From the pristine pitches of Jnan Amar Polo Club Marrakech to the rugged Atlas Mountains, British Polo Day crosses Morocco in support of the Eve Branson Foundation
On Saturday 25th April, British Polo Day will once again set foot on Moroccan plains for the return of British Polo Day Morocco, presented by Land Rover. Taking place at the exclusive Jnan Amar Polo Club for the benefit of the Eve Branson Foundation – under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco – the weekend offers unique access to some of Marrakech’s most historic residences, alongside some vertiginous adventures in the Atlas Mountains!
With last year’s event seeing guests including Sir Richard Branson, philanthropist Eve Branson, Philip Treacy, the British and American Ambassadors to Morocco and a handful of Virgin Galactic astronauts gather to raise just shy of US$180,000 for the Foundation, this year’s event is set to raise this record bar ever-higher.
Travelling with Abercrombie & Kent, the British Polo Day itinerary will take in some of the most spectacular corners of the medieval city of Marrakech – the official launch party at Royal Mansour, a sunset rooftop party in the midst of the medina at El Fenn, a Gala Dinner at Dar Soukkar and a uniqueLand Rover Driving Experience through the Atlas Mountains. As part of this expedition, guests will get behind the wheel of Land Rover’s newest Range Rover Sport for a thrilling drive through the mountains to some of Eve Branson’ remote project villages.
On the day itself – Saturday 25th April – VIPs and guests will arrive in style at the exquisite Jnan Amar Polo Club, in a fleet of Range Rovers. Set in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the Jnan Amar Polo Resort Marrakech is the first of its kind in North Africa. The soon-to-be-launched Ritz-Carlton Private Residences offer a unique opportunity to live in the midst of this prestigious estate, while the Club’s superb new Ritz Carlton Hotel will open in 2017.
A highly-entertaining game of Brompton Bicycle Polo provides the perfect quintessential British backdrop to the opening Champagne Taittinger reception. Taking their seats for lunch in the beautiful traditional Berber tents overlooking the polo field below, guests will then watch the Royal Salute Eve Branson Commonwealth team take on home side the Jnan Amar Rest of the World: sure to be a closely-fought contest!
Competition will no doubt be fierce for the British Silverware bespoke-commissioned Jnan Amar Cup as well as accolades such as Royal Salute’s Most Valuable Player, Holland & Holland’s Shot of the Day and Best Playing Pony. All of which will be part of the official British Polo Day Morocco prize-giving, that follows a rather decadent afternoon tea and a fitting Royal Salute toast to the victorious teams.
Following last year’s philanthropic success, the Charity Auction is set to be the highlight of the evening’s Gala Dinner, raising money for the Eve Branson Foundation, which supports education, employment and healthcare initiatives in remote Berber villages, as well as Jnan Amar’s children’s charity Ninos. Lots will include: seven days on the edge of wildness at exclusive retreat Nihiwatu, Sumba, four nights at the Royal Mansour and, of course, a Brompton bicycle. The following day, Sir Richard Branson will invite the top three bidders in the charity auction to a private lunch at Kasbah Tamadot and a memorable game of doubles tennis!
Commenting on the British Polo Day Morocco, Co-Founder Tom Hudson says: “British Polo Day Morocco at the Jnan Amar Polo Club is one of the highlights of the British Polo Day Global Series. I can think of no better cause than the Eve Branson Foundation for us all to gather for this weekend in magical Marrakech.”
Eve Branson, Founder of the Eve Branson Foundation adds: “Time is approaching fast for my third polo fundraising event in Morocco with the Jnan Amar Polo Resort and the second partnered with British Polo Day. It is an important weekend for the Eve Branson Foundation, as we hope to raise sufficient funds to keep my work in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains solvent for yet another year. This year’s polo event, taking place over 23rd to 25th April 2015, will again be great fun for all our guests and will offer a variety of wonderful Moroccan events, culminating in our spectacular Gala evening and auction, for the benefit of my Foundation. We are looking forward to enjoying an incredible and worthy Moroccan weekend!”
Amar Abdelhadi, Founder of Jnan Amar Polo Club adds: “I am delighted to host again the annual charity polo event for the benefit of the Eve Branson Foundation for the third consecutive year. I was inspired by Eve’s work which is bringing hope and a better future to the women and children of the villages of the Atlas Mountains. I hope all our guests have an enjoyable weekend and fully support the Foundation’s very worth y cause.”
British Polo Day Morocco takes place on Saturday 25th April 2015 at the Jnan Amar Polo Club, Marrakech.
The event is partnered with Land Rover, Hackett London, Royal Salute, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys , Holland & Holland, Champagne Taittinger, Harrods, Billionaire.com, Abercrombie & Kent, Global Partnership Family Offices, British Silverware, Great British Racing International, Nihiwatu, D.R Harris & Co, The Grosvenor Stationery Company, The Cavalry & Guards Club, Paul A Young Fine Chocolates, Bonas MacFarlane Education, Brompton, Taylor Morris Eyewear, Jax Coco, Cassabo, Walpole, Pendragon Productions, 3RD HOME, Jnan Amar Polo Resort Marrakech, the Eve Branson Foundation, Ninos, Royal Mansour, El Fenn, Kasbah Tamadot, The Capaldi, Es Saadi Garden & Resort Marrakech, Ray Just Energy, TGCC and NEO.