PQ international | Winter Issue 2012 #82

Winter Issue 2012 - # 82 - Year XX

Piaget Manufacture movement 880P Mechanical self-winding chronograph Flyback, dual time 100 meter water resistant Titanium, sapphire case-back Rubber strap

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www.piagetpolo.com

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T HERE ARE STORIES THAT DESERVE TO BE CAPTURED FOREVER.

THE GRANDE MAISON It was in 1833, at the heart of the remote Swiss Jura valley, that Antoine LeCoultre founded the first workshop of what would become the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Swiss watch industry pioneer revolutionised the field of precision by inventing the first pinion-cutting machine. A decade later, he created the world’s first instrument capable of micron-level measurements: the Millionometer. The founder’s inventive spirit, perpetuated from generation to generation, has enabled the Grande Maison to register almost 400 patents and create 1,231 mechanical movements – an absolute record in the watchmaking world. United under one roof, over 180 watchmaking professions ranging from the rarest manual crafts to cutting-edge technologies enable the creation of exceptional timepieces from A to Z.

THE LIVING LEGEND The Reverso watch was born in 1931, at a time when British colonial army officers stationed in India dreamed of finding a timepiece able to withstand the rough and tumble of polo tournaments. In response to this daunting challenge, the Manufacture came up with a simple yet brilliant solution in the shape of the swivel case. The Reverso was nonetheless not solely destined to assert itself on polo fields. Its elegance and customisable case-back aroused immediate enthusiasm among devotees of Fine Watchmaking and aesthetes with a taste for Art Deco styling. Since 1931, the Reverso has acquired authentic iconic status and has been constantly reinvented by the Jaeger-LeCoultre artisans and watchmakers, in terms of both design and function. Within the Manufacture, cases and movements are simultaneously developed and produced, which means each calibre is perfectly fitted to the shape of the

case, be it round or rectangular. Aesthetic refinement and technical excellence go hand in hand, in harmony with one of the cardinal values of Jaeger-LeCoultre: integrity.

RARE SKILLS SERVING THE ICON The watchmakers’ talents are echoed by the virtuoso skills of the artists who transform the Reverso into a genuine work of art. The back of the Reverso provides unique space for personalisation. Family crests, monograms or initials: the engraver sculpts the metal to preserve the trace of a tender tie, a symbolic date, or a precious moment. Jaeger-LeCoultre also houses one of the world’s only workshops still exercising the discipline of enamel miniature painting, which calls for endless patience. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s gem-setters display peerless mastery of precious stones and have indeed developed their own gemsetting techniques in order to accentuate the beauty of the swivel case. By way of example, the “snow setting” technique created in the gem-setting workshop of the Manufacture gives pride of place to the sparkle of gems to light up a Reverso. Whether by an engraving, a miniature enamel painting or the radiance of precious stones, our artists will immortalise your legend. Choose the moment that belongs to you. A Reverso just for you.

1931 Reverso patent

GRANDE REVERSO ULTRA THIN TRIBUTE TO 1931.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822.

YOU DESERVE A REAL WATCH.

Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vallée 11 de Joux, Switzerland, since 1833. www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

PQ Staff Publisher

PoloLine Inc. info@pololine.com

Editor

Aurora Eastwood aurora@pqinternational.com

Design & Production

Tomás M. Garbers tomas@pqinternational.com

Advertising

Leonora de Ferranti leonora@pqinternational.com

PR and Marketing Aurora Eastwood Editor

María Noel Raffo Antin noel@pqinternational.com

Photographs

PoloLine Media Ana Clara Cozzi Matías Callejo Images of Polo Alice Gipps Alex Photography

Contributors

Federico Levy Alex Webbe Alejandra Ocampos Karen Davis Daniela Dini Eduardo Amaya

Winter Issue 2012 - # 82 - Year XX

Fashion Editor

Giovanna Eastwood giovanna@pqinternational.com

Lifestyle Features Editor

Argentine “Granadero” 119th Argentine Open Final Photo by Matías Callejo

Travel Editor

Sally Anne Stevens PoloLine Travel travel@pololine.com

Printing

Advent Print Group

PQ international The Old Stables, South Wonston Farm South Wonston, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3HL Mobile/Cell: +44 (0) 7970 697593 www.pqinternational.com E-mail: info@pqinternational.com © POLOLINE INC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part strictly prohibited without the permission of the publisher. Although the publisher makes every effort to ensure accuracy, we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or guarantee an advertising insertion, date, position or special position. Views expressed may not necessarily be those of the editor or the publisher.

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PQ #82

Calendar

February

March

April

3_Polo Masters Courchevel Final Snow Polo Courchevel, France

3_Iglehart Cup Final 20 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

9_International Series AAP Palermo, Argentina

16_Dubai Silver Cup Final 16 goal Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, UAE

3_CV Whitney Cup Final 26 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

17_CV Whitney Cup 26 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

15_Dubai Gold Cup Final 16 goal Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, UAE

24_109th US Open Polo Championship Final 26 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

20_Iglehart Cup 20 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

17_Barbados Open Final 8 goal Apes Hill Polo Club, Barbados

27_Nations Cup 26 goal AAP Palermo, Argentina

22_8 th Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Final 12 goal Desert Palm Polo Club, Dubai, UAE

20_HH President of UAE Polo Cup 16 goal Ghantoot Polo Club, UAE

23_Final Audi Gold Cup 14-16 goal Cortina D`Ampezzo, Italy 25_Dubai Gold Cup 16 goal Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, UAE

5_HH President of UAE Polo Cup 16 goal Ghantoot Polo Club, UAE

24_USPA Piaget Gold Cup Final 26 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA 27_109 th US Open Polo Championship 26 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

24_Ylvisaker Cup Final 20 goal International Polo Club, Palm Beach, USA

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Winter Issue 2012

Editorial

Being physically removed from the polo this quarter has been hard - my only links being regular visits to pololine.com!

It seems that the bad weather followed the players from England to Argentina, with delay after delay for Tortugas (the final of which was delayed and the finally played at Palermo) as well as affecting myriad other tournaments and practices.

Fortunately, those tifton fields dry up incredibly quickly and after an absolute deluge only days before, the final of the Open went ahead on schedule and what a final it was. I watched it on my tiny laptop, but even so the tension was palpable as the best player in the world uncharacteristically missed penalty after penalty, at one point slicing one almost sideways. The pressure, it seems, can get to anyone...but those boys in black did good.

Looking ahead to 2013, snow polo is the biggest thing on the agenda for the early part of the year, followed by the small season in Argentina and the high goal in the USA. There is polo all over the world now - the UAE season is ever more important and lets not forget Thailand, India, Malaysia South Africa...

Before we know it, all those Argentine feet will be back on British soil for the high goal in early May.

Aurora Eastwood Editor

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Winter Issue 2012 Price £6

Tournaments

Off the Field

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62

Tortugas CC Open 2012

28 119th Hurlingham Open

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La Dolfina, rulers at Hurlingham

32 119th Argentine Open Championship El Remanso Polo Cup Lovelocks Polo Stud celebrate another victory

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Ellerstina Gold Cup

President Cup Satinder Garcha Re-elected

Snow Polo Feature Polo on snow becomes the activity of the winter months

World Polo Tour The 2012 ranking race has come to a close in a competitive year that rewarded the best

Ellerstina win at home

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Four Seasons Four Seasons Buenos Aires adds a polo theme to the hotel

Diamond Cup El Remanso keeps partying in Cañuelas

The Polo Party Hollywood Night in Buenos Aires

Kings of Palermo

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Piaget Cocktail Piaget Brand CEO hosted a cocktail party for Pilará

Six in a row

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High Goal Pony Review 2012 Best ponies of the Argentine Season

#82

Contents

Interviews

Lifestyle

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89

Glen Gilmore Ex captain of Australia and new Guards Polo Manager

72

Frederick Mannix

90 Fashion

"I´m very proud to carry the flag"

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Ale Muzzio "I feel really comfortable playing the high goal in Argentina"

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Emeralds & Gold for Spring 2013

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Restaurant Review New Restaurant in Battersea, London

98 Jewellery

Ollie Cudmore Oli Cudmore talks to PQ about his stellar career to date

Winter Season Gift ideas

Interview with Lisa Snowdon & Laurie Wickwire

100 Motoring The King is dead... ...Long live the King

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Winter Season Winter in Europe: Click on those skis!

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The Urban Hunter Project Well kept secrets

Argentine Triple Crown 2012

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* Qulified by Play-offs to Hurlingham and Argentine Opens

Teams Playing Hurlingham Open and Argentine Open

* Qulified by Play-offs to Hurlingham and Argentine Opens

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Tortugas CC Open 2012

Six in a row Ellerstina celebrated again in the Tortugas Open. The team from General Rodriguez won for the tenth time in its history the opening leg of the Argentine Triple Crown.

By Federico Levy. Photos by Matías Callejo.

It was worth it. Worth waiting for the 12 hours of delay that the rain caused and which forced a change in the venue where the final match of the Tortugas Open was about to be played. It finally took place in an unusual scene for this type of game: field 2 of Palermo.

The sun appeared, and at least for a while, the rain moved away and allowed the Cathedral full of people on a spring-like Thursday who came to enjoy the great game that offered Ellerstina and La Dolfina, the main protagonists of the first final match of the Argentine Triple Crown. It was an evenly matched contest, both teams with equal possibilities and a match where a clear winner team could not be distinguished until the end of it.

In the third chukka, Ellerstina decided that it was time to visit the goal posts of La Dolfina. In fact, it wasn´t only once, it was five times, and one after the other. Ellerstina brought down the defence of La Dolfina, and they crushed them with a lethal 5 – 1, which Nico Pieres sealed with a great under the neck shot.

Adolfo Cambiaso gave a boost to the honour of La Dolfina converting a penalty; however Ellerstina was still leading 5 – 2.

La Dolfina returned the “visits” from Ellerstina in the fourth chukkas. They started with a fantastic goal from Pablo MacDonough, whereas Pelon Stirling got one back, closing the gap to only one goal. Once again, Pablo tied it up to Defence was the key word during the first two the end of the period at an even 5-5. chukkas. After an attempt from Ellerstina, four minutes After a little siesta of one chukka for each after starting the match, Gonzalito Pieres made a superb team, both teams played even tighter in the run that went out; La Dolfina opened the scoreboard in fifth chukka, but the match never went down, the next minute with a penalty. The second chukka was on the contrary, and it never lowered the level as evenly matched as the first; there were no goals, thanks to the stunning offensive job from both but it was intense and close. Both teams offered teams. Mariano Aguerre scored for Ellerstina a a magnificent show, with great individual and minute after starting the fifth, and soon Juan collective plays, a continuously come and go in Martín Nero scored to a new tie 6 – 6. After a offence and defence.

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while, a new advantage came for Ellerstina, but this time with a penalty scored by Facundo Pieres.

Around the fifth, the match was stopped due to an accidental mallet that Adolfo Cambiaso received in his shoulder. For a moment, it was thought that he wouldn’t return to the field (a replacement was even found), but after some minutes, he returned to the game. Finally, Pelon Stirling set a new tie 7 – 7.

In the sixth chukka, La Dolfina returned to the top of the scoreboard, with two goals from Nero (shot) and Cambiaso (penalty). Ellerstina was swift to react: three consecutive goals to turn around the result and play the last seven minutes leading 10 – 9.

It was all or nothing, there was a lot at stake: for Ellerstina, the chance to continue reigning in Tortugas;

for La Dolfina, winning a title they could never obtain, even though they have played four finals. In this way, with a knife in the teeth, both teams returned to the field to define the match.

The perfect combination between Gonza and Facu Pieres and their amazing goals, was crucial in the final chukka. First Gonza scored, and then Facu scored after an incredible shot. The scoreboard was 12 – 9, an almost sure victory, however La Dolfina kept on leaning, scoring two goals, which took them near to a supplementary that couldn’t happen. Ellerstina played a bit better at the right moment, and knew how and when to win the match and therefore guaranteed themselves once more the title in Tortugas.

David Stirling and Mariano Aguerre PQ | 23

Gonzalo Pieres Jr. We are so happy to win Tortugas again. It was a tight and tough match, but finally we could win it in the last chukka. I think that the stop we had to do due to the rain influenced equally for everybody, but well, this time was for us, and the match was really great.

I think that La Dolfina played well, they are a great team, but luckily we made it and we won it. It is a very a very special victory for Ellerstina as winning this tournament together with Mariano was something special.

Tortugas CC Open 2012 Ellerstina vs La Dolfina

Score Ellerstina: 0-1, 0-1, 5-2, 5-5, 7-7, 10-9 and 12-11 MVP: Facundo Pieres (Ellerstina) BPP: Sol de Agosto Milu (bred by Martin de Narvaez, ridden by Pablo Mac Donough) Top scorer: Facundo Pieres (5 goals)

Adolfo Cambiaso 24 | PQ

Mariano Aguerre I have been dreaming with this day since Facu asked me to be part of Ellerstina.

Now, we have to move on and try to keep the same team work of today, which was so good; with Nico at the back, the way we started playing the match, moving forward and also thinking that next Sunday a new tournament is going to start.

I think that we deserved to win this tournament, and today we beat a team like La Dolfina, who seem to be at a higher level from the rest. After this, it is very clear that any team that shows good team work can complicate anybody during a match. This is what we did with Alegría, we kept our team work and things were not easy for the rest of the teams that played against us. If we manage to impose our rhythm and our way of playing in a match, as we did today, we could make things difficult for the other teams.

Look, I had proposed myself that I wouldn’t celebrate so much if we won, and if we lost, I wouldn’t feel so depressed!! But, as I told you before, I am very happy for this opportunity.

Facundo Pieres PQ | 25

Qualifying Tournament for Hurlingham Open and Argentine Open

La Aguada Las Monjitas and Magual, the qualified teams Both teams were the best in the qualifying phase and achieved their aim of taking part in the two most important opens in Argentina. // By Federico Levy. Photos by MatĂ­as Callejo.

The Novillo Astradas celebrated and the Heguys suffered. Jaime Garcia Huidobro and Marcos Di Paola smiled, while Matias Mac Donough, Santiago Chavanne, Lucas Criado, several times champions of the most important tournament of the world, got frustrated. To sum up, La Aguada - Las Monjitas beat Indios ChapaleufĂş II by 11-9, while Magual defeated La Irenita 16-8. The winners gained admission to the last two tournaments of the Triple Crown.

Alejandro Muzzio and Clemente Zavaleta Jr 26 | PQ

The definition of zone A was intense. An even match, although volatile, very worrying, mostly at the end of the match. With up to 33 goals of handicap, La AguadaLas Monjitas suffered before a rival of 28, which ended succumbing thanks to its ineffectiveness at stopped balls. In the last chukka, with a scoreboard 9-9, Bautista Heguy wasted a penalty from 60 yards and let Chapa II achieved a 10-9, and later, another score to reach 1010. After that, Christian Laprida won a throw-in and

Lucas James completed with a good definition at the Qualifying goal by the clock side.

September 27 So, that way, Eduardo Novillo Astrada made it to play La Aguada-Las Monjitas 16 vs. Sauvaterre 9 for the 17th consecutive time in Hurlingham and the Indios Chapaleufú II 11 vs. Las Praderas 5 Open; for Alberto Jr and Eduardo (off the field due to September 28 an illness) Heguy, continuous presences for the last 27 La Irenita 15 vs. La Vanguardia 11 polo seasons came to an end. That way they equalled Magual 12 vs. Trenque Lauquen 8 out the number of appearances of their father, and just October 4 at one from the total (28). But in 2013 they will return Indios Chapaleufú II 15 vs. Sauvaterre 7 to battle. Indios Chapaleufu II, which has half of its La Aguada - Las Monjitas 12 vs. Las Praderas 8 formation out, will be absent from the Argentino for the October 3 first time since 1996.

Magual 15 vs. La Vanguardia 12 In the other final match, Magual, with up to 30 goals La Irenita 16 vs. Trenque Lauquen 14 of handicap, crushed La Irenita, of up to 32 and let October 12 Facundo Sola, Alejandro Muzzio and Lucas James make La Aguada - Las Monjitas 11 vs. Indios Chapaleufú II 9 their debut at Hurlingham and Palermo. Each year there La Irenita 7 vs. Magual 16 is more attention at qualification due to the good level of polo that can be Ignatius Du Plessis and Lucas James enjoyed in the matches.

