PUBLISHER’ S NOTE
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
BMW INTERNATIONAL
POLO
PUBLISHER Paul Ingpen paul @ electricink. co. za 021 438 5972 / 082 990 8408
MANAGING EDITOR Kirsten Curtis
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Elinore de Lisle
COPY EDITOR Mandy Freeman
OPERATIONS MANAGER Andie Morris andie @ electricink. co. za 021 438 5972 / 082 468 3081
COVER IMAGE David Potter
WHETHER YOU’ RE AN AFICIONADO OF THE GAME OR SIMPLY ENTICED by the glamour of this annual sporting and social spectacle, you’ ll appreciate why the game attracts fast-living thrill-seekers. It’ s a dizzying experience to witness the sport of kings while rubbing shoulders with the elegant and in�uential. Our intimate relationship with horses over history is well documented. From the 12th-century medieval knights to the Roman cavalry, king’ s carriages, gladiator races, peasant farm-ploughing Clydesdales, the tragedy of war horses, the epic tales of the Wild West, Russian circus-performing Lipizzaners and the endless bets spent on horse racing. The great art museums reveal a beautiful, at times sad, but always noble tale. There is something uniquely compelling about horses. Watching polo is a sensory intoxication of high heels, fast cars, sumptuous food, bubbles, helicopters and the palpable energy of sinewed steeds brisked for battle. The rhythmic base of music wafts between endorphined conversations and mixes seamlessly into the reverberation of horses’ hooves tearing up the manicured field under hardened warriors doing battle for their country. It’ s a spectacle to behold for young and old. As a thank you to their loyal customers, BMW have invested in bringing together the world’ s greatest players to clash like gladiators in the Colosseum, while enjoying an e�ually sumptuous feast for those attending the splendid affair. Whether or not you were fortunate enough to spectate the series, we hope the pages of this magazine satisfy your appetite for the sport or simply your interest in all things equine. You’ ll meet divas living dangerously on pages 28 and 46. Neku is a story every young African should read – she’ s a symbol of individuality, fearlessness and altruism who’ s making a real difference. We travelled the globe seeking sustainably-styled luxury living and came across six forward-thinking destinations you’ ll want to add to your bucket list – see page 32. Those who have followed the game will enjoy catching up with Sugar Erskine living the dream in the USA( page 52). If, like most others, your knowledge of the game is limited �ip to page 22, meet the players on pages 7� and 7�, and find the programme of events on page 7� so you’ re not caught out in conversation over your polo picnic blanket. �inally, be sure to catch the effervescent and ever-entertaining Dan Nicholl, who, as always, has to have the last word on page 82. Salut!
CONTRIBUTORS Shirene Briell, Shayne Doyle, Dan Nicholl, David Potter, Laretta Houston Photography, South African Polo Association, Toyin Aiyegbo Photography, Pablo Ramirez, Kate Turkington, Roger Westbrook
To advertise in these publications please call Andie on 082 468 3081 or email andie @ electricink. co. za.
POLO magazine is published on behalf of BMW South Africa by Electric Ink Media. Copyright: Electric Ink Media. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from Electric Ink Media or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Electric Ink Media, the editors or BMW South Africa. Editorial & advertising enquiries: admin @ electricink. co. za 7 Pitlochry Road, Bakoven, Camps Bay 8005 Printed by Paarl Media Paarl. Distribution by On the Dot
PHOTOGRAPH SHANE DOYLE
10 BMW INTERNATIONAL POLO