Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Entices an Elegant Crowd

Elegance, glamor, sophistication, and tradition, elements which represent the unique lifestyle of Cartier, were present on Friday, March 26 at the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge. 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 the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the year’s most eagerly anticipated sporting event—the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge—took place once again at the prestigious Desert Palm Resort and Polo Club.

Fans of what is called the “sport of kings” gathered on the lawn of the Desert Palm, home to one of Dubai’s premier boutique retreats, Desert Palm by Per AQUUM. The elite and stylishly dressed attendees included royalty and celebrities like Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram who enjoyed a traditional tea while watching the incredible performance by international polo stars for the Maillet d’Or Cartier Trophy.

For the first time, the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge attracted four amateur/professional teams: Cartier, Qatar Airways, Desert Palm, and Bank Julius Baer. Among them, patron Polo players such as Clive Reid, Sunjay Kapur, and Saeed Bin Drai are returning to the event. Other patrons such as Amr Zedan, George Milford Haven, Hani Habbas, and Adriano Agosti made their debut at this year’s match. The two teams that were eliminated competed for the subsidiary Desert Palm Trophy which was presented to Adriano Agosti of the Qatar Airways team after they defeated Cartier 9.5-3. The home team, Desert Palm, received the Cartier International Dubai Challenge Trophy after defeating Bank Julius Baer 7-4.5.

Cartier also presented a check for 700,000 AED ($190,585) to UNICEF representative Dr. Ayman Abu Laban.

Photos by Rebecca Anne Proctor