Silver Cartier             (Events - Sporting)

The weather wasn't great and Argentina defeated England 12-5 in the Coronation Cup but Cartier International Polo celebrated its 25th anniversary in customary style.  Abigail Parkin 31 July'09

This event, which took place on Sunday 26, has established itself as one of the most glamorous and prestigious sporting days of the British social season and Cartier cites it as the largest spectator polo event in the world, with over 30,000 attendees.

Cartier invited some 600 guests from the worlds of literature, stage, screen, sport and society to celebrate its 25th. Not that it has ever been lacking when it comes to compiling guest list; over the last 25 years the Cartier marquee has entertained some of the most famous faces in the world. From Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Jayne Seymour, Ringo Starr, Glenn Close and Cybill Shepherd in the late 1980s, to the era of the supermodel in the mid 1990s when Elle Macpherson, Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford all attended.

     

Anna Friel, Matthew Williamson & Dervla Kirwan           Susanna Warren & Guy Pelly

In the late 1990s, society girls, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Normandie Keith and Gemma Kidd became Cartier regulars and from the millennium the guest list returned to its international film star roots with guests including Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Pierce Brosnan, Sienna Miller, Angelica Houston, Matt Damon, Diane Kruger, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, Rosamund Pike, Emma Watson and Bill Nighy. Elton John has also lent clout form the world of music.

This year was no less eclectic with the attendance of HRH The Prince of Wales, Anna Friel, Damian Lewis and Neve Campbell.

Anton Mosimann's culinary expertise saw a lunch menu comprising Scottish Lobster and Courgette flower salad, filled with a River Trout and Tarragon Mousse and Roasted Fillet of Angus Beef, Baby Vegetables with Summer Chanterelles, Cocotte Potatoes and Truffle Sauce. Brandy Tuille with Woodland Berries and Crème Chantilly followed.                   

(Left) Philipp, Anton and Mark Mosimann

     

Lady Alexandra Spencer-Churchill                               Lunch setting

Flowers arrangements were by John Carter and interior design was by Cartier's in-house section. This year the marquee interior was inspired by 25 years of polo history and iconic images of players, royalty and the most important faces photographed on the Queen’s Ground adorned the roof of the Cartier marquee.

Cartier marquee interior with embedded photos

Guards Polo Club at Windsor Great Park saw tens of thousands of spectators cheer on England, supported again by Audi and led by England's Luke Tomlinson, but ultimately Prince Charles would present the trophy to Argentina.

Cartier first sponsored the International Day in 1984, when a Rest of the World team took the honours. In recognition of the talent of International Day, Cartier, in association with the HPA, created the Cartier 25th Anniversary Polo Award 2009, which was presented to former England captain Julian Hipwood.

 

(Left) HRH The Prince Of Wales, Adolfo Cambiaso & Cartier's Arnaud Bamberger    (Right) Rupert Penry-Jones, Dervla Kirwan & Neve Campbell

Of course, the off-pitch fun that celebrates the event is also a sought after fixture and a  magnet for celebrities and socialites. This year RedKarpet saw the Players and Grooms party make its debut thanks to Hype Party Planning and the evergreen Chinawhite party rocked the polo again with the help of event organiser GSP.

Related screening:

Chinawhite & Players Grooms parties

 

RK__________________________