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UAE society celebrates the return of British Polo Day(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) On Saturday 22nd March 2014, the British Polo Day 2014 series, presented by Land Rover, began in style at Abu Dhabis Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private royal club of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This UAE tour, that has seen some of Britains best young players and polo enthusiasts flying out courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, culminates in the spectacular British Polo Day Dubai this Friday, 28th March 2014 at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. Dominic Jermey, Her Majestys Ambassador to the UAE said The British Polo Day series of events have grown over the years to become one of the leading polo events of today. The event is celebrated in more than 10 different countries and as UK Ambassador to the UAE I am proud that the UAE is one of them and the only such country in the Middle East. British Polo Day Abu Dhabi Saturday 22nd March 2014 - Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club British Polo Day Abu Dhabi once again proved to be a very glamorous affair, with His Highness Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan al Nahyan and His Excellency, British Ambassador Dominic Jermey joining the whos who of Abu Dhabi society in an evening of fast-paced polo, fine dining and philanthropy, with world-class polo players entertaining a crowd of noted VIPs, including the Marchioness of Milford Haven, world renowned artist Sacha Jafri and Help for Heroes Founder Bryn Parry. British Polo Day Abu Dhabi began with the Hackett Camel Polo Cup, featuring members of the elite Cavalry & Guards regiments of the British Army. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Cavalry team clinched a close victory over the Guards with a 3 1 win, with the final two goals scored by British Polo Day Co-Founder Tom Hudson. Major General Carey Wilkes, the great-nephew of Land Rover Founder, presented this prestigious cup. . After, the British Exiles played Ghantoot Polo, partnered with Oxford Group Holdings. This was a thrilling, high-scoring match in which the home team, Ghantoot, won 8 6. His Highness Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan al Nahyan, himself a famed show jumper, presented the Land Rover Thesiger Trophy to the winning Ghantoot Polo team, which is a majestic sculpture designed by George Bingham of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, based on pictures that Sir Wilfred Thesiger had taken more than fifty years ago. Juan Zavaleta from Ghantoot Polo was also awarded the Holland & Holland Shot of the Day a new prize for 2014 and Daniel Riedo, the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Official Timekeeper of British Polo Day, presented the Best Playing Pony Prize. No watch can claim to be as closely linked to the world of polo as the Reverso by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It was created in 1931 at the request of British army officers in India who were tired of seeing their watches damaged by their polo matches thereby sparking the invention of the famous swiveling case that protected the glass and dial by exposing only the metal back to potential knocks. In keeping with British Polo Days ongoing commitment to philanthropy, this years event was in support of Abu Dhabi charity WAHA (Women and Health Alliance) and British charity Help for Heroes. The evenings auction included lots such as a stay in the Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman, a stunning Isis Wing gown from the Egypt collection by Zaeem Jamal, two Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flights, a week in one of 3RD HOMEs luxury residences and a four-night stay at Royal Mansour Marrakech which raised over AED 100,000 in total for both the charities. Various VIPs from across the region came to the event in chauffeur-driven Land Rovers, provided by Premier Motors, from the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Guests were treated to a Taittinger welcome followed by a delicious Argentinian style dinner prepared by Gaucho, paired with a wonderful selection of wines from Justerini & Brooks, rounded off with Nespresso coffee. British Polo Day Dubai Friday 28 March 2014 - Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club The British Polo Day Dubai this coming Friday will see over 450 VIP guests descend on the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on the first day of the regions biggest equine weekend, the day before the Dubai World Cup Races. This is the season finale in a packed polo calendar that features the thrilling Dubai Gold Cup series. As well as the traditional Camel Polo, the event will feature the first Middle East bicycle polo match, sponsored by Brompton Bikes. The British Polo Day Dubai will then feature players from Oxford and Cambridge competing for the Gaucho Cup. Habtoor Polo, the generous patrons that have supported so much of the polo growth in the Middle East, and who have strong ties with Great Britain (supporting the Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club) will then play the British Exiles team and hope to win the trophy for a 6th successive time. Guests are invited to attend the British Polo Day Dubai and bring picnics. Pitch side car parking is available for AED 150 per car payable to the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on arrival. There is also a crche for younger guests, provided by Crecheout in partnership with the Early Learning Centre. For more information, please go to: http://www.britishpoloday.com For media enquiries, image and interview requests please contact: Jessica Hudson Marketing Director and UAE media contact [email protected]; +971 50 105 5053 Rosie Kempson/Violet Manners UK media contact [email protected]; [email protected] +447850 650 259 For information on British Polo Day please visit www.britishpoloday.com See http://www.britishpoloday.com/films for film footage of British Polo Day Abu Dhabi and Dubai 2013 and, for 2014 images, please visit http://www.britishpoloday.com/mediaroom NOTES TO EDITORS: About British Polo Day British Polo Day is a celebration of British luxury and heritage in just five years the British Polo Day calendar has grown to encapsulate a network of 10 events annually, including those in Abu Dhabi, Australia, China, Dubai, India, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, USA and of course, Great Britain. The story of British Polo Day stems from a love of the ancient sport of polo and a recognition that the international language of the horse can bridge cultures, bringing together a like-minded community on a global scale. Through polo, the British Polo Day Founders seek to celebrate British luxury heritage. Great Britain, and indeed many of our host countries, has a long history of polo. The aim of a British Polo Day is to continue the tradition of playing high-quality amateur polo against friends across the world, while also acting as a platform upon which to build a network of diplomatic and commercial opportunities. The