Qualifiers for Hurlingham & Palermo La Aguada Las Monjitas 33 Lucas James 8 Cristian Laprida Jr 8 Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr 9 Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8

La Irentia Lucas Criado Santiago Chavanne Matías Mac Donough Tomás García del Río

32 8 8 8 8

Magual Alejandro Muzzio Marcos Di Paola Facundo Sola Jaime García Huidobro

30 7 8 7 8

Indios Chapaleufú II Alberto Heguy Jr Francisco Elizalde Ignatius Du Plessis Bautista Heguy

28 7 6 7 8

Praderas Santiago Toccalino Joaquín Pittaluga Diego Cavanagh Ignacio Toccalino

29 7 7 7 8

Trenque Lauquen Salvador Ulloa Juan Agustin García Grossi Guillermo Willington Agustín Nero

29 7 8 7 7

La Vanguardia Juan Martin Zavaleta Jr Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario Manuel Crespo Diego Araya

28 7 7 7 7

Sauvaterre Gonzalo Deltour Gastón Laulhé Ignacio Laprida Joao Paulo Ganon

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119th Hurlingham Open

La Dolfina, rulers at Hurlingham Another final between the 40 goal team and Ellerstina took place before a great audience that is already accustomed to the same teams but playing more intense matches every time. La Dolfina made it clear they have great potential have when they play with their perfectly tuned up horses.

By Federico Levy. Photos by MatĂ­as Callejo.

It was a crowded afternoon at field no. 1 at Hurlingham Club, and people were ready to see a classic final of polo. On one side La Dolfina, on the other side Ellerstina. Among that great audience, the Uruguayan supporters stood firm, always visible with their flags, drums and songs which became even more evident as soon as the game ended with an emphatic victory of La

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Dolfina over Ellerstina by 18-11. They were just a few, but enough for everybody else to notice them cheering La Dolfina, the team in which their compatriot Pelon Stirling, plays. And luckily, Pelon did not let them down, since together with the rest of the team could take revenge of that final match lost in Tortugas, in a superb match with no chance for Ellerstina.

Pablo Mac Donough PQ | 29

Gonzalo Pablo Pieres Pieres Jr Jr and Adolfo Cambiaso

After a week of intense hot temperature, most suitable for a summer January than for an average November spring, followed by a strong storm which forced the final of the 119 th Hurlingham Open to be delayed, a cold and unpleasant afternoon welcomed an audience eager to enjoy the second leg of the Triple Crown 2012.

There will be no champion of the Triple Crown. La Dolfina, with all its vitality and best horses (almost all of the horses that will be present next week in Palermo), trampled on Ellerstina, a team which seemed not to find its course during the game, similar to what happened last year in the final of Palermo. Of course, 30 | PQ

this time, the boys in black will have the opportunity to recover soon, most exactly in a weeks time when the most important tournament if the world begins.

Even when La Dolfina had the scoreboard under control throughout the game, there were two key moments: the second and seventh chukka. After an evenly matched first, opened by a shot goal from Facundo Pieres and which ended 2-1 in favour of La Dolfina, the team from Ca単uelas crushed Ellerstina in the second with a partial of 3-0, and a general score of 5-1.

Throughout the following chukkas, Ellerstina tried to get closer on the scoreboard, but they were not able to put the superiority of La Dolfina, both in defence and attack, at risk. Both teams offered the audience a good

supporters of La Dolfina, and the Uruguayan friends, celebrated what already seemed a decisive victory.

But Ellerstina would not give up just like that.

During the eighth and last chukka, Facundo Pieres and Mariano Aguerre tried to keep hope alive for Ellerstina... but it was too late; La Dolfina was also decided to fight.

Pablo Mac Donough scored to make it 18-11, while Juan Martin Nero crowned a dream afternoon for an irrepressible La Dolfina, which could so retain its title in Hurlingham.

La Dolfina progression: 2-1, 5-1, 7-4, 8-6, 10-7, 12-8, 16-9, and 18-11.

David Stirling Jr.

“This victory means even more because we lost Tortugas. I think the team worked very much better with a little more pressure. At Hurlingham we were winning throughout the game, but we were not playing as well as we wanted to. We played a very good game.

I believe what we changed from Tortugas is the attitude. Of course the horses were better, too, but I still believe the team just needed more attitude. Today we came onto the field with a great attitude and will, and we made it.

There were two key chukkas, the second and the seventh. But when you play with such a good team as Ellerstina, those are just moments when you can take some advantage, something not usual during all the game. The other chukkas were pretty even, but we made the great difference in those chukkas.

The victory of today is great since we are just a week from the beginning of Palermo. It was the same last year, so we hope this happens next year again.

Superstition? I wish so!”

Adolfo Cambiaso

number of goal shots, some of them really spectacular as the ones scored by Pablo Mac Donough in the third and seventh chukka, specially the last one after an impressive race through the field. Or the great Juan Martin Nero, scorer of seven goals, one of them in the sixth chukka after a triple play among Pelon, Pablo and Juanma, this last responsible for sending the ball right through the willow posts.

The seventh chukka started with a goal by Nico Pieres, who changed the scoreboard to 12-9. But La Dolfina would not decelerate and, determined not to let Ellerstina take a breath, they scored four consecutive shots that marked an almost decisive difference of 16-9 just seven minutes before the last bell. The noisy

I think we needed to play more, to practice more, since it rained a lot and we couldn´t keep the pace.

Now, we have played three matches in a week and that helped a lot. Today, we were really focussed and the results were excellent. I´m very happy for the victory we obtained today.

I believe we played this final more organized and giving our best effort. Regarding horses, they were all here today, we played with our best mares, there is nothing else to show, we played with everything, even with Cuartetera, my best mare.

Pablo Mac Donough

This victory is very important for us, even more since we missed the final in Tortugas. It was essential to play really well today so to enter Palermo more eagerly.

The difference of La Dolfina in the final of Tortugas, and this one, is just the attitude. We had not the same attitude and eagerness when we came onto the field in Tortugas. And today we did. Today we had attitude, courage, it is an important final since Palermo is about to begin, so we knew it was essential to play well.

PQ | 31

119th Argentine Open Championship

KINGS OF

By Federico Levy. Photos by Matias Callejo.

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PALERMO PQ | 33

The two best teams of the season met once again in the final of the Argentine Open. The Pieres team controlled the game and won victory in the cathedral of polo to take the pinnacle of achievement in the sport.

Like the previous year, myriad Uruguayan flags adorned the Dorrego stands. Uruguayans had crossed the river to support their own, Pelon Stirling, who in turn happily acknowledged their presence.

On the opposite end of the field, raucous Ellerstina fans responded in kind, many with vuvuzelas‌ The military band wowed the crowd before the game, evoking childhood memories en masse.

The huge crowd, drinking and eating before the game, all felt that La Dolfina were going to cruise to an Polito Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada

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easy victory. After all, they were a 40 goal team, they play extremely well, Pablo had had the season of his life, Ellerstina hadn’t been playing well, struggling to win games. La Dolfina had won Hurlingham.

Predictions however, are no more than that. Ellerstina stormed to victory, playing the game of the season. All four players gelling perfectly.

Pablo opened the scoring with a huge shot at the Libertador end of the field, but the lead was short lived.

Both Gonzalito and Facundo scored, ending the chukka 2-1.

Sebastian and Pite Merlos

Ellerstina came back on the attack in the second, now 3-1 up. Two goals from Cambiaso leveled the score, only for Gonzalito to slot one in, and Cambiaso answered. 4-4.

Not many goals were scored in the third chukka, a mere two, but the fight between the teams intensified, with no room to breathe on either side. Cambiaso converted a penalty to take the lead, but a trick shot from Facundo put them equal once more. 5-5 ended the third.

The fourth chukka was even more frenetic.

Cambiaso, on Buenaventura, scored his fifth goal, followed by another, making the score 7-5. Facundo responded with one of his own, and then superb play from Cambiaso, who hit a neck shot to Nero who shot – and hit the post. The first half ended with La Dolfina ahead by one.

The game had been very level so far, with a slight advantage to La Dolfina. However the fifth chukka began to change things. Ellerstina fought back.

Mariano Aguerre leveled the scores, and then Facundo converted a 60 to take his team ahead (their first penalty). Skilled play between Aguerre and Facundo saw Facundo streak to goal on Easy Go and score once more. 9-7 to Ellerstina.

The sixth saw a spectacular run by Gonzalito,

almost the whole way down the pitch, score on board Nostalgica, increasing their lead 10-7. This was followed by a 30yarder from Facundo. La Dolfina seemed unable to find their winning rhythm of previous games, and only Cambiaso seemed able to find the posts – scoring again, 11-8.

An indomitable Facundo continued the pressure in the seventh chukka, scoring an impressive goal from a neckshot from atop Open Tarantula. La Dolfina, not giving up, gained a goal from Juan Martin Nero on Anay Sur Dulce, 11-9. La Dolfina maintained the pressure, with a foul to them. Cambiaso converted the spot; 1210. They didn’t know it yet, but they’d lost.

The final chukka was do or die for La Dolfina.

Gonzalito fouled Pelon, and Cambiaso elected to take the penalty, a critical point in the game as it would have given them some breathing space. Out. As Ellerstina frantically defended their goal they fouled once more – a 30 yarder to La Dolfina. Cambiaso took the shot – and missed. Another foul, a 60, and Cambiaso missed yet again, hitting a worm burner that was stopped by Ellerstina. With 30 seconds to go Juan Martin took a shot at goal, only for it to sail wide. Aguerre then ran the length of the field, knowing, as he passed Stand C, that the chukka, game and trophy was theirs.

PQ | 35

Guillermo Caset Jr

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“ “

“I am so happy as this is a family victory. We all aimed to win here and so to win we feel like we arrived at where we wanted to be. It was an excellent game, but what’s important is that we won and now we are going to celebrate!”, said Facundo.

“It’s amazing”, yelled Nicolas.“We played the game we’ve wanted to play all season and we won! It’s my first Open and I’m happier than you could possibly imagine. Everything worked for us today, La Dolfina are so strong but we found a way to win.”

Mariano Aguerre

PQ | 37

David Stirling and Sebastian Merlos Alejandro Muzzio and Lucas Monteverde

An incredible afternoon for the boys in black and the Pieres family. A triumph for the whole organization, armed by the patriarch Gonzalo, and the Pieres name is on the coveted trophy once more, the most important in the world of polo.

Seven out of eight players on the field had at one stage played for Ellerstina.

The odd one out? Pelon Stirling.

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Gonzalo Pieres Jr

Facundo Pieres

David Stirling Jr

Adolfo Cambiaso

Nicolas Pieres

Mariano Aguerre

Pablo Mac Juan Martin Donough Nero

“

“What an incredible afternoon. We played well and imposed our style on the game. It was key and what we had to do to win. Luckily it worked and we won the trophy. It’s a victory for the whole family and everyone who forms part of Ellerstina”, said Gonzalo (h).

Facundo Pieres

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A rgentine Triple Crown

Pancho Marin Moreno his wife Angie and daughter Martina

Sebastian Schneeberger and Sebastian Amaya

Santiago Chavanne and family

Victorio Viglierchio and Santiago Tocalino

Horacio Laprida his wife Maria Eugenia Fernandez Rousse and their daughter Eugenia

Amelie Maudry, Alex Sztarkman and Alice Garmond

Phillipe Perrier Deauviille and Chantilly polo manager, Pablo Sirvent, Claude Solarz and wife Mireille Teresa Garbesi, Ernesto Gutierrez and Karina Rabolini

Florencia Cavalieri and Diana Butler

Tatiana Pieres and Cristina Criado

Alex Vent, Chris Mckenzie and Federico Luque

BelĂŠn and Nicole Caset with Camilo Bautista

Guillermo Caset jr, Eduardo Heguy and wife Paz

40 | PQ

Patrick Guerrand Hermes and Maria Ines Haas

Sola family Rosario, Facundo, Ruben, Ana and Delfina

P hotos by A na Clara Cozzi & A lejandra Ocampos

Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier

Geraldina Stornini, Martina Monteverde and Elisa Zubiaurre

Francisco de Narvaez and his kids Antonio, Juan and Milena

Hernan Nisenbaum and Segundo Cernadas

Ferraiuelo’s sisters Vicky, Maru with her lovely daughter Celina and Clarita with Loly Lopez Daniel Cushman, Gaia Rener and Sergio Marly from Royal Salute

Federico Virasoro and wife

Fleur van Andel her husband Luis Duggan with Picu and Aki Van Andel Anushka Bahlsen and Lucas Talamoni Agustina Pallero, Sergio Marly and Luis Lalor

Greg Mayer and Matthieu Bordeaux

Alejandro Irigoyen Trainer of Juan de la Fuente (right) who won the bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympic sailing competition

Gonzalo Azumendi, Horacio Fernandez LLorente and Diego Zavaleta

JosĂŠ Eduardo Kalil, wife Renata and kids

Tomas Goti and his family

PQ | 41

A rgentine Triple Crown

Eugenia Laprida, Li Anne Mannix, Emilia Zavaleta, polo artist Eugenia Laprida and Sonia Zavaleta

Pablo Jauretche, Veronica Cebaceo and Gretel Tauber Juan Jose Brane and wife

Joe Gottschalk and wife Joanne

Nacho Gonzalez and Spencer McCarthy

Antonio Manzorro and Lourdes Casares

Marcela Rodriguez Barrena, Nanne Braun and Marcelo Garrahan

Juan Martin Garcia Laborde, Corinne Schuler and Manuel Cereceda new St Tropez PC polo manager

Sue Stanbury, Cata Garcia Huidobro, Ale Burdett and Kelsea Mannix

Natalia Ferrari, Maria Bensadon, Chantal Donald and Ines Bensadon 42 | PQ

Arlette Redding and friend Rosanna

Rodrigo and Daniela Ribeiro de Andrade and their lovely Luisa

Bartolome Mitre and wife Nequi Galotti

P hotos by A na Clara Cozzi & A lejandra Ocampos

Neil MacDonald, Lorraine Chabrat and Christian Porta

Niki Caset, Rocio Ayerza, Marcela Stirling and Azul Lalor

Merlos family: Juan Ignacio, Agustin, Valentina and Rufino

Emily Johnson, Fernando Lavalle, Pascual Massagli, Ines Badiola, Guillermo Caset jr and Matias Amaya

Martin Marquez, Lucia Carrete, Matias Pargas, Angeles Astarlloa, Marisol Crespo ans Aaron Wheatley

Matar and Faris Al Yabhouni and Rodolfo Ducos

Najieb Khoory, Geoffrey Kent, Ali Albwardy and Rodrigo Medrano

Matias Vial and wife Maria Jesus Donoso

Gerardo Gonzales Orozco and Tomas Ussher

Martin Pascual, Federico Vuolo and Juan Bozzi

Nico Pieres and girlfriend Angie

Debora Casabal, Vieri Antinori with his lovely son Vierito, Adolfo Casabal and Maria Jose Padilla

Luis Escobar his wife Georgette, their sons Lucas and Nicolas

PQ | 43

El Remanso Polo Cup

Lovelocks Polo Stud celebrate another victory The team which counted with the presence of Eduardo and Pepe Heguy got an important victory against Valiente, in the final of Copa El Remanso. // By Federico Levy. Photos by Ana Clara Cozzi.

Like every other year, the fields of El Remanso welcomed the Copa El Remanso throughout five great days, where eight teams from 19 to 22 goals participated. After the qualifying phase, where outstanding players such as Adolfo Cambiaso, David Stirling, “Sapo” Caset and Matias Magrini performed an excellent polo, both Valiente and Lovelocks Polo Stud reached the final.

It was a great polo afternoon at El Remanso where by the end of the first game of the last day, La Alegria Centralab defeated La Araucaria Polo Today 10-8 and claimed the Copa Rio Uruguay Seguros.

At 4:00 p.m. on field 1, the main game of the day started between Lovelocks Polo Stud and Valiente. Both teams showed why they had reached the final providing the audience an overall excellent final. In the first chukkas, Lovelocks Polo Stud proved its superiority both in playing and in the execution of fouls when Eduardo Heguy, back in the winning team, demonstrated his quality of penalty taking, and established himself as top-scorer of the game after converting eight goals. In addition he was named MVP of the final.

44 | PQ

At the beginning of the fourth chukka Valiente came onto the field showing great strength, and thanks to the effort of Santiago Bottaro and the clever use of time imposed by Gerardo Collardin, the team was able to revert the scoreboard. But Lovelocks would not remain behind and could even the game and lead once more during the last chukka when Euardo Heguy sealed the scoreboard with a last shot that ended the game 10-8.

During the awards ceremony, all the teams received their trophies and gifts, and prizes were awarded to Estrella, the mare owned and ridden by Eduardo Heguy, and a special prize sponsored by Atlantic Kayaks was given to Zenon Cardoner, for being the fighter of the match.

