Here comes the sunny season and with it the return of New Zealand’s most competitive and stylish polo event, the NZ Polo Open to be held at Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon, on Sunday, February 18.
“2024 is the year for the NZ Polo Open,” says Lucy Ainsley, executive director of the NZ Polo Open.
The last NZ Polo Open event was held in 2020, followed by a two-year Covid restricted hiatus and 2023 cancelled shortly prior to event due to the Auckland flooding. “Reports are for a sunny summer ahead and we are getting ready for a fantastic NZ Polo Open, one we have all been waiting for,” says Ainsley.
Under sunnier skies, the February event promises plenty of action on and off the field. International polo players and New Zealand’s top talent will compete for the prestigious trophy in fast-paced play that will feature incredible athleticism and skill of horses and their riders.
With something for everyone, the renowned polo event will be an elegant affair matched with a good fun day out. From Fashion at the Polo, Stomping the Divots, 100metre Dash’s, Horse vs Horsepower race and, for those who don’t want the day to end, an afterparty on the Chukka Lawn.
The NZ Polo Open was established in 1977 by Auckland Polo Club in Clevedon, the oldest polo club in the country. Every spring, Clevedon, known as NZ’s polo playground, swells with an influx of polo players and grooms returning from the northern hemisphere to compete Down Under, with the NZ Polo Open being the pinnacle competition.
“We are really looking forward to the 2024 NZ Polo Open and we are doing all we can to make it our best event yet,” says Ainsley. “See you at the Polo!”
