Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020 concludes with memorable elegance as outstanding female riders win The Queen Mother’s royal cup
For the 12th consecutive year, the highly anticipated all-female charity polo tournament Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020 once again concluded on a high note. Organized by Dr. Harald Link, president of B.Grimm and Thailand Equestrian Federation, and Nunthinee Tanner, vice president of Thailand Equestrian Federation in association with U.S. Polo Assn., the Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020 was a tournament to win The Queen Mother’s royal cup and raise fund for The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation on Saturday 22 February 2020 between 12pm to 6pm at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya.
Nunthinee Tanner, vice president of Thailand Equestrian Federation, head of the organizing team, said that, “breast cancer is the number one cause of death of Thai women, and the casualty keeps increasing. A lot of breast cancer patients struggle with this illness without help or support, while many lack funding for treatment and spend their lives without home or caretakers. The charity Queen’s Cup Pink Polo that has been held for the past 12 consecutive years plays a crucial role in providing support for breast cancer patients through The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation. We truly hope that with this all-female polo tournament, polo will be recognized and known more widely to the public and that women can come together to play sport and support a good cause.”
Contenders for this year’s tournament included four international teams, namely Marengo, La Familia, Ethiopian Airlines and the home team Thai Polo. The last two teams entered the semi final at 4.45pm to compete for The Queen Mother’s royal cup.
Besides the thrill on the polo pitch, Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020 also included a string of Saturday fun such as performance by RPCA Black Pipe Band and Yorkshire terrier parade by Yorkshire Terrier Club Thailand, led by Khun Namhom, HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya’s dog.
As sport spirits were high, so was the fashion of the distinguished celebrity guests who were all dressed in pink accented with the signature accessory of the polo tournament – hats of different shapes and styles. At the opening ceremony, Nunthinee Tanner, Thailand’s first lady polo player and head of the tournament organizing team, gracefully led riders into the pitch, followed by a parade of Thailand’s top celebrities. After the second chukka, the tradition of Stomping Divots commenced to smoothen the grassy pitch and erase the horses’ footprint. The stomping was also delightfully joined by female spectators of all ages. This year, luxury supercar McLaren led the riders into the pitch of Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020 for the final round.
The event culminated to the award presentation of Best Dress Award and Best Hat Award for guests with stunning outfit and hat respectively. Winner of Best Dress Award Men was Chalin Hattakijkowit, while Peerapatra Chaovalit won the Best Dress Award Women. As for the Best Hat Award, the winner was Narisa Kubota. Last but not least was the award ceremony for the winning team of Queen’s Cup Pink Polo 2020, which was La Familia that beat Marengo at 7-5. The event concluded with magnificent firework show that capped off the yearly polo showdown with memorable fun and extravagance.
12 years on and the Queen’s Cup Pink Polo never loses its style, fun and grandeur. Most importantly, it’s the unique event where the guests get the chance to enjoy professional polo in warm, inviting atmosphere and at the same time raise fund for a good cause every year.
Photos: Dominic James
Photos: Thai Polo
© Thomas Wirth