Abu Dhabi witnessed the first presentation of the year by RJI Capital to commemorate the British Polo Day. The event was graced by the presence of 200 guests and prominent VIPs including HH Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, HE Philip Parham, the British Ambassador, the Earl of Tyrone and Bear Grylls came together to celebrate the best of UAE and British traditions.
Launched in October 2016, the UK/UAE Year of Creative Collaboration was headed by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HRH The Prince of Wales.
The event began with a rousing speech by HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, stating the aims of increasing the visibility of the UK in the UAE and vice versa. It aimed at giving greater focus, depth and contemporary relevance to establishing a long-standing relationship between the two nations.
The unique cultural program has been initiated to strengthen existing relationships and creating new ones between people, institutions, and businesses. Supported by brands like Harrods, Bentley, Royal Salute and Hackett, the British Polo Days in the UAE provide a platform, with the best of British and the UAE on display.
It also involved the opportunity to introduce their new global partner, Chelsea Barracks, the exceptional new neighborhood development that incorporates 5 new garden squares in Belgravia, London. Further binding the British Polo Day community, various other partners have been incorporated, including Vista Jet and YPI Luxury Yachts.
The spectacular event, happening for the 7th year now, took place at the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private royal polo ground of HH Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
Kicking off with a bicycle polo demonstration, the glamorously formal evening talked about the sport played in the Olympics over 100 years ago, with players from the regiments of Cavalry and Guards competing in Bentley and Intercontinental Hotel Abu Dhabi Teams respectively for The Thesiger Trophy.
Next, the Oxbridge team, captained by Stuart Wrigley and sponsored by Chelsea Barracks, stood against the Abu Dhabi team, sponsored by Vista Jet which took home the crown of victory.
The British Polo Day Plate that was the highlight exhibition polo match of the evening, saw the home team RJI Capital Ghantoot Polo Team play the visiting Royal Salute British Exiles.
The RJI Capital Ghantoot Polo Team led themselves to the way of victory and stood successfully in out- beating the Royal Salute British Exiles.
Presented by HH Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Muburak Al Nahyan and Ron Wahid, Chairman and CEO of RJI Capital, British Polo Day Abu Dhabi’s official prize giving ceremony saw the winning teams collecting the bespoke-commissioned British
The agile Curacho, ridden by Sami Al Namsi, was named Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Best Playing Pony’ by Marc de Panafieu, Brand Director for the Middle East.
Following the prize-giving ceremony, guests sat down to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner, prepared by the InterContinental Abu Dhabi.
This was further lead by a live charity auction that helped in raising a total of $20,000 for Women And Health Alliance International (WAHA), launched by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al-Nahyan, the Sumba Foundation and Sentebale, a charity founded by Prince Harry of the United Kingdom, together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
The charity aims at helping the most vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana and helps them get the support they need to lead a healthy and a productive life.
A row of bids were made by guests for the British Polo Day , who fiercely aimed at owning the great offerings like the safari of a lifetime to Kenya with The Safari Collection, a stay at the beautiful Cape View Clifton, a special Dinner at Wiltons and a trip to the amazing Nihiwatu on Sumba Island in Indonesia.
The next event was British Polo Day Dubai that took place on Friday 24th March at the Al Habtoor Polo Club & Resort where the British teams played against Habtoor Polo and the Gulf Team.
