring unrivalled hospitality.

The biggest challenge to the organisers is always the weather, as they have to work with the elements to ensure the tide is out. This often means the dates are variable, but the key is for the event to take place over a weekend so that everyone can come and watch.

Led by Camilla Naprous, daughter of renowned stuntman Gerard Naprous, the team performed spectacular acrobatics, including a race astride on two horses. This was won by Camilla, who lived up to her reputation of having worked alongside Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson as an equine expert.

After the trophy presentation, the beach party got under way. Live music from AlBenAza provided a rousing ambience as spectators danced into the evening with a sand and surf backdrop. Up at the hotel, the guests joined the house party for a post-polo Veuve Cliquot reception.

For anyone who fancies sampling a beach chukker, next year’s event takes place on 5-6 July. The nearest airport is Newquay, a five minute drive from the beach. The Watergate Bay Hotel has fabulous suites, so check in early for a room with a vintage bathtub in a bay window overlooking the surf, and really spoil yourself!

A touch of Hollywood

With entertainment, live music, a Veuve Cliquot champagne deck and an amazing display by the Devil’s Horsemen stunt team, there was plenty to keep the crowds occupied. Their Cossack stunt shows drew gasps of admiration, as the troupe showed why they have been chosen to star in films including War Horse, Braveheart and Les Miserables.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

To find out more, visit www.watergatebay.co.uk

107

beach polo

108

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

beach polo

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

109

polo supremos

FACUNDO PIERES After an incredible year’s sport, this young Argentinian has reached the top aged just 27 – but says his greatest achievements are yet to come.

A

fter a year-long battle for the top spot in polo, it looks as if young Argentinian Facundo Pieres has come out on top.

The legendary Adolfo Cambiaso has slipped to second place by a whisker, leaving Facundo (or Facu, as he is known) to enjoy his new reign. Pieres has had a fantastic season, winning all the tournaments he has played, including the Gold Cup and the Queens Cup in the UK, the Gold and Silver Cups in Sotogrande, and the US Open.

In many respects Facundo’s success shouldn’t be surprising; after all, he comes from a pre-eminent polo dynasty and was brought up with a mallet in his hand. His father Gonzalo, a world-class player and breeder known as the ‘Godfather of Polo’, founded the Ellerstina polo estate with the late Kerry Packer.

Facundo, 27, plays with his older brother Gonzalo, another 10-goaler, his younger brother Nicolas and his brother-in-law Mariano Aguerre, both of whom have 9-goal handicaps.

Facundo played his first Argentine Open Championship in 2003 with his father, a memory that lives strongly in his mind. “He’s my idol, I inherited my passion for polo from him,” he says. He is also very close to his brothers and his favourite way of relaxing is to spend time with his family.

The path to the top

In fact, despite the luxury lifestyle and the adoring fans, Facundo Pieres is a very private man who seems rather shy. Raised in the family mansion just outside Buenos Aires, he was always immersed in polo culture, and it seemed inevitable that he would become a professional player. His career was fully launched in 1997, when he won the Copa Potrillos with the Ellerstina Jr team.

He became the youngest person to be promoted to a 10-goal handicap in 2005 when he was 19, taking this accolade from former holder Cambiaso.

He has won the Argentine Open three times, in 2008, 2010 and 2012. He has also taken the laurels at four Hurlingham Opens and seven Tortugas Opens, winning the combined Triple Crown with Ellerstina in

110

2010. He keeps the two cups he won at the Palermo Open in his bedroom.

Pieres describes himself as an organised person who is very patient and doesn’t lose his temper easily. These characteristics clearly complement the competitive side of his personality, which is really only evident on the polo field. His hard-fought battles with rival players, particularly with Adolfo Cambiaso, make for thrilling games that are as compulsive and addictive for the spectators as for the players.

Best yet to come

“My aim isn’t to surpass Cambiaso or my dad, but to be the best I can be,” Facundo says, adding that he believes his best is yet to come. “I think polo players are at their best in their 30s,” he says. “You’ve got the talent and the experience. You play with your head – you learn to lose and how to win.”

When he isn’t travelling the world, he hotfoots it back to Ellerstina, his favourite place to unwind and take time out. Situated in Buenos Aires province between the cities of Pilar and General Rodriguez, the area is considered the most important and exclusive in the polo world. The estate comprises 80 fields in 300 hectares and every year high-handicap players and polo enthusiasts come to stay and learn more about the sport. With a newly planned clubhouse, spa and shopping centre overlooking the lagoon, even more visitors will be able to sample this exclusive hub of the polo world.

Pieres is happy to wander around the estate and share his knowledge with fellow players, but will be taking time out as the Argentinian season approaches.

This year the Ellerstina team has a new sponsor and the famous black shirts will be emblazoned with the Piaget logo in the upcoming Tortugas, Hurlingham and Palermo Opens.

For Facundo Pieres, this year’s title marks another milestone on the road to polo superstardom. He will be determined to keep adding to his collection of accolades, and the world is looking on to see just what he’ll go on to next.

polo supremos

Facundo Pieres’ 2013 wins

Nations Cup, Palermo (representing Argentina, against the Rest of the World) US Open, Palm Beach (for the second year with team Zacara) Queen’s Cup, UK (Zacara) Gold Cup, UK (Zacara) Gold and Silver Cup, Sotogrande (Zacara) Unbeaten in 19 games MVP: Queen’s Cup, Gold Cup, US Open

111

Â

Pillar Oil Ltd was incorporated in 1997 as a wholly indigenous exploration and production oil and gas company with operations in Lagos and Delta States

Pillar Oil Limited

(Operator of Umuseti / Igbuku Field) Corporate Address: 10, Elsie Femi-Pearse Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Tel: +234 1 2717071-2 info@pillaroil.com.ng www.pillaroil.com.ng

polo supremos

Pablo MacDonough He may have a degree in business administration, but there was never any doubt that this Irish-Argentinian’s future career would be on the polo field.

