For the first time the Cartier team are the proud winners of their own Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, In a thrilling match at Desert Palm, the Cartier team narrowly defeated the current holders of the impressive trophy, Desert Palm, 10-9.

Charlotte Casiraghi, Louis Ferla and Bernard Fornas posed with the Cartier team as they attended the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge at the Desert Palm Hotel on February 24, 2012 in Dubai.

As the event’s patron, HRH Princess Haya, was unable to attend the final day of polo, HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the prizes, accompanied by Cartier guest Charlotte Casiraghi , Bernard Fornas, Chief Executive of Cartier and Louis Ferla, Managing Director of Cartier Dubai.

Adriano Agosti stepped forward to receive the trophy and then watched as his team-mate, Mohammed Bin Drai, was named Most Valuable Player. He was presented with a pair of polo boots and kneepads by La Martina. Cartier’s Juan Jose Brane received a La Martina saddle for the Best Playing Pony from Charlotte Casiraghi. The pony, Sybarita, is owned by Saeed Bin Drai and was played by Brane in the final chukka. After the main presentations HH Sheikh Mansour and Ali Albwardy presented a cheque to Satish Seemar, Director of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai which is based at Desert Palm.

CARTIER INTERNATIONAL DUBAI POLO CHALLENGE

Team Cartier: Adriano Agosti (CH) 0; Mohammed Bin Drai (UAE) -1; Francisco Elizalde(ARG) 6; Juan Jose Brane (ARG) 7.

Team Desert Palm: Tariq Albwardy (UAE) 1; Faris Al Yabhouni (UAE) 0; Martin Valent (ARG) 5; Alfredo Capella (ARG) 6

DESERT PALM TROPHY

Team Julius Baer: Amr Zedan (KSA) 0; Saad Audeh (UAE) 0; Pancho Marin Moreno (ARG) 6; Rodolfo Ducos (ARG) 5.

Team CNN: Gary Shepherd (UK) -1; Kassem Shafi (PK) 0; Vieri Antinori (ARG) 6; Hissam Ali Hyder (PK) 6.