Pattaya’s Pink Polo Play-Off
The “Queen’s Cup” Pink (ladies) Polo took place to raise funds for breast cancer and they also provided a wide variety of entertainment for the whole family through the whole fun filled afternoon. The “Regis Hotel Group” were the main sponsors and even fielded their own Polo team, who came close to winning, but were beaten by the “Thai Polo” team in the last minute of the final round.
Pattaya, 20th February 2011: – The traditional ladies “Pink Polo” finals at Pattaya’s Thai Polo Club fields were again a huge success with around 300 enthusiastic spectators staying to the end, which turned out to be the ultimate in a “cliff hanger” finish. Two notable VIP supporters were M/s Nunthanee Tanner, who is the Managing Director of the LBG Ltd. Group, and the Chairman for the “Pink Polo” Organizing Committee plus Mr. Paul Jones, who is the Global Brand Leader for the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Group.
John Jacob Astor founded the St. Regis Group in 1904 and the American Astor family have always been very prominent in Polo and charity events, which has seen the funds raised in Pattaya this year, go to the King Chalongkorn hospital’s Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer. The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Group generously acted as the main sponsors for this popular event and they even fielded their own ladies polo team, which was made up of some very talented multi-national players.
With a buffet lunch the day was filled with a horseback fashion show featuring La Martina, Burberry and elegant Cymberline attire, plus games and other fun filled pursuits. One highlight of the day was the competition for the “Pink Polo Queen,” who came away with a Bt. 50,000 voucher from the “Banyan Tree” Samui, with the “Best Hat” winner receiving another Bt.35,000 voucher from the Four Seasons Hotel, Chiang Mai.
The two finalists were the St. Regis (pink) Polo Team and the (grey) Thai Polo Club Ladies Team, both of whom were made up of leading international players and were very evenly matched. Scores remained pretty well even throughout the four chukkas (rounds) and right up to the final few minutes of the game, then with a 60-metre penalty shot St Regis had a big opportunity to take home the cup, just two minutes from the end. Unfortunately their shot missed the mark, which again left a tied score.
Amazingly, with only 20-seconds remaining on the clock, the Thai Polo Club Ladies put in a super human effort to score a winning point in what was one of the most sensational finals that we have ever witnessed. With an ending such as this, Polo could never be called a “boring spectator sport,” yet at the same time it is a very relaxing sport to watch, and the ladies make it more spectacular as they are incredibly flexible and fast on their agile polo horses. Be there next season and we can assure you that if you have not been to an international polo match before, then you will not be disappointed.
Credit: Pattaya Daily News (www.pattayadailynews.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment