Best Ever Line-up to Compete at this Year’s BMW NZ Polo Open

Press Release
Monday 18th February, 2013

Best Ever Line-up to Compete at this Year’s BMW NZ Polo Open

The sleepy village of Clevedon will be transformed today as all the colour and excitement of the BMW NZ Polo Open comes to town, with the best line-up of players in its 36-year history.

The BMW NZ Polo Open runs throughout the week, culminating with a vibrant finals day on Sunday 24th February.

Six high-goal teams all feature top players from New Zealand and abroad with Rodd & Gunn, Veuve Clicquot, BMW, Howard Scott and Partners, Mobilis and Bayleys all fielding teams.

Two eight-goal players will participate in the open, South African Nachi du Plessis (Veuve Clicquot) and local champion John Paul Clarkin (BMW). The showdown anticipated between the two is expected to be a highlight.

Auckland Polo Club Manager Hannah Marshall says she is very excited to see who will come out on top.

“When you have two players of such a high calibre meeting on the field it makes for some amazing polo,” she says.

“All six teams are fairly evenly matched so with such a high standard across the board, it will make for a great atmosphere during the week of games,” says Marshall.

Other notable players include English five-goal players Ed Hitchman and Henry Fisher, Argentine Paco O’Dwyer and Kiwi seven-goaler Tommy Wilson.

Auckland Polo Club President Tony van den Brink says the power, skill and excitement of polo is unmatched with any other sport.

At such a competitive level the game is filled with thrills and spills. Horses weigh up to 500 kilograms and travel at great speeds on a field three times larger than a rugby pitch.

The standard of horses a team can field has a large bearing on the team’s success.

“New Zealand has some of the world’s best polo ponies, so it’s very exciting to see the cream of the crop displayed here at the open,” says van den Brink.

“At such a high level of polo, players can ride up to eight different horses each per game, meaning that up to 64 horses can be needed for one game alone,” he says.

The BMW NZ Polo Open finals day is a huge affair with more than 6000 spectators travelling by helicopter, bus or a fleet of luxury BMW cars to be part of the event.

Finals day also includes fashion shows, live music and a legendary after-party.

“If you haven’t seen top polo players in action yet, this is an event you won’t want to miss,” says van den Brink.

(ends)

The BMW NZ Polo Open runs from 18th to 24th February, at the Auckland Polo Grounds, Kawakawa Bay Road, Clevedon.

Tickets for the finals day are on sale at www.iticket.co.nz

Weekly Schedule:

Monday 18th Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- No high goal games
Tuesday 19th Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- Veuve Clicquot vs Bayleys, 3:30pm
- Howard Scott & Partners vs Mobilis, 5:00pm
Wednesday 20th Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- BMW vs Howard Scott & Partners, 3:30pm
- Rodd & Gunn vs Veuve Clicquot, 5:00pm
Thursday 21st Feb: Ryburn Park, West Road, Clevedon
- Bayleys vs Rodd & Gunn, 3:00pm
- BMW vs Mobilis, 5:00pm
Friday 22nd Feb:
- No high goal games
Saturday 23rd Feb: Auckland Polo Grounds, Kawakawa Bay Road, Clevedon
- Semi Final - 1st League 1 vs 2nd League 2
- Semi Final - 1st League 2 vs 2nd League 1
Sunday 24th Feb: Auckland Polo Grounds, Kawakawa Bay Road, Clevedon
- Sub Final - 3rd League 1 vs 3rd League 2
- Final - Winner match 33 vs Winner match 34

Teams Announced:

Bayleys
Matt Bayley 2
Craig Wilson 6
Tommy Wilson 7
Pedro Harrison 3

BMW
Tanya Lavas 0
Tom Hunt 5
John Paul Clarkin 8
Jack Richardson 5

Howard Scott and Partners
John Martin 4
Henry Fisher 5
Ed Hitchman 5
Paco O'Dwyer 4

Rodd & Gunn
Ross George 1
Ross Ainsley 5
Tom Morley 6
Sam Hopkinson 6

Mobilis
Angus McKelvie 5
Andrew Parrott 5
Robert Watson 5
Glen Armstrong 3

Veuve Clicquot
James Worker 2
Glenn Sherriff. 4
Ignatius Du Plessis 8
Kit Brooks 4

About the BMW New Zealand Polo Open
The BMW New Zealand Polo Open is New Zealand’s premiere polo event and highlight of the polo season. 2013 marks the 36th year of the event that sets the benchmark for polo and fashion in Australasia and features some of the country’s best polo players.
www.aucklandpolo.co.nz

BMW NZ Polo Open Week:
Tuesday February 19 – Saturday February 23
From 10am
Tickets: www.iticket.co.nz

BMW NZ Polo Open Finals Day:
Sunday February 24
10am - Midnight
Tickets: www.iticket.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media