As a commentator I'm always saying what a splendid family game polo is. And as if a prime example of this was needed, it was the tournament at Roude Léiw Polo Club in Luxembourg 1 - 2 July. David and Luis Reuther were playing their first tournament. The brothers had been riding cross-country competitions for quite a few years but had just recently caught the polo virus. Annabell and her sister, Paulina Kreiter, were ripping it up on the field for Team BR Invest. Alexander Ludorf played at Nr 3 for Team Edmond Wirth with his wife, Clothilde, playing at 2, and both the Darroux and Riemann families were well represented. Svetlana Silvane and Sergei shared positions with their friends Simon and Laurent. Svetlana brought out a group of young future players riding ponies that would play in the finals as an example of just how manageable and family-friendly a polo pony can be. So just looking at the program it was obvious that this tournament was all about fun, family and friends.
Saturday
Wibke Albrecht was setting up her equestrian art exhibition in the hospitality tent while Kalle decided to open the Gin Bar early on the Saturday afternoon. A good move as the games were postponed due to rain. Starting at 4pm we had six teams playing 2 separate Round Robins or American Tournaments to give us the results for Sunday. The games were an entertaining start to a great weekend and merged seamlessly into the White Night Party held at the tent with players, family and friends.
Sunday
The finals started at 11:30 on the Sunday morning with fine weather and a cool breeze. Perfect. The games were absorbing and the crowd enjoyed Roude Léiw Polo Club's hospitality. BR Invest was unable to capitalize on their handicap advantage and lost out to Team Edmond Wirth with their well-positioned team play.
The second game between CSM Securities and Chronos Investment Advisory had Colm Smith getting in some well placed backhands in defense, but Chronos proved to be a much greater threat threat than was expected. Daniel Hauss coped well with the constant changes in his team and could set up Tabea Golden for some classic runs.
And the winner is..
The final between The Real Est8/ and Qubic
was the crowd pleaser, with Qubic's fans out in full force and voice. However Bert van Deynze for The Real Est8/ was on great form and Alberto Bargas superbly on target with his penalties. So, despite some spectacular play from Romain Darroux, it was The Real Est8/ that was able to lift the silver at the end of the day.
Winners
The Real Est8/
Cindy Hite/Pablo
Jessica Quig / Sandra Heinma
Bert van Deynze
Alberto Bargas
Qubic
Laurent Recouvreur/Simona Vaitiekute
Svetlana Silvane/Sergei Bocharnikov
Jérome Darroux
Romain Darroux
Photo credit Roude Léiw Polo Club
Chronos Investment Advisory
Luis Reuther/Jan Lohmann.
David Reuther
Tabea Nolden
Daniel Hauss
CSM Securities.
Max Mailliet
Colm Smith
Philippe Darroux
Wilhelm 11
Edmond Wirth
Heiner Hartwich
Clothilde Ludorf
Alexander Ludorf
Emmanuel Lopez
BR Invest.
Didda Reimann
Paulina Kreiter
Annabell Kreiter
Rainer Reimann