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The Duke of Sussex competes at British Polo Day
By Rose Adams | 28 June 2018 | Sport
The event celebrated its 10th anniversary at Henley-on-Thames with a royal guest list
* This year’s British Polo Day celebrated its 10th anniversary as The Duke of Sussex took to the field to compete in an enthralling race alongside the world’s number one male polo player Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, and the number one female player Nina Clarkin. [Image credit: Sam Churchill]
On a sunshine soaked Wednesday 27 June, the picturesque River Field at Henley-on-Thames played host to this year’s British Polo Day, of which marked its 10th anniversary. The Duke of Sussex, who recently wed The Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle, took to the field to compete in an enthralling race alongside the world’s number one male polo player Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, and the number one female player Nina Clarkin.
Presented by Chelsea Barracks and hosted by The Schwarzenbach family, the day featured a host of exciting polo matches. Chelsea Barracks sponsored Valiente team competed against the Vista Jet UAE side, of which Prince Harry and Clarkin competed – as part of team Valiente – alongside South American player Juan Martin Nero. Valiente came out victorious, winning by 6 to 4 ½. The award for Royal Salute Most Valuable Player went to HH Pacho Singh of Jaipur and the Chelsea Barracks best playing pony went to Clarkin’s Basil.
“My partner, Ben Vestey, CEO of British Polo Day, and I are delighted to be holding our GB event under royal patronage to fundraise for very exceptional causes” said Tom Hudson, co-founder of British Polo Day. “We are privileged to have such tremendously high-calibre players here with immensely generous patrons, and phenomenal partners. It was 10 years ago that the idea for British Polo Day was born, and British Polo Day is looking forward to the next decade!”
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* Chelsea Barracks sponsored Valiente team competed against the Vista Jet UAE side, of which Prince Harry and Clarkin competed – as part of team Valiente – alongside South American player Juan Martin Nero. [Image credit: Sam Churchill]
As well as thrilling matches, British Polo Day also has charity at its core. Each year the event raises funds for worthy philanthropic causes – previously having raised more than $147,000 for The Maharaja of Jodhpur’s India Head Injury Foundation and more than $555,000 for the Eve Branson Foundation. This year its two chosen charities were The Royal Foundation, charitable vehicle of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Sentebale, co-founded by Harry.
“We are delighted to be the title partner for British Polo Day, especially at the GB event on home turf." Richard Oakes, executive director of Chelsea Barracks, British Polo Day’s title sponsor said. "The collaboration has presented a great environment for Chelsea Barracks to forge diverse and lasting relationships across the world through a mutual love for this heritage sport.”
To date, British Polo Day has held 68 invitation-only events in 16 countries since it was established in 2009 – each time returning to the UK for the summer before completing the year in the Far East with events in China and India. The event has often been described as an ‘international members club’ as it provides the perfect networking platform for those with international aspirations.
* The British Polo Day winners, Chelsea Barracks sponsored Valiente team of which HRH The Duke of Sussex was a player. [Image credit: Sam Churchill]