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For the first time in 70 years polo will be played on the hallowed turf of Hurlingham Park – home to UK polo. Now a breakaway new World Polo Association created by a group of passionate players, backed by the Chairman of World Polo, Daniel Fox-Davies, has defied all odds by rebuilding the ancient turf of Hurlingham to play and televise a new spectator friendly format of polo: The World Series.
On June 5th 2009, polo will cast off its mysterious shadow giving anyone and everyone from the world over the opportunity to see the World Polo Series begin at Hurlingham Park, London, in a three-day extravaganza bringing the sport to Central London, and ensuring it engages new fans of the sport.
Since the war polo has been established outside London in polo clubs across the country, and to many it has remained an un-televised and confusing pastime. Polo In The Park will change all these preconceptions, making it accessible to all and see that polo returns to its original home – The Hurlingham Club in Fulham, London. The Polo In The Park event will re-invent and rejuvenate the face of Polo throughout the world – making it a more enjoyable and easily reached spectator sport.
By the removal of some rules and the introduction of many exciting and thrilling new ones, such as the placement of a D-ring, much like in basketball, world class players will be encouraged to take the long-shot for more points, The World Series is the ideal place to bring your friends, contacts or family. Polo tournaments have always been played outside London over a weekend, therefore never gathering a corporate hospitality following. The new World Series format takes place during the week to encourage corporate support, networking and sponsorship. Polo, the second most dangerous sport in the UK, is the ideal combination of new-world business strategy, teamwork and agility. American polo player, Sylvester Stallone comments: “Playing polo is like playing golf in an earthquake”.
Daniel Fox-Davies, Chairman of The World Polo Association comments: “For the first time in 70 years the turf of Hurlingham will once again thunder with the hooves of a fast and furious polo match. It is highly apt that the first game on this field is in fact The World Series, with its new rules, new format, tv crews and incredible corporate hospitality. The World Series will set a benchmark for outdoor entertainment events, with varying ticket prices from £26.50 to £495.00 we will have a medley of exciting developments between the games, excellent crowd interaction, a whole shopping village and a host of activities for kids“.