A

fifth-generation Irish Argentinian, Pablo MacDonough has a degree in business administration from the Universidad del Salvador. But with his family’s polo background, he was always destined to become a professional player. His father Jorge, grandfather Thomas Garrahan and great-grandfather James Garrahan were all true horsemen, and Pablo’s love of horses was nurtured from birth.

Now a 10-goaler, Pablo began playing polo when he was six at the family ranch of Nueva Escocia in Pehuajo, Buenos Aires province. His instructor was Eduardo ‘Gordo’ Moore, the renowned former player, trainer and breeder. Pablo won his first tournament at the age of 14, the Potrillos Cup, playing for the Nueva Escocia team.

He played throughout his teenage years, winning the Chamber of Deputies Cup with La Irenita alongside his brother Matias, Martin Garrahan and Gonzalo Von Wernich. Then with Matias he joined his second cousins Gonzalo and Facundo Pieres to form the Ellerstina team in 2003, going on to win nearly every important competition, including the Tortugas Open and the Hurlingham Club Open.

In 2010, Pablo played with the Dubai team in the UK, winning the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Cup. In 2011 he beat both Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres to the world number one spot.

This month he will be hoping to carry off the coveted Tortugas Open prize with La Dolfina and teammates Adolfo Cambiaso, Pelon Stirling and Juan Martin Nero.

Pablo is a brand ambassador for Richard Mille, and competes with a Richard Mille watch strapped to his wrist. In this role, he joins an elite group, including Rafael Nadal, Felipe Massa and Bubba Watson, each a giant in his sport.

Pablo is married to Mercedes Venancio and they have a young son.

114

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

polo supremos

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

115

charity

in the pink Guards Polo Club’s first ladies’ charity match treated guests to a quintessentially English day out, in support of breast cancer charity The Haven.

P

olo has an established track record of offering considerable support to breast cancer charities, so it was no surprise that Guards Polo Club chose to host its first ladies’

charity polo match in aid of breast cancer charity The Haven. Three teams, comprised of playing members of Guards Polo Club, battled it out to raise vital money and publicity for a new cancer centre in the south of England.

The tournament was played as a round robin and featured The Haven, Ashbury & Bloom and Beautiful Bottoms. The competition was fiercely fought on The Duke’s Ground, one of the Club’s most prestigious polo fields, and The Duke’s Club Pavilion was transformed into a 1950s tearoom, where guests and players sampled delicious cakes and treats provided by specialists Tea Vintage.

Fittingly, The Haven emerged victorious and romped home with the top prize. Ashbury & Bloom’s Charlotte Sweeney was named Most Valuable Player and Louisa Donovan’s pony Max bagged Best Playing Pony. The prizes were presented by Sara Davenport, founder of The Haven, which offers practical and emotional support to breast cancer sufferers.

www.thehaven.org.uk 116

charity

The Teams: The Haven: Livi Alderman, Clare Mathias, Sophie Kyriazi, Louisa Donovan Ashbury & Bloom: Martina Lewis, Polly and Nikki Anderson, Charlotte Sweeney Beautiful Bottoms: Bettina Bahlsen, Jayne Rumsey, Saskia Meadows, Rachael Bartels

117

country focus – CAPE TOWN

Delve into

Cape Town Rich and diverse culture, immense historical and political significance, incredible natural surroundings and biodiversity: Africa’s southernmost city really has it all.

Lynn Houghon reports.

N

ominated the World Design Capital for 2014, Cape Town is buzzing with creativity, cultural nous and energy. The most southerly city in Africa is just a short flight away from Nigeria, and offers fantastic scenery, unrivalled hotels, fabulous night life and beautiful beaches.

The landscapes and natural monuments of Cape Town are famous the world over. Who has not seen images of the iconic Table Mountain, the dramatic backdrop to the city? This 1,086m high outcropping, with its almost completely flat plateau and impressive cliffs, has been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is at its most spectacular in the early morning, the mountain top covered in cloud and stretching all the way down to Cape Point. Take the cable car up to the top to enjoy views unsurpassed anywhere in Africa.

Cape Town has many other natural wonders. There is incredible flora and fauna here, and rich biodiversity due to Cape Town’s unique microclimate. Some 2,200 different species of plants are found on Table Mountain alone, with a profusion of beautiful flowering proteas and the exceptionally diverse fynbos which form the shrubland. The world renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens at the bottom of the mountain is enormous, covering 528 hectares in total, of which 36 hectares is cultivated gardens. Open 365 days of the year, entrance fees are R40 for adults, R10 for children (6-18). Children under 6 years old go free.

And if you have time, you will want to travel to the Cape of Good Hope and visit the penguins at Boulder Beach. Yes, penguins! The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the black-footed penguin or ‘jackass’ penguin (because of the sound it makes) populates this rugged beach, which has become a popular tourist destination. The Two Oceans restaurant nearby is particularly good and affords stunning views over False Bay. Cape Town’s award winning beaches are renowned for their quality and for year-round sunshine, with beaches such as Bloubergstrand boasting possibly some of the most exquisite white sand stretches in the world.

At Camps Bay there are plenty of bars where you can sit and watch the world go by, and the sealife too – keep an eye out for passing whales, dolphins and seals.

