The 43rd NZ Polo Open is underway in Clevedon this week as six teams compete for the nation’s top polo trophy with the prestigious final to be held this Saturday.
Polo players and supporters from all around are in Clevedon for the village’s biggest week of the year.
Tom Chamberlain, of Glenwillow Feeds, a Christchurch-based horse feed company, is in town and makes up one of six team sponsors. Chamberlain’s team is made up of local polo player Jeremy Jones, Gisborne’s Glen Sheriff, Canterbury’s Henry Wood and Argentina’s Paco O’Dwyer.
This year the tournament has two of Argentina’s polo stars, along with O’Dwyer, Mathias Torres Zavaleta will compete for the locally-sponsored Semco PDL team while the Captain of the English polo team, James Harper will take the field for South Island-sponsored team, Glenmark. Harper’s 18-year-old son Will is playing for Mystery Creek, with New Zealand’s best polo player John – Paul Clarkin, defending NZ Polo Open winner with his teammates Kit Brooks and young gun Ethan Wade.
“The BMW NZ Polo Open is looking to be the most exciting polo tournament we have ever held in New Zealand,” says Lucy Ainsley, executive director of the BMW NZ Polo Open.
The NZ Polo Open draws the biggest crowds in New Zealand polo and this Saturday will be no exception.
This year the sideline action is bigger and better than ever, with several polo partners maximising their opportunity to be part of the renowned event. The Glenmorangie experience will sure to be on every guy’s to-do list, while the ladies can line up to get their brows and lashes done at the MCoBeauty Bar. MCoBeauty Bar will both be there to add some fun Instagram worthy moments and the polo village has an array of great things to see.
Fashion on the Field this year, with all entries welcome, will be a twist of effervescence, with judges Robert Niwa of Crane Brothers, Kellie Taylor of Moochi and Wihelmina Shrimpton of Mediaworks, all looking for their take on that polo style.
Bringing polo to the people, the grand Flagship marquee (320m2) taking centre ground field side will host VIP guests with the polo hill perfect for families and anyone that wants to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the field and the fantastic competition. George FM will host the after-party on the Chukka Lawn and for music fans attending Six60 there will be a bus from the polo grounds to Western Springs.
“Polo is a great sport and I just want everyone to be able to come and have a fantastic day out on Saturday and enjoy the surroundings and everything the event has to showcase,” says Ainsley.
BMW NZ Polo Open 2020 – Saturday February 22nd, Fisher Field, Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon
