The glorious sun began to shine just in time for the conclusion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds played spectacular polo to steal the title away from last year’s winners Team Gstaad Palace in a stunning final, winning by 5 goals to 3. The game was a fierce battle from start to finish. Both teams showed their sheer determination, as the riders and ponies jostled for the upper hand. Eduardo Menendez (ARG) displayed his envious skill, producing two impressive goals to give Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds an early lead. Team Gstaad Palace stepped their game up a gear in the 3rd chukka, creating some notable chances, only to be denied the rewards due to three unbelievable on-the-line blocks from Frankie Menendez (ARG). Victory was in sight for Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds as they entered the 4th chukka with a five-goal lead. However Team Gstaad Palace showed they were not willing to give up their title without a fight. Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) scored three breathtaking goals to bring Team Gstaad Palace back into contention with two minutes still on the clock. The unstoppable combination of the Menendez brothers, who have been playing together since they were three years old, proved just a little too much for Team Gstaad Palace as Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds secured the victory and was crowned champion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. The third place play off was decided by penalties, due to a waterlogged pitch as result of an excessive downpour of rain throughout Saturday evening. The atmosphere was tense for this unusual determining of 3rd and 4th place. Team Vicomte A.’s patron Michael Bruggler (SUI) stepped up to take the first penalty with a hard hit, allowing the ball to travel cleanly through the posts. This set the trend as Team Vicomte A. kept their lead in all three rounds. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA stayed hot on their rival’s heels, trailing by just a single goal as they entered the final round. One shot away from victory Juan de Ezcurra (ARG) took his time, creating suspense among the spectators, an impressive strike through the posts, took his team to victory. The final score was 9 goals to 5.

The spectators at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad tournament were treated with two captivating semi-final matches on the third day of an action packed tournament. Team Gstaad Palace beat Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, in what could be argued the hardest fought match of the tournament so far, with a final score of 7-5.5. In the second semi-final, despite a noble fight from Team Vicomte A., it was Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds who came out on top with a winning score of 7-4.5.

Team Gstaad Palace will now face Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds in what is set to be a tense final at 15:00 to determine which Team will be crowned the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2014 Champion. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA play Team Vicomte A. in the 3rd place playoff at 13:30.L’équipe Gstaad Palace a battu l’équipe Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA avec un score de 7 à 5.5, dans ce qui aura été, jusqu’à présent, le match le plus serré du tournoi. Dans la deuxième demi-finale malgré une belle combattivité, le team Vicomte A. voyait la victoire leur échapper et revenir à l’équipe E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds.

Crowds of fun loving spectators from around the world have descended upon the picturesque village of Gstaad for a weekend of world-class polo and entertainment at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament.

The opening day saw the glorious sun shining down on the homogenous playing field, which has remained in perfect condition despite the recent wet weather. The qualifying matches have set the bar high for what is going to be an action packed weekend. Team Gstaad Palace faced Team Vicomte A. to kick-start the tournament in style with some incredible skill from both teams. Team Gstaad Palace took it up a notch to gain a 9-7.5 lead and claim their first victory of this year’s tournament.

A tightly fought match between Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA and Team E. I. Sturdza Investment Funds had the crowds hooked with both teams battling for the lead. Both the Menendez brothers made an early impression in this prestigious Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament carrying Team E. I. Sturdza Investment Funds to triumph.

Thursday night concluded with an asado, a traditional Argentinian BBQ, welcoming players, partners and petiseros for a post match feast at the polo showground cooked by the chefs of Gstaad Palace.

Friday saw the player’s parade on their horses through the streets of Gstaad, followed by socialising with the crowds, sponsors and VIP guests alike at the Hublot cocktail.

Saturday’s matches look set to thrill, as all four teams will vie for a place in the esteemed Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad final. The semi-finals begin at 13:30 on the Gstaad Saanen airport fields followed by the much-awaited Gala evening.

After a very friendly and animated Captain’s meeting held at the Gstaad Palace, the long wait came to an end. All teams and horses have arrived, more motivated, than ever.

The draw decided that Team Gstaad Palace would face Team Vicomte A. in the first match, at 13:30.

The second match at 15:00 will bring together Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA & Team E. I. Sturdza Investment Funds.

Best wishes to all players and horses. May the sport be great, and may fair-play rule.