Further along the coast is Llandudno Beach, one of Cape Town’s most picturesque beaches. This is a completely natural beach, perfect for lazy days, picnics and sundowners. While checking out the beachfront, also visit Hout Bay and the beautifully restored, built in 1871. Don’t forget to explore the many antique shops here as well.

But vibrant and interesting as the city’s natural surroundings may be, it’s Cape Town’s engaging inhabitants, and their distinctive culture and cuisine, which bring visitors back again and again. A huge cultural festival coming up in 2014 will celebrate Cape Town taking up its position

120

as World Design Capital. Watch out for this extensive programme of exhibits and events, all to be announced very soon.

Cape Town’s diverse cultural heritage

The arrival of the Dutch began South Africa’s colonial history, with subsequent settlers also including British, Portuguese and French, as well as Indian and Malay slaves, all mixing together with the country’s indigenous inhabitants. This mix of cultures has had a tremendous influence on the region’s cuisine and architecture.

Malay slaves, transported to Cape Town in the 17th and 18th centuries, brought Islamic faith and Malay cuisine, both of which remain integral parts of Cape Town’s unique, diverse heritage. These elements of Capetonian culture can be explored with a visit to the Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) and the Bo-Kaap Museum, with this area also being home to nine mosques. Want to sample Malay food? The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia offers The Cape Malay Experience (021 794 2137), an evening of savouring and learning about authentic Cape Malay dishes and flavours.

Food is certainly a big deal in Cape Town. There are many delicious indigenous foods to try out, but particularly good is potjiekos (poy-KEYkos), which is stew of Afrikaans origin made with meat and vegetables and slow-cooked over coals in a three-legged cast-iron pot. Another firm favourite is bobotie (bo-BOO-tee), which is of Malay origin, a spicy mince dish topped with a savoury custard.

Recommended restaurants in the city centre include: Five Flies (021 424 4442), 95 on Keerom (021 422 0765) 6 ¬Spin Street Restaurant (021 461 0666) and Savoy Cabbage (021 424 2626). New restaurants on the block are the Test Kitchen and Pot Luck Club, both of which are in the Old Biscuit Mill development in Woodstock, run and owned by celebrity chef Luke Dale Roberts.

The V&A Waterfront is another distinctive and attractive neighbourhood with excellent restaurants. Take in Reuben’s at One & Only Cape Town (021 431 5888) or try Den Anker (021 419 0249), Greek Fisherman (021 418 5411) and Oyo Restaurant (021 419 6677) at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel.

For authentic pan-African food these are all excellent: The Africa Café (021 422 0221) on Heritage Square, Shortmarket Street, and Gold Restaurant (021 421 4653) in Green Point. Addis in Cape (021 424 5722) on Church Street serves Ethiopian fare, while Marco’s African Place (021 423 5412) in Rose Street is a favourite for live music.

Mama Africa (021 424 8634) is right at the heart of all the action in Long Street.

Explore Cape Town’s recent history

The recent history of apartheid and the current situation with townships is all part and parcel of historic Cape Town, and the importance of these Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

country focus – CAPE TOWN

Find out more more troubled parts of the city’s identity shouldn’t be overlooked.

Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of the 27 years he served his sentence as a political prisoner, is just 6km from Cape Town in Table Bay. A ferry service (unfortunately not 100% reliable) brings many thousands of visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the ANC President and freedom fighter was imprisoned for his actions against apartheid. At the age of 94, he still stands as a beacon for racial equality and equality of opportunity.

It is now possible to take a journey through Cape Town’s oldest township, Langa, by bicycle. Guests can meet sangomas (traditional healers), visit the Langa Township Heritage Museum or Dompas Museum (once a pass office and court during the apartheid era), taste African delicacies and invest in locally produced artisan beadwork, pottery and recycled goods.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

General information: www.capetown.travel (phone: +27 (0)86 132 2223, email: marketing@capetown.travel) Table Mountain: www.tablemountain.net Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: www.sanbi.org.za Hout Bay Manor Hotel: www.houtbaymanor.com Cape Point: www.capepoint.co.za World Design Capital events: www.wdccapetown2014.com Restaurants at the Old Biscuit Mill: www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za Car hire: www.taxidhonneur.com (email: oseehabimana@gmail.com) Flights with South African Airways: www.flysaa.com

121

country focus – CAPE TOWN

hot spots Shimmy Beach Club shimmybeachclub.com Cape Town’s newest premier ocean-front venue, Shimmy Beach Club combines an unbeatable harbour-side location and spectacular sea views with the city’s iconic Table Mountain backdrop. Its expansive outdoor deck area allows guests to relax in style, watching the busy harbour traffic – and keeping an eye out for playful seals and migrating whales. For those who want to get even closer, there’s the 22m infinity pool, heated to 36°C for year-round relaxation, from which you can literally touch the ocean.

Indoors, the deluxe bar features a ceiling hung with exquisite chandeliers and decorated with a stunning replica Michelangelo painting. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the dance floor is full, thanks to the popular resident DJs. The lounge’s private deck opens onto a manmade beach, which also connects to the 280-seater Shimmy Restaurant, headed by celebrated chef Seelan Sundoo, and boasting its own sushi bar and pizza oven.

Shimmy also offers whisky tasting experiences and luxury corporate packages, with a stylish boardroom and VIP area, including a suspended walkway leading above the restaurant to a private viewing deck. This is definitely the place to see and be seen.

Jackal and Hide Located on the popular Kloof Street, the Jackal and Hide restaurant is a firm favourite with local foodies, specializing in traditional South African cuisine with a contemporary twist. Established by passionate gastronomes Gavin Cohen and Federico Scarpecci, the restaurant offers a diverse and daily refreshed menu designed by Octavio G. Gamo, lauded for his time at Spain’s renowned El Bulli.

