THE 2009 AUDI POLO AWARDS IN REVIEW AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2010 NOMINEES
The 2009 4th Audi Polo Awards was an evening that allowed the most outstanding individuals, teams, patrons and ponies to be acknowledged and presented to the polo community at large.
Held in the impressive ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London, the Audi Polo Awards welcomed some 400 guests to the black tie evening which is now a highlight on the English polo calendar.
The awards presented and subsequent winners on the evening included; The Pommery Most Outstanding Ladies Player – Tamara Vestey, The El Remanso Most Outstanding Arena Player – Ryan Pemble, The Longdole Most Outstanding Arena Team – Tchogan, The Reschke Most Outstanding Low Handicapped Player (-2 – 2) – Max Routledge, The Polo Magazine Most Outstanding Medium Handicapped Player (3 – 7) – James Beim, The Audi Most Outstanding British Professional – James Beim, The Turtle Island Most Outstanding High Goal Team – Ellerston, The Cartier Most Outstanding High Goal Patron – Alfio Marchini, The Polistas Most Outstanding High Handicapped Player (8 -10) – Gonzalito Pieres and The Kerry Packer Best Playing Pony – Noche – Loro Piana.
As now has become tradition, The Julius Baer Victor Ludorums were presented as a feature of the evening. Winners for 2009 were, Carisbrooke (8 Goal), Foxy Ladies Catering (12 Goal), Emlor (15 Goal) and Enigma taking out the (18 Goal).
Over the years the Life Time Achievement Awards have become a centre point of the Audi Awards evening, and 2009 was no exception. The Caballus Lifetime Achievement Awards 2009 went to, HRH Prince Philip, Mr Arnaud Bamberger and The Hon. Mark Vestey, three icons of English and World Polo. David Woodd introduced each of the recipients, sharing a little of what each had contributed to English Polo.
With its inception in 2008 the evenings World Dream Team announcement has become a way for the polo players, administrators and supports to choose their ultimate polo team. With guests given the opportunity to choose their ‘Dream Team’, from players present in the room on the evening, it created much discussion and debate. However there was little disappointment when the Thai Polo Club World Dream Team was finally announced. The team of Miguel Novillo Astrada, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough, Facundo Pieres were presented their Team Shirts by Clare Milford-Haven, was rounded off a hugely enjoyable and successful evening.
To book for this year’s Audi Polo Awards, to be held on Monday 17th May, at the Hilton Park Lane, London, please call Kirsty on 01242 222055 or email bookings@polofix.com .
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite players and teams for the 2010 awards by going to www.audipoloawards.com
THE AUDI POLO AWARDS NOMINEES FOR 2010
BEST HIGH GOAL TEAM
La Bamba
Sumaya
Apes Hill
Dubai
Talandracas
BEST HIGH GOAL PATRON
Ahmed Aboughazale
Jean Francois Decaux
Rashid Albwardy
Victor Vargas
Max Gotteschalk
BEST HIGH GOAL PROFESSIONAL (8 goals or more)
Gonzalo Pieres
Facundo Pieres
Hilario Ulloa
Adolfo Cambiaso
Milo Fernandez Araujo
BEST MEDIUM HANDICAPPED PLAYER (3-7 goals)
Hilario Ulloa
Nachi Du Plessis
Joaquin Pittaluga
Nacho Gonzales
Luke Tomlinson
BEST LOW GOAL PLAYER
Ollie Cudmore
Spencer Mcarthy
Guy Swarchenbach
Jack Richardson
Chris Mckenzie
BEST BRITISH PROFESSIONAL
Luke Tomlinson
James Beim
Mark Tomlinson
Nacho Gonzalez
Malcolm Borwick
BEST LADY PLAYER
Nina Clarkin
Tamara Vestey
Rosie Ross
Lucy Taylor
Sarah Wiseman
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite players and teams for the 2010 awards by going to www.audipoloawards.com