‘Charming devil on horseback’ arrives at NZ Polo Open

International ‘charming devil on horseback’ arrives to play for Clicquot at NZ Polo Open

Australian polo star Ruki Baillieu has flown in from St Moritz, Switzerland to join forces with fellow Kiwis in the Veuve Clicquot team, playing in the NZ Polo Open.

Ruki Baillieu, classed in the world’s top 30 and Australia’s highest ranked polo professional, has achieved the high handicap 7-goals - 10 is the maximum and there are fewer than 16, 10-goalers in the world. In the Veuve Clicquot team he joins Kiwi team members Kit Brooks (5-goal handicap), Charlie Wood (3-goal handicap) and Steve Van Den Brink (1-goal handicap).

“I am excited to play for the Veuve Clicquot team in New Zealand. The brand has a long tradition for supporting the polo internationally and I am confident we will play a fantastic game on Sunday,” says Baillieu.

Baillieu is one of the highest ranked non-Argentine players on the international circuit. Described as a ‘charming devil on horseback’, fellow players describe him as having ‘grit and grunt’, which was displayed when he scored the winning goal at the Cartier International to beat England in front of the Queen at Windsor.

Veuve Clicquot senior brands manager Rai Banbury says, "We are honoured to again be involved in the NZ Polo Open and have such high calibre players in our team. We have high hopes that we will be toasting another great win this year”.

This year’s NZ Polo Open will be a day of sporting excellence on the field and a glamorous social calendar highlight. VIP guests will be hosted by Veuve Clicquot and served the world’s finest champagne while watching all of the best polo action. The Veuve Clicquot team will compete with five other teams to win the coveted NZ Polo Open Trophy; teams competing include Veuve Clicquot, BMW, Tiger Building, Rodd & Gunn, Mobilis and Southfield.

The NZ Polo Open will take place on Sunday 23 February 11am-6pm, 102 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Clevedon.

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