With the cup awarded by George Hanbury, a new edition of Copa El Remanso came to its end. An event that thanks to the great work of Catalina García Huidobro, Manuel Fernández Llorente and all the team from El Remanso Polo Club, keeps improving year after year.

PQ had a quick chat to legendary ex 10 goal player Pepe Heguy about his take on the tournament Pepe, apart from the rain and other interruptions, what do you think about the tournament El Remanso?

Besides the problems regarding the rain, as in all the season, I think it was a great tournament, with an outstanding level of polo, good fields and an amazing place.

How was Lovelocks formed?

At first it was El Ruso who was going to play, but then with all the problems of the bacterial infection of Fran Elizalde, a friend of his and I entered the team. Then, when El Ruso had recovered he entered the team and replaced Francisco.

Why did you win the tournament? What was special about this team?

We had quite a lot of luck in the first games and we played really well in the final match. Moreover, do not forget that we played on excellent mares, since we are out of Palermo, and many of them were the ones we had prepared for the Open...

What do you think about El Remanso? Had you been there before?

Yes, I visit the club every year, but every time I go I see something new. It is always a pleasure to play in Lobos, because people and tournaments are great there.

Alberto Heguy Jr and Toto Collardin

Simon Crotto Guillermo Caset Jr and Will White

El Remanso Polo Cup Final Match

Manuel Fernandez Llorente and Eduardo Heguy with the Best Playing Pony: Vasca Estrella

Lovelocks Will White Charlie Hanbury Alberto Heguy Jr Eduardo Heguy

22 2 5 7 8

Valiente Santiago Bottaro Zen贸n Cardoner Gerardo Collardin Lucas Labat

22 5 4 7 6 PQ | 45

Ollie Cudmore, Peter, George Hanbury, Ali Patterson, Brett Badham and friends

Tatiana Fernandez Llorente, Silvina Espuña, Mili Collarden, Mili Martinez Allende and Gabriela Benoit

Candelaria Fernandez Llorente, Felipe Del Sel, Lali Black and Agustin Kronhaus

Guillermo Terrera Jr, Eduardo Heguy and Sebastian Amaya

Andres Laplacette and the Dartiguelongue´s boys

Lovely little polo fans at El Remanso

Rocio Ayerza, Guillermo Terrera Jr, Charlie Hanbury, Tuki Ruiz Guiñazu and Nicky Caset

Marcelo Coseglia, Laureano Oliver, Vicky Aliaga, Luli Podestá with Julia and Marina Carusso

Lorenzo Ratto and his sister, with Mora Labat and Guadalupe Fernandez Llorente

PoloLine Team: Matías Amaya, Roberto Zedda, Guillermo Caset Jr and Pascual Massagli

46 | PQ

Sonia Russo, Maria Elena Giuliano, Dorita Manzino and Pelusa Logarzo

Juan Bautista Cozzi, Lalo Ratti and Alberto Logarzo

Consuelo Carranza, Raul Laplacette Jr, Pablo Miguens and Janice Sujoy

Ali Patterson, Eduardo Heguy, George Hanbury, Peter, Brett Badham and Pepe Heguy

Patricio Ciesa, Adolfo Cambiaso and Bob Journayvaz

Ana Clara Cancer, Milagros and her father Gustavo Cardoner

Tatiana and Pedro Fernandez Llorente with Marcelo and Silvina Ratto

Candelaria Fernandez Llorente, Mili Martinez Allende, Guillermo Terrera Jr and Lucas Labat

Sunset at El Remanso PQ | 47

Diamond Cup

El Remanso keeps partying in Cañuelas

By Federico Levy. Photos by Matías Callejo.

A new year goes and the British team celebrates again at La Dolfina, after retaining the Copa Diamante.

Winning the Copa Diamante is a hard task for most teams, except for El Remanso. The team from Lobos celebrated for the fifth time in the traditional tournament played at La Dolfina. It was an ideal afternoon in the city of Cañuelas, where El Remanso defeated La Ensenada Polo Team 15-9, and retained the title categorically.

“When I play here I really feel like I’m at home”, assured Charlie Hanbury at the end of the game. “It is very hard to win here because the teams are very good, all of them with high handicapped players. Every victory here makes me very happy, because it shows the success of El Remanso, for the entire job made at the club”, he emphasised.

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A large audience was present at La Dolfina to see the last match of this tournament, which has been played in Cañuelas for 10 years.

After qualifications, both El Remanso and La Ensenada found themselves playing a final where the main figure was Francisco Elizalde, the match´s top scorer with nine goals. Nonhué Macarena Jr was awarded best mare by AACP, in this important tournament that counted on the participation of eight teams with handicaps of up to 21 and 22 goals.

El Remanso: Charlie Hanbury 5, Francisco Elizalde 6, Alberto Heguy Jr 7 and Jean Du Plesis 4. Total: 22 La Ensenada: Fermín Gutierrez 1, Pablo Spinacci 6, Cristian Laprida Jr 8 and Benjamin Araya Jr 6. Total: 21 El Remanso: 0-1, 3-2, 5-3, 6-5,9-5, 13-7 and 15-9.

PQ | 49

Ellerstina Gold Cup

Ellerstina win at home Defeated TechnoPolo in Gold Cup final. Pablo MacDonough, again MVP.

By Alejandra Ocampos. Photos by Ana Clara Cozzi.

Ellerstina beat TechnoPolo 14-11 and won the Gold Cup, after the final held at Ellerstina Polo Club. It was the first time in thirteen years that an Ellerstina team win their home tournament, wonderfully organized by the Pieres family, under the leadership of Tatiana.

A large crowd watched a very balanced final between both teams. Ellerstina could finally break TechnoPolo's defence in the fifth chukka, to take the lead, and they sealed the result in the sixth and last chukka. A renewed James Packer, and Alfonso Pieres Jr. made strong performances.

Pablo MacDonough was named MVP again, just as it happened in the Hurlingham final only a few days ago, which confirms the current great season for La Dolfina's player. Pablo's mare Irenita Pichincha was awarded as BPP by the Asociaci贸n Argentina de Criadores de Caballos de Polo (AACCP), presented by the Association's President, Delf铆n Uranga.

Alfonso Pieres Jr

Ellerstina with Tatiana Pieres 50 | PQ

James Packer

PQ | 51

Julio Novillo A strada Cup

Twice El Caburé The team of Federico Virasoro obtained the Julio Novillo Astrada IX Cup and retained the title.

By Alejandra Ocampos. Photos by Matías Callejo.

The Julio Novillo Astrada Cup is one of the most important tournaments of patrones of the season in Argentina. Its first edition was there in 2004, a tribute from the children and grandchildren of Don Julio, the founder of the family club “La Aguada”, who at the time was alive to enjoy it.

The IX Julio Novillo Astrada Cup was graced with the presence of nine teams from up to 20 goals of handicap, and one winner: El Caburé. In almost ten years of history this was the first time and the first team to win the cup twice and consecutively.

Remember that El Caburé was the champion in 2011, in an electrifying supplementary chukka.

Federico Virasoro and his guys (Agustín and Pite Merlos, and the young Spanish Luis Domecq) were playing against another team that had already won the tournament: Los Cocos (Rafael Zucuo Billaga, Matias Torres Zavaleta, Tomás Lalor and Diego Cavanagh, this

52 | PQ

latter was replaced in the final by Michel del Carril, as Cavanagh was playing the Cámara de Diputados). The quartet of Zubillaga was the winner in 2012, in a lineup that included Miguel Novillo Astrada.

This crucial match was dynamic and fast along the six chukkas. In the first two chukkas Los Cocos kept the advantage and El Caburé was getting closer in the scoreboard, until Agustín Merlos could reach a tie 7 – 7 during the half time.

El Caburé reached the first advantage of the afternoon (9 – 8) in the fourth chukka with a penalty of 60 yards converted by Agustín Merlos. Although Toto Zubillaga scored a great goal in the fifth chukka which led the match to a new tie, Pite Merlos was the one that sent El Caburé upper in the scoreboard 10 – 9, when there was only one chukka left to finish the match.

The last seven minutes were played for all or nothing.

First shot Los Cocos, through a penalty of 60 yards and scored by Tomás Lalorm, for a new tie (10 – 10). El Caburé recovered its advantage with a penalty of 60 yards that scored Agustín Merlos, and his brother Pite scored another great goal turning the scoreboard 12 – 10.

Horse Sale La Aguada 2012

There were only two minutes left to finish the match, when Lalor scored again from 60 yards, and since that moment Los Cocos started feeling the pressure to reach a tie.

That pressure ended up with a fault in favor of El Caburé, just seconds before the final bell. A penalty of 6 yards was executed and scored by Agustín Merlos, hence he guaranteed El Caburé the victory 13 – 11 and the title for a second consecutive year.

The awards ceremony was preceded by a speech of Miguel on behalf of the Novillo Astrada family, who also dedicated some words to his grandfather. The MVP was Juan Ignacio Merlos, from El Caburé. The Skeeter Johnston prize for Fair Play was to Rafael Zubillaga. Moreover, the Argentine Association of Polo Pony Breeders (AACCP) awarded Punto Zenda, owned by Federico Virasoro, as the Best Registered Product, while the River Slaney prize for BPP was to Rumba, owned by Matías Torres Zavaleta.

Luis Domecq and Tomás Lalor

PQ | 53

Cámara de Diputados Cup

La Overas celebrate in Palermo Thirteen teams of up to 30 goals, showcasing up and coming talent once more. Las Overas beat Cuatro Vientos to take the final on the hallowed turf at Palermo. // By Federico Levy. Photos by Matias Callejo.

In a very close game, Las Overas beat Cuatro Vientos in extra time, 13-12, with a goal from the captain, Valerio Zubiaurre, on Palermo’s field number 1.

The game started very evenly, superb team play resulting in impressive goals and some impressive horses on the field. The first chukka ended 2-2.

Las Overas came back on full of beans, with goals from Salva Ulloa and Lerin Zubiaurre. Cuatro Vientos tried in vain to stem the onslaught to no avail, instead allowed Capella to convert a 30 yard penalty.

The fourth chukka, very level, with Cuatro Vientos staging something of a comeback, Santiago Tanoira scoring no less than 3 goals. The scores now stood at 7-8. Cuatro Vientos then took the lead, and it wasn’t until the 6th chukka that Las Overas were able to level the scores, 10-10. Juan Gris Zavaleta scored two goals, taking his team ahead by two with only three

54 | PQ

minutes to go. However Las Overas were not to be underestimated, and they worked well under pressure.

Capella converted a penalty to bring them back within a goal, and then the talented Fransisco Elizalde scored an incredible goal with less than two minutes on the clock, the most exciting two minutes of all.

Both teams had opportunities at goal but couldn’t complete; it took Zubiaurre to seal the deal, scoring the golden goal in the extra chukka.

This trophy, now 90 years old, is one of the most coveted in polo, was presented to the winners by head of the AAP, Luis Lalor.

Best playing pony went to Luli, played by Juan Ruiz Giunazu and owned by Diego Ruiz Guinazu (left photo).

Best registered Polo Argentino went to GeTe Chocolina, homebred and played by Santi Tanoira (right photo).

Charity M atch

Technopolo inaugurates 1st field Polo stars joined a good cause. // By Alejandra Ocampos. Photos by Ana Clara Cozzi.

Technopolo, located on Ruta 28, close to the polo centre in General Rodriguez, Argentina, inaugurated its first polo field with an charity exhibition polo match.

Franck Dubarry, owner of Technopolo, named the field "Pablo Mac Donough". A four chukka exhibition game was held between Technopolo Blue, featuring Ernesto Gutierrez, Pelon Stirling, Adolfo Cambiaso and Matias Magrini, and Technopolo White, with Frank Dubarry, Pablo Mac Donough, Matias Mac Donough y Juan Martin Nero. The Blue team won 5-4.

Beyond the result, polo was there for a good cause once again. All the profits, 100.000 Argentine pesos went to benefit Fundaci贸n Banco de Alimentos.

Technopolo opened the first of the six planned polo fields on more than 100 hectares. It's the start of a project that includes houses, a hotel, high level international restaurant and many stables.

Adolfo Cambiaso and Franck Dubarry

Adolfo Cambiaso and Pablo Mac Donough

Walter Scherb with his wife Irina

Gerhard Heusch and Carlos St James

Caroline Anier, Goeffrey Palmer, Gabriela Ghilino and Santiago Trotz

Luli and Mechi Venancio Scalella Francisca Colombres, Delfina Garcia Oliver and Male Giambastiani

Michael Neundling, Juan Cruz Guevara and Cynthia Enee

Matias Magrini and Memo Gracida PQ | 55

Camara de Diputados Cup // Julio Novillo A strada Cup // Diamond Cup // Ellerstina Gold Cup // Hurlingham Open

Fabian Scoltore, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr and Hernan Garcia

Corinne Ricard, Gaetan Charloux and wife Constance

Alec White, Ignatius du Plessis, Marcos Panelo, Chris McKenzie and Ali Patterson

Alice Gipp, Emma Boers, Hazel Jackson and Marianela and Marielina Lagomarsino

Delfina and Lorena Sola

Eduardo Anca with Tahnee, Uwe and Naomi Schroder and Santos Anca

Amanda and James Scott-Hopkins and Nick and Clare Musgrave 56 | PQ

Loly Venancio with Renata Cereceda and Carolina Piazza

P hotos by A na Clara Cozzi

Gonzalo Von Wernich, Tomas Garbarini, Nacho Largel and Lucas Criado

Salvador Ulloa, Geraldine Stornini, Ana Clara Cozzi and Clarita Ferraiuelo

Mana Aranguren, Male Videla and Belen Colabelli

Cecilia Pieres Jr and Maria Rapetti and her lovely baby boy Indalecio

Ulloa Family: Hilario, Esmeralda, Salvador, Polito, Monica and Toly

Novillo Astrada girls Vernica Devoto, Delfina Rodriguez and Astrid Mu単oz

Lupe Roldan, Luciana Jauretche, Maria Chavanne and Claribel Spinacci

Willem Melchior, Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr and Andre van Gils

Javier Novillo Astrada and Rafael Zubillaga

Lucas Monteverde and wife Loly Lopez

Tomas and Tito Ruiz Gui単azu, Martin Tassara and Tuki Ruiz Gui単azu PQ | 57

P resident Cup

Satinder Garcha Re-elected Words and photos by Alice Gipps www.alicegipps.com For the second year in a row Satinder Garcha’s Pilará Elevation team sailed through to final of the prestigious Presidente Cup, this season taking home the Copa de Honor.

One of Argentina’s most famous 15-20 goal polo tournaments, this year an incredible 48 teams entered from all over the country to compete for the trophy.

A dedicated polo player from the famous Garcha family in Jaipur, Satinder has frequently travelled to Argentina over the last 10 years to play polo, however only recently setting up his own organization in 2010 of 20 top class horses.

Reaching the final of such an important tournament the first time he entered a team in 2011 was a huge achievement, especially with a new set up which is currently based at Pilara. To reach the final a second

58 | PQ

consecutive year in a row out of so many entries leaves no doubt that the Elevation team featuring players from India, Pakistan, Brazil and Argentina has a very successful formula.

Having come so close to taking the trophy home in 2011 the team combination had little alteration this season except Pablo Jauretche was exchanged for the up and coming Argentine star Francisco Elizalde.

Mentored by Eduardo Heguy for many years, Elizalde’s talent has suddenly sprung into the limelight having recently won the Gold Cup in Sotogrande in 2011 and the British Gold Cup in 2012. Currently one of the strongest 6 goalers in Argentina, Elizalde was the natural choice to join the team. The rest of the team from 2011 remained the same; Garcha, a well known player both at home in India and his current residence

of Singapore was joined by Pakistan’s Hissam Ali Hyder playing off five goals and Brazil’s Joao Paulo Ganon, the highest handicapped team member playing off seven goals.

With all the team members playing exceptionally off their handicap the team had a good win in the Semi finals against the mighty Magual with Alejandro Muzzio substituting Lucas Di Paola. Elevation then headed confidently into the finals on Wednesday 28 th November against San Diego B, an all Argentine line-up.

Bringing home the silver from the Final was not such an easy feat. The opposition were ferocious on the field from the start and kicked off with two quick field goals. Elevation quickly adjusted to the game play and tightened up their marking coming back with vengeance to hold their own throughout the game and eventually winning 10-9.

With such incredible success at the start of its career amongst tough competition, Garcha’s Elevation team can only continue to grow in Argentina as the organization expands and continues to find its feet.

