The Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club has established itself as a world-class facility for high-goal polo competitions. Joanna Andrews brings you the highlights of the Dubai Polo Season.
AHPRC League
This is a new monthly addition to the Dubai Polo Circuit. It comprises of a series of 5 leagues played throughout the season, with a 4-6 goal handicap. Six teams took part in the AHPRC League, which ran from 3-10 November. Habtoor Polo, Mahra Polo, Kuwait Polo, Brunei Polo, Zedan Polo and The Royals battled it out for the title, which was claimed by Habtoor Polo after beating Mahra in a tightly fought match which ended 8 goals to 7.5.
Halloween Cup
Habtoor Polo claimed the Halloween Cup in late October. The Habtoor Polo team defeated the Rhinos Polo team in a tightly won game which ended 5-4. The week-long event officially opened the Dubai Polo season. Six teams took part in the tournament: Habtoor Polo, Rhinos Polo, Mahra Polo, Bangash Polo, Kuwait Polo and Astana Polo from Kazakhstan. The matches were played at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club and The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
Sir Winston Cup
It was a nail-biting final of the Winston Churchill Cup as Bangash Polo and UAE Polo battled it out for the title. It was a close match which ended in Bangash Polo team’s favour with a 7-6 win. Marco Foccacia was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while Mision, played By Fede Von Petobsky and bred by MacDonough's at La Irenita Argentina was named the Best Playing Pony.
The Al Habtoor brothers went face to face in the Subsidiary final which saw Habtoor Polo dominate the game from the opening chukker. The match ended 9-5 in favour of Habtoor. George John Godolphin Spencer Churchill, the Marquess of Blandford, who is the grandson of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, played in the Subsidiary final as part of team Habtoor. “It was a really great match and I am pleased to know the love my grandfather had for polo is still being celebrated,” he said.