Copenhagen Polo Open
Denmark held its first ever polo tournament on 22 and 23 June 2013 – The inaugural Copenhagen Polo Open featured 4 teams from Copenhagen, London, Oslo and Stockholm. Main sponsor was Maserati with Shamballa Jewels, Rossini Caviar and Care Service as team sponsors. Other event partners / sponsors included Formuepleje Private Banking, Parmigiani watches as official timekeeping sponsor, La Martina as official clothing and equipment suppliers, e3light and Hildon water. The event had Royal Visitors, celebrities and 5,000 spectators over the two days including 300 per day in the VIP area.
Matches were played 3 aside and on a slightly smaller pitch providing a more close-to-the-action experience for spectators
The VIPs enjoyed a Veuve Cliquot champagne reception with Rossini caviar canapes followed by lunch by Copenhagen’s leading restaurants Mash and Umami which was then followed by a dessert by michelin starred chef Jakob de Neergaard and in the afternoon English afternoon tea and cupcakes by Agnes Cupcakes. His Royal Highness Prince Joachim and Princess Marie joined a selection of Scandinavian and International celebrities in the VIP marquee including Spain’s Princess Tamara Czartoryski, tennis ace Frederik Fetterlein, handball star Hans Lindberg, pop star Saseline, TV star Thomas Skov and celebrity hairdresser to the stars Dennis Knudsen as well as Europe’s premier concierge host Ivan Nygaard Rosenschein to name a few
The first day saw the event opened by the Mayor of Copenhagen – Anna Mee Allerslev who gave her wholehearted support for the event, which is seen as a great event for not just Copenhagen but for Denmark. This was followed by the matches. The first match between Care Service Team Oslo and Maserati team Copenhagen gave the Danes a great first ever polo match on Danish soil. Maserati team Copenhagen were that bit higher handicapped and more experienced and by half time the lead was 2 goals, a lead which they extended to 3 goals by the end of the match securing them a place in Sundays finals.
The second match on the Saturday saw Rossini Caviar Team Stockholm meet Shamballa Jewels Team London in a much faster paced match which at times looked far higher handicapped than 10 goals. Powerful and impressive plays by Rossini Caviar’s Santiago Shanahan kept the audience very engaged with fast open plays. By half time Shamballa Jewels team London were trailing by a goal and the match looked like it was going to go in favour of Rossini Caviar. However, Shamballa Jewels team London came out with a different plan of action for the second half with beautiful open plays and consistent, accurate passing between all 3 players to win by a goal in what was definitely a thrilling match. This match was followed by a celebrity polo match featuring 2 Danish TV stars – Thomas Skov and Knaldperlen.
Finals day saw the subsidiary final played first where Care Service Team Oslo met Rossini Caviar Team Stockholm in a lovely open match that once again thrilled and engaged the crowds with Rossini Caviar Team Stockholm winning by 3 goals. Final score Rossini Caviar 8 / Care Service 5.
The main final was the big event of the weekend and saw maximum crowds. Teams were led out onto the pitch by 2 Maseratis in a presentation worthy of any great international polo event. Both Maserati and Shamballa looked strong in the opening chukka retaining neck and neck scores up to half time. The teams looked very even and it looked hard to judge which way it could go. Into the second half, great open plays by captains either side, Ryan Pemble and Ross Ainslie and continued equal goal scoring with one goal being answered by another retained an even score into the final chukka. The final chukka saw the paced stepped up and great teamwork by both Pemble and Lodder, ably assisted by Leah Hamdan. A foul by Shamballa Jewels in front of their goal saw Ryan Pemble convert a penalty in the last 15 seconds of the match to win by a goal. Final score : Maserati 9 / Shamballa Jewels 8.
1. Maserati Team Copenhagen (+10)
Leah Hamdan (0)
Matt Lodder (+4)
Ryan Pemble (+6)
2. Shamballa Jewels Team London (+9)
Michael Husted (+1)
Greg Greening (+1)
Ross Ainslie (+7)
3. Rossini Caviar Team Stockholm (+7)
Per Jacobsson (+1)
Niclas Johanssen (+1)
Santiago Shanahan (+5)
4. Care Service Team Oslo (+7)
Nicholas May (+2)
Thea Museaus (0)
Casimir Gross (+5)
Best Playing Pony – Cumbia played by Leah Hamdan
Most Valuable Player – Santiago Shanahan
Commentator – Sebastian Baker
Main sponsors – Maserati, Rossini Caviar, Veuve Clicquot, Care Service Systems, Shamballa Jewels