President Cup 2012 Final Match Pilará Elevation Satinder Garcha Hissam Ali Hyder Francisco Elizalde Joao Paulo Ganon

20 4 5 5 6

San Diego B Eduardo Venturino Jr Franco Gai Pedro Gutierrez O´Farrell Gerardo Mazzini

20 4 5 5 6

Satinder Garcha

PQ | 59

Grand Champions Season

US Fall Season Fall Plates Flat Out defeated Piaget in an extra chukka in a tight 9-8 match thanks to a golden goal scored by Brandon Phillips and won the USPA Fall Plates. Six teams up to 16 goals took part in the competition. It was a very intense match in which Piaget maintained their lead on the scoreboard throughout most of the game. Flat Out only managed to get ahead for the first time in the sixth chukka, with a goal scored by Mariano González. The extra chukka had only just begun when Phillips took control of the ball and scored the goal that sealed their victory.

Jeff Hall was named MVP, and Halo Polo’s Qurzo received the BPP award.

The USPA Fall Plates included the Casablanca Fall Challenge Cup played by Newport / Equine Law and Polo Gear / Rox TV, and won by Newport / Equine Law, who achieved a very tight 7-6 victory in the last chukka thanks to a goal scored by Avery Chapman.

USPA Fall Classic Piaget and Flat Out played the first final of the Grand Champions Polo Club Fall Season for the USPA Fall Classic. Four teams up to 16-goals took part in the competition.

Flat Out beat Melissa Ganzi’s team 11-10. Flat Out’s Joaquín Panelo was the MVP of the final. River, owned by Juan Bollini, received the BPP award.

In addition, Newport defeated Ruby Q 12-9, and won the subsidiary trophy.

Pedro Morrison Memorial Six teams took part in the Pedro Morrison Memorial Cup, the third autumn contest at Grand Champions Polo Club which took place on October 17th through October 21st. The final played by KIG and Piaget was a clash between parents and sons: Grant Ganzi and Juancito Bollini, Melissa and Juan’s sons, respectively, played for KIG against Piaget in the tournament.

Piaget controlled the first part of the game until KIG managed to tie the score in the fifth chukka. In the sixth and last chukka, Kris Kampsen enabled Piaget to take the lead once again (9-8), but Grant Ganzi and Jason Crowder scored in favour of KIG and achieved a 10-9 victory.

KIG’s Jason Crowder was named MVP, and Vegas, played by Grant Ganzi received the BPP award.

North American Cup Audi took a big lead right from the beginning and were able to go 5-1 up by the time they reached the half-time break, while Piaget seemed to revive in the second half of the game as they managed to tie the match at 5-5, after three consecutive penalty shots converted by Jeff Hall. One of the last plays of the match was a foul committed by Piaget against Audi, and it was Marc Ganzi who scored to secure a 6-5 victory.

Carlos Gracida Jr was named MVP. Smooth, owned by Jeff Hall received the BPP award.

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USPA National 20-Goal Audi (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Carlos Gracida) made a sweep of the fall 20-goal season at the Grand Champions Polo Club with a 10-9 win over Piaget (Melissa Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Juan Bollini and Juan Badiola) in the finals of the USPA National Twenty-Goal tournament Sunday afternoon in front of an enthusiastic local crowd (Audi won the 20-goal USPA North America Cup just a week earlier).

Trust Cup Four teams up to 12 goals took part in the US Trust Cup, and Ruby Q beat YP 9-6 in the final.

YP clearly dominated the game throughout the better part of the match right up to the last chukka when Ruby Q’s offensive performance displayed by their main man, Tommy Biddle, who managed to turn the score around. Biddle was the key element of the team when the time came to achieve the final victory.

Joanne Schwertz Memorial Cup The 12 to 16-goal tournament season played at the Grand Champions Polo Club concluded with the Joanne Schwetz Memorial Cup. Five teams up to 13 goals took part in the competition.

Newport/ELG and Flat Out were the protagonists of a final won by Newport/ELG 9-8 and lead by their best man, Gene Goldstein, who scored 5 goals. Flat Out tried to turn the score around in the last chukka when they were down 9-5. Three consecutive goals scored

by Brandon Phillips, kept Flat Out’s hopes up high though they didn’t make it. Newport/ELG achieved the final victory.

USA vs England A 19-goal United States polo team (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Jeff Hall) delivered a knockout punch to an English foursome (Jack Richardson, Max Routledge, Richard Le Poer and Tom Morley) on their way to an 8½-6 International Cup win Sunday afternoon to end a losing streak that dates back to a 1997 Westchester Cup loss.

The English women were clicking on all fronts Sunday afternoon at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington as they rolled to a 7-2 win over a struggling USA team.

The team’s four-goal captain, Nina Clarkin, took command from the time she rode onto the field and led a well-coordinated charge for all four chukkers.

PQ | 61

Piaget Cocktail

Piaget Brand CEO hosted a cocktail party for Pilará Photos by Matías Callejo.

An exclusive cocktail party that featured a large number of special guests, was hosted by Piaget, at Palacio Duhau, in Buenos Aires.

Attending the lavish event was Mr. Philippe Leopold Metzger, CEO of Piaget, who greeted the members of Pilará Piaget Polo Team, just a few hours after a new edition of the Argentine Polo Open Championship begins.

Joining Mr. Metzger were Natacha Hertz, Piaget PR Manager; the four Pilará Piaget team members, Francisco Bensadon, Hilario Ulloa, Sebastián Merlos and Francisco de Narvaez Jr.; Pilará Piaget General Manager and Piaget Ambassador, Marcos Heguy; Pilará Piaget Manager, María Bensadon; Pilará's directives, Ricardo Hughes and Enrique Ruete; and Piaget Argentina representative, Ernesto Kohen.

Hilario Ullo, Francisco Bensadon, Philippe Leopold-Metzger, Marcos Heguy, Sebastian Merlos and Francisco de Narvaez Jr

Satinder Garcha Carlos Pando and Hissam Al Hyder with girlfriends 62 | PQ

María Bensadon and husband Pablo Carranza Velez

Natacha Hertz with Pierre and Sybille Genecand

Natacha Hertz, PR Manager Piaget; Pilará‘s Dicky Hughes, Juan Carlos Echeverz and Willy Alvarez Fourcade

Pilará Piaget Polo Team with Piaget representative Ernesto Cohen

Marcos Heguy, Pilará General Manager and Philippe Leopold-Metzger

Pilará Piaget Polo Team and Enrique Ruete

Gloria Heguy, Rocio, de Narvaez, Clara Ulloa, NataliaGracida Bensadon Silvina Merlos Memo andyfriends

Pilará Piaget Polo Team girls

Philippe Leopold-Metzger and Hilario Ulloa

PQ | 63

The Polo Party

Hollywood Night in Buenos Aires Photos by MatĂ­as Callejo.

The world's best polo players and a large number of VIP guests were in attendance at La Rural, Buenos Aires, to take part of the mega party of the year, that was held on Tuesday November 27, which 2012 edition was called Hollywood Night.

A fabulous night that featured the charity side, as usual, as the profits were to benefit the work of the Familia Cristiana del Polo and to the recovery of the prestigious polo referee, Gonzalo Bunge, who suffered a bad accident while umpiring in Germany.

Gonzalo Pieres Jr and wife Maria Rapetti

Adolfo Cambiaso and wife Maria Vazquez

Cata Zavaleta and Luke Tomlinson

Tatiana Pieres and Mariano Aguerre

Pablo MacDonough and wife Mechi Venancio

Gonzalo and Cecilia Pieres with Alex and Agnes Garrahan

64 | PQ

Facundo Pieres and his girlfriend Agustina

Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr. and wife Astrid MuĂąoz

Franck Juhel of Jaeger-LeCoultre

Javier Novillo Astrada and wife Delfina Rodriguez

Tomás García del Rio and wife Bárbara Trotz

Clemente Zavaleta, wife Emilia, daughter Sonia, son Clemente and girlfirend Isabelle Strom

The Laprida, Trotz and Zavaleta girls

Nico Pieres and girlfriend Angie

Marcos di Paola with wife Toia Kemp and Facu Sola and his sister Delfina

Fred Mannix and wife Kelsea

Bettina Bahlsen and daughter Anushka

Magoo Laprida and girlfriend Rosario with Iñaki Laprida and girlfriend PQ | 65

Boys playing Excalektric: Magoo Laprida, Clemente Zavaleta Jr, Agustina Wernicke, Cecilia Pieres Jr, Facundo Pieres, and Javier Herrera

Mini Golf

Julian Mannix, WPT Best 2012 Amateur

Delfin Uranga trying the F1 Simulator

Pablo Pieres Jr, WPT Most Improved Player of 2012

PoloLine Staff: Alejandra Ocampos, Agustina Fonda, Federico Levy, Javier Herrera, Noel Raffo Antin, Ana Clara Cozzi and Sebastian Amaya 66 | PQ

Canon ball for Nacho Garrahan and girlfriend

Adolfo Cambiaso, WPT Best Player of 2012

Magoo Laprida and Santiago Garrahan

Facu Pieres and girlfriend Agustina

Ines Bensadon

Anita Agote and Rosario Loza

Bettina Bahlse

Adolfo Cambiaso and wife Maria Vazquez

Santiago Tanoira and girlfirned with Juanma Echeverz

Miguel Novillo Astrada and wife Marina Constantini

Mili Zavaleta y Eugenia Laprida

Horacio Heguy PQ | 67

Pink Polo

Pink Polo in Abu Dhabi

has a successful third year

Promoting breast cancer awareness in a Muslim country is never easy, but this initiative is making waves and raising understanding • November 10 th saw record levels of spectators and a superb result for St Regis, beating ADCB by 6 goals to 5 in the final chukka.

Founder Carrie McNeil first launched the event in 2010, and by 2011 it had 3500 attendees. Aside from the match itself, the day is designed to appeal to families as a day out and included extra attractions; Camel Polo (which is truly hilarious to watch), a falconry display and some horsemanship featuring an Arab horse doing “loose” schooling and airs above the ground.

The event was held at Ghantoot Polo Club which boasts eight pitches (three floodlit), huge clubhouse and an impressive entrance, as well as a racecourse with grandstand. A private club, it tends not to feature on the international radar.

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Spectators were encouraged to wear pink, and there were prizes for best dressed man, woman and family.

One lady was spotted wearing a dress made entirely from pink balloons. Full marks for effort….

The game was held between two local teams, each side featuring one Argentine Pro. The reassuring tones of Argentine grooms contrasted with Arabic voices and a desert landscape, as well as myriad accents and languages being spoken by all the ex pats. An eclectic mix indeed.

The game started after a parachute landing and flyby from a display team, and the teams were aggressive and fast from the off. Exhibition game it may have

been, but both sides were incredibly determined to win. Flat out, end to end polo saw the lead never extended by more than a goal or two, and as the sun went down and the floodlights lit up, the action became increasingly frenzied. St Regis, new on the polo scene, trailed title holders ADCB for much of the game, but St Regis’s Nicolas Petrachi was having none of that and turned up the gas, having started the final chukka on even scores. A penalty in the dying seconds was converted by Petrachi, giving St Regis their first win.

Diplomatic as always, the Emirati players were pleased at the outcomes: Ahmed bin Desmal, playing for St Regis said: “It turned out to be a very close game and it is always gratifying when you can come out on top in those situations. At the end of the day it was a penalty which decided the match, which just shows how close the two teams were and the importance of trying to stay calm under pressure and not give away easy points”.

There were some very important faces in the crowd, including HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahayan Al Nahayan, HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of hosts, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, HE Zayd Al Saksak,

Breast cancer is one of the biggest killer of women anywhere in the world – and is increasingly suffered by men also. Screening is absolutely key as if the disease is caught and treated early on, 98% of sufferers will survive. However in the UAE, only 30% of cases are diagnosed early.

CEO Health Authority Abu Dhabi and HE Qadhi Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority.

Pink Polo was well supported by the official partners: St Regis, Etihad, ADAC, Mercedes, Omnia and Roche, as well as the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, The Abu Dhabi Health Authority and of course Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.

2012 was a huge success with more spectators than ever – and combined with the warmup of a Pink campus tour, raising awareness and visiting various educational sites in an unmissable bright pink Mercedes SUV, the event raised the level of awareness of the disease ever higher.

Carrie McNeill said: “Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease in the UAE and Pink Polo uses the sport of polo to highlight the importance of awareness amongst men.”

Best Dressed Prizes: Almer Agmyren (best dressed man) Rana Ziwar (best dressed woman) Roth family (best dressed family)

Pink Polo ADCB Ahmed Al Nuaimi Ali Al Merri Nasser Al Dhari Oscar Colombres

6 0 0 1 5

St Regis Abdulla Bin Desmal Ahmed Bin Desmal Nasser Al Shamsi Nicolas Petrachi

5 0 0 1 4 PQ | 69

Glen Gilmore

Ex captain of Australia and new Guards Polo Manager New role for this well liked and successful player. // By Aurora Eastwood. Photos by Tony Ramirez.

Glen is a player who needs no introduction. A 7 goal player, he represented Australia in the International, winning in 2003 and 2005. Many years of high and medium goal polo under his belt, coupled with an affable, outgoing nature as well as a bit of Aussie grit means he is ideal for such a challenging role at one of the most important clubs in the UK – and the world.

PQ managed to steal a few moments of Glen’s time in the calm before the storm, as no doubt once he lands in the UK he won’t have a minute to himself!

What do you think you will personally bring to the role?

Personally I will hopefully bring a lot of energy to the job. I am very passionate about polo and I will try to make sure that everyone enjoys their polo at Guards but at the same time stays safe. I also bring experience from having played polo around the world and at all different levels.

What do you think the challenges will be?

The challenges I foresee will be keeping the politics of such a big club to a minimum. The club has many different levels and facets to it, all of which I am looking forward to getting to know. The grounds are always a talking point as well, but with the addition of the Coworth grounds I hope we can get everyone to play on the best fields possible throughout the season.

What changes would you like to see at the club?

I would like to make sure every player is as well informed with the rules as possible. This goes a long way to help both players and umpires work together.

Having been the Guards Chief Umpire for 10 years I know the problems associated with both patrons and professionals not being 'on the same page' regarding the rules and I hope to change that.

What is your opinion about how polo is run in the UK as whole?

Polo in the Uk - is run very professionally and is thriving as much if not more than anywhere in the world. There are some very good sponsors involved and a lot more trying to be associated with the sport. The HPA is proactive with all levels of the sport. …and how the High Goal is run?

The high goal section of the UK season is some of the best polo in the world. The problems for the hierarchy of British polo is getting more British players in that level. The rules have been tweaked over the last 70 | PQ

15-20 years to enable more English players in this level. Hopefully going forward the new batch of up and coming players will force their way into the high goal and show off their skills.

In what way could things be improved across the board?

Tough question. I think less bureaucracy regarding getting players, grooms and ponies into the country would help but I understand why these rules have been put into place.

What challenges do you think face polo in the UK? The weather is always an issue. This affects the fields tremendously and the ability to play and watch the best polo possible. The costs involved for all the professionals that are not directly associated with their own patron have skyrocketed and make it very difficult for them to make a living. They end up having to play too many games and stretch themselves too thin in order to make a living. Or they have to sell their best ponies in order to pay bills and then are not as well mounted for the next season.

What is your greatest wish for the 2013 season?

My wish for 2013 is not too much rain!

PQ | 71

Frederick M annix

"I´m very proud to carry the flag" Canadian hero on his first Triple Crown experience By Alejandra Ocampos Fred Mannix is one happy guy. This 2012, he reached the dream of every polo player, that's to play the complete Triple Crown in Argentina, and a couple of Argentine Open games on field 1 at the Cathedral, in Palermo with his team, Alegria, for the first time ever, after a couple of years fighting hard in the qualifiers.

He was raised to 8 goals by the end of 2011, and put together a 34 goal team that featured the talents of Agustin Merlos and Lucas Monteverde, and the comeback of Pite Merlos to high goal polo in Argentina after a few years absence.

72 | PQ

Alegria did quite well at the 119 th. Argentine Polo Open Championship. They were close to defeat PilarĂĄ in their debut match on field 1; fell to La Dolfina in the second, and captured an important win against Magual in their farewell.

As the second Canadian player to make it big in high polo in Argentina - the first was Lewis Lacey, back in the 10's, the second 10-goaler of polo in Argentina in 1915 Fred is very proud of his achievements and the support he has from family, friends, fans and Canadian media and directives; he is quite a hero. That's why he looks

forward to the future, and hopes his big experience in the world's most important tournaments inspires other talented Canadian players to follow his footsteps.

How was this first experience for you in the Triple Crown?

It was amazing, You're playing in the best tournaments, on the best fields in the world. The Argentine Polo Association organizes everything properly and professionally. It's been a great feeling, we've had a lot of support from friends and family who came to Argentina on a long trip from Canada. Feels excellent. I'm happy because last year, the Association recognized that we've been working really hard and improving. I feel very proud to have made it here. Despite the results, we had a fantastic team, and much better than I expected.

