British Polo Day Follows in the Footsteps of Mountbatten
Press Release
British Polo Day India 2016 presented by RJI Capital – is hosted by Her Highness Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur and His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur.
Not since the days of Mountbatten have visitors had the honour of being hosted by the Royal Families in both Jaipur and Jodhpur. During their stay, British Polo Day guests from all around the globe will have the privilege of staying at the Sújan Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur. Travel continues to Jodhpur where they will reside in the Royal Family’s principal residence, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, recently voted World’s Best Hotel at the Traveller’s Choice Award organised by TripAdvisor.
The event kicks off on the 6th December, when guests of British Polo Day will be hosted by Amrapali Jewels for an intimate evening cocktail party on the lawns of the Sújan Rajmahal Palace, a location where Prince Charles used to enjoy riding. The following day guests will make their way to the Rajasthan Polo Club for an afternoon of polo, presented by RJI Capital and supported by many of Britain’s leading brands such as Royal Salute, Bentley Motors and Harrods. 2016 marks a particularly special occasion following the celebration of His Highness Maharajah Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur’s 18th birthday in July, a significant moment for The Royal Family of Jaipur and as a British Public School boy resonant of a shared heritage.
This year’s VIP guests include Lady Penelope Mountbatten, Princess Alexandra Cantacuezene-Speranksy, Sir David and Lady Steele and Delna Poonawalla who are flying in from various points around the world to celebrate British Polo Day in India. The opening ceremony is certain to be a spectacle, as the British Army and Jaipur Polo Teams, flanked by a Bentley on either side of the players, make their way onto the pitch. Shortly after a Trick Riding Display by the 61st Cavalry to entertain guests and reinforce that the international language of horse lives on in uniting the cultures of India and Britain. After an afternoon display of incredible horsemanship, guests will make their way to The City Palace for a Gala Dinner hosted by The Royal Family rounded off by a traditional Rajasthani procession and historical light show.
The line-up for the polo day in Jaipur is as follows:
Wednesday 7th of December
2.00pm Arrival & Welcome Reception
2.15pm Brompton Bicycle Polo
2.30pm Trick Riding Display by 61st Cavalry
3.00pm Opening Ceremony
3.15pm British Army vs Jaipur Polo Team
4.15pm Marwari Horse Dance
4.30pm Prize Giving
4.45pm High Tea
Once in Jodhpur, the event kicks off a second time, with a drinks party on the evening of the 9th December at the stunning Umaid Bhawan Palace. The first day of polo in Jodhpur will see the Hackett British Army take on the President’s Bodyguard. The following day, guests will be awed by another high level game of polo at the Jodhpur Polo and Equestrian Institute as HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, representing Mayo College, will unite with six-goal English player, George Meyrick, as they face off against the British Schools Team, led by Richard Le Poer, the Earl of Tyrone.
Following each day of polo, guests will be hosted at two of the most special locations in Jodhpur. A dinner celebration at the Mehrangarh Fort, built in the 14th century and set high above the city and the events will culminate with a gala dinner fundraiser on the lawns of the Umaid Bhawan Palace with a fashion show at the Baradari Pavilion. Delna Poonawalla, Mumbai-born designer, will be presenting her SS17 collection Dark Mistress accompanied by jewels courtesy of Amrapali Jewels. The live auction, including a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch and a bottle of Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny, will be hosted by His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur, with all of the proceeds going to the Indian Head Injury Foundation.
The line-up for British Polo Day Jodhpur is as follows:
Saturday 11th December
1.45pm Gates Open
2.00pm Brompton Bicycle Polo
2.15pm British Army vs The President’s Bodyguard
3.30pm Prize-Giving
3.45pm High Tea
Sunday 12th December
1.15pm Gates Open
1.45pm Brompton Bicycle Polo
2.00pm British Schools vs Mayo
3.15pm Jodhpur vs. Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur
4.30pm Prize-Giving
4.45pm High Tea
The event is presented by title sponsor RJI Capital, and partnered with Harrods, Royal Salute, Bentley Motors, Charles Russell Speechlys, Jaeger-LeCoultre, British Silverware, Amrapali Jewels, Delna Poonawalla, Clinova, Sújan Rajmahal Palace, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Randle Siddeley, Charles McDowell Properties, Jacobs Creek, True Luxury Travel, Taylor Morris Eyewear, DR Harris, Floris, Barnard and Westwood, Cassabo, and Alice Made This.
About RJI Capital
RJI Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Magellan Investment Holdings, an investment holding company with investments in energy and natural resources, aerospace and defence, real estate, and technology. RJI Capital is a strategic advisory and merchant banking firm with a premium track record in new market entry and international transactions, having closed deals totaling billions in value. RJI’s industry-leading services and expertise are delivered from its office headquarters in London, and its offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, and Washington, D.C. RJI Capital’s sister company, Arcanum, is a global intelligence company that provides services to sovereign governments, large multinational corporations and financial institutions, to help address some of their most pressing challenges and complex strategic issues.
True Luxury Travel
True Luxury Travel is the official travel partner of British Polo Day. Their expertise and exceptional service allows guests the opportunity to expand their experience in host countries and travel with ease.
www.trueluxurytravel.com
About British Polo Day
British Polo Days are a celebration of craft and heritage in a polo events network that spans the World. British Polo Days have become an unparalleled platform for elite engagement and business in emerging and growth markets.
Having held over 54 events in 15 countries since 2009, the British Polo Day Global Series has grown to encapsulate 10 annual events, spanning Abu Dhabi, Australia, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, Sumba Island(Indonesia),Thailand and the US.
The success of the British Polo Days has been largely down to word-of-mouth endorsement from many guests and supporters including key figures in government, the aristocracy, diplomats, military, fashion, art and popular culture. In addition, British Polo Days have hosted members of 12 royal families, 100 independent billionaires and leaders in world innovation including Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk among others. Over 20,000 guests have enjoyed British Polo Days since inception.
The British Polo Day team is also very proud of its philanthropic efforts. In countries all over the world, polo has a long history of raising significant funding for worthy causes. Wherever possible, British Polo Day is entirely committed to bringing to bear the full weight of its partners, network and creative talent to this end. In 2015, the cumulative running total of amounts raised for good causes broke through the US$1.5m threshold and keeps on rising.
The British Polo Day team continues to thrive within the British and international craft sector, as they have become a trusted source for purchasing decisions by international elites. British Polo Days have become an irresistible way for the top polo teams and players to come together for competition globally. Additionally, British Polo Day will continue to innovate and pioneer unique platforms for craft and polo associated brands. Their cognition of the establishment of the British Polo Day Brand was evident in June 2013 when the UK Intellectual Property Office registered British Polo Day as a trademark.
Visit www.britishpoloday.com for more information.
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