Clevedon
Sunday 18th February 2024
FASHION AT THE POLO Where chic meets chukkas. Express your style with field-side fashion
TICKET OPTIONS KIM CLIFFORD LAWN & POLO HILL Find a spot on the family-friendly Polo Hill overlooking all the action. Or, if you prefer to get closer, nab a spot on the Kim Clifford Lawn to cheer from the sideline. Alternatively if you wish to upgrade to a VIP experience, then the Whispering Angel VIP Polo Club has you covered for a luxe day out. GA tickets from $45 per person, VIP from $85 per person.
FOR BOOT PARK AND PRIVATE HOSTING PACKAGES CONTACT: openmanager@aucklandpolo.co.nz or phone 0210 695 960 ALL OTHER TICKETS www.iticket.co.nz
THE SPORTING AND SOCIAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER
KIM CLIFFORD LAWN Join the Kim Clifford team in their tastefully curated chukka bar and polo lawn. Sit back, relax and enjoy the matches with a drink in hand in this chic chill-out space or simply relax on a couch or beanbag while catching up with friends. It’s the perfect space to sip a gin in the sun.
1963 Pink Gin Special Release Created especially for the polo, this pink gin is perfect whether you’re cheering from the sideline or sipping on something delicious at the bach. It’s a fruit-forward and refreshing gin that starts with a hit of rhubarb, followed by a dash of juniper and lingering notes of delicious raspberries. Pick up a pink g&t at any bar.
PARTY WITH THE PLAYERS The Edge will be hosting the official Polo After Party on the Kim Clifford Lawn. The Edge DJ’s will have the tunes going from midday. As the sun sets after the final whistle, join the players to dance the night away. The After Party is strictly R18.
Sideline Whispering Angel VIP Polo Club Glam up your experience at the Whispering Angel VIP Polo Club. With the convenience and privacy of your own VIP private bar, it is the perfect place to enjoy the day in your own exclusive haven. Located by the centre line, it will see you right in the midst of all the action on and off the field. A delicious array of complimentary bite-sized goodies from Little Wolf will keep your energy levels up, because at 5pm this VIP Polo Club will join the Chukka Lawn for the official players after party. Strictly R18.
action
Whispering Angel Dash Line up ladies and take off your shoes. Thanks to our friends in Provence you can gallop your way to a fabulous magnum. All you need to do is be the fastest filly on the day!
While the international players battle it out on the field, the sidelines are packed with plenty to do and see. Make the most of this big day out and explore all that the NZ Polo Open has to offer.
10/4 DASH Gentlemen, this is one dash you don’t want to miss. Thanks to our friends at Kim Clifford you can get your hands on their 10/4 South Pacific Spiced Rum. Packed full of heart and character, this premium rum will be your new favourite — all you need to do to secure a bottle is cross the finish line first!
HORSE VS HORSEPOWER Always a crowd favourite, the annual race between a polo pony & one of Archibald & Shorter’s top Range Rovers answers the age-old question, which is faster — four legs or four wheels?
Village Central The Polo Village is a must-visit and the perfect place to fill your Insta stories and bellies. Yeah Bowl, Pasta Masta, Royal Thai, Real Fruit Ice Cream and Dee Jay’s burgers are among the food offerings, and don’t forget to take your turn at the glitter photo wall for perfect content for your socials.
The Grand Tour hoofs it to the Polo
Remix Fashion at the Polo
Saddle up this summer for New Zealand’s raciest festival, a nationwide celebration of the biggest and best thoroughbred racing events! Snap a pic with The Grand Tour Horse side-line, share on Instagram, follow and tag @thegrandtournz and you’re in the draw to win Premium tickets to Auckland Cup Week© plus spot prizes. Phone needing a little horsepower? Get charged up at The Grand Tour charging station. Eat, drink and get racy with thegrandtour.nz
Attention tastemakers — the highly anticipated and fiercely competitive Remix Magazine Fashion at the Polo is back. So get those outfits sorted! Pre-registrations can be sent through to info@ aucklandpolo.co.nz or on-the-day registrations will be taken from 1pm in the Remix Magazine Fashion Garden by the Kim Clifford Lawn. Watch the entrants strut their stuff on the catwalk at 2.30pm in the Remix Magazine Fashion Garden. The prizes are:
Best-dressed lady A year’s subscription to Remix Magazine A gift voucher for CABLE clothing from Harries Boutique’s One night’s accommodation at the Luxurious DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka A COAST New Zealand Picnic Bag A Wittner Shoes gift voucher A Magnum of Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel
PICNIC ON POLO HILL Looking for a family-friendly space and a great view of all the action on and off the field? Polo Hill is just the spot. Pack a picnic (in your luxury COAST picnic bag), sit back, relax and enjoy the biggest event of the summer with plenty of space for the kids to run around.
