25th February, 2013
Veuve Clicquot Rides to Victory in BMW NZ Polo Open Finals
It was a day of sunshine and champagne for the sport of kings yesterday as Veuve Clicquot topped Bayleys in the final of
the BMW NZ Polo Open.
Veuve Clicquot bolted into the lead with four goals to lead by three after the first chukka.
However Bayleys responded in the second chukka by levelling the field to four all. Veuve Clicquot then pulled away again
to win 12 – eight at the final bell.
Auckland Polo Club President Tony van den Brink said Veuve Clicquot’s South African eight-goal player Nachi du Plessis
out-classed everyone in the final with his superior skills.
“It was clear from the beginning that Nachi was going to dominate, and so he did, scoring the majority of Veuve
Clicquot’s goals,” said van den Brink.
Van den Brink said although the Bayleys team played very well and it was a great competition, Veuve Clicquot were
resoundingly better.
“The Bayleys team combined together well, and they played above their skins, beating favourites BMW in the semi-finals,
but they didn’t have what it took to take out Veuve Clicquot,” he said.
Overall the day was a sporting and social success, with a record crowd attending the final.
New attractions including a fashion lawn and public after-party were likewise very well attended.
The Polo ‘Fashion in the Field’ competition attracted a stunning line-up of finalists, with Clifton Piper taking out the
best dressed overall, winning an afternoon on Sir Owen Glenn’s super yacht, $3000 worth of Paspaley pearls and the use
of a BMW car for a weekend.
About the BMW New Zealand Polo Open:
The BMW New Zealand Polo Open is New Zealand’s premiere polo event and highlight of the polo season. 2013 marked the
36th year of the event that sets the benchmark for polo and fashion in Australasia and features some of the country’s
best polo players.
ENDS