The nation’s most prestigious and competitive polo event, the BMW NZ Polo Open will be held
at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon on Sunday 21st February. 2021 will mark the 44th year
for the renowned NZ Polo Open that is cemented as a summer highlight on New Zealand’s
sporting and social calendar.
Despite this year with Covid-19 and the current border restrictions Lucy Ainsley, Event Director
is confident the event will be one of the best yet. “The teams for 2021 will be predominantly
Kiwi polo players and with more teams entered, the competition will be tough which will make
it great for spectators,” says Ainsley. “We are proud to have BMW as our official partner and
fantastic returning sponsors with some exciting new ones on board too, we are doing
everything our end to make it an exceptional day out, one that after all the lockdowns we all
need!”
The popular Fashion on the Field will return, as well as the Veuve Clicquot and Rodd & Gunn
Dashes, and the George FM Afterparty on the Club Setter Lawn. Ahead of the Parade of
Champions, the famous Horsepower Race between a BMW and one of the polo horses, will
once again entertain the crowd. Managing Director of BMW Group New Zealand, Karol
Abrasowicz-Madej says, “Following the success of last year’s event, BMW is delighted to
sponsor the NZ Polo Open once again. Polo is a dynamic sport that requires strategic
innovative thinking, superb performance, and precision by the players. It is also aesthetically
beautiful to watch. These qualities align perfectly with our BMW brand. Our involvement in the
2021 event will combine luxury and entertainment, making for an amazing day for polo players
and spectators alike.”
Like all global sports and the athletes that accompany them, Covid-19 has had a big impact
on the international polo tournaments and community. Whilst there have been several
matches around the world that have proceeded, it has been with amended teams and limited
spectators.
Like many professional polo players, Cambridge-based polo player Kit Brooks (and a member
of the current title-holding Mystery Creek team for the last four years) has been unable to
travel offshore to play this year. Consequently, his focus has been on training young polo
ponies for the upcoming seasons, and New Zealand polo ponies have long held a great
reputation for being some of the best in the world.
“I am looking forward to playing again in the BMW NZ Polo Open,” says Brooks. “Not only will
it be the first big competitive polo tournament on the global polo calendar for 2021, it’s also a
chance for people to come and enjoy the great atmosphere and everything that polo has to
offer.”
With the calibre of New Zealand polo players taking to the field this year and with all the sideline action, the BMW NZ Polo Open is set to be fantastic homegrown affair – a thrilling one to
watch, and a wonderful social day out.
ENDS
Contact:
Olivia Radford
PR – BMW NZ Polo Open
olivia@oliviaradford.com
+64 221 917 465
Lucy Ainsley
Event Director – BMW NZ Polo Open
openmanager@aucklandpolo.co.nz
+64 210 695 960
Notes:
• BMW NZ Polo Open – Sunday 21st February 2021
• Auckland Polo Club, 102 Clevedon – Kawakawa Road, Clevedon 2448
• Tickets: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2021/feb/nz-polo-open
• https://www.nzpoloopen.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/nzpoloopen/
• https://www.facebook.com/NZPoloOpen/
11.00am Gates Open
11.30am Open Handicap Final
1.00pm Stomping the Divots
1.15pm The Fisher Challenge
2.30pm Fashion on The Field
2.55pm Veuve Clicquot & Rodd & Gunn Dashes
3.00pm Horsepower Race
3.15pm Parade of Champions
3.30pm BMW NZ Polo Open 2021 Final
4.15pm Stomping of the divots
5.15pm Presentation on Clubhouse Lawn
5.30pm George FM Afterparty – Club Setter Lawn
8.30pm Bus departs to Britomart
9.00pm Saturday’s Kick-On After-After Party
• BMW NZ Polo Open Magazine 2020