Polo Fun at the Seaside
Socialites and celebrities in their summer finery added colorful support to the 3rd Asian Beach Polo Championship 2012 in Hua Hin.
By John Leicester
Overcoming the hot summer sun and three highly competitive polo teams, Thai Polo successfully defended their Asian Beach Polo Championship title by beating China Polo 4 goals to 2 to the cheers of enthusiastic spectators on Hua Hin beach in front of the InterContinental Resort and claiming the Princess Pa Cup for the second time.
Polo is usually associated with large green fields. However, polo players are always keen to take on the challenge of playing on different surfaces. And the fine white sands of Hua Hin’s popular main beach are both wide and flat, providing plenty of room for a polo arena. Besides, everyone enjoys a fun tournament at the seaside, where the social side added an essential ingredient to this popular event.
Now in its third year, Asia’s only beach polo tournament was co-organized by Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, Advisory Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Mr. Harald Link, patron of Thai Polo & Equestrian Club. Title sponsors were InterContinental Resort Hua Hin and B. Grimm Group, with Bank of Singapore as gold sponsor and many additional sponsors.
With four teams participating this year, it was decided to hold the event over two days to provide sufficient rest for the horses in the hot summer sun. On Friday April 6 Thai Polo just beat India Polo by 5 goals to 4 ½ and China Polo beat Macau Polo 5 goals to 4. The winning teams then played each other in the final on Saturday April 7, while the two losers played off for 3rd place.
Because of the high tide forecast for the afternoon, the final was brought forward to noon and proved to be a hotly contested affair over 3 chukkas. Thai Polo were roared on to victory by a very partisan crowd predominantly dressed in blue, winning by 4 goals to 2. The father and daughter combination of Harald and Caroline Link were strengthened by young Suphachai Sukhampha, graduating from the Kids Polo team. Riding and playing polo since the age of 9, Suphachai showed his skill by scoring twice in the final.
In the contest for 3rd place India Polo proved too strong for Macau Polo, winning with a score of 6-3½.
The tournament is a charitable affair, raising funds for the Inspire project of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha to help rehabilitate female prisoners. As a fun event, it also promotes Hua Hin as a popular international sports and leisure destination.
The event started off with a colorful parade of the four teams plus every horse in Hua Hin, led by a school marching band along the beach to the delight of the socialite crowd.
Most watched non-polo event was the beach-themed fashion show on horseback by Burberry and La Perla, with many professional and celebrity guest models.
The day ended with cocktails and a sumptuous dinner along the beach under the setting sun.
Teams:
Thai Polo