Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge at the Desert Palm Polo Club: The Cartier Tank team dominated the league stages of the 13th edition of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge, and continued that policy in the final. Played in front of an illustrious, VIP crowd, at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm Polo Club, Cartier Tank defeated the Cartier Panthere team 7-4, much to the delight of team patrons Clive Reid and Faris Al Yabhouni.
The winning team’s number three, Santiago Cernadas, playing in his first Cartier Dubai tournament, was equally delighted. Not only did he receive a Cartier Drive watch as a winners’ prize, but was also named La Martina’s Most Valuable Player. His pony Rosinia then received La Martina’s Best Playing Pony prize, a stunning saddle, which was co-presented by La Martina’s Emad Hussein. In their role as official kit suppliers, La Martina had also been responsible for ensuring the players looked their best throughout the tournament but creating some stand-out team shirts.
Earlier in the afternoon Amr Zedan’s Zedan team won the Desert Palm Trophy, defeating the home side, Desert Palm, 10-6, in another competitive final on the hotel ground.
With a packed Royal Box – HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khaled bin Sultan Al Qasimi and HRH Dr Mara bint Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Guillaume Alix of Cartier Middle East and Neil Hobday – plus an array of beautiful VVIP Cartier guests, this event remains a key fixture in the Dubai social calendar.
Tony Ramirez / Images of Polo