The Triple Crown is fantastic; as I told you, they are great tournaments, great fields. Play in Argentina is the best. I've also got some new horses, so I am better mounted now.

And the best thing is that horses are very fresh for the Open.

We used to play hard in November, but we had to play harder in September, because the qualifiers are very tough.

It's necessary to do it, but it's very demanding, and you have to handle with a tough schedule. So, it is what it is, and I really feel well with what I got.

Well, you won the last match in Palermo, and you were close to win in the first, against Pilará...

Yes, we were very close to win that match, but Pilará is a very good team as well, all their players. Sebastián (Merlos) was a 10-goaler, and Hilario (Ulloa) will be a 10-goaler someday, I have no doubts about it. Plus

Paco (de Narvaez) and Pancho (Bensadon), who are fantastic players. A very good team, without doubts.

We've been playing well, we did a few mistakes at the end... And against La Dolfina, well, they were much better than us...

As a Canadian, maybe your own experience in the Triple Crown can influence Canadian players to come to play the Triple Crown in Argentina, as well.

Yes, it's true; the president of the Canadian Polo Association, Don Pennycook, also came to Argentina, he is a big supporter. Also, many Canadian media came to Argentina. I am happy to carry the flag and having many people following me to Argentina. I know many players want to come to Argentina. I am proud, not many people can leave their country and play the best polo tournament in the world. It feels good...

It's been said a lot about Pite's comeback to high goal in Argentina, with Alegria, and how great he did thoroghout the season. How do you feel about this?

Well, Pite is such a fantastic player, very talented; he won the Open. He is very well mounted and he's been a 10-goaler, and he still has the presence and a great ability. And everybody played better. We have Lucas (Monteverde), who won the Open three times for a good reason, he is a fighter, a tough player. And Tincho (Agustin Merlos) is one of the most talented players in the world. I like this team, and we had a great time playing together, we enjoyed each other's company throughout the season.

At sixteen years old, Fred Mannix became a member of Team Canada and was one of the youngest polo players to compete in the 2001 FIP World Championships.

Now twenty-eight and captain of the Alegria Polo Team – Canada’s only international high-goal polo franchise – Fred is the first Canadian in 65 years to compete for the coveted Argentine Triple Crown and only the second in 119 years to have competed in the prestigious Argentine Open – the sport's most prized and respected tournament.

Mannix is an accomplished 6-goal player in North America and 8-goal player internationally. He is the highest ranked Canadian on the World Polo Tour and rated 37th overall.

PQ | 73

A le Muzzio

"I feel really comfortable playing

the high goal in Argentina" Alejandro Muzzio, a key player in the Magual team, is enjoying the 119 th Argentine Open, although playing in Palermo is not something totally new for him. He had already been there for a little while in 2005, when he replaced none other than Adolfo Cambiaso in La Dolfina, in the match against Centauros Beaufort, the moment when Cambiaso had to leave the match due to the birth of his son.

Of course, now the situation is different, as he is playing the best polo of the world as a first team player and as a whole for the first time.

Alejandro is a regular face in England and Sotogrande, and he has been carving out a place for himself while he was still living in his home town, Mar del Plata; for instance in 2011, he reached the semifinals of the Queen’s Cup, playing for Richard Mille together with Pablo MacDonough. This was a moment that he does not hesitate to describe as a great experience for him as a player and also as it was a great opportunity for him to improve his horses. In that respect, Lolo Castagnola was undoubtedly his great sponsor; he has been giving him a hand since his very beginning.

PQ interviewed Alejandro Muzzio, in order to learn more about this player with a great career and a greater future.

How did your career in Polo start?

When I was Young, in Mar del Plata. My father bought some horses because he wanted to play Polo, but my brother and I ended up riding them…

Do you remember which were your first tournaments?

I started playing summer tournaments in Mar del Plata, until Miguel Gutierrez, who used to play there every summer, invited me to Buenos Aires, to the Open Championship in San Jorge. This was the first time that I had been to Buenos Aires in autumn. Later, I went to Cañuelas to play the season because I had some friends there. The first time I travelled abroad was to France, and after that I went to England, Spain and Australia.

How did you make your career in Argentina and abroad?

Well, I played the high goal for the first time in Sotogrande in 2004, and together with Lolo Castagnola and Nacho Domecq we won, and also we won in 2007 together with José Donoso and Santiago Laborde. In Argentina, we won the Metro Alto y Mediano together with Lolo and two friends, and that same year I won the Gold Cup in Ellerstina together with Matías Magrini and Juanjo Brané. In England, in 2004 I played in Talandracas, in 2011 I played for Richard Mille and this year I played for Piaget.

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What can you tell us about your experience with Richard Mille, in UK, in 2011?

In that team you played with Pablo MacDonough, how did this experience contribute to your career?

The best thing about that season was that I managed to be well organized with the horses, which is the most difficult thing in this sport. In England we lost a semifinal with a great team (The Queen’s Cup, against Enigma). Regarding Pablo, he has an incredible talent which is impossible to imitate, as it is something natural. The thing that most impressed me about him is how he takes his time on the field. It was really a good experience for me; it was the first time that I reached a semifinal in the Queen’s Cup. What can you tell us about your relationship with Lolo Castagnola?

The truth is that I used to have no idea about the meaning of playing a season in Buenos Aires; people from the provinces live polo in another way. When Lolo invited me to work with him, I could see the difference between what I was doing and what in fact real polo is, which includes the breeding, looking after horses, the operation of stables, vets, petiseros, all the people working around us that nobody sees and nobody realizes how important they are. Being a better polo player is beyond the fact of playing well or badly, these people are what make you improve. This influenced me a lot and I was very lucky to play with one of the best polo players of the world, Lolo, who taught me all this Thanks to him can take another approach in polo life.

Regarding horses how is your breeding going on?

I used to have a good mare, and the rest were just to be complete. Lolo started giving me some of his horses, and little by little, together with my mare I started breeding with Lolo’s stallions.

That is how I started to be really interested in the mares, so I tried to look for the ones that I liked more to start breeding. It is not easy, as in general they are the ones that you take with you when you go abroad, but I was earning the same money I was investing. I brought two mares from England in order to start breeding in Argentina; from that moment on I started to expand my breeding trying to use the best ones in order to improve it. I was lucky to go to play to Australia with a patron that had such good horses, the best ones I’ve ever seen. And after this I realized that those horses were the ones that I wanted to breed.

There

is an interesting story about how you met your

trainer,

Beau…

I met Beau in Australia; he was looking after the horses

of his patron. After several years I met him again in Argentina, and he told me that he was thinking about working in polo, as he had sold the gym he used to have in Brisbane and he decided to come to Argentina to try his luck. I invited him to my farm to spend the summer; at that time I had only four green horses and the rest were to break in. I didn´t even have horses for him! He told me that in Australia he used to break in horses, so I gave him a stallion from my breeding to start breaking him in, I didn´t even know what to give him…

After ten days, I realized there was something about the way he worked and decided to give him all my horses to break them in and prepare them. So, he found his place, and it has been three years since we have been working together with the breeding.

You

are also interested in thoroughbreds, how is your

work on that going on?

As I told you before, I am really interested in broodmares, the ones that are very sensitive, which is easy to find in the pure mares. In Australia, the pure mares are really polo kind, whereas in Argentina is not that much. Anyway, the Polo Argentino breed has improved so much that nothing else is necessary for it.

Talking about your present, how do you feel about your experience in the Triple Crown apart from the results?

When Jaime (García Huidobro) and el Negro (Marcos di Paola) invited me, the first thing that they asked me was if that was a good idea for me and if I was organized for it. In fact, it was a very good idea for me, but I wasn’t so well organized. So I started looking for horses everywhere, I brought three mares from abroad, a friend of mine gave me one, another friend gave me another mare and that was how I became more enthusiastic.

This is the first time that I’ve played at Hurlingham as well as at Palermo, and at this level of polo. We have been practicing and after a few practices I found my position. I feel very comfortable; the team is very well equipped. Of course, we need many other things, but I think that every player plays on his position organized; it is very useful for me to play with el Negro and Jaime at the back, because they are the ones that order our game. Also, I feel very comfortable playing with Facundo (Sola), you always know what is he going to do; he has a lot of strength and an incredible shot. It is an fun team; I think it is the best. The truth is that I started wanting to play everywhere and they settled my position, which is even easier for me! (Laughs).

It is a very good experience for us regarding polo, and also for the horses that you need to compete with the best ones in the world.

PQ | 75

Ollie Cudmore

Oli Cudmore talks to PQ about his stellar career to date

From his favourite horse to his favourite film Oli gave PQ an in depth interview about his life, polo and ambitions.

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How did you start?

I’d ridden since I was very young, polo was in my family as my father (Rob) played, and I played Pony Club for many years with the Hanbury Boys.

How did you end up playing with Cambiaso?

That was a fantastic experience. I’d actually been talking to another team, and then Facha Valent called me and said Cambiaso wanted to play with me.

Obviously I went for it! I learnt a lot, about the setup, how to prepare horses. I’ve stayed in contact with him and he’s been very good to me.

What was it like playing for Richard Mille?

I ended up playing with Pablo for about 18 months, in Spain, France and the UK. He’s also helped me out a lot. It was really good fun and the team was perhaps a bit unlucky at times. Winning the Gold Cup in Deauville was incredible though– I even had my photo up in the hotel!

What are your plans for 2013?

I’ll be back in Argentina for the small season, and then I’m playing the high goal in the UK with La Bamba – so Gonzalito and Polito.

What’s the secret to your success?

Ha - a lot of luck! I also put all the money I earn back into horses, so I think I’m considered to be well mounted, better so than most of the 3 and 4 goalers in England.

I’m taking 10 of my own to play with La Bamba…

I have a small breeding programme here with the Hanburys also.

What’s

your personal opinion on

English

polo and the

young players?

More young players should come to Argentina rather than go to Australia and New Zealand. All the good players are here. I’ve been so lucky with the Hanburys, but if players don’t come here they won’t be seen by the Argentines who are picking the teams. There isn’t any favouritism, Cambiaso will pick the best man for the job regardless of nationality – he’s picked Alec White again for the high goal. British players need to be here or no one will see them!

What other sports do you enjoy?

I used to play a lot of rugby at school but I don’t any more in case I get injured. I play Golf, often with Pablo - who always beats me. I love watching all kinds of sport though.

Quick fire questions now…

Favourite Sportsman: Rafael Nadal. I like his attitude.

Favourite Horse: Lance, from Ellerston Favourite Tournament: The Gold Cup in England Favourite Player: Cambiaso – but I also want to play with Facu Pieres and I love playing with the Hanburys. They are kind, generous and really like family.

Favourite place to play polo: Sotogrande. Nice weather!

Favourite Holiday: A beach in Australia – and I can visit my brother.

Favourite Song: Feel the Love Favourite Film: Wedding Crashers!

Describe yourself in a few words: Work hard, play hard.

Ultimate Dream: Win the Open! I know that’s a rather big dream…

PQ | 77

F our Seasons

Four Seasons Buenos Aires adds a polo theme to the hotel Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires Introduces Elena Restaurant, Pony Line Bar, and El Secreto.

Welcome to the Argentine capital’s newest hot spots for dining, drinking and socializing: Elena, a stunning two story courtyard restaurant; Pony Line, a club-like bar inspired by the sport of kings; and El Secreto, a wonderful new outdoor space centred around the traditional asado.

“With mouthwatering anticipation, the city’s food and drink lovers have been waiting for this moment as word spread over the past few months that something new and exciting was about to be unveiled,” says Rebeca Selley, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires. “Now at last we present not one but three entirely new concepts, and welcome both local porteños and travellers from around the world to Elena, Pony Line and El Secreto.”

Part of the multimillion dollar renovation includes a new lobby, landscaping and fresh new looks in the Hotel’s guest rooms and suites.

Each venue sets the stage for all-new menus, carefully composed to showcase the very best of Argentinian cuisine, with international touches that reflect both the city’s cosmopolitan roots, and the sophisticated tastes of the Hotel’s culinary team.

The New Gardens and Lobby Greeted by a group of five cantering horses outside the hotel, a sense of movement and passion has been created instantly by local artist Vivienne Duchini. Formal topiary speaks to the city’s European

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sophistication, while jasmine vines on the building’s façade soften the look. Terraces adjacent to the Hotel’s new dining spaces invite guests to come in from the street.

The redesigned lobby features timeless interior design as a stage for modern energy. Vertical design elements extending from the main entrance area up past the balcony level give the impression of a soaring space, ripe with possibility. Exotic polished macassar ebony is a bold element that speaks to the city’s cosmopolitan flavour, while patterns on large silver screens are inspired by the movements of the Argentine tango.

Several columns were removed to open up the space, welcoming guests to new reception desks decorated with South American semiprecious stones in shades of vivid blue. Caballos Libres, a painting by renowned Argentine artist Alejandro Moy, portrays horses in full gallop, another reference to the country’s favourite sport of polo.

Cushioned by a hand-tufted custom made carpet, lit by sculptural lighting fixtures of blown glass overhead and perfumed by the exclusive Bayo scent created by Fueguia 1833 exclusively for the Hotel, it’s a promising start to a stay at the Four Seasons.

Elena Restaurant: in the heart of the hotel, in the heart of the city In a gorgeous double-height space bathed in natural light, gourmands and people who simply love to share a great meal with friends and family will come together at Elena. Modeled as a courtyard - a traditional gathering place for important events and celebrations - the space features a dramatic spiral staircase to the balcony level, where private dining areas are available. The look is fresh and open, yet a welcome escape from the busy city just outside. Rich interior furnishings, including locally-sourced antiques, seamlessly blend South American and European cultures in true Buenos Aires fashion, with hand-crafted finishes by local artisans adding unique character.

The restaurant is named after Elena Peña Unzué, the bride of La Mansión, a historic building that houses the Hotel’s most opulent suites and hosts the city’s most glittering social events. La Mansión is visible through the skylight at Elena.

On the menu at Elena, guests will find a broad selection of the meats so beloved by locals, from precision-cut dry aged steaks and Argentinian kobe beef to the highest quality pork, chicken and other meats, and abundant fresh seafood. Expertly prepared on the rotisserie and grill, mains are accompanied by lushly presented seasonal vegetables.

“I don’t know any chefs who are not getting back to basics now, using techniques learned from their grandmothers to replicate dishes from their childhoods, with ingredients straight from the farmer and the fisherman”, notes Executive Chef Juan Gaffuri, who recently returned to the city after an international tour of duty at Four Seasons properties on three continents. “What’s different here is our obsession with preparation. To really celebrate each ingredient, every dish must be prepared perfectly, every time.”

Bringing his broad experience in regional Latin American cooking to Elena’s kitchen, Chef Juan is also inspired by his time in Egypt. “There are many similarities in ingredients and style of dishes in Mexico and the Middle East. Buenos Aires is a city formed of different cultures – French, Italian, Spanish – and now perhaps Egyptian as well!”

A changing menu of entrees may include glazed pork belly garnished with pine nuts and fig balsamic vinegar; confit of baby goat with smoked eggplant and creamed corn; or housemade pasta served alongside osso bucco. Imaginative starters may include grilled brie with blueberry preserve; or octopus with trufflescented potato broth. Restaurant Manager Santiago Lambardi’s recommendation from the charcuterie selection is the Felix Platter for two, with fuet, prosciutto, brie and cacciocavalo. “It’s named for Elena’s groom, Félix Saturnino de Álzaga Unzu, so as you may imagine, it’s a very happy marriage of flavours.”

To accompany Chef Juan’s creations, Sommelier Sebastien Maggi has spent weeks personally visiting the country’s vineyards to select wines as well as beers and spirits. Along with French Champagnes, the wine list is almost entirely Argentinian. For guests interested in the very best bottles, Sebastien has a surprising response: “The best wine is the one that ideally enhances what you’ve chosen to eat, and that suits your own personal taste.

That is always the basis for my recommendations, regardless of price or label.”

Pony Line Bar: Saddle Up for the Ride Inspired by the sport of kings, the new bar at Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires brings to life the casual chic of La Dolfina polo lifestyle. Pony Line balances urban sophistication with the carefree elegance of polo in leathers and other fabrics, riding motifs, art by Alejandro Moy, and rugged yet refined elements such as pergamino-clad trunks that act as cocktail tables.

The mood at Pony Line is lively and fun, a great place for casual meetings with colleagues, after work cocktails and lingering evenings with friends. Here, Maggi’s expertise in spirits as well as wines comes to life in an intriguing cocktail menu that he anticipates will grow and evolve with the city’s changing tastes, international trends and the expertise of his bartending team.