Argentinian sun should shine on Gstaad this weekend for the traditional polo tournament, supported by Hublot. The organisers are looking forward to welcoming some of the world’s best polo players to Gstaad-Saanen airport fields for a closely-fought competition.

This year again, big names of the sport have been announced by the 4 teams :

The famous Argentinian brothers Eduardo and Frankie Menendez (hcp 6) will play for Egyptian captain Mohammed El Sewedi (hcp 2) and will, notably, contend with fellow Argentinian players Marcelo Pascual (hcp 6), Silvestre Fanelli (hcp 4) and his brother Jeronimo Fanelli (hcp 5).

The competition will be held over 4 days with matches on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Exciting enlivenments will brighten up the weekend, such as the horses and players’ parade, through Gstaad, on Friday at 4pm.

The official village will open on Thursday August 21st at 11:00. Qualifier matches will start at 13 :30. The level of all 4 teams being very consistent, the competition promises to be keenly contested.

Since its early beginnings in 1996, the Gstaad Polo Club event is by now well established on the European Polo circuit tour and in 2014, will once again welcome some of the world’s top players, including tournament regulars Eduardo and Frankie Menendez (ARG).

In this unique mountainous setting, matches take place on the fields of Gstaad Saanen Airport, which are meticulously kept and maintained year-round for the sole purpose of offering the best possible surface quality for the 3 days of this Polo event. Amongst the many prestigious partners who continue to support the event are Hublot — title sponsor since 2008, Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds, Gstaad Palace, Vicomte A., McLaren Geneva, Perrier Jouët, Dunhill and Nespresso.

Each year, the event attracts well over 6000 spectators attending the free admission matches as well as the festive Players Parade on Friday afternoon in the streets of Gstaad. The VIP tent welcomes over a thousand connoisseurs with treats for the eyes and palate, tastefully orchestrated by the chefs of Gstaad Palace who prepare gourmet meals for guests. The long awaited Saturday Gala Night, organised in the VIP tent, remains one of the highlights of the event. Among the entertainers, Silvan Zingg, one of the greatest Boogie-Woogie pianists in Europe will be sure to get guests up on their feet. The evening will continue until the early hours as the DJs of the infamous GreenGo night club in Gstaad relocates for this annual one night do.

In 2013, Team Gstaad Palace narrowly beat Team Hublot after an intense and thrilling match. What will be the outcome in 2014? Date and destination set – 21st-24th August, Gstaad!

The Polo Gstaad team is already hard at work to prepare for the upcoming Hublot Polo Gold Cup, August 21st to 24th 2014, taking place on the Gstaad Saanen airport fields.

Organisers pride themselves on counting on loyal partners such as Hublot, McLaren Geneva, Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, Gstaad Palace hotel, Perrier Jouët champagne or Dunhill to name but a few . Additionally, the event happily welcomes new sponsors such as E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds, partnering with the tournament for the first time in 2014.

All has been planned already to display the best level of sport for polo fans and to welcome spectators and VIPs in the best possible conditions.

More information to come over the next couple of months, when some of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup surprises will be revealed.

Sunday 18 August 2013

The 2013 Hublot Polo Gold Cup concluded with a stunning finale as Team Gstaad Palace took the elusive title of 2013 Champion knocking Team Hublot in to runner-up position after an invigorating contest which ended 8-7. Third spot was claimed by Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, winning the day’s earlier fixture by 7 goals to 6 ahead of Team Star Design.

The Final could not have been a more fierce fight between two incredible teams, Team Gstaad Palace and Team Hublot. The players and ponies jostled for the lead continuously with each taking their turn at the top. In the end it all came to a head in the final 30 seconds when Eduardo Menendez scored a spectacular goal off the back of a penalty taking Team Gstaad Palace’s total score to 8 goals, just one ahead of Team Hublot, and secured victory and the 2013 title for this consistently high quality team. This is the second time they have stood atop of the podium at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad and it has no doubt left them hungry for the 2014 title.

The battle for 3rd and 4th position took place earlier in the day. It was an exceedingly intense match that went to a 5th Chukka decider. With the lead constantly changing throughout the match the crowd were enthralled and the result went right to the wire. The final decider came in the form of a magnificent golden goal by Marcos Riglos securing victory and overall 3rd place for Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA. Team Star Design put up a fierce fight but in the end had to settle for 4th place. Final score, 7 goals to 6.