122

Co-owner Cohen is himself an inspirational designer, and came up with a unique vision for the interior of the restaurant, which he describes as “Victorian with a contemporary touch”, adding: “We’ve taken an old, distressed building and brought in slick finishes and different textures to create a warm, relaxed space to enjoy a meal with friends.”

As well as serving up delicious food, the Jackal and Hide also hosts regular live music events, providing a platform to showcase the hottest up and coming local talents. And again, there’s that incredible view of Table Mountain to take in – this is one of the best eating spots in town from which to enjoy it. Pleasure for all the senses!

Grand Café & Beach grandafrica.com Another competitor for the title of Cape Town’s most desirable destination restaurant, the Grand Café & Beach embraces a freespirited beach-café culture. Set within a restored warehouse and positioned on a private beach in Granger Bay, it’s part of the V&A Waterfront development, facing Table Bay with the Green Point Stadium, Signal Hill and Table Mountain all part of the scenery.

Drawing inspiration from these magnificent surroundings, resident chef Greg Baverstock (who trained at London’s prestigious Le Gavroche and spent time working under famous chef Gordon Ramsey) oversees a diverse, chic, bistro-style menu, centred on the freshest possible produce simply prepared.

There’s space for an incredible 1,000 guests – 300 inside and 700 outside on the large deck area and private beach. The eclectically

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

country focus – CAPE TOWN

decorated interior include a chill lounge, long bar, large screen and shop, with chandeliers, antique Indian rugs and Parisian café chairs all combining to create a relaxed yet decadent feel. Those making the most of the outdoor areas can enjoy two beach bars and a VIP adultonly area.

The Café & Beach is available for hire for private events and celebrations, both corporate and personal, for up to 1,500 guests.

Certainly a pretty special location for that special occasion!

Old Biscuit Mill theoldbiscuitmill.co.za This converted factory has been transformed into a vibrant, warmhearted hub for creativity and innovation, home to day and night markets, dynamic office space, designer stores, delicious farm stalls, decadent cafés, and an inspiring line-up of workshops, festivals and shows. Here you’ll have the chance to meet some of South Africa’s most talented and original designers, artists, photographers, and connoisseurs of fine taste and décor.

A weekly highlight is the Neighbourhoods Market, an award-winning market held every Saturday morning, bringing together more than 100 speciality traders. Goods on offer range from fine foods and organic produce, to artisan crafts and micro-enterprises. But it’s not just on Saturdays that the Mill forms a central point for the community; all week long, it’s a place for sharing, collaborating, and developing new ideas.

Five Flies fiveflies.co.za Keerom Street’s Five Flies restaurant has long been established as a Cape Town staple, with a contemporary fine dining menu offering choices to suit all tastes. But in this city, of course, having great food is only part of the competition; with so many incredible locations around, getting the setting right is essential.

Five Flies not only delivers on ambience; it excels. Its historic property was originally a bank, and is split into two parts separated by a picturesque courtyard, with an old well at the centre. Guests can choose to eat here, or in the private dining rooms, or relax in the lounge or bar areas.

Even if you choose to eat outside, make sure to explore the stunning interior – especially the downstairs, where wooden panelling, marble staircases and original period furniture retain a sense of the building’s past. Each private dining room has space for between 20 and 40 people, with a total capacity of 120 downstairs and 100 upstairs.

Conference facilities are available, while for romantic occasions, there’s also the option of a secluded table for two, in a special suite adjacent to the wine cellar.

For a real treat, look out for the special Chef ’s Table evenings, which offer a six-course tasting menu showcasing the latest creations from chef Dylan Jacobs, each paired with a local wine. Meanwhile jazz fans will want to visit on a Thursday, when there’s live jazz every week from 6pm.

Throughout the year, the Mill also hosts a calendar of seasonal events, specialty festivals and live music. If you want to get a real taste of Cape Town community spirit at its best, you can’t afford to miss this.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

123

cape town

top ten cape town experiences 1. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain 2. Ride The Blue Train out to Pretoria 3. Take a ferry out to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned 4. Watch the penguins on Boulders Beach 5. Test your nerve with a shark cage diving experience 6. Visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens 7. See the city from above with a helicopter tour 8. Follow the wine trail to explore South Africa’s vineyards 9. Get up close with wildlife at the Cheetah Outreach centre 10. Enjoy a day out at the annual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate horseracing (11 Jan 2014)

124

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

country focus – CAPE TOWN

The One & Only There’s only one place to stay during your visit to Cape Town At Cape Town’s One&Only, staff pride themselves on providing guests with a “barefoot luxury” experience – and this phrase aptly sums up the combination of relaxation and opulence the resort delivers. In the heart of the Victoria & Albert Waterfront development, One&Only certainly can’t be missed. Its seven-storey crescent-shaped Marina Rise comprises Cape Town’s most extensive accommodation development, while the resort’s two lushly landscaped private islands are pure havens of luxury.

The Marina Rise’s 91 spacious rooms and suites all enjoy uninhibited views of the iconic Table Mountain or the picturesque harbour-side. A further 40 rooms and suites are located on the private islands, one of which also houses Cape Town’s most extensive and sophisticated spa retreat.

Here, guests can enjoy a range of holistic experiences, ranging from pure relaxation to personally tailored wellness journeys. Additional facilities include a state-of-the art gym and yoga pavilion, hair salon by Wayne.com, and Bastien Gonzalez’s Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio.