“In the past, locals have tended to stick with one drink, ordering the same thing every time. Now there’s growing interest in new concoctions, so we’re presenting many of the classics such as martinis, mojitos and margaritas in fresh new ways. Our international guests have also left their mark as we combine local libations such as Crios Torrontés wine with St-Germain elderflower liqueur from France in the Des-Coya martini, or add the Hesperidina aperitif to Mexican tequila in our Sunny Margarita.”

To accompany one’s glass, a new “bites” menu has been devised that includes choices such as housemade chorizo and oxtail empanadas, as well as international dishes such as hummus and focaccia, and universally loved favourites including mini burgers (done Latin style with spicy chipotle), and truffled french fries. A selection of sandwiches and salads offer excellent choices for lunch or a light supper, and funky pizzas are ideal for sharing with a pitcher of local beer.

Shhhhh! El Secreto is the city’s newest hotspot Nestled between the Hotel’s modern tower and La Mansión near the outdoor pool and amid newly landscaped gardens, El Secreto will host private asados – the traditional open fire barbecues of Argentinian culture – and transform into an open

air restaurant in mid-April 2013. Styled with gaucho blankets and pillowed seating alongside English and French garden antiques centred around the asado, El Secreto promises to be the ultimate in cozy urban backyard entertaining.

“This is a space born of the way we all like to entertain at home,” says Director of Food and Beverage Juan Carlos Cardona.

“We love to gather with friends and families around a big fire, and you’ll find that everyone has opinions about what wood to use, how to roast the meat – often the whole animal – and what to serve alongside. But we all agree, there’s nothing better – and now we’ll offer that experience to visitors who want to experience real Argentinian culture, as well as locals looking for a fun night out in the heart of the city.”

Rest Easy: New guest rooms and suites To wake up in one of the new guest rooms and suites at the Four Seasons is to know one is in Buenos Aires: contemporary yet timeless, elegant and spacious, and accented by locally-inspired themes, motifs and materials.

In the guest rooms and suites, the space between bed and bath has been opened up with new leather-clad sliding doors. Leatherwrapped drawer handles, nail head-studded trims and carved horse lamps evoke the Hotel’s polo theme, while an impressive alpaca-embossed headboard made by local artisans graces the bed. In the bath area, finishes include polished walnut, Italian crema marfil marble, and blue and turquoise glass mosaics, plus technological upgrades including an LCD television built into the mirror.

Four floors of the Hotel have now been renovated, with the remainder scheduled for completion in 2013.

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Snow Polo Feature

Polo on snow becomes the activity of the winter months

By Aurora Eastwood. Photos by Alice Gipps (St Moritz), Tony Ramirez (St Moritz, Cortina, Klosters), Reinhardt & Sommer (Kitzbuhel), Pascal Renauldon (Courchevel & Megeve), Andy Parant (Val d´isére) and Morgane Delfosse (Courchevel).

Once only the preserve of St Moritz in Switzerland, snow polo has seen a boom in popularity quite unlike any other aspect of the sport. From January to early March, almost every premier resort in Europe holds a tournament, varying from 3 a side on the side of a mountain, to true 4 a side on frozen lakes.

On the other side of the world, snow polo also takes place in Argentina, China and the USA. All these tournaments have been hit by the global crisis and in most cases handicap levels dropped for a while, but matters are improving and things are on the up.

To help you decide which one to go and watch, or indeed which one to play in, here is a comprehensive roundup.

Val D´Isere Polo Masters When: 16 th – 19 th January 2013 Where: Val D’Isere, France Why: Because Val D’Isere is great fun on and off the pitch and the piste.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Val D’Isere has a huge ski area and some of the best off-piste in the world. Nuff said.

- Nightlife: Epic.

Where to stay: Hotel Grand Paradis www.hotelgrandparadis.com Or if you want to make a stay of it, stay in a Chalet with friends: www.morealps.com/chalet-grand-solaise

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Klosters Snow Polo Tournament

When: 16 th – 20 th January 2013 Where: Klosters, Switzerland Why: This is a very British affair with Hackett and the Financial Times as sponsors. Plus, it’s the favourite resort of the Royal family. Even if Katie Price turns up sometimes.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Liked to Davos, the ski area is quite big. You can also go cross country skiing and back-country skiing.

- Culture: There is a museum featuring works by Kirchner.

Where to stay: Tripadvisor recommends the Hotel Alpina www.alpina-klosters.ch

Kitzbuhel Snow Arena World Cup When: 17 th – 20 th January 2013 Where: Kitzbuhel, Austria Why: Austria’s only snow polo tournament is getting more and more popular. And Austria isn’t as expensive as most other European resorts.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Home of the famous (and terrifying) Hahnenkamm downhill run, the resort actually has something for all levels, and lots of snow parks too.

- Walking: Nordic walking is popular, or you can go snow shoeing in the moonlight.

Where to stay: Hotel Zur Tenne www.hotelzurtenne.com 80 | PQ

World Cup on Snow When: 24 th – 27 th January 2013 Where: St Moritz, Switzerland Why: It’s still the biggest and best and the highest handicapped tournament here and the only one with a WPT ranking.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: St Moritz is best described as an intermediate resort, with not many runs or lifts compared with other resorts. However if you only have a few days it’s great and the view from the top is amazing – you can see the polo field!

- Tobogganing: Taking the train up the mountain and tobogganing all the way back down in darkness is tremendous fun. Finish it off with mulled wine in the village at the end of the run.

- Cresta Run: Need I say more?

Where to stay: Hot The Kempinksi. Classic grand architecture, incredible breakfasts, superb service. www.kempinski.com w w w. p o l o s t m o r i t z . c o m

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Megeve Polo Masters When: 24 th – 27 th January 2013 Where: Megeve, France Why: One of the original glamorous resorts and only 70km from Geneva.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Huge area linked to Chamonix and Argentiere. Lovely skiing below the tree line as well, and boarders get their own snow park.

- Nightlife: There is a casino, ice shows, clubs, concerts and more.

Where to stay: Sibuet Hotels and Spa. www.sibuethotels-spa.com

Courchevel Polo Masters When: 31st January – 3 rd February 2013 Where: Courchevel, France Why: It’s pretty bling and therefore great for people watching.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Part of the Trois Valleés, the ski area is massive and very high, so good snow is a cert. Plenty of challenges for all levels.

- Other activities are endless, from hang gliding to cookery courses to hot air balloons, its impossible to get bored. But you might go broke! It ain’t cheap.

Where to stay: Le Kilimandjaro. www.hotelkilimandjaro.com

Cortina Gold Cup on Snow When: 17 th – 23 rd February 2013 Where: Cortina d´Ampezzo, Italy Why: An important tournament in the most prestigious resort in Italy.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Plenty of well groomed pistes, most suited to beginners and intermediates, spectacular scenery. However you will need to get a bus to access the different ski areas.

- Two out of three visitors don’t even ski, so there are plenty of off-snow activities and the town is very pretty.

Where to stay: Hotel de La Poste. www.delaposte.it

What about Russia?

Snow Polo hasn’t been played in Russia since 2010, when it took place in the hippodrome in Moscow. There was an abortive attempt to play polo in the Red Square, but this was cancelled shortly before it was due to take place. Nothing is yet confirmed for 2013.

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Outside Europe

Aspen Snow Polo World Cup When: 13 th - 16 th December 2012 Where: Aspen, USA Why: Aspen is the glitziest resort in the USA and this is the only snow polo tournament in the country.

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Powder, powder, powder. Aspen is famous for the stuff. 200km of runs, moguls, tree lined runs and more.

- Lots of non skiing activites and excellent nightlife.

Where to stay: St Regis Aspen. www.stregisaspen.com

Argentina Snow Polo Cup When: August 2013 Where: Chapelco Ski & Resort, Argentina Handicap: 12-16 goals Why: Because Argentina is the home of polo – and there isn’t any snow in Europe!

What else is there to do?

- Skiing: Lots of back country skiing, and 31 runs, most suited to beginners but some for intermediates and advanced also.

- Dog Sledding with Huskies, Snow Shoe walks, Snow Mobile touring.

Where to stay: Loi Suites in Chapelco. Luxurious Golf and Ski resort in a stunning setting. Spa, pools, gym – you will want for nothing. www.loisuites.com.ar

Snow Polo World Cup When: 25 th January - 3 rd February 2013 (not confimed at time of printing) Where: Tianjin, China Why: Because it’s a rather mad thing to do – and China is an interesting place. The polo is played on artificial snow.

Where to stay: The Metropolitan Club Hotel – vast and luxurious and literally on site.

World Polo Tour Snow Polo Tournaments The World Cup on Snow in St Moritz is the first snow tournament included in World Polo Tour Circuit. Then, in 2008, Argentina Snow Polo Cup and Cortina Gold Cup completed the group to give place to the Snow Cup Circuit in the WPT Ranking.

World Cup on Snow St Moritz, Switzerland Cortina Gold Cup on Snow Cortina d´Ampezzo, Italy Argentina Snow Polo Cup Chapelco Ski & Resort, Argentina

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World Polo Tour

The 2012 ranking race has come to a close in a competitive

year that rewarded the best

By Alejandra Ocampos. Photos by MatĂ­as Callejo.

Another year passed, 2012 ended, the Argentine season ended and Ellerstina became champions of the 119th Argentine Open and the World Polo Tour acknowledges the best in the sport after an intense and competitive year.

General Ranking Despite losing the final of the Open, Adolfo Cambiaso remains at the top spot due to the points accumulated over the year.

In second place lies Juan Martin Nero, and the Pieres brothers Gonzalito and Facundo are also in the top five.

Gonzalito up from 5th to 3rd, and Facundo from 6th to 4th.

Two of La Dolfina's players lost some points. Pablo McDonagh and Pelon Stirling dropped from 3rd to 5th and from 4th to 6th respectively.

Nico Pieres and Hilario Ulloa maintained their positions at 7th and 8th.

The biggest leap among players in the Open was Mariano Aguerre, who moved from 18 th to 9 th. Eduardo Novillo Astrada completes the top 10.

The biggest rise up the rankings of any player was Alfredo Capella, winner of the Camara with Las Overas, who moved from 182nd to 90 th.

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Amateur Rankings Victor Vargas, patron of Lechuza Caracas, ended up topping the leader board. Even though he didn't won the US Open, he had accumulated enough points over the previous seasons. Lyndon Lea, who DID win the US Open with Zacara in 2012, took second.

Annual Race The Champions Race was taken once more by Cambiaso, followed by Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres.

This element to the rankings rewards the best players in that particular year. The top ten has some new faces; Fran Elizalde (7th), winner of the Dubai Gold Cup, The Gold Cup AND the Camara, as well as Polito Pieres, Gold Cup winner.

Masters The 2012 ranking ended with Ellerstina on top with 375 points. They displaced the powerful La Dolfina, who came in second with 300 points. Zacara followed on 205, and Dubai (Queen's Cup and Cortium (Gold Cup) tied on 170 each.

Adolfo Cambiaso ended 2012 at the top of the ranking which he leads by most of the year.

Alfredo Capella was the biggest rise up moving from the 182th place to the 90th by winning the Camara de Diputados Cup

World Polo Tour Top 10 Points 1460 1300 1229 1224 1217 1185 873 698 672 671

Player 1. Adolfo Cambiaso 2. Juan MartĂ­n Nero 3. Gonzalo Pieres Jr 4. Facundo Pieres 5. Pablo Mac Donough 6. David Stirling Jr 7. NicolĂĄs Pieres 8. Hilario Ulloa 9. Mariano Aguerre 10. Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr December 12, 2012

...and the prize winners of 2012 MVP (professional) November Pablo MacDonough (winner of the Hurlingham Open) MVP (amateur) November Federico Virasoro (winner of the Julio Novillo Astrada) MVP (professional) December Facundo Pieres (winner of the Open) MVP (amateur) Ernesto Giuterrez Rising star of 2012 Polito Pieres Best Player of the year Adolfo Cambiaso As 2012 ends, 2013 promises to be an epic year with some memorable moments of polo.

Facundo Pieres won the last award of the year (December2012) by winning the 119th Argentine Open

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High Goal Pony Review 2012

Best ponies of the Argentine Season PQ international choose the best horses of the Argentine High Goal Season.

Photos by Matias Callejo.

Dolfina Buenaventura | Adolfo Cambiaso Name: Dolfina Buenaventura Played by: Adolfo Cambiaso Owner: La Dolfina S.A. Sex: Mare Colour: Chestnut Sire: El Sol Dam: Ytacua Bienvenida Awards: Lady Susan Townley Argentino Open 2012 Lady Susan Townley Argentino Open 2011 BPP Polo Argentino of the Final Diamond Cup 2008 Best Product Polo Argentino of the Final Republica Cup 2006 Best Product Polo Argentino of the Final Manuel Belgrano Open Cup (C.Suarez) 2006

Open Guillermina | Nicolรกs Pieres Name: Open Guillermina Played by: Nicolรกs Pieres Owner: Ellerstina S.A. Sex: Mare Colour: Alazan Sire: Optimum Dam: Open Geisha Award: Best Product Polo Argentino of the Final Argentine Open 2012 Best Product Polo Argentino of the Match Argentine Open2012

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HURLINGHAM - ARGENTINA

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WWW.FAGLIANO.COM

PQ Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Writing this introduction when it is -5ยบ C outside here in the UK, it is appropriate that the theme is a somewhat wintry one.

Cosmetics and products to cheer you up on those cold, short days, cars that get you through snow and mud, a feature about winter sports in Val D'Isere - enjoy the good things that winter has to offer - as there are still three months to go here in Europe!

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Winter Season

Gift ideas

Don’t let your photos languish on your hard drive – let them out!

Emmy Watt, based in uber horsey Hampshire, creates lovely collages to frame and hang, as well as iphone and kindle covers. Polo, hunting, racing, holidays or just random pictures – anything you submit will look fabulous.

"What a fantastic and original present idea!!" That is the comment that the two partners who set up The Collage Company in late 2010 hear most frequently. Spotting a gap in the market, they make high quality, digital photo collages which are then mounted and hand framed ready to hang on your wall. The simple process sees them take people's photographs and, using wizzy IT software, cut, blend and shape the images into one beautiful photo collage. The beauty of the process is that you get up to 40 or 50 of your favourite images up on the wall where they can be seen and enjoyed rather than tucked away in an album or book or

- as so often happens in the digital era - on the computer, never seeing the light of day. The collages are wonderful memory banks and suitable for all kinds of occasions from milestone birthdays and anniversaries and special holidays to family reunions, children and pets and, of course horses and sport in general. What a great way to display all those favourite photos which we all have cluttering up the mantelshelf. The girls have also now just created new personalised collage 'phone covers, with Ipad and Kindle to follow shortly. No more boring covers - you can now have your favourite pictures on your 'phone!

For more information contact www.collagecompany.co.uk info@collagecompany.co.uk 0843 6582819

Lifestyle PQ | 89

Fashion

Emeralds & Gold

for Spring 2013

By Sally-Anne Stevens

All that glitters...

Lifestyle

Fope Flex ‘It Solo collection and retail at £3, 945 each. “At the heart of the FOPE Flex ‘It collection are the unique and patented ‘roll on’ mesh chain bracelets, crafted entirely in 18 carat gold but fully flexible and without clasps, thanks to tiny gold springs in their intricate construction. The stunning bracelets are adorned with diamond paves, creating an elegant and timeless look.” The ring retails at £2, 355 and is part of the Flex ‘It Solo collection.

“Made exclusively in Vicenza, Italy, the Flex ‘It Solo ring brings effortless, refined sophistication to any outfit, be it day or night.” www.fope.com

Denise Manning- London, is the eponymous collection from London based jewellery designer Denise Manning, catering for those with a discerning and unique sense of style with her range of bespoke, one-of-a-kind designs. From vintage inspired pieces to modern classics the Denise Manning- London collection encompasses beautiful semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver and 18ct gold plate. £425 and is available through private order (0) 77 67 754 438. www.denisemanning.com

Juliana bikini, it retails at £85 and is available from www.laraventura.co.uk Lara Ventura is a new range of Brazilian cut bikinis in bold, eye-catching prints Lara Ventura is the ultimate in sexy beachwear.

Inspired by vintage and retro styles with a ‘Latin’ cut that aims to flatter the female form, Lara presents her eponymous collection of unique designs hand finished with the finest fabrics, perfect for some much needed winter sun.

