The harsh weather conditions made this 17th edition of the Megève BMW Polo Masters a particularly tough challenge.
After persevering a snowstorm during the qualification matches, the semi-finals were played in the rain. The sun made an appearance for the finals but due to the unnaturally clement temperatures for this time of year the playing conditions were gruelling.
Throughout this tournament the players and their mounts were nothing short of extraordinary, taking many risks to provide a spectacular show for the scores of spectators who turned out to admire the event.
After a 3day battle team Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, with Laurent Dassault, Thierry Vetois and Matthieu Delfosse, found themselves up against the Fermes de Marie in the finals. Despite their considerable efforts to conserve their title Cyrille Costes’ team came out on top with a final score of 7 to 5.
The third and fourth-place play-off was won by the Fer à Cheval team, led by their English team captain Louis Welsh, who was playing out on the snow for the first time. They played against the BMW team, with Italian Alejandro Pastorio, who bowed out with a final score of 4 to 2.
Each year the children’s demonstrations are hugely admired, this year was no exception. The grass champions wearing Puck and Bistrot de Megève colours were eagerly awaited and subsequently applauded for their prowess.
The end of the tournament was celebrated with a convivial prize giving surrounded by masses of spectators enthusiastically applauding the well-deserved players. The public were invited to continue the festivities inside a magnificent tent, beautifully decorated and animated for the occasion by our sponsors.
Now after this 2nd stage of the BMW Polo Masters Tour all the horses are back on the road again heading for Courchevel for the 3rd winter stage.
17 years down the line the Megève BMW Polo Masters still shows its inherent dynamism and appeal.
For 3solid days the atmosphere was alive and buzzing in Megève, where snow polo made its name in France. Despite the hazardous weather conditions spectators arrived in droves to support and cheer from the sidelines and the sponsors pulled out all the stops to offer the public a warm and hearty welcome.