FIELDS OF GOLD

Beach polo: marking the sands of the world

Words ELYSIA AGNEW

No other sport Beach polo is a Dubai invention, evokes wealth with prestigious events such as the and luxury quite Beach Polo Cup Dubai, an annual like polo, and event incorporating sun, fun, sand it’s no accident and of course, polo. At the inception of that it has beach polo in the sands of Dubai just become a ‘rich over a decade ago, there stood just a man’s’ sport. small following willing to embark on Traditionally played on a green field, building something new and engaging turf has been swapped for surf in a for polo enthusiasts. But now, as the new and exciting concept, beach polo. Dubai skyline rises above the sands, Some of the beach polo brings world’s best polo the ultramodern city players now take part back down to ground in competitions with a golden platform. Polo’s transition from level in events celebrating the sport Polo’s transition grass to snow and and its importance. from grass to snow then finally to sand The sport was and then finally to launched in Dubai sand has been an has been an exciting in 2004 and quickly exciting journey for journey spread to the United tournaments and beach polo events, all involved in the States in 2005, it does not exist merely in a man’s sport. But as the age- before setting down world: in 2009 the Miami Beach old proverb states, its roots in 33 cities Polo Club held the first South Beach ‘one can only know across the world. Women’s Polo Cup, a competition that where they are going if they know Additional tournaments have taken fielded eight teams of women from six where they have been’, and in the case place in Europe and beyond over the countries. of beach polo, this is no exception. years, and in 2008 the International Now an internationally renowned Over the years, well-regarded polo Beach Polo Association was created sport, you don’t have to travel far tournaments have been played on the by its chairman Alex Webbe. As the and wide to catch a game of beach beach and in the snow, but its roots sport grows with the increase of polo. This summer, the shores of remain embedded in the soil. participating countries, high profile Sandbanks beach in Poole, Dorset

will play host to top polo players at the world’s largest beach polo event. The annual championships return for a thrilling weekend of polo, ponies and parties as the event takes pride of place overlooking Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks. And if beach polo is a sport you would like to add to your annual sporting calendar, Watergate Bay’s Polo on the Beach event will return to celebrate its 10th anniversary in May 2017. Packed with more ponies, pros, polo and partying than ever before, this is a must-attend event if you’re not hitting the sands of Dubai or Miami for your beach polo fix next season. Beach polo welcomes a much younger, sociable crowd and is played on a smaller field. Much like Chestertons Polo in the Park, the rules of beach polo are altered to give spectators a more personal and exciting experience.