Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates return British Polo Day
Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the return of British Polo Day Abu Dhabi as Official Timekeeper
Over 200 VIPs and guests including HH Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Falah Al Nahyan, HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur and his father Maharaj Narendra Singh, His Grace the Duke of Argyll, HM Ambassador to the UAE Philip Parham CMG and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Middle East Brand Director Marc de Panafieu attended this evening event. Held at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private Royal Club of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, British Polo Day Abu Dhabi raised £35,000 for Women and Health Alliance (WAHA) and Help for Heroes.
Keeping the British polo ‘buzz’ alive across the region, British Polo Day Abu Dhabi followed HRH Prince Harry’s recent visit, where he too swung his polo mallet for the crowds at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club. Some of Britain’s best young players including George Meyrick and Jamie Morrison flew in, to take to the prestigious pitch of Ghantoot – one of only three floodlit pitches in the world. What followed was an evening of polo, fervent fundraising and fine dining.
With the crowds gathered for the official British Polo Day Abu Dhabi prize-giving, HH Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri and Philip Parham CMG, HM Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates took to the stage to present the evening’s prizes. The Camel Polo Trophy was jointly-presented to the Cavalry and Guards regiments for their rather diplomatic draw, while triumphant home team, Ghantoot took home the British Polo Day Plate.
‘Best Playing Pony’ – sponsored and presented by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Official Timekeeper for British Polo Day – went to Despreciada, ridden by Clemente Zavaleta of Ghantoot Polo Team presented by Marc de Panafieu, Brand Director of Jaeger-LeCoultre Middle East.
This coming Friday (27th March) marks the second leg of British Polo Day’s UAE Tour – British Polo Day Dubai. Hosted by the Habtoor Family at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, this is the birthplace of British Polo Day and the setting for its very first event in 2009.