Simply Abu Dhabi VIII

9 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I O rganizers of the first-time event promised the weekend tournament would showcase the sport like never before and they did not disappoint. The event was staged under the exciting new ‘Palace Rules’ which were developed to make the match faster, more intimate and more breath-taking for spectators. “The tournament was played under Hurlingham Polo Association rules with a few adaptations tailored for the unique and stunning environment of Emirates Palace,” said City Events CEO, Rory Heron, whose company organized the event. Derived from the highly acclaimed London event ‘Polo in the Park’, which pioneered the City Polo Series, the tournament is aimed at bringing this classic sport to cosmopolitan city audiences, with the next events in the series destined for Singapore and Shanghai. Spectators were able to be up close and personal; as Palace Polo was played on a pitch a third smaller than a regular polo field which meant the spectators were even closer to the action. Each team had three players; reduced from the usual four and all the action started with the spectacular ‘Palace dash’ in which two opponents raced at full speed from opposite ends of the polo pitch to acquire to the ball first. Representing some of the World’s leaders in finance and fashion, the four teams: Coutts team Abu Dhabi, ‘How to Spend It’ team London, Maserati team Milan and Hublot team Buenos Aires, were all competing for the Coutts Polo Cup over the adrenaline-fuelled two days. Al Yabhouni, team captain of the Abu Dhabi team, has been playing polo for over eight years and led the Abu Dhabi team to victory in the 2011 Threadneedle Gold Cup in Dubai. Earlier this year, Al Yabhouni’s teamwon the UAE’s Silver Cup and was also third in the Gold Cup. He says the addition of Coutts Polo at the Palace “Is a stunning addition to the Emirate’s high profile sports and events calendar” He adds, “Importantly, It will also help to raise the profile of the sport in the country. Not only will Coutts Polo at the Palace be one of the main highlights of the city’s annual events calendar, it will help make the polo scene in Abu Dhabi much more popular and bring new crowds in.” At the VIP event, dapper spectators were welcomed at the entrance to the palace lawns by four spectacular Maseratis that were parked near the pitch, further adding to the glamour. Guests enjoyed drinks in the sunshine and were entertained not only by the fast-paced action of the matches but also by the festival-like ‘polo village’ providing even more flavour to the fabulous weekend. On the opening afternoon, Hublot Buenos Aires team beat Maserati Milan 13-5, whilst Coutts teamAbuDhabi accounted for ‘How to Spend It’ team London 8-5 securing themselves a spot in the final. The only thing more impressive than the power and speed of the ponies was the ability and skill of the players controlling them. Palace Polo creates a more exciting spectator experience, like nothing that has been seen in the Middle East or indeed anywhere else in the world.” Rory Heron, CEO City Events.

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