Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic

Prince Harry and Nacho on Governors Island


By Alex Webbe


 


To say that Veuve Clicquot has embraced the sport of polo is an understatement, as the 237-year-old champagne house has committed a generous share of its resources to presenting the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on historic Governors Island on Saturday, May 30th in conjunction with the opening day of Governors Island season.


Located just 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan and just a five minute ferry ride away, Governors Island will see the return of polo to the island for just the second time in almost 70 years.


Slated to take the field for the polo match are polo professional and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras on his Black Watch team, which will be facing England’s visiting Prince Harry and 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre.


Celebrating the 400th anniversary of New York, the event has wrapped itself around the charity Sentebale, which was founded in 2004 by England’s Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of the Lesotho Royal family.  Sentebale’s mission is to provide support to children in Lesotho, Africa who have been exposed to domestic violence or are disabled.


This will mark Veuve Clicquot’s second sponsorship of this “return of polo to Governors Island” as they stepped up to the plate last year. 


The teams have finally been established, with two sixteen-goal teams taking to the field for this year’s event.


The Black Watch team will consist of Chris Brant (1), Nacho Figueras (6), Nick Manifold (5) and Martin Pepa (4).  HRH Prince Henry of Wales (1) will play at the front end of the Sentebale lineup.  Emma Tomlinson (2), Mariano Aguerre (10) and Juan Redlich (3) will fill out the visiting team.


The Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo classic will start at 12:00 noon with a champagne toast welcoming the princes and the players and all VIP guests.  There will be a VIP luncheon and the exhibition polo match will follow.


The exhibition polo match will feature areas that are both open to the public as well as areas that will require tickets, with a portion of the proceeds made during the event benefiting Sentebale, the non-profit organization that helps at-risk children in Africa.


Later in the evening, an after party will be held at Pink Elephant Nightclub in New York City, where a portion of sales from Veuve Clicquot will again benefit Sentebale.


Tickets are available and further information offered through the Benefit Office at 212-763-8596.


 


Black Watch                                                   Sentebale


1. Chris Brant                           1                     1. HRH Prince Henry of Wales            1


2. Nacho Figueras                    6                     2. Emma Tomlinson                              2


3. Nick Manifold                      5                     3. Mariano Aguerre                            10


4. Martin Pepa                         4                     4. Juan Redlich                                      3


16                                                                                                                                                            16