Team Desert Palm wins the 6th edition of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 2011

This year’s most prestigious and celebrated polo tournament in the desert took place on Friday February 18th, 2011 at the prominent Desert Palm Resort, under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE Ruler of Dubai. This event, running for its 6th edition, has grown to become a renowned competition attracting leading players from around the world that compete for the Cartier Polo Trophy.

Cartier “the king of jewelers” has been associated with the sport of polo, “the sport of kings” since 1983, a sport which combines elegance and passion, tradition and universal values, values which reflect the lifestyle symbolized by Cartier.

The day was a true blend of glamour and sporting elegance. The Cartier Challenge included two teams: Team Cartier with leading players such as Adriano Agosti, Saeed Bin Drai, Nicolas Petracchi and Salvador Ulloa verses Team Desert Palm with Rashid Albwardy, Clive Reid, Martin Valent and Peter Webb.

The home team, Desert Palm, found their winning form when they won the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 2011 after defeating Team Cartier with a score of 10 verses 5.5. Team Cartier had put up several great performances during the four-day tournament, unfortunately the team suffered a setback in the first minutes of this match though when their best player, Salvador Ulloa, was injured and was replaced by Hissam Ali Hyder, who had played earlier in the day.

The winning team, Desert Palm, Patrons Clive Reid and Tariq Albwardy received the impressive trophy from HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the fifth son of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. At the presentation table he was accompanied by Mr Louis Ferla, Managing Director of Cartier Middle East, and Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi. The winning team was especially delighted to receive Cartier Calibre watches.

A treasured company of world-class players, VIP’s and celebrities from around the world, gathered at the Cartier Villa, at the Desert Palm Resort. Surrounded by a captivating setting, where Cartier showcased their latest creations of the year, the touch of femininity with Delices de Cartier watches, the unusual union of artisanal skills and watchmaking expertise with the Artistic Crafts collection and the most masculine, flamboyant and complicated watches with the Cartier Fine Watchmaking Collection.

Louis Ferla, Managing Director of Cartier M.E took this opportunity to thank HRH Princess Haya for her ongoing Patronage and Commitment to this event. He also thanked HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed for gracing the Cartier International Polo Challenge with his attendance and thanked Ali Albwardy for his great hospitality, the event partners, polo players and of course Cartier faithful clients who make of this event a unique memorable rendezvous.