Man of the match :

Pro – Santi Cernadas (Team Gstaad Palace)

Amateur – Cedric Schweri (Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA)

Top Goal Scorer :

Marcos Riglos (Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA) with 30 goals

Pony of the match :

Pelon (Eduardo Menendez – Team Gstaad Palace)

This past weekend has seen four days of sizzling polo competition in the dramatic setting of Gstaad nestled in Bernese Oberland. It is therefore no surprise that the Teams, Spectators and Tournament Organisers alike are eagerly awaiting the 2014 edition – more information on the Hublot Polo Gold Cup can be found at www.pologstaad.ch, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pologstaad, or on twitter at www.twitter.com/pologstaad.

Gualtiero Giori Team Captain Gstaad Palace:

The match was so close but in the end a beautiful victory! We took the lead in the initial chukka but then they came right back at us, the ‘Russian Mountains of Polo’ as we say! In the end, everything came down to the last 30 seconds, the suspense was intense – but this is Gstaad! This is our 4th Final and our 2nd win. The most memorable part of match for me? When we fought so hard to defend an attack from Team Hublot right on the line – we just about managed to get the ball away and in doing so we managed to score ourselves!

Cedric Schweri Team Captain Banque Barin Brothers Sturdza SA:

It was an intense match, very tight between the two teams. I am so pleased with today’s victory! Star Design beat us on Thursday so we were able to get our own back today! I am really happy with the way I played and I tried my very best not to get in the way too much of my team’s pro-players! I really do hope I get the chance to come back next year.

For further information, please contact:

Magali Dubois Vaucher
ComPeaR
E: press@pologstaad.ch Tel +41 78 608 03 23

Marianna Nagyova
Polo Club Gstaad,
E: info@pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 33 744 07 40 or visit: www.pologstaad.ch

Notes for editors

• The Polo Club of Gstaad was founded in 1995 and the first polo tournament was held in 1996
• In 2006 Pierre Genecand became President of both the Club and the Tournament. Hublot joined force in 2008
• The tournament takes place on the Gstaad Saanen airport field. Free entrance.
• Shops and Kinder Paradise will be open in the Official Village on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11h onwardsDimanche 18 Aout 2013

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad kicks off in spectacular fashion

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad kicks off in spectacular fashion

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad – Thursday 14 August 2013

The 18th edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup began today in superb sunshine, played out on the Gstaad Saanen airport field of the Polo Club Gstaad and the breathtaking alpine scenery that surrounds it. In the inaugural qualifying match, Team Star Design took victory over Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA by 9 goals to 8, whilst Team Gstaad Palace were victors in the second, winning 9-6 against Team Hublot.

The opening game between Team Star Design and Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA was a closely fought, high-energy affair with the tie needing a golden-goal extra chukka to separate the two teams. Beginning at a great pace, Team Star Design twice went ahead only for Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA to strike back almost immediately from the put in, finally taking the lead themselves with a well-taken goal from Argentine Juan de Ezcurra after he went clear, ending the chukka 3-2 up.

The intensity of play continued in the second and third chukkas, Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza opening up a two point lead at 7-5 going into the fourth with another score from de Ezcurra, two from Marcos Riglos and one for Martin Riglos. It was then that the Star Design team stepped it up a gear, winning the final chukka in normal time, 3 goals to 1 – Brazilian 8 goaler, Olavo Novaes claiming a brace alongside one for Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu – to finish 8 all. Thus, a golden-goal chukka ensued and a penalty score from Novaes gave him his fourth of the match and his Team Star Design the win.

The second of the two matches was another tight competition as Team Gstaad Palace and Team Hublot took to the field. A quiet start to the first chukka culminated with a flurry of scores – Team Hublot’s Argentine 6-goaler, Francisco Fucci opening the scoring only for his compatriots on the opposition side, Eduardo Menendez and Santi Cernadas grabbing a quick-fire point apiece for a 2-1 lead. The second chukka ended as the first did with the only difference being that the other Fucci, Gonzalo was the Team Hublot scorer, consequently putting Team Gstaad Palace in front by 4 goals to 2 as spectators walked onto the field for halftime.