Children and young people are also far from forgotten. The fully supervised KidsOnly programme includes excursions to local attractions such as the Penguin Colony, Planetarium and Aquarium, as well as

126

a creative arts and crafts programme inspired by the local culture.

Meanwhile teenagers are encouraged to get active with activities including tobogganing, sandboarding, indoor karting and rock climbing – though of course the Wii and Xbox are always available too!

An unforgettable stay

The ‘wow’ factor continues with the private suites. Huge and sumptuous, the rooms are adorned with fabrics and furnishings inspired by the warm, muted tones of Africa’s savannahs, with bright splashes of colour paying tribute to the land’s vibrant personality. For the ultimate luxury experience, the One Penthouse, atop the Marina Rise, encompasses an impressive 1,300 square metres, with four spectacular en-suite bedrooms, multiple lounges, dining room, study, kitchen, wine wall, fully equipped gym and large sauna, plus two pools and an outdoor entertainment area boasting the best views in town.

The food at One&Only is legendary too, with the Marina Rise housing the continent’s only restaurant under the helm of internationally lauded chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. In his African debut, the master chef gives classical Japanese cuisine a contemporary twist, incorporating South

country focus – CAPE TOWN

African seafood and indigenous spices. Nobu is well complemented by Reuben’s, the first urban venture for much-loved South African chef Reuben Riffel. Sophisticated but unfussy, Reuben’s bistro-style menu captures the essence of South African cooking, serving up deceptively simple dishes beautifully presented.

Joining these two restaurants, in the centre of the lobby, is the Vista Bar & Lounge. As its name suggests, this area offers an incredible panoramic view of Table Mountain. Offering light snacks and afternoon tea, at night Vista transforms into a sophisticated wine and cocktail bar.

For an even more magical experience, the Italian-based Isola restaurant is located on one of the two private islands, offering service around a 350 square metre heated infinity-edge pool, which features private seating areas with double chaise lounges ideal for sunbathing or relaxing under shaded pavilions.

From start to finish, One&Only offers a truly unforgettable stay – when time comes to check out, you’ll already be planning your next visit. oneandonlycapetown.com

127

country focus – CAPE TOWN

s O u t h af r i c a

in a glass Whether you’re a true wine aficionado, or just enjoy the occasional glass, you won’t want to miss out on exploring some of South Africa’s renowned wine-growing regions, many of which are easily visited during a stay in Cape Town.

As South Africa emerges from the scourge and shadow of apartheid, the country’s economies and farmlands are becoming much more robust.

Vineyards and wine production, in particular, are enjoying a period of resurgence, stimulated by high worldwide demand for good quality New World wines.

The wine regions here are dominated by the coastal influences of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and have been used for grape production since the Dutch arrived in the 17th century. Today, reds from South Africa’s ‘own’ variety, Pinotage, are especially soaring in popularity – though Shiraz is also increasingly favoured. And though Cape wines are classified as New World wines, there are some more traditional blends and tastes emerging in the region.

White wines have never been as popular here as red but, at the higher quality end of the scale, this imbalance is shifting. The most successful Chardonnays have the fruit intensity New World flavours are known for, but combined with an Old World minerality. Chenin Blanc, the most popular white variety of the Cape region, is starting to improve in quality, while Sauvignons, with their richness of texture, are doing well.

Stellenbosch, Constantia and the cool-climate Walker Bay seem to be out in front with regards to white wine growing in the Cape region.

128

Constantia

Constantia, to the south of Cape Town, is the oldest of these wine growing regions, and also the most picturesque. The vineyards are ideally located on the slopes of Constantia Mountain, where they are constantly cooled by sea breezes. There are currently five estates here: Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg.

There are some excellent restaurants worth trying out while visiting: Catharina’s and Bistro Sixteen 82 (+27 (0) 21 713 2211) at the Steenberg Hotel; Five Rooms (+27 (0) 21 795 6313) at The Alphen Boutique Hotel; The Greenhouse (+27 (0) 21 794 2137) at The Cellars-Hohenort and La Colombe (+27 (0) 21 794 2390) in Constantia Uitsig.

Paarl

Originally established by French Huguenots, Paarl is north-west of Cape Town and home to several leading producers, including Veenwouden, Nederburg, Fairview, Glen Carlou and Plaisir de Merle.

Traditionally a white wine region, with its Mediterranean climate and terroirs, it’s now focusing much more on producing reds. The climate is hot in Paarl, so the very best wines come from the more elevated

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

country focus – CAPE TOWN

vineyards. Fairview, which is famous for its goat farming, has won the distinction of having the best deli on a wine farm and has many terriordriven wines such as its Shiraz. Its ‘Goats Do Roam’ range, made from Fairtrade certified grapes, is characterized by fruity, fresh, wellbalanced flavours.

Stellenbosch

Just a short distance east of Cape Town, this is South Africa’s leading wine area and home to many of the country’s leading estates. Vineyards fringed by mountains make for some lovely views, and the wine route, which gives tourists a choice of several different trails, is well marked out.

There are several different sub-regions, with the geology here being quite complex. Overall, the granite-based soils in the east are especially suited to the production of fine red wines, whereas the sandstone soils in the west are best known for their whites.

Franschoek

The Franschoek valley is a small but significant region, located inland to the west of Stellenbosch. Surrounded by the Drakenstein Mountains, the valley’s wide variety of soils and relatively high rainfall means it produces a wide variety of grapes. It’s a hotter region than Stellenbosch, and with its profusion of trendy restaurants is claiming to be the gourmet capital of the wine lands. These wine estate restaurants are especially recommended: The Polo Club Restaurant and Lounge Bar at Val de Vie (+27 (0)21 863 6174) Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren (+ 27 (0) 21 863 3852) and Boschendal Restaurant (+27 (0) 21 870 4274).

