Watergate Bay Beach Polo organisers promise treat for spectators
Organisers of the UK’s original beach polo match have announced an expanded programme of eventsLive for spectators this year.
Entertainment at the fifth edition of Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach will start at 3pm on Tuesday 6th September with a beach barbeque and champagne bar as well as the opportunity to enter a competition to win some fantastic prizes.
Also entertaining spectators on the beach before the match starts at 6.30pm will be BBC Radio Cornwall breakfast presenter James Churchfield, who will be acting as master of ceremonies.
Professional polo player Richard Blake Thomas, who has competed in Polo on the Beach for the past three years said the atmosphere at Watergate Bay is hard to beat: “It’s just great fun, and gets bigger and better every year,” he said. “This year spectators can expect to see sun, sea, sand, sweat, and sibling rivalry. Oh, and lots of Veuve Clicquot if bubbles are your thing.”
The teams – Joules and First Great Western – will play a four chukka match, with expert commentators on hand to explain the rules of the game and action on the beach as it unfolds.
Spectators will be kept on their toes, as they can view the fast-paced match from very close quarters. Organisers have secured the strongest lineup of players yet, with two current England squad players, James Harper and Jamie Le Hardy, confirmed to play.
Rounding off the evening the presentation of trophies will take place on the lower deck of The Hotel at 7.45pm. The winning team will raise the Watergate Bay Trophy presented by Cloudy Bay, with the star player picking up the HSBC Most Valuable Player trophy. The Smith & Williamson Best Playing Pony trophy will be presented to the player who rode that pony.
The bubbly will flow from the Veuve Clicquot champagne bar on the beach, while The Hotel’s executive chef Neil Haydock will be running the beach barbeque serving Mediterranean vegetables in a Greek pitta, lamb koftas, and a classic paella.
Photographers will be on hand to capture those present. After the match spectators can find their image at facebook.com/poloonthebeach and ‘tag’ themselves to be in with a chance of winning one of four prizes. These include a 2 night stay in The Hotel, a limited edition player shirt, a magnum of Cloudy Bay wine, and a half day surf lesson for two from the Extreme Academy.
For more information visit www.watergatebay.co.uk/polo.