“Royal Salute Gold Cup 2012 China Open Polo Tournament” started at the Tang Polo Club located near the Wenyu River in Tongzhou district of Beijing on 1st September 2012. This is the second China Open Polo Tournament and builds on the great success of last year’s inaugural national championship.
The tournament sanctioned by the Chinese Equestrian Association and General Administration of Sport of China, co-hosted by Beijing Sports Competitions Administration Center, Beijing Equestrian Association, Bureau of Sports of Tongzhou District and Tang Polo Club. The tournament will last 23 days 1st to 23rd September), players around the world will compete in level 0-4, 4-8 and high goal matches.
M.T., Tang Polo Club and T.D. team from China along with a Singapore team competed in the level 0-4 matches on 1st to 2nd September. It was the Singapore teams first visit to China and it comprised of four passionate amateurs lead by Stijn Welkers. Their spirit and skills definitely were a test for all and with rain showing it’s ugly head overnight on the Saturday then the final had to be moved indoors to the clubs 5,600m2 areana.
It was a close fought affair up to the final chukka when the Singapore Team pulled ahead of Tang Polo Club and won by 6 – 4. Stijn Welkers was awarded the best player and Rita won the title of “Best Horse” for her aggressive running and agile turning.
The China Open is rapid becoming recognized as one of the world’s leading tournaments and the committee hopes more amateur polo players will come to China to take part. Additional the Tang Polo Club is actively promoting youth polo, with a recent visit by a “Young Guns” team from the UK, which was sanctioned by the HPA as a testament to its continued vision of international interchange activity.
Also as part of this tournament 14 year old Peng (Norman) Zhicun from the Tang Polo Club was a substitute for the clubs team. Norman and his father have been playing polo at the club for over a year now and the tournament committee believes it is very important for the development of polo in China, to have more and more youth polo players given the opportunity to play tournament polo.