COMUNICADOS DE PRENSA - 9 DE JULIO 2017
ARGENTINE AMBASSADOR’S POLO CUP 2017
57TH EDITION
On Sunday 9 th July the "Argentine Ambassador s Cup" was held at Cowdray Park Polo Club, marking the 201st anniversary of Argentina’s independence.
The Cup, founded in 1938 by the Viscount John Cowdray as a symbol of friendship between Argentina and the United Kingdom, is contested every year as part of the Gold Cup.
The match between 'Habtoor', (which featured three Argentine players: Nicolás Pieres, Francisco Elizalde and Paco Dwyer) and 'El Remanso', with the latter coming out on top, under Argentine coach Eduardo Heguy.
As well as professionals from the field of tourism, guests included representatives of investment funds, business people, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Argentine community, renowned sports personalities, representatives of "Hurlingham Polo Association", specialist press and the Argentine and British polo communities - including the teams playing – and other players.
Guests included the British Ambassador to Argentina, Mark Kent, who joined Ambassador Carlos Sersale, visiting the enclosure, and greeting the players and petiseros at the pony lines. It is worth noting that the petiseros from both teams are largely Argentine, including those working for 'El Remanso' whose players are English.
Prior to the game, an asado was served and guests were offered Argentine wines and Quilmes beer. Towards the end of the day, the trophy ceremony was held and Lila Pearson (Vice President of Cowdray Park Polo Club), on behalf of the the “Polo Pony Breeders’ Association" (AACCP) presented the ´Best Playing Pony´award. The winning horse was Open Petrova, belonging to Nicolás Pieres. The panel of judges featured Argentine polo player Gastón Lauhle.
It is important to mention that the AACCP is an institution that brings together around six hundred polo horse breeders who are involved in the major tournaments both in Argentina and at the international level and promotes the ´Argentine Polo Breed´ worldwide.
Also attending the event was the new President of the Argentine Polo Association, Eduardo Novillo Astrada. The team that he led, has the slogan ’The Polo Union', he is looking to bring about a lot of changes in the sport at both the national and international level. He has confirmed that polo, alongside squash, will be included as exhibition sports at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
Polo occupies a very special place in the time-honoured friendship between Argentina and Great Britain and it is one of the main standard-bearers for the "Argentine brand" providing an exceptional platform from which to promote tourism and the country’s image. As such, it is important to remember that the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) signed an agreement in 2013 to boost the sport’s standing, now representing Argentina’s 'Country Brand' in foreign markets.
The Argentine Embassy, with the support of Argentina’s National Institute for the Promotion of Tourism (INPROTUR) set up a pitch-side marquee to host 500 guests.
For pictures of the event visit Twitter | Instagram | Facebook @ArginUK