(SANTA MONICA, CA) ‑ May 31, 2014‑ British Polo Day, presented by Land Rover, launched for the first time in the U.S. on May 31, with an event hosted by the President of the Will Rogers Polo Club, Andrew Bossom and British Polo Day's USA Representative, Lord Frederick Windsor ‑ and his wife, the actress and writer Sophie Winkleman. The day saw over 400 guests and VIPs descend on the world‑famous Will Rogers Historic State Park for the inaugural event.
Guests including The Duke of Argyll, David Walton, Elon Musk, Talulah Riley, Olivier de Givenchy, Cassian Elwes and Paul McKenna, not only enjoyed a superb day of polo but also helped to raise $54,250 (USD) for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital and Homeboy Industries.
Under the glorious West Coast sunshine, guests were welcomed with a Taittinger champagne reception and a thoroughly British game of Brompton bicycle polo ‑ always an enjoyable spectacle! Everyone then took their seats for a three‑course authored lunch, expertly paired with wines from Royal Warrant Holders, Justerini & Brooks.
Over lunch, professional auctioneer Tony Magnemi commenced the Loud Auction, raising money for the benefit of Great Ormond Street Hospital and Homeboy Industries. With auction lots including a five‑night stay at The Maldives' Sixth Senses Laamu; a week in one of 3rd Home's luxury residences, the Royal Salute 38 Years Old Stone of Destiny Scotch Whisky (snapped up by actress Talulah Riley); and a signed copy of 'Polo ‑ The Nomadic Tribe', by the illustrious photographer Aline Coquelle, the afternoon raised over US$54,250 for both charities.
From auction hammer to polo mallet, the day's polo then got off to an exhilarating start with the opening Hackett Trophy. The Hackett Eton College and Royal Salute Will Rogers Polo Club teams took to the field for a closely‑fought encounter. The match saw Eton College take an early lead and maintain a narrow advantage throughout, to clinch a close victory over the home team with a 6½ to 4 win.
Post‑match, guests and VIPs enjoyed a delicious pitch‑side afternoon tea by Homeboy Industries. The charity's previously incarcerated and gang‑involved men and women served homemade cakes and sandwiches from their phenomenally‑popular bakery.
In the day's second match, the Oxford Group Holdings Oxbridge team took on The London's Southern California Polo Team for the Land Rover Cup. This was a thrilling match and, despite some serious pressure and very fine play from both sides, Southern California were just too strong and claimed a 6‑4 victory as the whistle blew at the end of the final chukka.
As the sun set over the stunning Will Rogers Historic Park, proceedings drew to a close with the British Polo Day USA prize giving ceremony. Spectators joined Royal Salute Brand Ambassador, The Duke of Argyll in a Royal Salute Scotch Whisky toast to the victorious teams ‑ a perfect culmination to the day's event.
With the crowds gathered, Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor then presented the coveted trophies and prizes to the expectant winners. First up were the winners of the Hackett Trophy ‑Eton College ‑ whose Captain, Tristan Phillimore stepped forward to receive the trophy on behalf of his team. Up next to claim the prestigious Land Rover Cup was Captain of The London's Southern California Polo Team, Domingo Questel.
The Holland & Holland 'Shot of the Day' was awarded to Max Kirchhoff of the Oxford Group Holdings Oxbridge team for a terrific effort that very nearly resulted in a goal. Meanwhile, The London's 'Best Playing Pony' was awarded to the handsome Darius. Top British designer Zaeem Jamal then took to the stage to present the eagerly‑anticipated 'Best Dressed' prize to glamorous guest, Kitty Galsworthy.
British Polo Day's USA Representative and Host, Lord Frederick Windsor added, "Today was the perfect confluence of the glamour and entrepreneurial spirit of California, meeting the heritage and dynamism of British Polo Day's global vision. There is no doubt in my mind that this invitation‑only gathering will quickly establish itself as one of the hot tickets in town in future years. My wife Sophie and I are so excited not only to have been at the center of this year's inaugural event in Los Angeles but also to be a part of this worldwide British success story."
The Duke of Argyll, Brand Ambassador for Royal Salute added, "I am delighted to have supported the inaugural British Polo Day here in the US, and it was fantastic to salute the game by paying tribute to both players and horses. Since Royal Salute Scotch Whisky is an important supporter of the sport of polo around the world, it was an honour to bring the brand's very special form of celebration to LA."
Kim McCullough, Land Rover's North America Brand Vice President added, "We feel that Land Rover is a leader in British automotive design and technology and we are thrilled to bring our great heritage to such a celebratory event."
As title sponsors, Land Rover celebrated their British creativity, innovation and excellence with a prestigious line‑up of vehicles. The Range Rover Autobiography Long‑Wheelbase, the technologically‑advanced Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport chauffeured guests to and from British Polo Day in great British style.
The VIP after‑party continued late into the night at Los Angeles' hottest nightspot, Shore Bar.
British Polo Day USA took place on Saturday 31st May 2014 at The Will Rogers State Historic Park.
The event was partnered with Land Rover, Royal Salute, Oxford Group Holdings, Hackett London, Protection Group International, Holland & Holland, Charles Russell, Billionaire.com, Global Partnership Family Offices, Justerini & Brooks, Abercrombie & Kent, Ettinger London, 3rd Home, Taittinger, Nihiwatu, D.R Harris & Co, The Grosvenor Stationary Company, The London, Malibu Farm, One Gun Ranch, Jax Coco, Homeboy Industries, Great Ormond Street Hospital, East Imperial Superior Beverages, Redburn Events, Hooray Henry's, Shore Bar, Charbonnel et Walker, The Cavalry & Guards Club, Pendragon Productions, Walpole and Brompton Bikes.
# # #
About Land Rover
Land Rover, the British maker of Land Rover and Range Rover sport utility vehicles, is renowned for providing its clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world. Every Land Rover vehicle is equally at home both on and off road, and in any setting; be it in the heart of the city, or traversing the countryside. Today's Land Rover lineup includes the legendary Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover designs, engineers, and manufactures their vehicles in the United Kingdom. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs. For more information visit the official Land Rover website at http://www.landroverusa.com.
About Jaguar Land Rover
• The United States is one of the leading global markets for both Jaguar and Land Rover
• Jaguar Land Rover employs 25,000 people and sells vehicles in 170 countries around the world
• Jaguar Land Rover has two state of the art engineering and design facilities and three advanced manufacturing plants in the UK
• Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC has offices across the USA
• Jaguar Land Rover is represented by more than 330 independently operated retail outletsin the USA
About British Polo Day
British Polo Day champions British luxury and heritage ‑ in just four years the British Polo Day calendar has grown to encapsulate a network of 11 events internationally, including those in Abu Dhabi, Australia, China, Dubai, India, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, 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.
British Polo Day showcases over 30 top British luxury brands and acts as a conduit for championing craftsmanship and heritage in emerging markets.
In countries all over the world, polo has a long history of raising significant funding for worthy causes. The British Polo Day team is entirely committed to bringing to bear the full weight of its partners, network and creative talent to this end. To date, British Polo Day has raised an impressive US$858,530 for extremely worthy causes across the world.
To book and join a British Polo Day, call our hotline, 0845 485 1134. This will take you straight through to our wonderful private travel partners, Abercrombie & Kent. Abercrombie & Kent will provide local representatives who coordinate all arrangements with British Polo Day, they can tailor‑make your build‑up or extension based on the scope and breadth of individual requirements.
Visit www.britishpoloday.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook for all the latest news and updates.