The history of South African wine

On 2 February 1659, the founder of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch surgeon and governor of the Cape supply station, produced the first wine recorded in South Africa. He was motivated to make wine for the sailors who stopped at his supply station during voyages along the spice route, in an attempt to curb outbreaks of scurvy. The first harvest and crushing took place in 1659, seven years after van Riebeeck’s arrival.

The man succeeding van Riebeeck as governor of the Cape of Good Hope, Simon van der Stel, sought to improve the quality of viticulture in the region. In 1685, he purchased an estate of 750 hectares (1,900 acres) just outside Cape Town, establishing the

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

129

country focus – CAPE TOWN

Constantia wine estate. Groot Constantia, the estate which made up most of the valley, was later split into three estates, and now comprises nine estates. French Huguenot refugees arrived in the Cape around 1688, and established further vineyards in the Paarl and Franschhoek regions, and the area’s wine-growing culture was firmly established.

At the beginning of the 18th century, many farmers gave up on wine growing, turning to alfalfa fields and other crops instead. When wine production started again in earnest in the early 1900s, there was eventually an enormous glut, and much of the spare wine was emptied into streams and rivers. During much of the 20th century, partly due to the worldwide disapproval of apartheid, and subsequent boycotts, the South African wine industry floundered. Now, in the 21st century, it is once again enjoying a strong resurgence.

There are about 60 appellations within the South African Wine of Origin (WO) system, which was implemented in 1973 with a hierarchy of designated production regions, districts and wards. WO wines must be 100% made from grapes of the designated area. ‘Single vineyard’ wines must come from a defined area of less than five hectares. An ‘Estate Wine’ can come from adjacent farms, as long as they are farmed together and wine is produced on site. A ‘ward’, an area with a distinctive soil type and/or climate, is roughly equivalent to a European appellation.

130

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

country focus – CAPE TOWN

the blue train a ma g i c al e x p e r i e n c e Capture the romance of a bygone era with a journey on this much-loved legacy locomotive.

There is no better way to see South Africa than to take The Blue Train, a magical rail journey through the heart of the country. This magnificent mobile five-star hotel has conducted kings and presidents, and its very name is synonymous with the highest levels of luxury and personal service.

The 27-hour journey of 1,600km between Pretoria and Cape Town navigates a route through some of the most spectacular and diverse scenery in Africa. Travelling at a sedate 58.2 mph, the old-fashioned engine and wood panelled carriages carry an aura of times gone by. Relish being attended on by a butler from the moment you board to the time you leave, take your pick of unparalleled dishes in the dining car, and don’t waste a moment of the ever-changing landscape unfolding outside. There are truly few experiences in the world that can compare.

The Blue Train’s origins date back to the Union Limited and Union Express trains, launched in 1923 to carry passengers from Johannesburg to the port at Cape Town where ships departed for England. Luxury features were introduced ten years later, with a dining saloon added in 1933 and air conditioned carriages in 1939.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

131

polo people

During the Second World War the trains did not run, but on their return to service in 1946 they adopted the nickname given to them by their many fans, in reference to the blue-painted steel carriages introduced in 1937.

These days there are two Blue Trains that travel the line from the Cape to Pretoria. The first accommodates 74 guests in 37 suites, the second 58 guests in 29 suites. Both are 336 metres (433 yards) long and consist of 17 and 16 carriages respectively.

Classic luxury

With so many appealing choices, it’s hard to know which part of the train to spend your journey in. There are two lounges: the main lounge car in which high tea is served every afternoon, and the club car where guests can smoke. For those who can bear to drag their eyes away from the passing scenery, there are cards, chess and backgammon, even movies to distract.

Each car has a complimentary bar so there is plenty of opportunity to unwind and relax.

Food and drinks are readily available throughout the journey, whether it’s tempting treats on a passing tray or the magnificent high tea in the main lounge, where it’s easy to spend an hour or more choosing from the selection of delicious sandwiches and cakes.

But don’t eat too much at tea! Remember to save an appetite for later, when the dining car is a truly memorable experience. Here the reassuring weight of Sheffield cutlery and crystal glassware on crisp white linen set the tone for the delights to follow. The menu features a selection of local cuisine, from the best Karoo lamb and ostrich fillet to Knysna oysters accompanied by awardwinning cultivars from the Cape winelands, all serving as the perfect complement to the stunning scenery outside.

In contrast to the genteelly historic feel of the dining car, the kitchen car is a masterpiece of stainless-steel design, featuring walk-in cool rooms and freezers, ensuring that wines and hors d’oeuvres remain just the right temperature.

wall, instantly converting the lounge into a comfortable bedroom. White cotton sheets and down duvets are the standard linen throughout the train. Ten of the suites feature double beds on the first train, while there are nine on the second.

Soundproofed and fully carpeted, the suites are all fitted with hi-fi, audio CD and VHS video systems. Each suite also has individual temperature controls which range from 18 to 24°C (65 to 77°F). These systems are water-cooled and each suite has its own fresh air intake.

A journey to treasure

During the day each guest is offered an appointment at the train’s very own miniature boutique, which is a treasure trove of gems and minerals. Its own range of jewellery is designed by the best South African and international designers, offering a perfect memento of the trip.

On the northbound journey from Cape Town to Pretoria, guests are also treated to a step back into South Africa’s colonial history, when the train stops at Matjiesfontein. This 19th century town in the middle of the veld is full of Victorian buildings and original 19th century London lampposts. A 10-minute ride on a double decker bus ends at a typical English pub where refreshments are served.

