Al Maria claimed the Gold Cup of the IX Edition of the Lawyers Polo Cup that took pace from March 14-22 in the breathtaking shores of Plettenberg Bay in South Africa. The tournament, a one-of-a-kind event, saw ten teams, composed of 40 of the most prestigious international lawyers, who share their passion for polo, compete. The Silver Cup went to Plett Polo.
The event started with an exclusive black tie party that saw 150 people in attendance, including business people and South African dignitaries, such as Tony Leon, former South Africa Ambassador in Argentina, and a former political contender, as well as a great friend of Nelson Mandela’s. Leon was also the leader of one of the strongest political parties in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance Party, for over 20 years. A special event was also held after the polo to discuss issues surrounding Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Lawyers Polo was established in 2008 by Eduardo Bereterbide an international arbitration lawyer, who lives in Paris. He grew up in Argentina, where he developed a deep passion on the sport.Â
The 2022 edition of the tournament was played at Plett Polo Club, founded over a decade ago as a polo estate in Kurland by mining executive Clifford Elphick. Prior to 2012, there was no polo in the Western Cape Province, but now it has been developed into the Garden Route economy, generating millions in economic impact during the polo season that runs from October to April.
The previous editions of Lawyers Polo took place in Buenos Aires (2008), Madrid (2009), Toronto (2010), Dubai (2011), Paris (2012), Bangkok (2015), Sotogrande (2016) and Morocco. (2018), and after two years absence, they were back better than ever, in an edition that included lawyers from 18 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Macao, Malasia, Portugal, Slovakia, Singapore, Switzerland, Chile, Venezuela, United Kingdom and United States.
But Lawyers Polo is not only polo. The event also focuses on giving back the local community in which it plays each year. This year, they have chosen local non profit organisations and charities that make a meaningful difference in the loves of underprivileged children, including the Sabrina Love Foundation, created by Tony Lubner, a South African millionaire who lost his disabled daughter. Due to this tragedy, he decided to leave his business to take care of all the children in need between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay. Currently Tony feeds, takes to the doctor, and school, between 2,000 and 3,000 children a day. With the support of Lawyers Polo, they are buying a special bus to take children to school, as well as mending their musical instruments and buying new ones.
LAWYERS POLO 2022:
Winner Gold Cup:
Al Maria: Jacinto Peralta Ramos, Miguel Caetano, Filipe Almeida, Jossie Spilsbury.
Runner up Gold Cup:
Mena Legal: Markus Cork, Diogo Almeida, Harry Stirk, Thomas Rinderknecht.
MVP Gold Cup: Jacinto Peralta Ramos.
MGP Gold Cup: Christoph Kerres.
Winner Silver Cup:
Plett Polo: Agustin Albornoz, Emma Gordon, Gee Millar, Chris Lund.
MVP Silver Cup: Daniel Hurstel.
MGP Silver Cup: Emma Gordon.
2022 LAWYERS POLO CUP – TEAMS:
Bereterbide Conseils: Vaughn Richardson, David Tafuri, Eduardo Bereterbide. Alex Berry.
Texas Tornados: Matt Thake, Joseph Fitzsimons, Paul Hobby, Piero Dillier.
Al Maria: Jacinto Peralta Ramos, Miguel Caetano, Filipe Almeida. Jossie Spilsbury-
Kerres Partners: Garth Kanigowski, Laurens Brouns, Christoph Kerres, Roderick Vere-Nicol.
Mena Legal: Markus Cork, Diogo Almeida, Harry Stirk, Thomas Rinderknecht-
QuantoPay: Ryan Robertson, Dinyar Madon, Philippe Saame, Elspeth Talbot.
Las Carreras: Xavier Doumen, Rodrigo Sola Torino, Joachim Feller, Michael Fass.
Clarke Jeffers: Harry Muddle, Will Clarke, Tessa Moxxon, Rodrigo Mendes.
Plett Polo: Agustin Albornoz, Emma Gordon, Gee Millar, Chris Lund.
Kurland Polo: Alain Clery, Daniel Hurstel, Tessa Moxon, Buster McKenzie.
IMAGES: