Tianjin, China, 13th July 2014 – Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 – The Cambridge Challenge began today at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club. The five-day event, which will be held on 13, 16, 17, 19 and 20 July 2014, will see teams from the world’s most prestigious universities go head-to-head for a chance to be crowned this year’s champions of Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo.
Teams competing in the event last year included the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Harvard University and Yale University. This year the tournament will include two additional university polo teams, with the University of London and Stanford University also preparing to swing their mallets in the exciting five-day event.
The tournament, which is now in its second year, has become an integral resource in the promotion of the elegant and historical game of polo among China’s youth. The Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club is keen to use this platform to encourage more interest and enthusiasm in the game of polo, as well as provide an opportunity for academic, cultural and social exchanges among representatives from universities, as well as local students and parents. For many, polo is fast becoming more than just a game, but a way of life.
The annual event attracts large groups of university alumni, many of whom have flown in from their home countries to support their alma maters in Tianjin. The sidelines are also frequented by VIP guests, international polo experts and media. Guests are able to enjoy the games from the comfortable garden seating or inside one of the air-conditioned marquees, where refreshments are served throughout the chukkas.
At last year’s event, Cambridge managed to scoop the final prize, following a fierce battle with Harvard. This year, anticipation is high to see whether they will be able to secure their title for another year.
Polo, one of the oldest team sports in history, received a fresh injection of excitement on the first day of the tournament, after an impressive show of passion and skills from some of the world’s rising polo stars.
The first match of the week saw Yale take on newcomers to the tournament, the University of London. The two teams battled closely through the first three chukkas. After a strong start, with Reda Shetty scoring in the first minute, the London team struggled to find their way through the posts in the second chukka, as the Bulldogs defense managed to keep London scoreless until the final few seconds. The second half saw some aggressive play from both sides. Unfortunately for the Yale Bulldogs, London found their offense in the last chukka, scoring four points consecutively, with Natascha Hedegaard scoring an 80-yard shot. The final result secured London a 10-7.5 victory over the Bulldogs. Following the match, Shetty said that he was disappointed at the high number of fouls, but confident that the new addition to the team, due to arrive tomorrow, will present them with a better chance against the tournament’s favoured teams, Cambridge and Harvard.
Under clear blue skies and a warm sun, guests marvelled at the skills and precision of the elite equestrians. After a short interval, players from two of America’s most celebrated universities mounted their horses to go head-to-head. The young Harvard team took on tournament newcomers, Stanford, looking to make up for a disappointing loss in last year’s tournament. Harvard, giving two handicap points to Stanford, took a demanding 4-2 lead in the first chukka. Harvard finished off Stanford 11-4, displaying their determination for a first-place finish in this year’s tournament. After falling short to Cambridge in the final last year, promising young player, Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld, said he is looking forward to challenging the current champions. Johann said he and his team mates are feeling confident about their level of play, but feel “it is important to keep a cool head and continue to play well”.
Spectators and players will take two days to relax, before returning on Wednesday 16 July, when Oxford face last year’s champions, Cambridge, and London will come up against Harvard.
The sun is out, the champagne has been chilled, and the horses are on standby for what is set to be another glorious week of sunshine, good sporting fun, and plenty of divot stomping.
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Result:
London vs Yale
10 – 7.5
Stanford vs Harvard
4 – 11
The tournament schedule will continue as follows:–
13 July 2014 (SUN)
17:00
London vs Yale
18:00
Stanford vs Harvard
16 July 2014 (WED)
17:00
Oxford vs Cambridge
18:00
London vs Harvard
17 July 2014 (THU)
17:00
Stanford vs Cambridge
18:00
Oxford vs Yale
19 July 2014 (SAT)
16:00
Oxford vs Harvard
17:00
Stanford vs Yale
18:00
London vs Cambridge
20 July 2014 (SUN)
15:30
5th&6th Place Match
16:30
Subsidiary Final
17:30
Final
ORGANISERS
Tianjin Polo Association
Hong Kong Polo Development and Promotion Federation
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
TEAMS
Cambridge University Polo Club
The University of London Polo Club
Oxford University Polo Club
Harvard Polo Club
Stanford Polo Club
Yale University Polo Club
OFFICIAL JERSEY SUPPLIER
La Martina
OFFICIAL GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNER
E
Questrio
About Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club currently features three standard-size polo fields, stabling over 200 horses, all-weather training facilities, a riding school and a luxurious Club House and a 167-room resort-style hotel. The state-of-the-art equestrian facilities are used and maintained by professionals from all over the world.
Apart from being the host venue of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 FIP Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup, major international fixtures on the Club’s annual calendar include various spring and autumn tournaments and matches for different levels of play from youth to professional.
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club was opened in November 2010 as the sporting and social flagship of “Goldin Metropolitan”, a mega-development by Hong Kong-listed developer Goldin Properties Holdings Limited comprising three zones: a Central Business District, home to the 117-storey Goldin Finance 117; the 898,000 square metres’ (222-acre) Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club and Fortune Heights, a low-density luxury residence.
For more information or high-resolution images, please contact:
Fiona Gu
Assistant Manager, Marketing and Communications
Office: +86 022 8372 8888 ext. 7902
Mobile: +86 138 2053 3909
Email:fionagu@metropolitanpoloclub.com
Susie Yang
Marketing & Communication Assistant
Office: +86 022 8372 8888 ext. 7912
Mobile: +86 138 2116 4102
Email:susieyang@metropolitanpoloclub.com
A tough fight between Team London (in red) and Team Yale (in white) at the
Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day
A tough fight between Team London (in red) and Team Yale (in white) at the
Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day
A tough fight between Team London (in red) and Team Yale (in white) at the
Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day
An adrenaline-charged match between Team Stanford (in red) and
Team Harvard (in dark blue) at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day
An adrenaline-charged match between Team Stanford (in red) and
Team Harvard (in dark blue) at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day
An adrenaline-charged match between Team Stanford (in red) and
Team Harvard (in dark blue) at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo 2014 on the first day