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Ciaté launches the new Winter Caviar Manicure in 3 new colours including this fusion of bronze, copper and green. Ciaté Caviar Manicure is available from www.ciate.co.uk £18

Lifestyle

Olivia Top Lydia Rose Bright ‘Limited Edition’ Beautiful beaded cape can be worn casually or dressed up with a smart skirt or trousers. Olivia top £65, available from Olivia top £65 www. lipstickboutique.co.uk

Emerald Green Cashmere sweater from Eric Bompard, £220 available from Eric Bompard Cashmere, 29 King’s Road, London, 0207 7730 9826 . “This season Eric Bompard, the leading Parisian cashmere company, updates its enduringly classic styles with intricate embellishments, lace details and graphic prints.”

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C osmetics

A beautiful New Year for her

By Karen Davis

It’s New Year and this year is an absolute beauty with so many delicious gift sets around. Here are some of my favourites:

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES ULTIMATE COLLECTION OF 9 BATH & SHOWER OIL BLENDS A real treat that offers days of blissful bathing.

Price: £50.00 Stockist: www.aromatherapyassociates.com

Lifestyle

CAUDALIE’S PREMIER CRU ULTIMATE ANTI AGEING GIFT SET is luxurious enough not to say, “we can see your wrinkles”, but rather “we love you enough to give you these beautiful, clever products”.

Created using the Polyphenols from wine production, this is fantastic skincare at a great price.

Price: £49.00 Stockist: SpaceNK or uk.caudalie.com

JIMMY CHOO Purchase any Jimmy Choo 60ml Eau de Toilette fragrance and get this beautiful Jimmy Choo shoebox as a free gift with purchase, which is almost as lovely as the fragrance.

Price: £44.00 Stockist: Nationwide, subject to availability 92 | PQ

FRAGANCE LAYERING COLLECTION Anything from Jo Malone will ensure you are let off the washing up, but try this beautiful Fragrance Layering Collection - bath and body heaven.

Price: £38.00 Stockist: www.jomalone.com

TOM FORD PRIVATE BLEND 16 PIECE NAIL LACQUER GIFT BOX

Lifestyle

Contains a personalized selection of 16 lacquers presented in an elegant mahogany box – simply stunning.

Price: £400.00 Stockist: 0870 034 2566

L’OCCITANE’S SHEA BUTTER HAND CREAM is a best seller and it’s not just for Nana’s. This set contains three 30ml tubes, each a joy.

Price: £20.00 Stockist: www.loccitane.co.uk

ESTEE LAUDER’S PURE COLOR This exclusive red cosmetics bag from iconic designer Michael Kors and Estee Lauder is a brilliant combination of things we love. Using Estee Lauder’s Pure Color makeup, the bag includes a blush compact, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner and nail lacquer in sunny colours.

Price: £48.00 Stockist: 0870 034 2566

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C osmetics

A beautiful New Year for him

By Karen Davis

MOLTON BROWN’S LYRA GIFT SET

COWSHED’S BULLOCKS FOR MEN DUO GIFT SET

Lifestyle

It will set any man up a treat for dealing with the demands of the holidays. This three-step deep-sea regime washes, soaks and soothes skin.

Price: £49.00 Stockist: www.moltonbrown.co.uk

It features a Bullocks Bracing Body Wash and a Bullocks Soothing Moisturiser. Products of choice for everyday use.

Price: £28.00 Stockist: www.cowshedonline.com

GREAT SKIN FOR HIM BY CLINIQUE It is packed with essentials that promise to give any man’s skin the kick-start it needs to face the New Year. Includes Shave Aloe Gel, Face Scrub, Post Shave Healer and Anti-Fatigue Cooling Eye Gel. Price: £30.00 Stockist: www.clinique.co.uk

EASY CUT BY BABYLISS This fantastic new grooming tool helps maintain a short haircut anywhere in the world. Easy Cut by Babyliss has unique rotary blade technology and a surround comb guide making it foolproof to use with a perfect even finish.

Price: £40.00 Stockist: 08705 133191

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L’OCCITAN MEN’S COLLECTION There are many men’s gift sets but I love a couple of things about this L’Occitan Men’s Collection. There’s a great range of products, it’s beautifully made and has products in it that men will actually use.

Price: £48.00 Stockist: uk.loccitane.com

Travel Essentials RENOUVE ANTI BACTERIAL HAND SERUM Christmas and New Year are the best times to travel as it seems half the world stops for around 10 days so you don’t miss anything back home. In my hand luggage I’m popping this brand new antibacterial spray from Renouve, which contains organic Bitter Orange Peel Extracts to kill 95% of bacteria. It also contains ingredients to anti-age hands at the same time as cleansing them – bliss.

Price: £22.00 // Stockist: Harrods or www.shop.renouve.com

ALTERNA CAVIAR MOISTURE DUO Pack this pair in your suitcase and you won’t have a bad hair day all holiday. Alterna’s Caviar Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner target dry, damaged and tired hair, which is pretty much everyone’s at this time of year. Combining pure Caviar extract to infuse the hair with shine, vibrancy and elasticity and Seasilk, a blend of marine botanicals to repair the hair and provide exceptional moisture, this sulfate & sodium chloride free shampoo and conditioner will keep your hair beautiful and shiny.

Price: £43.20 // Stockist: www.alternahaircare.com

Look effortlessly glamorous on touch down with this kit by Benefit including their best selling Pri mer, Mascara, eye, lip and cheek colours.

Price: £29.50 Stockist: www.boots.com

SOAP & GLORY OFF YOUR FACE CLEANSING WIPES These don’t count as liquids so keep a pack handy in your bag to provide 3-in1 cleansing, toning and skin smoothing for the quick ridding of makeup, dirt, oils and dead cell build-up on take off.

Price: £4.50 // Stockist: www.boots.com

Three of the best Wintry Candles Winter hasn’t really started until the fragrance of spices, orange and pine start filling the room with cosily delicious candles.

Here are my top picks for this year.

CRABTREE & EVELYN NOEL CANDLE

NEOM CHRISTMAS WISH CANDLE

FLORIS CINNAMON AND TANGERINE FRAGRANCED CANDLE

This limited edition, 3-wick treatment candle combines spicy Tonka Bean, Cinnamon and Sweet Mandarin to create the cosiest accompaniment to a snowy winter’s day.

Price: £42.00 Stockist: John Lewis, Harrods, Heals

Christmas is not Christmas unless the Floris candle has been fired up. Heart-warming and spicy, Cinnamon & Tangerine is the perfect fragrance to have whilst the fire is roaring in the hearth.

Price: £40.00 Stockist: www.florislondon.com

Noël is a heady blend of fresh balsams, cranberry, apple, and citrus complemented by spicy star anise, clove, and nutmeg, instantly evoking the spirit and smells of holiday festivity throughout the home. This classic poured candle will add the perfect touch of festive elegance to any Christmas table.

Price: £25.00 Stockist: www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk PQ | 95

Lifestyle

JETSET BY BENEFIT

R estaurant R eview

New Restaurant in Battersea, London Owned by a horse loving Brazilian, the latest addition to the Quarter Group’s collection is well worth a visit.

Valeria Zilkha, born and raised in Minas Gerais, Brazil, had been riding since a child. This love of horses is apparent in the River Quarter Kitchen on the bank of the Thames. Photos of horses adorn the walls, taken by breeder and ex film star, Susan George, a friend of Valeria’s.

Lifestyle

The Head Chef is Massimo Tagliaferri, who has extensive experience from his time at The Floriana, Sartoria, Drones Club and Enotecca Turi.

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The menu is simple and delicious. I had a truly satisfying Pumpkin Risotto with white wine, herbs, scamorza cheese and truffle oil. It was listed as a main course but the incredibly helpful Italian waiter was more than happy to arrange it to be downsized for me.

My mother had Moules a la Provencale – I dipped some bread into the sauce and it was superb.

I couldn’t resist having a burger with cheddar as a main course, with chunky proper chips. It was

Lifestyle

succulent and just the right level of done, with a fresh tomato-ey pickle on the side.

In for a penny, in for a pound - I went for the Chocolate Fondant for pudding but had to fly the white flag halfway through. It was rich, melting, perfect, but my squashed stomach was fuller than the Saudi oil reserves. I was spent.

Amusement was provided by the table next door. A group of ladies who lunch were having a happy, giggly time. Gazing out of the window at some cormorants dozing on a barge in the river, one asked another “Are those Penguins?”

At about £30 for three courses, the food is very well priced and the menu has something for everyone.

Including for ladies who lunch that prefer salads and think that penguins live on the Thames….

The quarter group have a few other restaurants in town; Chelsea Quarter Café on the Kings Road, Knightsbridge Health Quarter and opening in early 2013 will be another at Buckingham Gate; Royal Quarter Café. www.riverquarterkitchen.com PQ | 97

Jewellery

Interview with

Lisa Snowdon & Laurie Wickwire

By Sally-Anne Stevens. // For further information view www.berkeleydiamondgroup.co.uk

Lisa

could you tell us about some of your favourite

Jewellery and any interesting stories relevant to the pieces?

Being an ambassador for Berkeley Diamond Group I get to admire and wear lots of beautiful pieces. When we shot our campaign I wore a gorgeous emerald cocktail ring that I’ve fallen in love with, its an amazing statement ring. I’m excited to be involved with helping men and women choosing and designing beautiful one off pieces, whether it’s a gift for someone special or a present for yourself, the sky really is the limit with the availability of stones from BDG. pieces of

As

a regular on the red carpet what would you say is

Lifestyle

your current red carpet style?

My red carpet style changes depending on where I’m going... I have fun experimenting with different looks.One thing that never changes is that I’ll always wear heels and Jewellery! Both complete an outfit and add attitude to how you stand or a little sparkle to an otherwise simple look.

How

do you go about matching your

Jewellery

your

choice of dress?

It’s quite simple for me, if a dress is slightly understated then I’d wear bigger pieces of Jewellery...

The more detailed or busy a dress the more simple the pieces I’d choose to wear. Also if the dress has a plunging neckline I might choose to wear a really special very sparkly necklace, and slightly understated earrings.

It all about balance for me, those are my rules but there are exceptions as its always fun to dress up and be dripping head to toe in wonderful glamorous jewels!

The Berkeley Diamond Group tell us

launched last month,

about the concept developed by yourself and

Founder L aurie Wickwire.

I met Laurie Wickwire via a friend, and I was really intrigued to know more, after several conversations Laurie kindly invited me to work with The Berkeley Diamond Group as Brand Ambassador. We had our launch party at McLaren

One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge a couple of weeks ago to a fantastic reception, the British press and several other luxury brands have been immediately very supportive.

The Berkeley Diamond Group is a unique personal one to one concierge diamond business with person to person service, whilst utilising the cost savings of the internet. We do not believe you can retail luxury high end New Bond Street quality jewellery by just posting out jewellery sight unseen to customers. No postal baggies in this business.

We have a limit of only 200 members we can accept in year 1. We will then open new membership subscription every September for an additional 50 new members.

What does a member receive when joining the Berkeley Diamond Group?

We sell to our members their first 3 items of jewellery at industry cost price. We guarantee our members will save more than their membership fee paid or their money is refunded. There is no limit to the amount a member can save during their first 3 purchases at cost price. During our market survey, one member saved £ 62K on a like for like item sold on New Bond Street. We treat our members with superior private concierge service. Each member is appointed their own individual concierge jeweller, private diamond merchant and investment diamond broker. All deliveries are made by the private jeweller to the member. Upon delivery, the jeweller will present the member with their item, a personalised 3 page appraisal booklet of the item with digital photo and all certificates.

Our member benefits package is extraordinary. As members, you may borrow, wear and enjoy any item of jewellery. We have 3 key jewellery themes Bridal, Ascot and Holiday. We continually add new pieces to our loaner program for our members. Each member may borrow 3 items per year. We also have the Luxury Retail Board, which consists of 5 Luxury Brands each month, which our members may purchase from at a 25% pre negotiated discount. Items sold in Harrods, Selfridges, bespoke luxury items, cashmere, wines, sound systems, homewares etc.

About L aurie Wickwire I have been in the diamond and luxury jewellery business for over 27 years. I originally started out at Baker Oil Tools in Texas, selling oil drill bits with rough diamonds, and thought, must move to the shining ones! I am a Certified Diamond Grader by study with the GIA, an IGI certified Pearl Grader and Tahitian Pearl Specialist by study in Antwerp. I am a CADCAM specialist, jeweller and designer. In addition, I am an International diamond merchant for one of the largest diamond consortiums, selling our diamonds to the branded international jewellery chains on New Bond Street. I am also the Luxury Gem Specialist for QVC UK, selling their luxury diamonds, pearls and tanzanites.

Before launching the Berkeley Diamond Group, I owned my own private jewellery boutique specialising in private stone sourcing for my clients. I had a private commission from HRH The Prince of Wales, crafting an item to celebrate his 30 year anniversary of the Prince¹s Trust in 2006.

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Lifestyle

PQ | 99

Motoring

The King is dead...

The Range Rover was the daddy of 4x4’s – and the current model goes out with a bang.

By Aurora Eastwood.

The current model Range Rover was the most successful model in Land Rover’s history. Unrivalled comfort, image, performance and prestige made this car the one to have for an incredible 10 year model history. Jeremy Clarkson said it was the best car in the world. Was it? Only one way to find out, and that is to live with one for a week.

Range Rover Westminster Special Edition

Lifestyle

Having been driving an Audi estate for the last year, I thought I was used to big. Nope. Range Rovers are VAST. Long and wide, getting out of it in the car park at Tesco was a bit of a challenge – especially with a seven month baby bump! However you can lower the car to get in and out. Handy…

Inside, it’s like being in the interior of a yacht.

Swathes of immaculate cream leather, dark mahogany wood, chrome buttons and dials. The dashboard display is “virtual” – in that when you turn the engine off, everything vanishes. However it does allow you to customize what appears there, which is very cool.

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Driving the car embodies one with a curious air of superiority – gazing down at the sad people who have to drive actual cars and not Range Rovers. Poor downtrodden things…surely everyone would have one of these if they could?

Yes and No. If you live in London I’m sorry, but you look like a tool if you have a Range Rover. It’s built to cruise motorways, enter polo clubs, negotiate rough terrain on a shoot, tow a trailer. Not just scale the ramp into the car park in Selfridges.

I took the car to Wales for the weekend, and it was the perfect thing for the job. Effortless and smooth on the motorway, stable and comfortable climbing the Brecon Beacons, unflappable when scaling grassy knolls and crossing peat puddles. The only thing that defeated it was an incredibly steep grassy slope that gave way to slick mud. Even then, it wasn’t the car that failed, it was its summer tyres. Still, rescue came in the form of a Defender 90. Poetic really.

Yes. This car was King. But now it has died and its son has taken over the reign. Read on…

www.landrover.com

...Long live the King

By Chris Rosamond, editor of atfullchat.com not to think about depreciation unless you’re looking ahead to that ‘nearly new’ Rangie with 10k on the clock a year from now. (You canny wee devils!) If you are prepared to consider spending £120k on the 503bhp, 5.0 supercharged V8 version, we salute you.

To be fair, the latest generation Range Rover is a car that deserves to be expensive. Its immediate ancestor remains an excellent bit of kit, but the root of the regenesis is an all-aluminium monocoque (a first in the SUV sector) that brings a hitherto unknown level of on-tarmac agility to the party. In spite of its towering dimensions, the car feels planted, even supple on its air-suspension at quite unseemly speeds across country, with steering that’s direct and positive, a seamless 8-speed automatic gearbox and limousine levels of hushed refinement and comfort. (Although after a couple of hours in the driving seat I did unexpectedly begin to wonder if the cushions were a little on the hard side.)

Off-road performance remains spectacular, of course, with the added advantage of a 90cms wading depth (up from 70cms) and there’s even a new version of the Terrain Response chassis control system that reads the surface you’re driving over and adjusts itself accordingly. The best just got better – and by a surprising margin.

www.landrover.com

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Lifestyle

Even as a dyed-in-the-wool Range Rover enthusiast, I’ll be first to admit this brand new model and its predecessor may look a touch ‘samey’ to the uninitiated.

If that’s you, and you’d like to know why the latest model is so much better than the old, try to imagine driving the new one with a middle-of-the-road polo pony recumbent on the back seat.

Said equid would likely tip the scales at (hmm…)

420kgs? Helpfully for PQ readers, that’s precisely the amount of dead weight that Jaguar Land Rover engineers have shaved from the technological marvel that is the new Rangie. And yes (in case you were wondering how many rugger prop forwards you’ll need to get the darn horse into the car in the first place), even in automotive terms 420kgs is a jolly lot.

Newly unencumbered this latest Range Rover goes just as quickly as the old, using a smaller engine while drinking and expirating in volumes that verge on the socially responsible. It handles better to boot, is more refined and… OUCH! A hefty price hike means even the entry level 254bhp/442lb ft 3.0 V6 turbodiesel I drove for this article (prior to the weight loss plan a TD V8 used to be the minimum requirement) costs £71k in the UK before you’ve had a glance at the options list.