The southbound journey from Pretoria to Cape Town is broken at Kimberley. Here guests can again step back in time, to the days of the diamond rush, with the chance to take a tour of the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.

Meanwhile for real train enthusiasts, the two on-board engineers are always delighted to share their knowledge.

The Blue Train can also be chartered for special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings and other events. Similarly business meetings, product launches, small conferences and VIP events can also take advantage of this truly unique venue.

Best of all, the route is not limited; you can choose where you would like to go, as long as the rail network is compatible with The Blue Train’s technology.

A perfect night’s rest

When it comes to the personal suites, The Blue Train really lives up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms, and sheer all-round opulence all ensure a night of unparalleled luxury.

The special concealable beds have been customdesigned for The Blue Train. A butler pulls them out, already made, from a space in the suite

132

So, step on board and get ready for the most relaxing and unforgettable travel experience you’ve ever had!

For more information about chartering The Blue Train, contact Kaya Nyati.

Telephone: +27 12 315-247 Email: kaya.nyati@bluetrain.co.za Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Val de vie

introducing

Val de Vie e s tat e

S

urrounded by the majestic mountains of the PaarlFranschhoek Valley, Val de Vie Estate is one of South Africa’s most premium lifestyle developments. This estate is not only an exceptional place to call home, but is also internationally recognized for its winemaking and polo facilities. Bringing together the finer things in life in a magnificent setting, there are few places that can compare.

The history of Val de Vie Estate is rooted in the Cape’s cultural legacy. The estate dates back to 1783 when the original land was granted to Huguenot descendant Abraham Andries le Roux. Today part of the estate and the surrounding area is protected as a World Heritage Site, making it almost impossible for similar developments in the future.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Today Val de Vie offers its residents a lifestyle that perfectly balances nature and world-class modern living. Built in an elegant French Provencal and Cape Vernacular style, houses are set amongst lush polo fields, vineyards, lakes and indigenous landscaped gardens. State-ofthe-art security ensures peace of mind, while amenities such as a gym, restaurant and preschool add a new level of convenience.

On top of its enviable location and architecture, the estate also produces award-winning wines, inspired by the acclaimed vintages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. No less than eleven different Rhône varietals are grown at Val de Vie, setting it apart as a true celebration of French heritage and South African terroir. The restaurant and lounge offers a chic but relaxed dining experience, complete with breathtaking views of the surrounding polo fields and mountains.

133

Val de vie

134

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Val de vie

The Polo

Val de Vie being regarded as an international polo destination hosts not only prestigious internationals and high society events but offers a polo school and other riding disciplines as well, with a club membership growing more and more each season.

The annual BlackBerry Pink Polo in aid of breast cancer takes place in October and serves as the official kick-off for the polo season. It is showcased against a feminine and chic backdrop, representing the height of opulence, glamour and the stunning surroundings unique to the Paarl-Franschhoek valley. (BlackBerry Pink Polo 2013 – 26th October 2013) Then another annual event and certainly a not to be missed item on the South African Social Calender is the famed Veuve Clicquot Masters held in February.

Internationally associated with the Sport of Kings, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with Val de Vie Estate to host an event that will live up to the expectations of the industry. Also in its third year running and devotedly attended by the country’s most glamorous and stylish elite, it is the summer event of the winelands and the place to be seen. (Veuve Clicquot Polo Masters – 1st March 2014) Finally the season finale and also its highlight is the Infiniti 4 Nations Invitational Polo Classic held in April. The event is proudly birthed and owned by the Polo Club, inviting our international patrons and fellow players from across the world to celebrate the sport in a week long tournament showcasing top-goal playing on South Africa’s jewel arena in the heart of the Western Cape. (Cup of Nations – 24th to 29th March 2014) Events

A popular venue for weddings and events, Val de Vie offers superior facilities and a dedicated events co-ordination team creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Apart from polo there is also the Pongracz Sunday Market, Rudy Project Mountain Bike Challenge, Kday, the Burger Kersfees Konsert, charity events such as the Filly’s Annual Casino Night and over 35 haute weddings per season.

Val de Vie Estate presents the perfect balance between nature and world-class modern living. Situated in the picturesque Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, the estate is flanked by no less than three towering mountain ranges and lush countryside.

This scenic area falls under the Cape Floral Kingdom, which has been declared a UNESCO Word Heritage Site. This unique region is phenomenally rich in plant life, containing nearly 20 per cent of Africa’s total flora, the protection of which will prevent any similar developments to be built in the future.

Val de Vie residents are able to enjoy an enviable country lifestyle, while still living conveniently close to Cape Town and Cape Town International Airport (only 40 minutes away). Several excellent local schools in the vicinity such as Paarl Gym, Paarl Boys as well as Bridge House Private School in Franschhoek, makes this estate an ideal home for young families. In addition the University of Stellenbosch, one of the highest ranked universities in South Africa, is just 20 minutes away. World-class hospitals are located in both Paarl and Stellenbosch, offering all the benefits and facilities of modern healthcare.

There are also a host of wonderful sights and activities within a 100km radius of Val de Vie. Avid golfers will appreciate the estate’s proximity to the neighbouring Boschenmeer Golf Estate as well as Pearl Valley, currently ranked as the third best golf course in South Africa, right next door. Those who enjoy the finer things in life will delight in the wines and fine dining offerings in Franschhoek, the gastronomic capital of South Africa.

