After the rescheduling of the Queen’s Cup St. Regis Pink Polo tournament, which originally should have taken place in February this year, Saturday, November 17 was finally the date chosen for the event to be held at the Thai Polo Club in Pattaya.
Some changes were made this year, like the admission charge being raised up from 500 to 1,000 baht and there was no buffet either, but high-tea and of course beer, soft drinks, and sparkling wine were all still available. At the end of the day, everyone was still happy with this arrangement as the concept behind Pink Polo is not about what you can receive but whom you can help with the money raised.
La Boheme hold up the trophy after winning the 2012 Pink Polo tournament at Thai Polo Club.
Following on from tradition, this 4th Pink Polo tournament featured only women teams who all took to the field wearing something in pink; this being the color that represents the fight against breast cancer worldwide. All the proceeds of the tournament and donations will go to the Queen Sirikit Center for breast cancer and the visitors who came to see the spectacular polo-games played a part in contributing to help women who aren’t able to afford the expensive operations or treatment against this illness.
Before the polo games begun, a fashion show from La Martina was held with models sitting on horseback paraded before the spectators. This fashion show, featuring sports apparel, is a tradition for this event too and many celebrities took part.
Getting into the spirit of things on Pink Polo Day.
There was also entertainment for children, who got the chance to play and ride with ponies, and in the pavilion of the sponsor where games were prepared for them.
The honored guests amongst those in attendance included the German Ambassador, Rolf Schulze, the German Consul in Chiang Mai, Hagen Dirksen and his wife, and former German Ambassador Andreas von Stechow who all spent a good time together and enjoyed the on and off field activities.
Action from the final as La Boheme take on St. Regis.
The official part of the day was opened with a polo game for children, followed by the main attraction. Punctually, at 2:30 p.m., the female ‘gladiators’ entered the field led by two luxury cars, providing a spectacular start to the tournament. After several hours of non-stop action on the polo field, the “La Boheme” team emerged as this year’s champions and they were applauded off the park on their way to the presentation ceremony where they were awarded the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup.
Once again the organizers, namely the two owners of the Thai Polo Club, Nunthinee Tanner and Harald Link, as well as the founder and director of the Queen Sirikit Center for breast cancer, Dr. Kris Chatamra, and his wife Khunying Finola, and the tournament sponsors all played a huge part in making 2012 Pink Polo another resounding success.
Even the horses dressed up for the occasion.
