2 Visions. 1 Passion.
The glitzy and glamorous have once again graced the beach community of Sandbanks in Poole, as the British Beach Polo Championships returned to Dorset for its second year on 10 and 11 July.
More than six-thousand attended the 2009 Championships, which was sponsored by Sunseeker, and among those who turned up, chilled out and played some ‘chukkas’ were famous names from the worlds of sport, music and even fashion. Alongside international polo stars such as England captain, Chris Hyde, and Arena Gold Cup Winner, Jamie Le Hardy, were boxing legend, Joe Calzaghe, DJ Phil Faversham from leading house music label, Hed Kandi and international supermodel, Jodie Kidd.
Six teams of the most talented international and national polo players competed in this world-class sporting event. Covering a smaller area than conventional polo, beach polo was fast paced and exciting which gave spectators the advantage of watching the action at close quarters. The matches followed arena polo rules, with each team made up of three players and the match results were as follows:
Friday:
2 Pommery vs. SOS Recruitment 10
7 Lloyds vs. Hotel du Vin 1
8 Bailey Robinson vs. Poole Audi 6
7 England vs. South America 8
Saturday:
3 Hotel du Vin vs. Poole Audi 6 (Wooden Spoon)
7 Pommery vs. Bailey Robinson 9 (3rd/4th playoff)
8 SOS Recruitment vs. Lloyds 6 (Final)
11 England vs. South America 9
In addition to the Championship match schedule and the international game between England and South America, a charity ‘horse power’ race in aid of the Heaton-Ellis Trust took place on both days. Crowds witnessed an Audi Q7 go head-to-head with a polo pony in the ultimate display of horse power and the winner, on both occasions, was the pony.
The British Beach Polo Championships concluded each evening with ‘Party at the Beach Polo’. On Friday, HedKandi, record label, radio show as well as international club sensation delivered the chic evening beach party - HedKandi’s only UK beach party and on Saturday evening the Priva Polo finale party finished the event in style with sounds provided by special guest DJs Sam Young, who has played at parties for the likes of Naomi Campbell, Justin Timberlake, Donatella Versace and Elton John, and DJ Charles, who at only 18 has played amongst some of the greats including Erick Morillo and Mark Ronson.
London Eyewear’s Greg Davidson said, “Sun, sand, sea and high adrenaline sport was a great fit for both ourselves and our event partners Oakley.
Event organiser, Johnny Wheeler, said: "The two-day event was designed to entertain everyone from polo supporters through to families who just wanted to watch the action from the beach. The event also has to attract the world's finest polo players who insist on great playing conditions, good competition and a large crowd. It was a huge success all-round.
“It was also very pleasing to see the fabulous community Focus Football event making use of the event facilities and infrastructure on Sunday. Now that it has been confirmed that the event will happen in Sandbanks for the next five years, we can build on its popularity along with Poole in making it a world class polo event that is accessible to all."
You will be able to obtain additional 15% off our retail price for a limited time on any Oakley purchase by entering
sandpolo2009 in the claim code section during the checkout process.
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