From Mexico to India with British Polo Day
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
During the last weekend in November, British Polo Day presented by Land Rover took the ‘Best of all things quintessentially British’ to the Balvanera Polo & Country Club where their hosts, the De Alba family, kindly welcomed over 800 guests to the third British Polo Day in Mexico. Off the pitch guests and players alike were treated to a taste of Mexico by top chef and restaurateur Matteo Salas, with fine wines from Royal Warrant holders Justerini & Brooks and a post-match quirky take on a staple British favourite ‘Afternoon Tea and Tequila.’ On the pitch however The Cordillera British Exiles team – Brook Bishop (2) George Meyrick (6) Max Charlton (7) and John Kent (2) were beaten by the home side The C&H Mexico Polo Team -Valerio Aguilar (5) Pancho Aguilar (3) Juan Jose de Alba (3) and Carlos Herandez (3) – who received the Hackett Cup with a 12-8 result on the scoreboard. In the later match it was once again to be the home team’s day with team Palacio de Hierro Balvanera lifting up The Land Rover Trophy following an 8-2 victory over The Hackett British Schools Team.
Now, this weekend from 12th – 14th December things move to Jodhpur, India where the British Polo Day presented by Land Rover and in association with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces are holding their flagship event in the British Polo Day Global Series. Guests of His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur are certainly in for a three day treat with heritage polo by day, stunning palace parties at night and a fashion show featuring Olivia Inge and former Miss India, Parvathy Omanakuttan. Pitch side, Hackett London will showcase their Autumn winter collection and be searching for the most stylish male attending the event who will be awarded the Hackett London’s Best Dressed Male award, with McQ’s presenting the award to the ‘Best Dressed Female.’ A live evening auction will also be taking place to raise money for The Indian Head Injury Foundation and Head Injury Through Sport.
On the pitches some of the teams and players taking part include:
Oxbridge: Angad Singh (1) Sam Browne (1) Lanto Sheridan (4) and Jacqueline Hooper (0) who will play Jodhpur I
Eton: Tristan Phillimore (1) Will Ramsay (1) Sam Browne (1) and Lanto Sheridan (4) v Mayo
Sahara Warriors: Bhanwar Janmejai Singh (-2) Vikram Rathore (0) Ollie Browne (2) and Viscount Melville (3) against Jodhpur II
British Army: Cameron Bacon (0) Nick Cowley (1) Phillip Kaye (1) and Jamie Drummond-Moray (1) who will face President’s Bodyguard.
Talking about the upcoming event, Ed Olver, CEO and Co-Founder of British Polo Day said: “British Polo Day India is the bastion of our Global Series. Jodhpur has a long and established history of polo and, as one of India’s most historic cities it is a truly fitting home for an event celebrating the heritage of the game and the bridge between our two countries. We are delighted to be working with some of the biggest names in British fashion this year, for what is set to be a truly outstanding closing reception in the historic Umaid Bhawan Palace.”