For the fourth year in a row, Miami Beach hosted the international polo community at the Miami Beach Polo World Cup. Six international teams, and nearly 80 ponies, participated in the three-day event coordinated by ACT Productions and held in the sands of Miami Beach just behind the Setai. The inclusion of two additional teams this year-with players from Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Switzerland, and the U.S.-has given the tournament the official title of the world's largest and most prestigious polo tournament on the beach.
Though the tournament officially began on Friday, a host of events led up to the first match, including a horse parade on the beach and a V.I.P. "Polo Goes Social" cocktail party at the Sagamore following the kickoff press conferences on Thursday afternoon.On Saturday night, attendees were treated to entertainment from a Blues Brothers tribute band and a fashion show from Nichole de Carle, a famed English lingerie designer, inside the tents on the sand.
Friday through Sunday, the ponies and players took to the sands to compete in three games each day, with the final winner announced at the closing ceremonies yesterday. For the third year in a row, the Audi team took home the winning cup, as well as a Catena Swiss watch for each player. Additional watches and gifts from official supplier La Martina were presented to M.V.P. Marc Ganzi and the second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-place teams.
Local sponsors for the tournament included China Grill, Mynt Lounge, Hotel Del Soleil, Kobe Club, the Setai, Gansevoort South Hotel and Residences, Smith & Wollensky, and Tuscan Steak, as well as the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority and Miami-Dade County Authority.
Though the tournament officially began on Friday, a host of events led up to the first match, including a horse parade on the beach and a V.I.P. "Polo Goes Social" cocktail party at the Sagamore following the kickoff press conferences on Thursday afternoon.On Saturday night, attendees were treated to entertainment from a Blues Brothers tribute band and a fashion show from Nichole de Carle, a famed English lingerie designer, inside the tents on the sand.
Friday through Sunday, the ponies and players took to the sands to compete in three games each day, with the final winner announced at the closing ceremonies yesterday. For the third year in a row, the Audi team took home the winning cup, as well as a Catena Swiss watch for each player. Additional watches and gifts from official supplier La Martina were presented to M.V.P. Marc Ganzi and the second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-place teams.
Local sponsors for the tournament included China Grill, Mynt Lounge, Hotel Del Soleil, Kobe Club, the Setai, Gansevoort South Hotel and Residences, Smith & Wollensky, and Tuscan Steak, as well as the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority and Miami-Dade County Authority.

International polo players took to the beach for the fourth annual Miami Beach Polo World Cup.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

The official logo for the event includes the image of a polo player and pony at its center.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

Team sponsors (reflected on the players shirts) included China Grill Management, Hennessy, Frank Crystal/Comcast, Audi, the Setai, and Lamborghini Miami.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

Event sponsors' logos lined the inside walls of the playing field set up on the beach behind the Setai.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

Models wearing La Martina designs posed for photographers.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

Team Hennessy-sponsored by one of the event's major beverage suppliers-was presented with the Romero Britto Cup at the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs

International polo players took to the beach for the fourth annual Miami Beach Polo World Cup.
Courtesy of Hennessy by Mitchell Zachs