first British Polo Day in the UK took place in July 2011. The event was held at Watership Down estate, the home and private polo ground of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber, with players and an audience that included HRH Prince Henry of Wales and HRH Prince Rashid of Jordan. www.britishpoloday.com About Land Rover Premier Motors Premier Motors is the dealer for Land Rover and Jaguar in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The companys automotive portfolio also includes DAF Trucks. Premier Motors showrooms are located at Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi and Senayya in Al Ain while the service and parts centres are in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi and Senayya in Al Ain. About Hackett Hackett is a symbol of all that is best in British style today, with a reputation that still exceeds its rapidly growing retail and wholesale footprint. Hackett is now an established global brand offering Essential British Kit to customers across the world. Key additions to the collection include Hackett Mayfair and Aston Martin Racing ranges. The Hackett Mayfair collection embodies the lifestyle of the racy late 1950s and 1960s set and is inspired by the iconic photography of Bailey, Donovan and Duffy and the streamlined tailoring of Savile Row. What began just a few seasons ago as a single suit has now evolved into a full range of formalwear and gentlemens club-style accessories; all presented under its own exclusive Hackett Mayfair logo of bowler hat and crossed umbrellas. Hackett London has 33 standalone stores and 41 concessions worldwide including Dubai Mall. The brand is also present in numerous independent menswear retailers. About Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson 29 years ago after he decided the UK aviation industry needed shaking up and having some style injected back into it. On 22nd June 1984, Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Newark took place, on an aircraft filled with personal friends, celebrities and the media. Today, Virgin Atlantic flies to 36 destinations worldwide, including locations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Far East and Australia. Some of its most recent additions to its flying network include Cancun, Vancouver and Mumbai. About Jaeger-LeCoultre and the polo world No watch can claim to be as closely linked to the world of polo as the Reverso by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It was created in 1931 at the request of British colonial army officers in India who were tired of seeing their watches damaged by their polo matches thereby sparking the invention of the famous swiveling case that protected the glass and dial by exposing only the metal back to potential knocks. Ever since, the ties between the legendary reversible case and polo have remained deeply embedded in the identity the Reverso watch, which has constantly evolved and adapted to changing times. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre is more inseparably bound up than ever with polo through its regular involvement in sporting partnerships around the world thanks to its internationally recognised ambassadors such as Argentinean polo player Eduardo Novillo Astrada. About InterContinental The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the worlds largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,500 hotels and more than 650,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and also manages the worlds largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards with 52 million members worldwide. IHG has over 1,200 hotels in its development pipeline, which we expect to create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years. Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC is the Groups holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. About Gaucho An award winning restaurant group, Argentine provenance runs through the heart of the Gaucho network. Synonymous with Argentine culinary and cultural passion, Gaucho is dedicated to reflecting the true essence of Argentinian life, from its food and wine, to its culture, and most importantly, the passion of its people. With 14 restaurants operating throughout the UK, Gaucho arrived in Beirut, Lebanon in November 2010 and opened its doors at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) on Dubai 1st October 2011. About Taittinger Taittinger is one of the last Great Champagne Houses to remain independent. It is owned and actively managed by the family, whose name features on the label. The family are guardians of Taittingers style, quality and integrity. The hallmark of their fine Champagnes is the high proportion of Chardonnay used in their winemaking, which is key. In the Champagne region, Chardonnay produces wines of great elegance and finesse. Additionally, with its own vineyard of 288 hectares, (one of the largest in Champagne), Taittinger can guarantee a flawless signature, and wines recognized worldwide for their consistent quality. About Charles Russell Charles Russell is a top 50 full service City legal practice with offices in London, Guildford, Cheltenham, Cambridge, Oxford, Geneva and Bahrain. It provides a wide range of legal services for corporate and private clients. It is a member of The Association of European Lawyers www.europeanlawyers.org, and ALFA International www.alfanet.org. About Ettinger Founded by film producer Gerry Ettinger in 1934 as a luxury leather goods and gift company, Ettinger of London has become an enduring icon of British craftsmanship and timeless elegance. The company is still family owned and run by his elder son, Robert Ettinger, and is one of the few remaining British luxury leather goods companies still manufacturing in the UK. It prides itself on designing and hand crafting only the finest leather goods and accessories and in 1996, was granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales. This special honour allows Ettinger to carry the Prince of Wales cipher of three feathers on all its products and gift boxes. Ettinger products can be found in luxury retailers around the world and on-line in the Ettinger shop. About Gulf Ventures Awarded the UAES Leading Destination Management Company (DMC) in 2009 and 2010 and Leading Tour Operator in 2010, Gulf Ventures is proud of its industry acclaim. With over 20 years of experience in putting together creative and exceptional itineraries for business or pleasure, we can proudly say that we possess an unrivalled knowledge of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Gulf Ventures is part of the Emirates Group and accredited by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Dubai Convention Bureau. With offices spread across the Middle East, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany and Russia and a multi-lingual, multi-cultural team, we strive to surpass our clients expectations with a range of services to individual, group or cruise travellers as well as multi-nationals and government departments. British Polo Day Series UAE 2014 http://www.britishpoloday.com . (c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |