Singapore Wins The Final Of The Cartier International Polo
May 18th 2008,Sunday
Singapore Polo Club

Singapore Wins The Final Of The Cartier International Polo

I am not a big fan of polo but after what began as an afternoon outing just to watch 8 players on horseback hitting a small white ball from one end of the field to the other, made me learn to appreciate the game better and at the same time inculcating interest, and admiration.

All this happened at the Finals of The Cartier International Polo Tournament held at the Singapore Polo Club on Sunday, May 18th 2008.

Interestingly, when did Polo originate? Some historians claim that Polo originated among Persian nomadic tribes before the Persian Empire in the 6th Century B.C. Others say that the Mongols were the first to play the game. Whatever the case, it became a royal sport for kings, and today the game of Polo is pursued right across the world, chiefly in United Kingdom and increasingly in Europe, Australia, North and South America, India, Pakistan and Southeast Asia.

“Cartier”, the “King of Jewellers and the Jeweller of Kings”, has been a strong supporter of Polo since the early 1920’s. It has been the fourth consecutive year that The Cartier International Polo Tournament took place at the Singapore Polo Club. The Club is one of Singapore’s oldest recreational clubs, founded in 1886, by officers of the 1st battalion, the King’s Own Regiment. The Singapore Polo Club is set amidst tropical and lush parkland, off busy Thomson Road, distinctive of the Mount Pleasant green conservation area. It has a relaxed country-manor ambience, elegant traditions that are reflective of the old colonial lifestyle which is seldom seen in modern day Singapore. Here, Polo has been played at the Club’s ground since 1947 and it has retained its social status among Singapore’s elite.

The staging of Cartier International Polo is the main event of the Club’s annual polo calendar and this year there were six teams in total competing in the Silver League and the Gold Match from 14th – 18th May.

The results of the Cartier Silver League (4 to 6 goals) at the end of 17th May were:

Winner – Singapore
2nd place – England
3rd place – Argentina
4th place – Thai Polo

The Gold Match played on Sunday, 18th May, included several professional players like: Gerardo Mazzini, Carlos Pando and Martin Espain from Argentina; Dave Allen from United Kingdom; Sattar Khan and Satinder Garcha from the Singapore Polo Club.

What was exciting about this year’s tournament is that the event was graced by members of Indian Royalty and fame: Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar of Udaipur; Prince Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad of the Baroda Royal Family; Indian movie star Kabir Bedi were joined by a large number of local personalities and socialites.

A highlight of this annual tournament was the Gala Dinner themed “Days of the Raj” held on the evening of Friday, 16th May, at the Club. The glamour and excitement of this Indian inspired evening were enhanced by a night performance of the President’s Bodyguard of India, a thrilling display of trick riding and equestrian skill.

Sunday’s tournament, the Cartier Le Maillet d’Or (12 to 14 goals) Cup between Singapore and Germany was a colourful event. As early as 3pm, guests dressed in their Sunday best started to stream into the Club. In spite of the searing heat, the ladies especially were fashionably dressed with hats and all, some looking slightly flushed yet stunning.

A good turnout of about 500 people, including VVIPs and polo fans, were on hand to support the players. Free flow of champagne was the order of the day, so were delectable hors-d’oeuvres served on silver platters by waiters from Raffles Hotel. A carnival mood permeated the air.

The event kicked off with an exhibition polo match by the youth players and by 5 o’clock, all eyes were on the “Trick Riding Performance” by the President’s Bodyguard of India.

The actual game for “Le Maillet d’Or” started at about 5.30pm between Singapore and Germany. The Singapore team comprised Gerardo Mazzini, Sattar Khan, Satinder Garcha and Asad Jumabhoy. Team from Germany consisted of Carlos Pando, Martin Espain, Nicholas Kosmatos and Harold Link. The umpire was Dave Allen and Tony Keyte, and commentator was Jaisal Singh.

There were altogether 4 chukkas, each lasting seven minutes. The players equipped with helmets, knee-guards, whips, gloves, the armour of polo; looking very smart in their colourful uniforms. And their horses, beautiful thoroughbreds, also wore colourful protective wraps.

The fun thing to watch is the overall playing ability, the horsemanship, the range of strokes and the speed of play. Both teams were equally matched. At half-time after 2 chukkas, Singapore was leading with 4 goals and Germany with 2 goals.

When the match continued, one could see that Germany was on the attack and after the third chukka, the side gained one more goal. But Singapore went ahead with two more goals thereafter, making the score: Singapore – 6 and Germany – 3.

When the whistle finally announced the end of the fourth chukka, the score was 7 for Singapore and 4 for Germany. It was a good game after all and good playing by both teams.

The spectators and fans enjoyed it thoroughly and so did I. Maybe I should learn to play it too! As for riding, there should not be a problem as I have ridden on one before.

Just when the sun was going down the horizon, the day’s event came to a close with the Prize Presentation Ceremony. Two lucky spectators also won prizes, lady with the best hat and the best dressed gentleman. All the prizes, compliments of Cartier.

Well, if you had missed out on this year’s Cartier International Polo Tournament, join us for the next one in 2009, when it returns to the Singapore Polo Club! You will love it as much as I did!

Please visit www.singaporepoloclub.org for more information.

See also:

• Cartier International Polo 2008 Press Conference
• A New Dining Experience @ The Singapore Polo Club

Text by Belinda Sunshine. Photographs Courtesy of Singapore Polo Club. All Rights Reserved.