British Polo Day Returns to the Pink City of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur

Feature

| Hannah Grafton

British Polo Day Returns to the Pink City of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur

Over 100 top British and international players have played at British Polo Day since its formation in 2009, and 2018 saw H.H. Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur joining the HRH The Duke of Sussex on the field at the event in Great Britain in June, alongside the world’s number one male polo player Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, and the number one female player Nina Clarkin. United in December to enjoy the mystery and majesty of Jaipur and Jodhpur, the best of Indian and British polo are brought together on the field for British Polo Day, alongside some of the biggest names and leaders in world business, culture and lifestyle. British Polo day is presented by Chelsea Barracks in association with VistaJet, with the Jaipur event hosted by Her Highness Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur, and the Jodhpur occasion hosted by His Highness The Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur.

Jaipur

Celebrating its fourth year, British Polo Day Jaipur began with an impressive bang at the SUJÁN Rajmahal launch party, followed by an action-packed day on the polo field, and rounded off with a black-tie gala at the City Palace hosted by His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur. The Duchess of Rutland was welcomed as the British Representative, throwing the ball in to kick off proceedings on the polo field. BPD Royal Salute and Rajasthan Polo Club were pitted against each other for the Chelsea Barracks Jaipur cup, leaving with a 7-4 victory to BPD Royal Salute. Next, BPD I challenged Jaipur for the Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur Shield, which saw the Jaipur team lift the shield with a victory of 6-4.

Jodhpur

Marking the eighth yeah in the Blue City, guests were treated to sunset drinks on the terrace of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, voted number one hotel in India by Condé Nast in 2016, as a way of showcasing the vibrant colours and lifestyle of Rajasthan. The first day of the British Polo Day celebrations in Jodhpur saw the Jodhpur Polo Team take on the Mundota Fort & Palace, Jaipur Team, competing for the Marwar Trophy. The excitement of opening day did not stop there, as the Royal Salute Team battled Mayo College, helmed by Pacho Jaipur, resulting in a nail-biting match, which saw Royal Salute score their fourth goal in the final seconds. Mayo College emerged victorious however, having scored five goals, and Pacho and his team lifted the Marwar Trophy, presented by Miles Wood, Chelsea Barracks’ sales director.

The second day saw guests following a procession of fire breathers, Rajasthani trumpeters and traditional Marwari horses to the battlements of one of India’s largest forts, the Mehrangahr Fort, spending an evening embracing Indian culture and history. Peter Prentice, Royal Salute Global VIP Relationships Director & Chairman Keepers of The Quaich Society, led a traditional Royal Salute Quaich Experience to toast to His Highness and the Game of Kings.

The third day saw the British Army VistaJet team lose by half a goal against Jodhpur II for the Umaid Bhawan Palace Cup, and Jodhpur I battled Mundota for the Yuvraj Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur plate, resulting in an honourable draw. The final night of the lavish British Polo Day celebrations was marked by a gala dinner, hosted on the lawns of the Umaid Bawan Palace by His Highness Gaj Singh II Maharajah of Marwar- Jodhpur. A total of £38,000 was raised for British Polo Day’s charity of choice, Head Injuries Through Sport, and auction items included a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface watch engraved with the coat of arms of Marwar- Jodhpur, which sold for $18,000.

Ben Vestey, CEO and Partner of British Polo Day said: “British Polo Day is delighted to be returning to India, the events that are magnificent jewels in the BPD crown. British business continues to prosper in India, and myself and Chairman Tom Hudson are delighted that British Polo Day can be a part of this success story.’