Hungarian and international ponies and polo players joined together at the Hungarian Polo Club in Tabajd, for the annual AUDI Diplomats Cup. The sport is synonymous with high society, glam and luxury and gives observers the chance to put on their best hats and summery attire. Certainly, all ladies in attendance were wearing beautiful hats in a variety of styles and colours and gathered for a hat competition.
Various sponsors joined the event, including AUDI, Professio Clinic, La martina, Cassiopeia, STEPHANIE jewelries, Leber Barbara, Ivanics Recreation Institute, Sensomedia, Zahara, Morizt Eis, Four Seasons Hotel, Stan Ahuja, designer of elegant and modern men's suits and attire, Coccinelle handbags, Royal Diamonds, Ar2Day gallery auctioned off art, food was catered by Gundel, coffee from Nespresso and a Cassiopeia wine bar including Hungarian wines and of course the main sponsor being AUDI.
I asked Gina Ivanics, manager at the Hungarian Polo Club on her vision for the sport and club in Hungary:
When did polo become a popular sport in Hungary?
Hungarian Polo Club was established by Gróf Géza Andrássy in 1880. Polo was really popular in Hungary and at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Hungary won against Germany. We had really great polo players, but because of the world wars, polo stopped in Hungary for a long time. The Hungarian Polo Club started functioning again in 1999 at Tabajd. Now we have 2 full sized polo fields, huge corals for horses and all infrastructure for polo. We hold International Polo Tournaments every year and this year we had the AUDI Diplomats Cup on 28th of May, 2017.
Are there many youth who get involved with learning polo and keeping the traditions alive?
It is a great opportunity for us, that we have a lot of youth who would like to keep the traditions alive. In the Hungarian Polo Club my family still keep the traditions alive and we organize the hat contest for the ladies and we have an Andrássy Cup as well, in the memory of the founder of polo in Hungary. This year, it will be two weekends, from 18th til 27th of August. It will be really exciting, so if you need more information about the programs let us know: polomanager@magyarpoloclub.hu .
What is the future of polo in Hungary?
Our aim is to make the Hungarian Polo Club better and better and grow it same as the other big polo countries. Our polo club is a great place for international polo events, team buildings and private events. Also, I would like to highlight that our country is an equestrian nation and we would like to make polo famous again in Hungary.
What are the biggest "no-no's" for coming to a polo match?
For men: wearing jeans with T-shirt would be considered impolite. For women: Wearing an outfit that you would wear to a nightclub, bar or beach isn't right for a polo match. Really short skirts are considered to bring too much negative attention.
Do you have any recommendations to the best places in Hungary to find unique hats for women to wear to the matches?
Yes, I recommend Schilling Kolos as they are the best who make unique hats.
You can find his hats at Treasure Budapest.
WHAT TO WEAR?
The etiquette for polo matches differs slightly from the Ascot races as well as a Kentucky derby, however, attendees should wear bright colours and keep it classy. Breathable but luxe fabrics, stylish and with appropriate hemlines and cuts. If you'd be wearing the outfit to a nightclub, bar or beach then it isn't right for a polo match.
For men: wearing a full suit can get quite hot, so a light blazer with a nicely tailored shirt is never a fail to keep the look casual and sophisticated at the same time. Light colours, checkered or stripes in cotton or linens keeps you breezy worn with chinos and a nice belt. Sports shoes have become more acceptable at the polo, but loafers and slip-ons are usually the most common.
Our first polo game was met with clear skies and a shining sun, lovely atmosphere and beautiful horses. A truly fascinating sport which requires a load of skill and thank you to Gina and the Hungarian Polo Club for the invitation for the spectacular event!
Photos property of MR and Hungarian Polo Club
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