Star players announced for Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach

Chris Hyde, an England international with a nine goal handicap, will make his debut appearance at the new-format event at Watergate Bay, Cornwall.

Playing for team First Great Western, Chris Hyde will square up against fellow England player Jamie Le Hardy, who returns to play for the Joules team in Sunday’s flagship Watergate Bay Trophy match at 5.30pm.

Andy Burgess, owner of South West Polo and captain of Team First Great Western helps put the polo teams together for the weekend.

Andy said: “We heard last week that Chris Hyde could make it – it’s fantastic news for us as he’s the highest handicapped player in Europe for arena polo. This really ups the handicap level for this year’s trophy match on Sunday. We’ll now be playing in a 15 goal team which is basically high goal arena polo.

“To have Chris playing will be an absolute bonus for anybody watching because he’s a  great player. Chris really grasps the whole concept of arena polo and has really made it his own over the last few years. It should be an amazing game to be involved in.”

Currently in top form, Chris Hyde has an impressive playing record including captaining the winning England team against America in February 2013, winning the St Moritz Snow Polo in January this year with Team Cartier, and being named as the World Polo Tour’s Most Valuable Player.

Chris Hyde (handicap 9) will join Andrew Burgess (2) and Richard Blake Thomas (5) in Team First Great Western. They will be competing against Team Joules in the Watergate Bay Trophy match at 5.30pm on Sunday.

Team Joules will be made up of Tim Vaux (4), Andrew Blake Thomas (5) and Jamie Le Hardy (7).

This is the first time Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach will be held over a weekend and Watergate Bay Hotel has announced a spectacular timetable of entertainment including more polo matches, a kite surfer vs polo pony challenge, Cossack riding display shows and live music.

Now in its seventh year, the event is still free for the public to attend. A Veuve Clicquot Champagne Deck and Beach Hut barbecue and bar will be open throughout the weekend from 12pm to 8pm.

Executive chef Neil Haydock’s barbecue menu will feature a classic burger alongside beef rendang and sweet potato curry. On Sunday a special House Party will be held on the terraces of Watergate Bay Hotel.

Ticket holders will enjoy an afternoon tea of Danish open sandwiches, scones and Champagne cocktails. After soaking up the polo atmosphere on the VIP viewing deck, guests will then head to the hotel’s Living Space at 7pm for a Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception, food and live music.

Tickets for the house party are priced at £110 per person. For more details and to buy House Party tickets go to www.watergatebay.co.uk/polo/house-party.

Watergate Bay Hotel is offering a special package for the event. “A Taste of Polo” includes three nights accommodation from Sunday 19 May, tickets to the polo House Party and VIP Champagne reception, and dinner at both Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall and The Beach Hut. Prices start from £350 per person in a Standard House room. Call 01637 860543 to book.