The “Sport of Kings” and four-legged friends set the pace this weekend with the return of one of the worlds largest and most prestigious Beach Polo tournaments: the seventh annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup presented by Nespresso. The best of the best of polo players from around the globe graced the shores of South Beach with their finest ponies in tow to compete in the world class sporting extravaganza, including Luis Escobar, Nacho Figueras, Nic Rolden, John Gobin, along with Brazilian model Paula Chermont and the number one female player in the game, Sunny Hale. This year, AMG also selected John Walsh, famed host of America’s Most Wanted and co-founder of The National Center For Missing and & Exploited Children, to ride amongst the greats as a part of the AMG Men’s Polo Team.
The four days of festivities began on Thursday, April 21 with the women’s tournament, a one-day series of round robin championship matches between eight teams. The participating teams this year were Gilt City, AMG, Raleigh Hotel, Grey Goose, Hubolt, Jet Blue, Merchant Hub and Panama Jack. Hubolt took home the trophy in an action packed final game against AMG-Mercedes that went into overtime.
Day two turned up the heat and stakes for the men’s tournament. The six participating teams included AMG, The Raleigh Hotel, Grey Goose, Hubolt, LAN/COM and Yellow Cab. Over three days of a fast paced, action packed series of battles, falls and sweat, the finals boiled down to the Hubolt and Raleigh teams going head to head for the winning title.
After an intense final round it was apparent that the determination and intense defensive tactics of Polo superstars Luis Escobar, Bash Kazi and Pelan Escapite who donned the Raleigh team colors, dominated the powers and great sportsmanship of the Hubolt team and led to a 10-6 win. MVP for the men’s tournament was presented to Pelan Escapite.
Off the field, Polo players and fans alike reveled in the fashion shows presented by John Walsh’s talented daughter Megan Walsh, who unveiled her “Blank Silk” collection; along with the La Martina fashion show and charity dinner for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami (BBBS) where polo fans rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the Polo world and celebrities such as celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and mega mogul and producer Russell Simmons.
AMG-Mercedes and John Walsh also hosted a live reggae concert by “Inner Circle” and charity gala auction with proceeds going to his personal organization The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
After a successful four days of the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup it was apparent that Miami Beach Polo continues to raise expectations and soar to new heights of success–not only as a sporting event but also for events that give back to the community. The event has certainly lived up to its reputation for having the most elite and extravagant parties celebrating the lifestyle that follows the sport of Polo. There is no wonder that they say the good life is the Polo life!
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