On Saturday 31st October 2015, the Asian leg of British Polo Day’s Global Series – presented by Land Rover – returned to Singapore Polo Club for the fourth British Polo Day Singapore. Over 30 leading global brands and some 500 guests and VIPs including Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, Iqbal Jumabhoy, Ameerali Jumabhoy, Vinod Kumar, the Duke of Argyll, Jo Flint and Chiara Varese came together to celebrate the best of British craft and heritage in Singapore’s Jubilee Year.
Commenting on British Polo Day Singapore, CEO Ed Olver said: “Singapore is the nexus of our increasingly globalised world. The gateway to many markets, it draws the most fascinating and dynamic multi-cultural community together and it’s an absolute pleasure for the British Polo Day to return with our fantastic partners, associated with craft, heritage, and quality to continue to build some fabulous relationships with the wonderful people we know in this amazing city state.”
The 13th Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell added: “Working with Britain’s exceptionally crafted and aged whisky, Royal Salute, I have been fortunate enough to visit some of the most exhilarating places. British Polo Day Singapore has not failed to impress. Even in such an exotic location, guests have truly experienced this unique sense of British-ness alongside a vibrant local twist. I look forward to the next British Polo Day in Jodhpur where Royal Salute are title partners, promising an unparalleled artistic and cultural experience.”
Arriving in chauffeur-driven Land Rovers, British Polo Day Singapore’s guests and VIPs enjoyed a pitch-side Champagne Taittinger Reception whilst watching the opening Brompton Bicycle Polo Exhibition Match – a thoroughly British pursuit in which the CÉ LA VI Rest of the World team triumphed over the Hackett British Schools team, winning 4-3.
This was followed by a sit-down lunch catered by Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, drawn to a close by the 13th Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell’s toast to the rival teams – a traditional Quaich Experience with the skilfully crafted and timeless Scotch whisky, Royal Salute 21 Year Old.
The British Polo Day Singapore players then took to the pitch for the official Opening Ceremony, before the Hackett British Schools team battled home side, RJI Singapore Polo Club I in The Land Rover Trophy winning 6 goals to 5.
Related
The second match of the day saw the visiting Royal Salute Oxbridge team take on their Singaporean counterpart, the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore Polo Club II team. The final score was 6-2 to Shangri-La, with Giles Twiss scoring an impressive 5 of the 6 goals.
On the side-lines, guests enjoyed a traditional British afternoon tea by Shangri-La Hotel Singapore and spent the day soaking up the sunshine in the Harrods Garden Party – complete with resident Harrods Green Man, beautiful white rose flower arch, croquet pitch and Harrods ice cream cart.
With top players including Vinod Kumar, Max Kirchhoff, Oliver Browne and James McBride, there was tough competition for a spot on the British Polo Day prize-giving podium. The Hackett British Schools team collected British Silverware’s bespoke-designed Land Rover Mountbatten Plate, presented by Alexandra McKenzie, Deputy British High Commissioner and Gisele Houghton wife of British Silverware’s James Houghton. Meanwhile, the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore Polo Club II team claimed the Hackett Mount Pleasant Cup from Barbara Pang, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La and Gisele Houghton.
Content from our partners
Oliver Browne was awarded the Royal Salute ‘Most Valuable Player’; the Holland & Holland ‘Shot of The Day’ went to Sattar Khan presented by Rene Verhulst, General Manager of The Singapore Polo Club and Lynly Fong’s spirited horse from the 3rd chukka ‘Libray’ won Champagne Taittinger’s ‘Best Playing Pony’. Off the field, Claude Graves, Founder of Nihiwatu and The Sumba Foundation won the Harrods ‘Luck of the Draw’.
As the sun set, guests raised their glasses to the day’s polo at the CÉ LA VI bar, while DJ Randy Groover took to the decks for the evening’s fashion showcase. Stealing the show, models took to the catwalk in pieces from Gnossem’s exclusive new label, CHI CHI VON TANG – a collection that melds a quintessential Asian aesthetic with a modern Western edge. A superb close to the return of British Polo Day Singapore and the start of the inaugural British Polo Day Sumba Island from 3rd – 10th November 2015.
British Polo Day Singapore took place on Saturday 31st October 2015 at The Singapore Polo Club.
The event is partnered with Land Rover, RJI Capital, Royal Salute, Hackett London, Harrods, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys, Champagne Taittinger, Holland & Holland, British Silverware, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, Billionaire.com, Gnossem, CÉ LA VI Singapore, Global Partnership Family Offices, Charles McDowell Property, Brompton, Great British Racing International, Bonas MacFarlane Education, Abercrombie & Kent, Taylor Morris Eyewear, D.R Harris & Co, Cassabo, Paul A Young Fine Chocolates, Floris, Jax Coco, South Kensington Club, The Grosvenor Stationery Company, 3rd Home, The Cavalry & Guards Club, Walpole and Pendragon Productions.
