National Bank of Dubai’s Private Office takes the honours in the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 2007

HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presented the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Trophy to the National Bank of Dubai Private Office team, following their 6-5 victory over the Qatar Airways squad on Friday 30 March. Both teams were joined in the presentation photographs with their sponsors – Faranak Foroughi, head of The National Bank of Dubai’s Private Office and Mr Ali Al Rais, General Manager Commercial Operations of Qatar Airways.
This prestigious polo event was being held for the second successive year at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai in front of an audience of invited guests. Among those seated in the elegant grandstand was Monica Bellucci, the Italian filmstar who shot to international stardom in the Matrix films and who has just launched the Monica Bellucci Cartier Collection. She was joined by Bernard Fornas, President of Cartier, who later presented HRH Princess Haya, who is President of the Federation Equestre Internationale, with a memento of the day.
Polo supporters included Urs Schwarzenbach, winner of this event in 2006 and patron of the renowned Black Bears Polo Team. He had flown in to Dubai to support his son Guy who was playing for the Qatar team. Fellow polo patron, Vichai Rakriaksorn, who too was supporting his son Tot in the Qatar team, joined him in the grandstand. Another polo aficionado was Patrick Hermes, President of the Federation of International Polo (FIP). He acted as third man in both games – making the final umpiring decisions if the two mounted umpires – Robert Thame and Oliver Ellis – could not agree on a decision.
After the main presentation, Nico Petracci’s star pony received the Gibson Guitar Best Playing Pony Rug from HRH Princess Haya and Patrick Normand, managing director of Cartier Middle East. Ali Albwardy then presented a cheque for 100,000 dirams to the Princess on behalf of UNICEF, her chosen charity at this year’s event.
The day started with an under 21s game for the Desert Palm Trophy. The youngsters produced a thrilling performance and attracted plenty of vocal support from the spectators. After a close battle, in which the teams almost seemed to take turns to score, the Guards team came out on top, defeating Desert Palm 5-4. Desert Palm’s owner and patron of the high-goal Dubai polo team, Ali Albwardy looked on proudly as his son Rashid received the Desert Palm Trophy from HRH Princess Haya.
With the leading British polo club – Guards Polo Club – at the forefront in organising this event, there was a typically British feel to the day. After the matches, players and spectators mingled in the relaxed sofa area and were served traditional afternoon tea. Visitors to Desert Palm on this great day of polo, which is traditionally held on the eve of the Dubai World Cup, could also visit the Dubai International Flower Festival 2007 - Floral Fiesta - Ihtefaal Bil Azhaar which was organised by the Floral Art Group – Dubai. The stunning floral exhibits included a 24ft floral display dedicated to HRH Princess Haya.
Teams for the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Trophy :
National Bank of Dubai The Private Office :
Rashid Al Habtoor (1)
Nico Petracci (4)
Pippi Bordieu (6)
Tariq Albwardy (1)
Qatar Airways :
Guy Schwarzenbach (1)
Gabriel Inglesias (4)
Roddy Williams (6)
Tot Rakriaksorn (1)
Teams for the Desert Palm Trophy (under 21s) :
Guards :
Rashid Albwardy
Andreas Papoyans
Geronimo Del Carril
Matias Inglesias
Desert Palm :
Khalid Bin Drai
Tariq Al Habtoor
Mohammed Bin Drai
Rashid Bin Drai