British Polo Day Jodhpur 2016
Press Release
His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur welcomed British Polo Day guests to Jodhpur with open arms throughout an itinerary which spanned three days in the beautiful blue city of Jodhpur. It was in this city where Lord Mountbatten first fell in love with polo and described it as “the best sport in the world.” Guests from all over the globe explored and enjoyed what Jodhpur had to offer, both on and off the polo pitch.
The events kicked off with sunset drinks on the terrace of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, significant given its prestigious placement in the world of luxury travel today. Voted #1 hotel by Tripadvisor, #1 hotel in India by Condé Nast along with 15 other awards in 2016 alone, it is the last of the great palaces of India. The property houses a family museum, as well as the resplendent Umaid Bhawan Palace. Set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens, with dancing peacocks and a subterranean Zodiac Pool, the luxury five-star Taj heritage hotel offers 64 utterly breathtaking Art Deco-style rooms and suites.
The following day, the Hackett British Army took on the President’s Bodyguard in an exhilarating match. With the odds stacked against them the Hackett British Army Team fought tirelessly and, in an impressive turn of events, scored a goal in the final seconds claiming victory in Jodhpur and raising the trophy presented by His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre bicycle polo ensured guests were entertained with some light hearted sport to relax them into the polo and prepare them for the exciting match yet to come.
That evening, guests enjoyed a visit to one of India’s largest forts – The 14th Century Mehrangarh Fort – for a spectacular celebration. Looming nearly five hundred feet above the skyline, guests were enraptured by the grandeur of both the building and the procession leading up to the main event. Fire blowers, local Rajasthani dancers and decorated camels escorted guests to dinner overlooking the sparkling lights of the Blue City where Peter Prentice lead a traditional Royal Salute Quaich Experience to toast to His Highness and the game of kings.
The following day, guests were awed by another high level game of polo at the Jodhpur Polo and Equestrian Institute as HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, representing RJI Capital Mayo College, united with six-goal English player, George Meyrick, as they faced off against the Royal Salute British Exiles Team, led by Richard Le Poer, the Earl of Tyrone. Guests watched in delight as the two teams provided a spectacular game which unfolded in front of them. Once again victory was claimed in the final seconds for the RJI Capital Mayo College Team with 6 goaler, George Meyrick, scoring a 30-yard penalty and seeing his team raise The Yuvraj Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur Plate.
The RJI Capital Mayo College Team wins The Yuvraj Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur Plate
The second match saw Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur take on Bentley Motors Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur in another tight game. Chris Mathias had some brilliant runs down the field however he and his team were unable to uphold the skill of Vishal Singh who lead his team to victory to win The Marwar Trophy.
The Royal Salute Most Valuable Player presented by Peter Prentice was awarded to Charley Law and Marc de Panafieu presented the Jaeger-LeCoultre Best Playing Pony to HH Maharajah Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur’s pony Small Fellow.
The final gala dinner, a fundraiser on the lawns of The Umaid Bhawan Palace hosted by His Highness Gaj Singh II The Maharaja of Marwar-Jodhpur, brought out the philanthropic side of the guests in attendance. The live auction raised a grand total of $28,350 for the Indian Head Injury Foundation, an endowment close to the hearts of the Jodhpur Royal Family. Top bids went out to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, a bottle of Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny and a pair of Amrapali Jewels double-sided handcrafted earrings from the Diwali Collection set in gold studded with rubies and blue sapphires. The evening crescendoed with a fashion show at the Baradari Pavilion by Mumbai-born designer, Delna Poonawalla. First launched at the London Fashion Show in September, she presented her SS17 collection Dark Mistress accompanied by jewellery courtesy of Amrapali Jewels. Models strutted out of the Baradari Pavilion and dazzled the crowd with the glitz and glamour of combined gowns and jewels.
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, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Randle Siddeley, Charles McDowell Properties, Hackett London, 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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