More Cartier International Polo Dubai

February 29
Parent Category: POLO CLUBS
Uploaded by Diana Butler Publicity Officer Dubai
Published in Polo Club News
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CARTIER INTERNATIONAL DUBAI

Team Cartier: Adriano Agosti (CH) 0; Mohammed Bin Drai (UAE) -1; Francisco Elizalde(ARG) 6; Juan Jose Brane (ARG) 7.

Team Desert Palm: Tariq Albwardy (UAE) 1; Faris Al Yabhouni (UAE) 0; Martin Valent (ARG) 5; Alfredo Capella (ARG) 6

DESERT PALM TROPHY

Team Julius Baer: Amr Zedan (KSA) 0; Saad Audeh (UAE) 0; Pancho Marin Moreno (ARG) 6; Rodolfo Ducos (ARG) 5.

Team CNN: Gary Shepherd (UK) -1; Kassem Shafi (PK) 0; Vieri Antinori (ARG) 6; Hissam Ali Hyder (PK) 6.

Some patrons, such as Dubai resident Farez Al Yabhouney, Saudi national Amr Zedan, who regularly leads the Gulf Co-Operation team to victory in the UK, leading Swiss player Adriano Agosti and Guards Polo Club's own patrons Kassem Shafi and Gary Shepherd are no strangers to this competition. Joining them this year was a patron who made his debut at this event, Saad Audeh. Unfortunately regular Cartier International Day patron, Saeed Bin Drai, was forced to pull out due to injury - he was scheduled to play for the Cartier team - but his place has been taken by his younger brother Mohammed Bin Drai.

The patrons played alongside an equally impressive list of professionals, including a member of the Argentine national team. Although the tournament's host, Ali Albwardy did not play, his family was represented through his talented son Tariq. He was a member of the winning team in 2011.

Every match was played at Ali Albwardy's beautiful Desert Palm estate, home to one of Dubai's premier boutique retreats, Desert Palm by Per AQUUM. Not only does this impressive retreat boast some fine polo grounds, but also offers the renowned LIME Spa, the Red Bar and two award winning restaurants, Rare and Epicure.

The pony, Sybarita, is owned by Saeed Bin Drai and was played by Brane in the final chukka.

Charlotte Casiraghi presents the 'Best Playing Pony' award.

After the main presentations HH Sheikh Mansour and Ali Albwardy presented a cheque to Satish Seemar, Director of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai which is based at Desert Palm.

A unique feature of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge is that both matches start thanks to a ball being thrown in from the back seat of a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Porsche Centre Dubai is the official car supplier and are happy to provide a car for this event.

Four pro-am polo teams have been playing all week at Desert Palm Polo Club. The two teams that did not make it to the final had the opportunity to play for the Desert Palm Trophy on the same afternoon. This went to Julius Baer, who defeated CNN 8-6. The Swiss bank is in its third year of team sponsorship and so was delighted to register its first win at the event.

With more than 400-invitation only guests enjoying some great polo and sumptuous hospitality courtesy of the team at Desert Palm Resort, this year’s event really was one to remember.