TEAM VEUVE CLICQUOT CROWNED CHAMPIONS AT THE
2012 LADIES’ INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT
10 – 14 October
SINGAPORE POLO CLUB
Team Veuve Clicquot was victorious at the 2012 Ladies’ International Polo Tournament, defeating Team Jaeger-LeCoultre by the score of 7 ½ – 3 in the 4-chukka final. Both teams advanced to the final after four exciting days of round-robin play in this international competition which was sanctioned by the Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) organisation as a qualifier for the WCT Finals.
Hazel Jackson (United Kingdom 1-goal handicap) performed extremely well in the final, scoring a total of four goals for Team Veuve Clicquot. Sarah Wiseman (United Kingdom; 1-goal handicap), team captain, Melissa Ko (-1-goal handicap) and Abigail Slater (-1 goal handicap) completed the winning quartet and all played a strong supporting role for Team Veuve Clicquot.
The tournament final was played at an intense pace on the wet, heavy grounds at the Singapore Polo Club. In the 3rd and 4th place match, Team McLaren beat Team COMO Hotels & Resorts 7 – 6 ½ for 3rd place in this international tournament.
Lynly Fong, the team captain from Team Jaegar-LeCoultre, was awarded the Most Valuable Player and the Best Playing Pony was awarded to Rappati, who is owned by Club Member, Yeo Kuo Lee.
This year, each team was represented by two female foreign professionals; combined with two local female amateur players. Singapore Polo Club General Manager, Alan Jones stated, “The Singapore Polo Club is very fortunate and appreciative of the continued support of McLaren and our new team sponsors with Jaeger-LeCoultre and COMO Hotels & Resorts in Singapore. The 2012 Ladies’ International Polo Tournament will continue to grow in stature and is recognised as a premier women’s polo tournament in this regionâ€. In addition, our affiliation with the Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) organisation makes this tournament the only Asian event on the international calendar for this governing body. The high level of play can certainly be attributed to the participation of the visiting professionals, including Sunny Hale (USA), 3-goals, Sherri-Lyn Hensman (Zimbabwe) and Lia Salvo (Argentina). Their talent and professionalism on the field certainly inspired our local amateur players to raise their game! And the final was reflective of this high standard of play; with the winning goal scored at the sound of the final bell!â€
The tournament final was attended by some 400 guests, including foreign dignitaries, sponsors, socialites, members and invited guests who gathered for the excitement and glamour of international women’s polo. The final commenced with performing the traditional throw-in ceremony by the Regional Director of McLaren Automotive Asia, Mr Ian Gorsuch accompanied by the Club President, Mr. Iqbal Jumabhoy.
The spectators were entertained by the grand entrance of a McLaren MP4 Р12C, which lead the two teams to the centre of the field to start the tournament final. Jaeger-LeCoultre and Gnossem also presented beautiful watches and fashion showcase, featuring their latest collection. All guests were treated to a generous supply of Veuve Clicquot champagne and canap̩s in the afternoon.
All participating teams received specially designed jerseys and great prizes prepared by the Club. A set of 3 Duepunti ’unconventional diamond rings’ made of top grade silicon and can be worn well during sports, yoga as well as a stylish accessory in its own right was awarded to Mrs Gayathri Santhi-McBain for winning the Best Dressed. Guest of Honour, Ms Gemma Rose Foo, she was a member and one of the youngest rider of the 1st ever para-equestrian team from Asia to compete at London 2012 Paralympic Games presented prizes to the winning team. The celebrations continued well into the night with a Tiffin Dinner After-party at field-side.