Queen Elizabeth attends Polo game Cartier Queen’s Cup 2017
RH Polo beat La Indiana in a thrilling match at the Cartier Queen’s Cup on Sunday 18th June 2017 in one of the most glamorous and regal event in polo sports
The biggest names in the sport of polo were in action on the Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park in a bid to win the prestigious Cartier Queen’s Cup 2017.
One of the most prestigious and renowned events of the British sporting calendar, hosted by Laurent Feniou, Managing Director Cartier Ltd, watched alongside a strong crowd of polo aficionados and illustrious guests, was played. The summit of the day was the exhilarating play for the Queen’s Cup between Ben Soleimani’s RH Polo and Michael Bickford’s La Indiana.
RH Polo, featuring the World’s Number One Player, Adolfo Cambiaso, who was looking for his 10th Queen’s Cup victory, started strongly and were 6-3 ahead at half-time. Although it was Cambiaso’s team-mate, 21-year- old Tommy Beresford, later named the Cartier Most Valuable Player, who stood out in this game, playing with a maturity well beyond his years and handicap. La Indiana were equally competitive, but failed to convert some beautiful play into goals. That changed in the second half, with Agustin Merlos and Nic Roldan scoring five goals in as many minutes, giving La Indiana the lead for the first time. But the argentinian player Cambiaso, who has been inspired in this year’s tournament playing for a new patron, kept his cool as the clock counted down and fired through the winning shot as the bell rang out to mark the end of the match. One of Cambiaso’s impressive string of ponies, Caraquenia, was later named Cartier Best Playing Pony.
“The Polo players’ passion and commitment are very akin to the values of Cartier. Our Maison is proud to celebrate this distinctive relationship with polo and the legacy built up over 30 years” Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK.
Cartier has a long-standing tradition of supporting polo for over 30 years and is delighted to continue its involvement in the prestigious high-goal Queen’s Cup tournament. To mirror the impressive talent on the field, Cartier invited guests from the worlds of stage, screen, sport, society, and literature into the Cartier enclosure, welcoming them to the elegant reception, serving Cartier champagne and a lunch created by Cellar Society.
Guests of Note: Lara Stone, Caroline Winberg, Jessica Hart, Lily Cole,
Mark Ronson Skepta, Candice Lake, Nicholas Kirkwood, Marcus Wareing, Lady Kitty Spencer, Katie Keight, Lady Alice & Lady Violet, Miss Manners, Genevieve Gaunt, Tori Cook, Hugo Heathcote, Jilly Copper, Malcolm Borwick, Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Facundo Pieres.
Guests started with Goat’s Curd with Wiltshire Black Truffle, Zucchini Flower Beignets, Regent’s Park Truffle Honey followed by Roast Fillet of Hereford Beef, Chargrilled Summer Vegetables, Minted Peas & Anya Potatoes and finished on a sweet note with Hedgerow Berry Pavlova, Whipped Jersey Cream and Fresh Mint.
The enclosure was transformed into a quintessentially colorful ‘English Garden’ with beautiful floral creations; with shades of soft lilac Sweet peas and Aliums, Blue Delphiniums and Clematis, Soft and hot pinks Roses and over 1000 Peonies with a thread of pale green Thyme and Hydrangea throughout.
The afternoon finished with DJ Hugo Heathcote, accompanied with unique performances by saxophonist Ben Barnett and percussionist Tom Carr, followed by internationally renowned DJ Mark Ronson.
Cartier first sponsored the International Day in 1984 and since then, the Cartier International Day became the largest and most prestigious polo spectator event in the world, attracting over 25,000 people in Windsor Great Park at Guards Polo Club.
It was for 28 years that Cartier sponsored the International Polo day at Guards Polo Club before deciding to sponsor the Queen’s Cup, one of the world’s leading polo tournaments. With the best polo players in the world participating, it is a highlight for the sport’s elite and spectators alike. Past players have included HRH Prince Philip, who played in the final and HRH Prince Charles who won the trophy. HM The Queen first presented her cup to Guards Polo Club in 1960 and historically attends Finals Day .
From Cartier’s first ever sponsorship with the International Day at Guards, to the Cartier Queen’s Cup polo, guests have included royalty, celebrities, the respected polo community and many more. Cartier polo events have seen some of the world’s most famous faces such as the Royal Family, Angelina Jolie, Pierce Brosnan, Keira Knightley, Sharon Stone and Emma Watson to name a few.
Cartier and polo’s long standing rapport has resulted in something truly iconic and it is a relationship that Cartier is honored to uphold for years to come.
(Photos Courtesy Cartier)