Cape Town is merely 40 minutes away and undoubtedly one of the world’s most scenic and diverse cities. Here, at the foot of the ever-iconic Table Mountain, the country’s rich history meets with the city’s contemporary artistic culture in a vibrant urban playground. Whether you’re sightseeing, shopping up a storm or braving a riveting outdoor adventure, this is a city that will never fail to dazzle.

‘Sophisticated Country Living’ Resident Property Consultant Maureen de Waal 082 449 0900 maureenk@lantic.net www.valdevie-properties.co.za www.maureenbh.co.za Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

135

Artworks

Faye Nasser-Joley

olympian

British artist Faye Nasser-Joley, acclaimed for her ambitious and lifelike equestrian portraits, focuses on capturing the individual essence of her subjects.

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

137

Faye Nasser-Joley

138

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

Faye Nasser-Joley

P

ainting since the age of three, acclaimed equestrian artist Faye Nasser-Joley has become known for her ability to display a deep understanding of her subject and a talent for capturing the essence of the individual, whether human or horse. Her work is notable for its scale and ambition, but also for her use of rich tones and attention to detail, enabling the character and individual nuances of each subject to shine through.

Since 2011, Faye has focused almost exclusively on horses as the inspiration for her work. Her passion for and dedication to the subject is evident in the intimate detail with which each subject is realised.

Her growing reputation in this area has led to Faye securing a number of high-profile commissions, including portraits for Stirling Moss OBE, Paralympic gold medallist Ade Adepitan, Olympic eventing rider Marcelo Tosi with his horse Eleda-All-Black, and Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson’s horse Gentleman.

Faye also makes time to paint work that has been inspired by her many solo trips abroad, and interest in different cultures. Her travels have included a year-long stay in Rome, where she set up a studio and studied the work of the great Italian masters. Faye also endeavours to challenge cultural stereotypes, to separate the individual from the nation, and the specific animal from the breed: an ambition which creates ever more stunning artwork.

Ambition and inspiration

Now acclaimed as one of the UK’s most inspiring and talented emerging artists, with collectors and followers spread across the world, Faye is increasingly taking on an ambassadorial role, promoting the role of art in education and within communities.

She’s worked on a variety of educational and community creative projects, most recently securing a Gold Art OFSTED award for her work in English schools – the highest award possible, and known for being very difficult to attain.

The setting for Faye’s first solo show in 2012 was the new T5 Gallery, at London’s Heathrow Airport, established to showcase exciting new artwork, and fuse the joint inspirations of travel and art. For this show, she presented 12 of her largest and most ambitious paintings to date: stunningly lifelike portraits of horses. Each was named for one of the 12 mythological Gods of Olympus, a reference to the Olympic Games, which were taking London by storm at the time.

These pieces were showcased alongside a collection from sculptor Lorne McKean, who has recently completed a sculpture of world number one polo player Adolfo Cambiaso, playing on his famous stallion Aiken Cura. The sculpture was modelled from life, when McKean watched Cambioso at Guards and Cowdray during the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup. As one of the few permanent commercial fine art galleries in the world to be situated in an airport, the T5 Gallery is in a unique position to reach and introduce art to a wide international audience. The key objectives of the gallery are to showcase and support established artists, to help develop the careers of young emerging talent, and to offer clients not only outstanding works but experienced advice in the fields of curating and consultancy. Some 60,000 passengers travel through Terminal 5 every day.

Find out more about the T5 Gallery Website: www.highperformanceart.org.uk Twitter: @T5Gallery Facebook: facebook.com/T5Gallery Contact Gallery Manager Alex Prior: alex@highperformanceart.co.uk, + 44 (0) 208 283 7367

Fifth Chukker Magazine | Vol 2 Issue 5

139

fifth chukker readers

Who’s reading

Fifth Chukker...

W

ith an ever-growing distributing network spanning international hotels and polo clubs to private jets, Fifth Chukker Magazine reaches more than 500,000 readers.

Its pages reveal the lifestyle and spending habits of international polo players and provide an unparallel opportunity for brands to connect with this elite world.

For further information on how to promote your brand and become part of the Fifth Chukker story please contact us directly on info@fifthchukker.com

Strength of the stallion La Puissance D’un Etalon

We are improving our services Nous améliorons nos services

With our new look, we are committed to being more responsive in serving you better in more refreshing and diverse ways that promises to keep you coming back for a superior retail experience in MRS Stations.

We are poised to deliver to you, family, friends and your vehicles; our unparalleled hospitality that is the hallmark of our existence as you drive up our forecourt.

Avec notre nouveau visage, nous nous engageons à être plus sensible à vos demandes et améliorer nos services de vente au détail afin de faire de votre expérience et visite dans les stations MRS une action récurrente, rafraichissante et varié.

Nous sommes prêts à offrir, à vous, votre famille, vos amis et ainsi qu’à vos véhicules, et ce dès votre arrivée dans nos stations, nôtre hospitalité renommée qui représente la marque de fabrique de notre compagnie.

Head Office / Siège Social: Plot 2, Tincan Island Port Road, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: +234-1-07419000 www.mrsholdings.com

NIGERIA | BENIN | CAMEROUN | COTE D’IVIORE | GHANA | GUINEA | SENEGAL | TOGO | SWITZERLAND

“Luxury Summed up in Three Words”

FOR RESERVATIONS, RATES, SCHEDULES AND SPECIAL PACKAGES, PLEASE CONTACT US: PRETORIA: TEL: +27 (0) 12 334-8459/60, FAX: +27 (0) 12 334-8464/8081 CAPE TOWN: +27 (0) 21 449-2672, FAX: +27 (0) 21 449-2067 E-MAIL: INFO@BLUETRAIN.CO.ZA