Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVIII

8 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I From camel hump to bicycle pump, the British Exiles and Rest of World teams took to the pitch for an amusing and quintessentially British game of Brompton Bicycle Polo. The British Exiles put the pedal to the medal and won 3 – 2. The highlight of the evening’s polo was undoubtedly the British Polo Day Plate, presented by Land Rover. A closely fought battle between the British Exiles and Ghantoot Polo Team, the Exiles had a strong start with a surprise two goals in the opening minutes of the game, but the Zaleta brothers soon took Ghantoot into the lead with their carefully-honed tactics. Despite fighting back, the Exiles couldn’t manage to turn the game around and the home team once again triumphed with a 9 – 6 1⁄2 lead, taking home the splendid bespoke trophy by British Silverware. With the crowds gathered for the official British Polo Day Abu Dhabi prize-giving, HH Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri and Philip ParhamCMG, HMAmbassador to the United Arab Emirates, took to the stage to present the evening’s prizes. The Hackett Camel Polo Trophy was jointly presented to the Cavalry and Guards regiments for their rather diplomatic draw, while triumphant home teamGhantoot took home the British Polo Day Plate. Royal Salute’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ George Meyrick was presented with a bottle of Diamond Tribute, while the Holland & Holland ‘Shot of The Day’ was awarded to Ghantoot’s Abdullah bin Desmal and ‘Best Playing Pony’ – sponsored and presented by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Official Timekeeper for British Polo Day – went to Despreciada, ridden by Clemente Zavaleta of Ghantoot Polo Team. British Polo Day’s Harrods Green Man then presented the Harrods ‘Luck of the Draw’ prize to Mikaela Lovelund from InterContinental Abu Dhabi. British Polo Day Abu Dhabi -Hackett Camel Polo Trophy