Big Hitters Confirmed For Cornish Beach Polo

Above: Sandhurst Polo Manager Barbara Zingg who will be playing at Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach. Photo: Bob Berry

AN ENGLAND international and Sandhurst’s polo manager are just two of the professional polo players hitting the sand at Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach next month.

The free event, held at Watergate Bay on Monday 14th September, will see two teams play a fast-paced exhibition match on one of Cornwall’s best-known surfing beaches.

Now in its third year Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach aims to introduce the sport - often perceived as the exclusive preserve of the well-heeled and affluent - to a wider audience.

“When I walked out onto The Hotel terrace at last year’s event, I was stunned to see how many people had come down to the beach to watch the match on a September evening,” said Will Ashworth of The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.

“Our aim when we first put on the event was to spark the public’s interest in polo and I think we have managed to acheive that. Last year over 2,000 people, ranging from polo enthusiasts to curious locals, were treated to a really exciting match contested by players of the highest calibre - without any of the stuffiness or formality of traditional polo tournaments.”

This year the two teams, sponsored by Midas Construction and South West Polo, will be made up of some highly experienced and talented players drawn from the ranks of Britain’s professionals.

England international Richard Blake Thomas will be joined by Swiss national Barbara Zingg, who is the Polo Manager at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Also taking part will be arena polo specialist Tim Vaux from Somerset, and Andy Burgess, founder of South West Polo. (Detailed profiles of the players can be found below.)

The public can enjoy free access to the beach at Watergate Bay, with the unique opportunity to watch the match at close quarters without the restriction of ticket-only seating or private enclosures.

Commentators Captain Ben Marshall and Richard Eldridge will bring their wealth of polo experience, explaining the rules and strategy of the game during the match, and summarising the action for the spectators.

A public champagne bar and beach barbeque will be open from 5.00pm, with the match starting at 6.30pm.

A limited number of hospitality packages are also available, starting at 5.30pm with a champagne and canapé reception and live band on the hotel terrace. The £75 package also includes entry to the post polo party in The Beach Hut with a buffet and band.

A pre-polo package which does not include entry to the post-polo party at The Beach Hut is also available for £45 per person. Hospitality tickets are available from Claire Davies (claire@watergatebay.co.uk or 01637 861239).

Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach Player Profiles

Richard Blake Thomas
Having represented England in international polo matches Richard Blake Thomas is no stranger to the highest level of the sport. The 29 year old professional plays for the Meyado team based at the Guards Club in Windsor Great Park, and can often be seen on the field at Cowdray Park Polo Club and the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. He was also a member of the winning team at this year’s Heritage Cup tournament. And as well as playing the sport, Richard breeds and imports horses specifically for polo.
Handicap: 3 goals.

Andy Burgess
Andy Burgess started playing polo nearly 20 years ago when a friend bought him a lesson as a birthday present. He was instantly hooked, and within three years had embarked on a career as a professional player, taking part in tournaments all over Europe, in Argentina and the USA – even representing Holland’s national team as an honorary Dutchman. Andy runs South West Polo (team sponsors at this event) from his training ground near Wadebridge, where he teaches polo to novices and trains horses. He is also a founding member of Cornwall Polo Club. Handicap: 0 goals

Tim Vaux
As well as a busy career as a professional polo player, Tim Vaux also runs the family business at Vaux Park Polo Club in Somerset where he is the Polo Manager. Equally at home playing on turf or sand, Tim is a fixture at prestigious UK polo tournaments and is regarded as something of an arena polo specialist – a fact borne out by his team running out narrow winners at the 2008 edition of Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach. Handicap: 2 goals.

Barbara Zingg
Swiss national Barbara Zingg switched a career as a sportswear fashion designer for life in the saddle after playing polo for the first time 10 years ago. Today, her day job as Polo Manager at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst sees her teaching polo to Officer cadets, umpiring matches, and managing the RMAS Polo Club. She also has a passion for the history of the sport, and three years ago started the international Heritage Cup tournament, which recreates polo as it was in the 19th century - rekindling her interest in fashion to design the revival clothing for the players. Handicap: 0 goals.

ENDS

Media/Photo Call
Date:     Friday 11th September
Time:    12.00 - 1.00 pm
Location:     On the beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA
Contact:    Jim Michell - 01208 895089 or 07899 997336
Event:    Photo/filming and interview opportunity with players Andrew Burgess (Wadebridge) and Barbara Zingg (The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst) and the umpire, plus their ponies. PLEASE NOTE: Prompt arrival is advised as to ensure the welfare of the ponies the time they will be able to run on the beach is strictly limited to a maximum of one hour

Images
High resolution print-ready images can be downloaded here:

Notes to Editors
Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has an established history of innovation and creativity. Madame Clicquot was the first woman to run her own champagne house when she took over the business in 1805. She revolutionised the way champagne was made by putting holes in her kitchen table and “riddling” the bottles to clarify the wines. Similarly, Veuve Clicquot’s innovative, daring approach is evident when in 1877 they became the first company to register their unique iconic yellow which is still apparent with Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label today. www.clicquot-season.com

With over £70m of construction work on site in Cornwall, Midas Construction is industry leading within the county and contributes greatly to the community through its involvement in business and social initiative. South West Polo offer polo tuition for players of all levels at their practice ground near Wadebridge, Cornwall. Set up by professional polo instructor Andrew Burgess, South West Polo enable people to experience ‘The King of Sports’ for themselves - from a beginners introduction to polo, to instructional chukkas and team play. www.southwestpolo.com

Woof Wear has been designing and producing high quality protective products for equine athletes and riders for over twenty years. In-depth research combined with testing and feedback from riders has helped Woof Wear develop practical, hard-wearing products that work in harmony with both horse and rider to give maximum protection – day-to-day or at top level competition. Woof Wear are presenting the trophy for Best Playing Pony. www.woofwear.com

Back in the ‘90s, Tom Joule spent a large amount of his time at country shows and soon realised that there was a significant lack of bright fun clothing. So he designed a pair of bright pink wellies and ordered 100 pairs. These sold out like hot cakes and the rest they say is history! Today Joules has a highly successful mail order business, 30 shops in quintessentially British market and coastal towns and the brand is also available from over 1000 stockists worldwide including John Lewis and Harrods. Joules is built around traditional family values with a strong influence of colour, quality and detail. Designed to last and be loved. www.joulesclothing.com

The Hotel, Watergate Bay has emerged from a £2 million programme of investment as a must-visit beach destination. With the public areas and bedrooms all refurbished in the past three years, the décor is beach house chic throughout. The contemporary modern look, award-winning dining and relaxed atmosphere are only topped by The Hotel’s unbeatable location right on the beach. www.watergatebay.co.uk

The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports and events. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski, stand-up paddlesurf and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, located on the ground floor of the Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat.
www.watergatebay.co.uk/polo

Media Contact - PR on behalf of The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk