POLO CLINIC & EXHIBITION SANTA MARIA POLO CLUB SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN polo clinic & exhibition santa maria polo club sotogrande, spain
COME TO SPAIN ENJOY ANDALUSIA
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THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN SPAIN
Andalusia is considered one of the most beautiful
areas in the world, with such iconic cities like Seville,
Granada, Cordoba, Jerez, Ronda or Marbella, and
emblematic monuments such as the Alhambra, the
Mosque of Cordoba, or Giralda, among countless
beautiful corners throughout the region.
Andalusia is also famous for gastronomy, good
weather, warm people, beaches and natural beauty. Photo: The Alhambra, Granada
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THE POLO HORSE Despite its strong presence in Spain, the Polo Horse is not native from the Iberian peninsula. In fact, it ONE OF THE CRADLES was introduced in Argentina by the English around 1890 and, although OF THE it was a strong and agile breed, the discipline makes the horse to HORSE perform sudden sprints and changes of pace and direction, so it was required to breed a very powerful and fast specimen. Andalusia is a paradise for horses. With a long tradition in breeding (authors like Aristotle or Virgil mention them The current polo horse is the result of the crossing of native creole in their works), the Iberian horse is famous and renowned mares with thoroughbred English throughout the world, and has been exported in order to be studs. They are muscular, fast and crossed with other breeds beyond our frontiers. temperamental. Their training also makes them complete athletes so they need very skilled riders. The Today, Andalusia is a sanctuary for both native and foreign best players and polo patrons also have the best horses and take care of horses, with places such as the Royal Andalusian School of training, breeding and genetics. Equestrian Art Foundation, based in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), and iconic events to enjoy its beauty, like the Horse Racing Sanlúcar de Barrameda or the tournaments played at Santa María Polo Club Sotogrande, where visitors can admire the best polo specimens in the world.
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POLO
Polo is one of the oldest sports in the world. Prestigious, elegant, dynamic and extreme it is also a symbol of nobility and passion.
It is supported all around the world by the most prestigious luxury brands and is well-stablished in a large part of the world: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, Switzerland, Germany, Dubai, Spain and Argentina are the usual scenes for the great world polo events.
More than sport, a lifestyle: exclusivity, luxury and glamor.
Photo: 1 and 4 ranked polo players Adolfo Cambiaso and Gonzalo Pieres jr in the International Polo Tournament (Santa María Polo Club Sotogrande).
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SANTA MARIA
POLOCLUB THE BIG-4
The Santa Maria Polo Club is located nearby Gibraltar, in the heart of Sotogrande (Cádiz), one of the most prestigious luxury residential areas in southern Europe. Since the founding of the first fields in the 60s, polo has become the hallmark of Sotogrande, thanks to the Santa María Polo Club.
Nowadays, it is undoubtely one of the four polo meccas in the world together with Palm Beach (USA), Windsor and Cowdray (UK) and Palermo (Argentina).
Photo: Santa María Polo Club Sotogrande, Los Pinos facilities
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HERITAGE &LEGEND
The Club enjoys a tradition of polo since 1965, organising since 1971 one of the greatest world´s polo events, the International Polo Tournament, probably the most exclusive sporting event of the summer in Europe.
Santa María Polo Club has become one of the four top polo clubs in the world, thanks to its 2 playing areas (Los Pinos and Puente Hierro), 7 world class polo fields, 5-Stars Stables and top level facilities.
Today, the Club celebrates more than 25 tournaments a year and has become a meeting point for the best players, patrons and teams, in addition to international luxury brands, celebrities and very high purchasing power visitors.
Photo: Loro Piana´s patron drinking from the Gold Cup. August, 2006.
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MEETPOLO FEEL PASSION
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1-DAY POLO CLINIC
Santa Maria Polo Club introduce you in one of the most risky and addictive sports in the world, enjoying the unique atmosphere of Sotogrande, the hospitality, the culture and the gastronomy of southern Spain, in addition to the Club´s top level facilities.
The ‘Polo Clinic’ is an activity for people who do not know this sport or can ride horses. During the polo day, participants are introduced in the basic rules, the polo equipment and how to hit the ball riding wooden horses. The day ends with an exhibition game and a typical Argentine barbeque.