Best-dressed gentleman A year’s subscription to Remix Magazine A COAST New Zealand Picnic Bag A gift voucher from Crane Brothers A Magnum of Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel
MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT Book a stay at our hotel partner DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka
Best accessory A year’s subscription to Remix Magazine
A COAST New Zealand Picnic Bag A Wittner Shoes Gift Voucher A Magnum of Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel
Grab special room rates at https://bit.ly/nzpoloopen2024
FASHION JUDGES
2
1
3 4
Holly Estelle POLO OPEN AMBASSADOR
Stomp divots in style
Amber Baker REMIX MAGAZINE
Sally Richardson CABLE
6
Robert Niwa CRANE BROTHERS
5
Elegant and comfortable is the way to go at the polo. Keep things chic with breezy fabrics and sun-smart accessories with a touch of class. Ladies, don’t forget to leave the stilettos at home.
1. Cable chambray dress. 2. Crane Brothers jacket. 3. Heidi shoes by Wittner. 4. Caus Panama hat. 5. Cable poppy midi-dress. 6. Cable philly embroidered shirt Cable Stockist: www.harriesboutique.co.nz
Teams
Cronin (2) to bring big-hitting flair to Clevedon. This team has silky skills and the advantage that comes with playing together for years.
KIM CLIFFORD DISTILLERY
BRINKS Auckland Polo Club stalwart Matt van den Brink (1)*, joins forces with the accomplished player and England captain, James Harper (7) plus young hotshot and fellow Brit, Jimbo Fewster (5) in this exciting team that’s also matched with serious horsepower. A fourth player is TBC but this team of UK/Kiwi talent already promises magic on the field.
CAMBRIDGE GRAINS KHS Waikato rugby star and NZ player, Craig Wilson (5) and well-known Clevedon local James Worker (3) will bring their experience to the NZ Polo Open when they team up with massively talented NZ representative Tom Hunt (6) and 17-year-old South African up-andcomer Jack Spillsbury (2). A team you won’t be able to miss.
ECOGAS Expertise and skill from Ardmore-based Ashmole Polo Farm anchors a trio of all-stars: Ardmore hunk JJ Jones (2), Gisborneborn NZ team representative Glenn Sheriff (5) and Argentine sensation Paco O’Dwyer (7). They are joined by local lad George
Impressive polo bloodlines are on show with this new generation of dashing young guns. Local Hololio player Edward Elworthy Jones (3), Clevedon chap Ethan Wade (3) and Australian import Lachie Gilmore (5), team up with the experience and grassroots talent of Rangitikei’s Angus McKelvie (5). This combination of four polo dynasties could produce something really special.
TIGER POLO The current title-holders are fielding another strong team in 2024. NZ captain and highest handicapped player, JP Clarkin (7) unites with longtime teammate and talented NZ player Kit Brooks (6) along with two exciting youngsters: Jay Wilson (1) and Liam Parrott (2). Will the experienced pair and future stars lift the trophy again?
RODD & GUNN The Rodd & Gunn colours make a return to Fisher Field with Ross Ainsley (5) fresh off the back of his UK season joining with Hololio Polo Club manager Henry Jones (4), Cambridge local Dean “Weka” Fullerton and super-talented British import Will Harper (5) in a team that combines experience, skill and determination. With enviable horsepower, this team is one to watch. *Numbers in brackets indicate a player’s handicap. Polo handicaps are rated on a scale of --2 to 10, with 10 considered the best.
Programme
Our Partners
NZ POLO OPEN FINALS
NZ Polo Open 2024 is very proud to be partnered with the following brands and companies
SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY, 2024 Auckland Polo Club Fisher Field, 102 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Clevedon 11AM Gates open
3.15PM Parade of Champions
11.30AM The Fisher Challenge Polo Match
3.30PM The New Zealand Polo Open 2024 Final
1PM Stomping of the Divots 1.15PM Open Handicap Final Polo Match 2.30PM Remix Magazine Fashion at the Polo
4.15PM Stomping the Divots 5.15PM Trophy presentation on Clubhouse Lawn
2.55PM Whispering Angel & 10/4 Dashes
5.30PM The Official Edge Polo Afterparty — Kim Clifford Lawn
3.00PM Horse versus Horsepower Race
8.30PM Bus departs to Britomart
IMPORTANT The NZ Polo Open is strictly a no-BYO event. A day in the country watching great polo goes handin-hand with a glass of Champagne or a beer, available at the venue. If you think you’ll be indulging and staying on for the after-party, consider booking a return bus for $60 per person. Entry is by wristband only, received at the gate on sighting your electronic ticket. Go to www.iticket.co.nz/events/2024/ feb/nz-polo-open
SAFETY For your safety, spectators must not be in the safety zone during play. Polo ponies and polo balls travel at speed and if either hits you, it hurts. The safety zone is the area within 10m of the boards (the sideboards outlining the field) and 30m from the back goal-line. Only players, umpires, referees, goal judges, officials or stick holders may enter the safety zone while the game is in progress.