The third chukka saw a revived Team Hublot drag themselves back into the game thanks to one goal each from the Fuccis’, only for the outstanding Cernadas to give his team back its lead going into the closing chukka. As both teams eyed victory, play swung from end-to-end, Team Gstaad Palace’s Cernadas claiming a hat-trick which included a superb 60-yard penalty high into the goal, alongside one for Italian Gualtiero Giori. Scores from Team Hublot’s Salvatore Jauretche and an incredible solo effort from Francisco Fucci were not enough for the game to end 9-6 to Team Gstaad Palace.

A grand parade of the players and horses down Gstaad’s world-renowned promenade follows tomorrow, Friday 16 August, from 16:00, with matches resuming the following day.

On Saturday 17 August, the tournament’s Polo Village – featuring an array of top brands including Hublot, Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, Gstaad Palace & Star Design – will open at 11:00 followed by the first of the second round of matches at 13:30, the second match beginning at 15:00, and a prize giving ceremony preceding this. In the evening an exclusive Polo Night will be hosted within the tournament’s VIP tent, with guests treated to a host of fantastic cuisine and top entertainment throughout the night including international vocalist Tara McDonald who has been confirmed alongside Australian comedian, Rob Spence.

Quotes

Allegra Nasi, Captain Team Star Design, winner of the first match against Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA “This is really a superbe event. The organisation is great and the ground is very good. It is a pleasure. We played to win, not just to warm up.”

Ricardo Tattoni, Team Gstaad Palace, winner of the 2nd match said, “It was a smooth match but engrossed and sporty. It was a good match to enter the competition with and there was no aggressiveness from either side – above all Fair Play prevailed.”

Pierre Genecand, President of the tournament said: “It was a fantastic 1st day, with a very high level of competition. The quality of players and horses is exceptional. I am also very pleased with the quality of the field.”

1st Qualifying Match Scores by Chukka

1st Chukka

Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza 3 -2 Team Star Design

2nd Chukka

Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza 2 -1 Team Star Design

3rd Chukka

Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza 2 -2 Team Star Design

4th & 5th Chukka

Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza 3 -2 Team Star Design

2nd Qualifying Match Scores by Chukka

1st Chukka

Team Gstaad Palace 2 – 1 Team Hublot

2nd Chukka

Team Gstaad Palace 2 – 1 Team Hublot

3rd Chukka

Team Gstaad Palace 1 -2 Team Hublot

4th Chukka

Team Gstaad Palace 4 -2 Team Hublot

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Teams

Team Banque Baring Brothers

Cedric Schweri (SUI; Hcp. 0)

Martin Riglos (ARG; Hcp, 4)

Marcos Riglos (ARG; Hcp 5)

Juan de Ezcurra (ARG; Hcp 5)

Team Star Design

Allegra Nasi (ITA; Hcp 0)

Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu (ARG; Hcp 3)

Aki Van Andel (NED; Hcp 3)

Olava Novaes (BRA; Hcp 8)

Team Gstaad Palace

Gualtiero Giori (ITA; Hcp 1)

Riccardo Tattoni (ITA; Hcp 0)

Eduardo Menendez (ARG; Hcp 7)

Santi Cernadas (ARG; Hcp 6)

Team Hublot

Daniel Aegerter (SUI; Hcp 0)

Francisco Fucci (ARG; Hcp 6)

Gonzalo Fucci (ARG; Hcp 6)

Salvatore Jauretche (ARG; Hcp 2)

Fixtures – Saturday 17 August 2013

Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA vs. Team Gstaad Palace

Team Hublot vx. Team Star Design

For a high resolution copyright free image, please click here.

For further information, please contact:

ComPeaR, Magali Dubois Vaucher

press@pologstaad.ch

Tel +41 78 608 03 23

Polo Club Gstaad

Marianna Nagyova

info@pologstaad.ch

Tel: +41 33 744 07 40 or visit: www.polo-gstaad.ch

Notes to editors:

The Polo Club of Gstaad was founded in 1995 and the first polo tournament was held in 1996.

In 2006 Pierre Genecand became President of both the Club and the Tournament. Hublot joined force in 2008.

In Polo handicap vary from -2 to +10 (10 being the highest level). Only a few Argentinian players have a 10 handicap

The tournament takes place on the Gstaad Saanen airport field. Free entrance.

Shops and Kinder Paradise will be open in the Official Village on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11h onwards.