Photo: polo at the Santa María Polo Club
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OTHER STANDARD 1-DAY PROGRAMS SCHEDULE
Santa María Polo Club is ready to receive an intense STICK & BALL LESSONS ONE TO ONE PRIVATE (DAILY) polo calendar & adverse weather conditions in 3 Days. 1 hour Stick & Ball in the Morning 1 hour Lesson. addition to practices, exhibitions and polo clinics. The + 1 Hour in the Afternoon. 17.30 h. Santa María Polo Club´s facilities Club offers different types of polo activities, though GREEN FEES (DAILY) Introduction to polo, with explanation of the basic the 1-Day is the most in demand. BEGINNERS The perfect option for Stick & Ball Practice. rules and unique characteristics of this sport. Learn all 3 Days. 1 hour Stick & Ball in the morning about polo horses and what does mean words such On the right page, you can find other polo + 1 hour of instructional chukkers in the afternoon. CHUKKER FEES (DAILY) as Stifle, Foreleg, Cannons, Pastern... possibilities for individuals and groups to be Include standby ambulance, timers and flagsmen and developed in the Club. PRACTICE MATCH ONLY referee. This fee does not include pony hire. 18.00 h. Exhibition game 3 Days. Official Club practice matches Two teams, referees, flags and ambulance. Possibility (4 chukkers each). of customizing. STICK & BALL PRACTICE MATCH 19.00 h. Cocktail. 3 Days. 1 hour Stick & Ball in the Morning + 1 hour of Practice Match in the Afternoon. 19.30 h. Dinner: Argentine Barbeque. Budgets as customer needs
21.30 h. Departure of guests.
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SANTIAGO TORREGUITAR POLO MANAGER
The man in charge of the ‘Polo Clinics’ is our Polo Manager, Mr. Santiago Torreguitar, and his qualified team.
Santiago´s more than 30 years experience and 17 as Santa Maria Polo Club´s Polo Manager turn him into an out-standing personality in polo scene. He has taken part in tournaments all over Europe, USA, Middle East, Argentina and Asia.
Trust us. We know how to introduce you and your guests in the world of polo and how to take advantage of your trip to Sotogrande.
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Sotogrande is a full-equipped place with a high quality infrastructures, top level security, privacy services and warm climate all year round (300 sunny days / year). It is located in the western edge of the andalusian coastline, one of the preferred destinations among europeans, just a few kilometres from the exclusive residential area of Marbella / Puerto Banús. SOTOGRANDE IDENTIFIED WITH Created in 1962 by american Joseph McMicking and LUXURY AND PRIVILEGE Filipino Enrique Zobel, Sotogrande It is a reference in a unique way of living, offering some interesting values in Nature, Residential, Sports, Familiy & Friends, Privacy...
Definetely, there are no many places in the world to enjoy life, family and elite sports like Sotogrande. It SEVILLE has become the dreamy place for the High-Class from
MALAGA all around the world countries. JEREZ SOTOGRANDE
GIBRALTAR
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SO TO GOLF NATURE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES PREMIUM HOTELS WHAT Sotogrande is known worldwide for polo, Sotogrande is surrounded by outstanding natural Santa María Polo Club is located in the province but also for golf. Here are some of the best GR parks, such as the Alcornocales Natural Park, or of Cadiz, within a short distance of the Sotogrande is a premium tourist destination, courses in Europe, including La Reserva, the Ronda and Almenara ranges. In addition, just spectacular historic towns of Ronda and Jerez de TO with first class hotels. We find here the Almenara DO Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande, or The San 40 minutes away is Las Lomas, an incomparable la Frontera. In Jerez, PSMK has the perfect venue Golf Hotel & Spa, the NH Sotogrande Hotel Roque Club. In Sotogrande is also located and very exclusive estate famous for its deers, for very exclusive events - the Palacio Domecq. and the Club Maritimo Hotel, among others, AN the most prestigious golf club in Europe - wild boars, pheasants, red-legged partridges... Built in 1778 and recently restored to its former all offering high quality standards and comfort Valderrama, designed by Robert Trent Jones Its strategic location on the migratory route of glory, Palacio Domecq is a spectacular example levels to its customers. Other options include and the venue for the Ryder Cup (1997) and the Strait, makes this estate one of the Europe´s of Andalusian Baroque architecture. Finca Cortesin and the Kempinski. DE the Volvo Masters (1988-96 and 2002-08). main places for bird sighting.
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NAVIGATE THE STRAIT FLAMENCO SHOW SPEED Located near Ronda, less than 100 kms from The meeting point between the Atlantic History and tradition narrate that Spanish Sotogrande, we find the exclusive private Ascari Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea is one of flamenco was born in andalusian gypsy caves. racetrack. This circuit includes 26 curves that the preferred sailing destinations, testing What at the beginning was created as a emulate some of the most exciting racetracks every navigator. The winds of East and West celebration dance in gypsy weddings, has in the world, such as Daytona, Silverstone, Spa, always meet the expectations of sea lovers. The become what is currently known as flamenco. Nurburgring, Brands Hatch or Bathurst. Sotogrande Port is one of the natural solutions No one really knows exactly its origin. Some to this narrow passage of water between two people say it comes from Islamic songs; others continents. believe it has its origins in Byzantine chants, and others think that comes from the gypsies of India.
Either way, one thing is certain: andalusian flamenco artists and tablaos represent the purest style of the old gypsy flamenco art.
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Finca Los Pinos. Highway A7 Exit A-133 11310 Sotogrande, San Roque (Cádiz, Spain) T. +34 956 610 012 · e-mail: [email protected] www.santamariapoloclub.com