Kurland Estate in Plettenberg Bay last week hosted a sensational polo event and after-party at which visitors from abroad, upcountry and the southern Cape partied up a storm. The fourth Kurland International polo test match was sponsored this year by BMW, Kurland Hotel, RMB and Avis, with bubbly supplied by Bollinger.
Kurland is regarded as the polo mecca of Africa and, says Kurland owner Clifford Elphick, “Our players and horses now have international status and the Kurland International is heading towards being rated one of the top test matches in the world.”
On the guest list was Wendy Applebaum, Wendy Luhabe, Kurland Hotel GM Jonathan Lithgow and Karen Lithgow, Claudia Henkel, Di Behr and Suzy Lubner, Campbell and Steven Whiteman, Catherine Priebatsch, Nicci Braude and Greg Sandler, Sue Nathan and Liz McGrath, Leo Baxter and Teri McAdam, Niall Bernic, Liza Landauer, Diane Bernic, Cameron Hinde, Jason Hinde and Tearina Hinde, Leanne and Graeme Gordon, Gail Behr and James Mudge.
|
|
|
|
Chesney Thomas, Karen van Helden, Eduard Fagan and Catherine Speedie.
|
Gail Behr and James Mudge
|
The boys in green-and-gold played a fast and furious six chukkas against the England team, but went down 9-13. The match ended on a dramatic note as the England captain Malcolm Borwick scored two late goals to decide the contest.
“Plett features prominently in all the international polo magazines,” says entrepreneur Clifford Elphick, who is the owner of Kurland and the mastermind behind the establishment of the Plett region as a polo mecca in Africa, “It’s regarded as the best kept secret of the polo world – a place with world-class facilities, beautiful beaches and a great climate. Equally important, it’s a place where players’ families can enjoy themselves as well.”
Says Elphick: “Our players and horses now have international status and the Kurland International is heading towards being rated one of the top test matches in the world.”
