THE 6TH ANNUAL ASAHI BRITISH BEACH POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS
Taking place over the weekend (12/13th July) at Sandbanks Beach, Britain’s ‘Monaco’ of the South Coast, the 2013 Championships saw England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales polo teams come together again to compete for the title over 2 days of ‘gladiatorial’ sport and exquisite entertainment. The Oakley International Beach Volleyball series between England and Scotland saw Olympic athletes perform in front of the largest audience since last year’s games.
The ideal spectator sport, beach polo offers a unique and accessible introduction to polo for the uninitiated and ‘high goal’ arena polo excitement for polo enthusiasts. This year’s teams included Britain’s best polo players such as England’s Jamie Morrison and Jack Kidd.
In addition to the hotly anticipated polo and volleyball, The Asahi British Beach Polo Championship also featured the Charity Audi Q7 V Polo Pony Race, ‘Have a Go’ polo sessions, beach fashion shows and the Beach Retail Village.
This year the event proudly supported Variety, the children’s charity. Celebrity guests included Nicola Roberts (Girls Aloud), Gemma Merna (Hollyoaks), Ray Quinn (X Factor and Dancing on Ice), Stephen Bowman (Blake), Emma Crosby (Newsreader) and Debra Stephenson (Impressionist/Comedienne). Celebrity guests were hosted by Caroline Monk who coincidentally won the ‘Best Dressed’ award selected by Gemma Merna and Stephen Bowman.
Guests enjoyed the event from the exclusive Sandpolo Hospitality lounge, the Amika VIP marquee or as general admission guests. A vast number of spectators also gathered in the free view area along the water’s edge on the purpose built sand banks. The weather could not have been better for spectators; however, at times the length of polo ‘chukka’ was reduced due to the effect of the heat on the polo ponies.
After the sport finished the beach became the most unique venue for the polo after parties. Polo and Volleyball players and supporters have something of a reputation for letting their hair down. The parties provided the seasoned and new comers to the sport with a very cool but exciting place to relax, socialise and dance until the small hours of the morning. On the Friday evening Cocoloco hosted Gorgon City + Yasmin, Kidnap Kid, Hannah Wants, Monki, and Jordan Peak.to deliver COCOLOCO ON THE BEACH @ The Asahi British Beach Polo Championships. AMIKA – London’s closing beach party on Saturday night was nothing short of spectacular with DJ Kaveh rocking the Jurassic coast with House and Hip Hop. With the title sponsor’s Asahi beer providing a refreshing balance to the flowing champagne and excellent food to fuel the dancing few left before 1am.
Arena polo is a spectacular spectator sport and played on a stunning Blue Flag beach (preferable sundrenched!) brings the very best out of the players and guests. The thoroughbred ponies and high goal players love playing on the beach in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. Jack Kidd who is a regular for England at the Championships said: “I have been lucky enough to play polo all round the world – Sandbanks is still one of my favourite weekends of the year. The polo is insanely competitive, the guests are always on great form and the beach party’s well – they are simply the best. 2013 was one to remember!”
The ideal summer event, the Asahi British Beach Polo Championships 2013 was a thrilling, action-packed and distinctly glamorous event.
Dates for 2014 confirmed as 11/12th July 2014
For further information about the event visit www.sandpolo.com