Enter the showroom in a box-ticking frame of mind, and it’s easy to imagine spending closer to £90k, so best

Winter Season

Winter in Europe: Click on those skis!

As we go into January, those of us in Europe will think of winter sports.

By Aurora Eastwood. Photos by Val d’Isère Press.

Lifestyle

Skiing and snowboarding are by far the most popular, but by no means the only things one can do on snow. I picked Val D’Isere to use a guide, as it is one of the biggest and best resorts in the world, with famous off piste and a host of other activities.

Accommodation The best way to “do” a skiing holiday is on a chalet basis, half board. You get a full breakfast, have lunch on the slopes somewhere and then come back to freshly baked cakes and tea, followed by a three course dinner. Yes, you’ll put on weight, but so what?

My pick of provider is MoreAlps, who offer a very personal service and lots of attention to detail. Their Grand Solaise chalet is very well situated and has lovely décor and comfy beds.

Prices from £400 per person. www.morealps.com

Skiing and Boarding The Espace Killy ski area is the combined ski domain of Val D’Isere and Tignes. There are over 300km of pisted runs, of a huge variety. Literally something to suit all levels. There are 90 lifts, and for those who like black runs, there are no less than 25. Prepare to challenge yourself or scare yourself silly, depending on ability…

Snow Parks If you prefer to spend most of your time in the air above the snow, rather than on it, there is a huge snowpark under the Mont Blanc chairlift. Runs are graded as normal runs are, from green to black. There are rails and boxes if you really want to test yourself.

Cross Country Skiing Whilst lacking the exhilaration of downhill skiing, cross country skiing is technically quite difficult to really master, requiring excellent balance, and is a true cardio vascular workout.

Professional cross country skiers have arguably the best physique of any athlete in any sport, as literally every muscle in the body is worked. There are 21km of prepared tracks in the valley.

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Ice Driving

Glacier Walking

This isn’t cheap but who can resist drifting a powerful car fitted with studded tyres? It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush and as a bonus will actually improve your driving skills. Price approximately 175 Euros. www.circuitvaldisere.com

Don some crampons and explore the spectacular glaciers in the area. The hikes range in difficulty (and make sure you know how fit you are/are not) but there is plenty for novices. Prices start at 40 Euros for a guided tour.

Karting on Ice

Paragliding

Still technically ice driving, but much cheaper.

Karting is always great fun plus you can organize a big group of friends and get competitive. Prices from 20 Euros. Open daily from 3 till 8pm, situated by the Le Cret bus stop.

There is nothing more beautiful than gliding above some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Tandem paragliders are controlled by the instructor so the only hairy moment is on takeoff – don’t trip! A number of flying schools offer this experience. If you can, go for it.

SnowMobiling Snow Mobiles are epically powerful go anywhere beasts, and you can have a crack. There are daily excursions every afternoon, or you can go at night for an even bigger adrenaline rush. Guess where you’ll find me!

Prices from about 45 Euros.

Contact Alaska Moto Niege.

Husky Sledding Probably just as much fun as Snow Mobiles, the power in this case is provided by a large pack of huskies. Always energetic, they make quite a racket and pick up quite a pace – and I’m not sure where the brakes are. Or the steering….plus when you go uphill you have to get off and push!

Walking Trails There are plenty of trails – some of which you need snowshoes for and some which you don’t. You can go alone or with a guide in a group; a truly lovely way to see flora and fauna you would not notice if skiing downhill flat out. Walking poles are a must, whether you are using snow shoes or not.

And if that isn’t enough…

In addition to all of these things, there is endless shopping if you get bored (you wont!) as well as leisure centres, spas and more. Enjoy!

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Lifestyle

And now for something completely different…

The Urban Hunter P roject

Well kept secrets

By Daniela Dini.

Lifestyle

City: Istanbul, Turkey The challenge: To try one´s luck at the Turkish bazaars To get lost in the hundred-year-old Turkish markets is a life experience so unique such as Istanbul itself. Like in many other Asian countries, bargaining is the norm.

The great attraction is the Grand Bazaar, the huge rambling and chaotic premises with more than 4000 shops where everything can be bought: from gold to handicrafts, furniture, lamps and even imitations of the most important European designer clothes. You just need to know that, even when bargaining, prices there will always be more expensive than anywhere else; but the experience is worth living. Not everything ends at the mythical Grand Bazaar: the Spice Market (known as the Egyptian Market since by year 1660 products brought from El Cairo were already sold there), is an outburst of scents, colours and tastes. You can buy teas, dried fruits, nuts, and all kind of exotic species, like hennas, lotions and aphrodisiac potions – it is said – that were used by the Sultans. Most of the shops vacuum-pack the products they sell, which is an ideal solution for the luggage.

Grand Bazaar www.kapalicarsi.org.tr (Monday to Saturday from 8.30 to 19.30) Spice Bazaar or Misir Carisi (From Monday to Saturday from 8 to 19)

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The destinations are the big cities of the world. The mission: to find out those special things which make them unique.

City: Dubai, United Arab Emirates The challenge: Sleeping in a luxury Bedouin tent

Lifestyle

From the centre of Dubai, it takes 45 minutes by road, and then some 15 never-ending minutes more, across the sand. Far away, some burning torches guide the road which seems unmarked. Faint lights, some palms and at the distance, like hiding under the stars, you can make out the Al Maha. The building itself is imposing, even in the dark of the night: ancient Persian carpets, works of art, antiques belonging to the Sheikhs’ heritage, and countless details confirm the beginning of a trip across time. Like a direct transportation to Sheherezade´s histories, the main figure of “A thousand and one nights”. It is almost impossible not to wonder how many of her stories may have started right here. Some minutes later, after arriving at the room, there is no doubt that all her tales have taken inspiration from this place.

The thing is that in the desert nothing is what appears to be, and the Al Maha is determined to prove it. A luxury hotel room may be turned into a Bedouin tent, even with all the comfort of this century. There is no detail left up to fate: Egyptian cotton sheets in huge beds, heavy curtains in sand and ochre tones, hand carved furniture brought from Omán and Saudi Arabia, traditional metal carved teapots and original paintings as part of the decoration, apart from a table filled with baklavas – Arabian sweets, dried fruits and dates. But the last surprise is on the roof: there is no ceiling, just a piece of cloth hanging and held by pillars, imitating the tents that the travellers of the desert used to mount and dismantle during their eternal journeys. The Al Maha Resort & Spa is situated within the 225 km2 of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Property of the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saaed Al-Maktoum – previous Sheikh of Dubai and vice-president of Saudi Arabia who died in 2006, he was who built the hotel in 1999, and later, in 2003, protected the premises with the aims of preserving the place and keeping his childhood memories when he used to play in the desert intact.

Al Maha Resort & Spa is an oasis among the dunes, member of The Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels. www.al-maha.com

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Lifestyle

City: Buenos Aires, Argentina The challenge: To be part of the return of the classics.

Besides new trends, it is common to hear that every past thing has always been better. That is why you always have to be ready to go beyond the traditional tourist areas of Buenos Aires, in order to discover the gastronomic jewels that wait full of histories of the city. The Savoy Hotel is a classic of the Argentinean capital city. Not everyone knows that it was completely renewed by the end of 2011, and today, behind its doors, the sophisticated spirit of its history there in 1990, which attracted aristocratic travellers as well as celebrities, remains intact. From Eva Perón to Einstein, very important figures stamped their magic in the Savoy. With a stunning neobaroque architecture which carries you across time, its majestic Salón Imperio awaits with palace details. The secret is revealed at tea time, punctually every day at five o´clock with a complete ceremony that has nothing to envy compared to a good brunch.

Gastronomic traditions of Buenos Aires are the taverns.

Rustic, masculine and full of history and local tastes. If there is a must regarding taverns, we have to go to Palermo Viejo and find the corner between Cabrera and Gurruchaga, where 60 years ago the Spaniard Don Jesús Pernas opened the legendary “Lo de Jesús”, which will impact you from its own style: draughts floor, white dressed tables, Thonet style chairs, the boiserie with bronze coat stand, shaded mirrors , blackboards written with chalk announcing the daily menus, walls covered with pictures and old posters, the same piece of furniture for the bread, the same cold meat machine made in 1928.

The speciality of the place: barbecue and typical dishes of the city in the 50´s.

The menú offers a more than interesting mix. From the barbecue, feeded with charcoal and quebracho, you can delight yourself with selected premium veal cuts.

The menu includes from the typical immigrant dishes (spanish omelette, homemade ravioli), till creme caramel with dulce de leche, chocolate mousse, and the traditional cheese and quince, another specialty of the house.

Savoy Hotel www.savoyhotel.com.ar Lo de Jesús www.lodejesus.com.ar 106 | PQ

City: Salvador de Bahia, Brazil The challenge: To stay in a hundred-year-old convent, in the Pelourinho.

It is said that in Salvador de Bahia there are as many churches as days of the year. Most of them are placed in the colourful historic centre, the Peloutinho.

Eight years ago, the convent that guarded one of the most famous churches was restored to become a sophisticated hotel, the only one in Brazil that is inside a historic building. In the convent of Nuestra Se単ora Do Carmo, the rooms that once used to be from the the Carmelite order nuns, and later for the monks, today are preserved with their original disposition but now with a five star luxury. You can feel the history in the building: during the brief Dutch conquest of 1624, the place was turned into a fortress. The table, over which the surrender was signed one year later, is at present in the sacristy of the church next to the convent, named Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

The highlight: to have a drink at the imposing patio, where you will find an outside bar surrounded by decorative curtains that will make you fell over the scenario of a theatre. Ideally on Thursday, when jazz nights take place.

Lifestyle

Historic Convent do Carmo Hotel www.pestana.com.es/pestana-convento-do-carmo

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Lifestyle

Travel

Travel in the Middle East With the explosion in polo throughout the UAE, here are a few ideas of what to do in the area on non polo days.

By |Aurora Eastwood. Photos by Matt Darwin.

108 PQ

Lifestyle

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Getting there

Where to Stay

British Airways – regular flights to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates – based out of Dubai Etihad – based out of Abu Dhabi. The level of service and quality of the food in business class was superb.

St Regis Saadiyat island. It’s an all inclusive resort with superb facilities. Several pools (including an incredibly tranquil adult only one), a beach, spa and several excellent restaurants. Service is sublime and guests have the signature butler service at their disposal.

Abu Dhabi Most of the polo takes place in and around Dubai.

Abu Dhabi however, is only an hour or so down the motorway and is a great place to go for the day, or the weekend. With the incredible Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit on the doorstep, it’s a mist see. Especially with Ferrari world and the world’s fastest rollercoaster (240kph) on site.

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http://www.stregissaadiyatisland.com

Oman Muscat, the capital, is less than an hour away by plane, with regular flights from Dubai or Abu Dhabi – even British Airways have a daily flight.

Oman is a country that has retained its cultural heritage and also boasts some staggering scenery, it’s an absolute must if you have the time.

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We spent four days touring the best of the sights.

Muscat A curious city, inside the gates lies a long promenade, lined with a few bars and an excellent souk. In the harbour sat two Superyachts – both belonging to the Sultan, a benevolent chap who in the 42 years of his reign has introduced schools, universities, hospitals and an extensive road network for the people – all free.

Through another set of gates lie his palaces – one for him, one for his friends. Obviously…

Where to Stay The Chedi. Truly sublime, stunning pool and beach. www.ghmhotels.com/en/chedi-muscat-oman/home From Chedi we drove to Wadi Tiwi. A Wadi is a valley – a verdant stripe in an otherwise arid landscape.

We passed some very Star Wars–esque scenery on

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the way – flat areas with huge rocky hills, and huge mountains in the distance. The Wadi was beautiful, fringed by palm trees with the river trickling slowly down the centre.

On from the Wadi lies Sur, a seaside town of no particular note, but home to a Dhow factory, where huge Dhows are made painstakingly by hand, each plank laboriously chipped and planed with no machinery. An impressive sight.

Another hour on lies the Turtle Sanctuary. A must see, the beach is riddled with holes and looks like it was in a WW2 battle - but the holes have been made by huge green turtles. Stumbling around at night, progress was somewhat tricky, but all worthwhile for the sight of turtles laying their eggs, burying them in the sand and then shuffling like old ladies back to the sea. A wave washes over them and they transform from

slow, ungainly beasts into rapid, efficient swimmers and are gone from sight. The highlight had to be seeing three baby turtles, no bigger than a teacup, frantically skedaddling to the sea.

Day two took us to the Desert, but via the most beautiful Wadi yet. Tranquil pools were accessed via some rather treacherous rocky climbs – but well worth the effort. Lunch atop a rocky ledge was lovely, despite the rather tacky cafe – though we were getting slightly bored of rice and chicken by this stage.

Back on the road, the terrain flattened out, the dunes of the desert hove into view, and camels became more ubiquitous.

As we stopped to let air out of the tyres for the dune bashing, I did rather wonder how the car would cope, given that the clutch had been slipping for the last two days… as it happened it clearly struggled, but sliding sideways down sand dunes is great fun.

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We were deposited at the top of enormous dune just in time for sunset, looking down on the camp and hobbled camels ambling about. The Landcruiser roared off, so after the sun set we ran/tripped/slid down the 150m high dune, and spent the rest of the evening finding sand in all kinds of places…

The third day took us to the more mountainous region near Nizwa, what used to be the capital. A carefully restored fort takes centre stage, complete with murder holes and channels down which burning oil to be poured onto evil marauders. Surrounded by a date plantation, the view from the top is beautiful.

Onwards to an old village nestled high in the mountains.

Ancient houses made of mud brick were surrounded by little alleyways, water channels and boys on donkeys.

We stayed in an old guesthouse, with dinner on the roof and mattresses on the floor – normally anathema to me but the view of the mountain range through the wooden windows softened the blow.

The following day saw a nauseatingly twisty road to a mountain pass – and then – what a view. A huge mountain range with little villages sporadically down the sides, and the odd wadi and accompanying green patch. A three hour descent on an unmade road was spectacular, culminating in a visit to a verdant village with terraced fields of crop. Goats provided an amusing diversion throughout much of the trip, highly nimble and perpetually hungry, they were spotted eating not only bushes and twigs, but also cardboard and in one case, the wheelarch of a Toyota Landcruiser.

The Omanis are incredibly friendly; strangers come and say hi and want to know if you are having a good time in their country. It is safe, with negligible crime and as yet, no terrorism. Absolutely worth a visit.

For a list of tour operators, go to www.omantourism.gov.om We travelled with Golden Tours Oman www.goldentoursoman.com

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Showcase 116 | PQ

Quality green horses and young stock for sale.

Playing Ponies for sale.

Horses taken for backing and schooling.

Ponies from Eastwood Stud were sold and played: Queen´s Cup 2012 Gold Cup 2012 Warwickshire Cup 2012 The best source for quality ponies in the UK.

Showcase

For full information visit www.eastwoodstud.com | Natural covering or AI

Tel: 07970 697 593 aurora.eastwood@btinternet.com

The Old Stables, South Wonston Farm, South Wonston, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3HL

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Showcase

Unit 1A The Hermitage High Street Ascot SL5 7HD tel: 01344875053 john.pye@thefitnessspace.com www.thefitnessspace.com

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Showcase

BLACKLOCKS Polo Books and Prints Antiquarian and leatherbound polo books All new titles from stock th th 19 & 20 Century polo prints and limited editions. Trophies, memorabilia and magazines.

8 Victoria Street, Englefield Green, Surrey TW20 0QY www.blacklockspoloart.com

Tel: +44 (0)1784 438025 blacklocks.polo@ntlworld.com

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Polo Quarterly

20 YEARS OF POLO

TRADITION, EXCELLENCE AND GLAMOUR, ALL IN ONE MAGAZINE. The Old Stables, South Wonston Farm South Wonston, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3HL Mobile/Cel. +44 (0) 7970 697593 www.pqinternational.com info@pqinternational.com Photo by MatĂ­as Callejo - Gonzalo Pieres Jr and Guillermo Caset Jr 120 | PQ

Michael My occupation: Architect My passion: Polo My dream: A +4 handicap My name:

J ul iu s B a e r , b e c a us e th e y r e s pe c t th e pe r fo r m a nc e o f o th e r s , to o My private bank:

www.juliusbaer.com Julius Baer, the leading Swiss private banking group, was founded in 1890 and today is present in over 40 locations worldwide. From Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Guernsey, Hong Kong, London, Milan, Monaco, Montevideo, Moscow, Nassau, Shanghai, Singapore to Zurich (head office).