Held after a hiatus of three years, the 2024 New Zealand Polo Open hosted at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon, certainly lived up to the exciting buzz of being a fabulous sporting spectacle for die-hard polo fans as well as those looking for some action on and off the polo field.
While some of the best international players from six polo teams battled it out on the field, the sidelines were packed with plenty to do. From the crowd favourite, Horse vs Horsepower, the annual race between a polo pony and a Range Rover to Fashion at the Polo where the Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and the Best Accessory got some wild cheering — it was the perfect social and sporting event of summer.
Even the weather gods seemed impressed!
The 47th NZ Polo Open final was a very close game between team Ecogas and Team Brinks, with Brinks taking the nation’s top polo title amidst much celebration.
The Champion pony was Lola owned by Ash Reader, ridden by James Harper.
The winner of the Best Retrained Thoroughbred Award went to Shooter owned by Thomas Hunt and ridden by visiting Argentinian player Paco O’Dwyer.
The most valuable player of the match was Bruce Fraser of Ecogas.
A special win for Lucy Ainsley, executive director of NZ Polo Open was having U.S. Polo Assn., onboard as a new partner this year. “To be recognised internationally by global polo partners is an exciting step for NZ Polo Open. The growth and opportunity this can bring to the event and the sport of polo in New Zealand is tremendous,” she said.
