The Inner Circle Summer Polo Cup at Ham
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Sunshine sparkled off the champagne glasses at Ham Polo Club in Richmond last Saturday 8th August for the first (invite only) Inner Circle Summer Polo Cup in conjunction with London Alumni Polo – an event whose aim was to bring together ‘the world’s most inspiring singles, both online and offline for The Inner Circle Summer Polo Cup – a day filled with polo, champagne and summer celebration’. The sunglasses were out and an array of styles and fashions were on display amongst the four hundred ladies and gentlemen who spectated on the day – many of whom stepped out in style of the numerous black London cabs that pulled up pitch side.
Founded in 2012, The London Alumni Polo Club is aimed ‘to help polo players continue after graduation and thereby bridge the gap between University and Patron players. The club now boasts well over 300 international members aged 23-33 who live and work in London, organising weekly training sessions, regular polo tournaments and trips to destinations such as Uganda, Mongolia, Spain and Argentina. The Club operates on an invite only basis.’
Supported by Champagne Barons De Rothschild, the gates opened at 1pm, with players taking to the pitch in front of a packed clubhouse at 2pm. Four teams took place in a ‘round robin’ style match – Galet (a French luxury brand that specialises in playful yet classic men’s loafers) Hector Worsley (0) Thijs Povel (0) Francois De Nicolay (0) and TBC, Interoffice Global (supplier of exclusive Italian designed office furniture) Chris Caesar (-1) Omar Caesar (0) Charlie Wood (3) and Simon Lo Gatto (0), Haushang Skis (producers of the highest quality wooden skis) Michael Poppel (-1) Lettie Noel (-1) Rosie Ross (2) and Nadine Bazan (0) and CRC (Christofferson Robb & Company) & Mahiki – Aidan Christofferson (-2) Nik Roessner (-1) Sam Browne (1) and George Buchanan (3).
Lifting the Inner Circle Cup for the first time post-match were the winners – Galet Alumni team, captained by Thijs Povel, with team mate Hector Worsley receiving MVP.
Following the presentation, players and spectators were invited to celebrate with Per Pederson from Denmark on the decks and Chris Sharp on the saxophone. With an official after party held at Mahiki, it looked certain that the event fulfilled David Vermeulen’s (CEO, The Inner Circle) vision to create ‘an unforgettable day’ for many.
For more information visit: www.alumnipolo.co.uk and www.theinnercircle.co