New Delhi, December 7, 2008: Today the Jaipur Polo Ground was pulsating with exhilaration and high spirits as Sona Polo took on Himalayan Horse/Equisport in the Finals of the Reid & Taylor Indian Open Polo Championship, the oldest trophy in Indian Polo which also happens to be the national championship. Himalayan Horse/Equisport defeated Sona Polo by 6-4 goals. The tournament commenced from 3rd December, 2008 at the Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi. This 108th edition of the Indian Open Polo Championship was partnered by Reid and Taylor, India’s leading suiting and textile brand for the sixth consecutive year. The event was promoted by Equisport.

Simran Shergill of Himalayan Horse/Equisport was the highest scorer of the game and was also adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the match. ‘Capincha’, Sunjay Kapur’s horse was declared the Best Polo Pony. The curtain raiser for the day was the Lladro Polo Trophy played by the Samsung and Sail polo teams. Sail Polo Team won the match by 4-3 goals.

Halfway through the final match, guests were invited by the charming emcee Shefali Talwar for the ‘Tread-In’. A host of celebrities, who were assiduously cheering on the two finalists, were spotted at the tournament. Among them were Cigar czar Chetan Seth with wife Manya Patil Seth, Princess Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Tarun Joshi of Reid & Taylor, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Vikramaditya Singh & Chitrangada Raje of Kashmir, Navin Jindal, Dilip & Devi Cherian, Princess Bhargavi Singh, H.E. Mr. Kenith Thompson with wife Sole Thompson and Sikander Talwar and polo enthusiasts among others. Players seen on field were Sunjay Kapur, Adhiraj Singh, Angad & Uday Kalaan, Simran Shergill and Samir Suhag.

The day culminated with a High Tea for the guests courtesy Hyatt Regency, Delhi. A lavish spread of different cuisines & scrumptious desserts was served. The beautifully done up décor of the marquee set the mood right for the guests to lounge and enjoy the grand finale to a superb match, with live jazz music.

Samsung, Lladro, BNP Paribas and SAIL were the associate sponsors for the tournament. The event was also supported by The Hyatt Regency, Delhi as the Hospitality partner.

Match Details:
In the first chukkar, at the ball throw-in a foul by Sona Polo gave Himalayan Horse/Equisport a 60- yard penalty taken by Simran Shergill. Simran Scored the goal with a lofted shot and opened the account for his side.

In the beginning of the second chukkar, another foul by Sona Polo gave Himalayan Horse/Equisport a chance to go 2 up in the lead and Abhimanyu Pathak scored the 30-yard penalty with ease. Sona Polo soon got an opportunity to get in their first goal as they were awarded a 40-yard penalty which was scored by Ransher Singh. At the throw-in, Sona Polo was in attack as Sunjay Kapur got at the ball and hit it upto Ransher Singh, who scored the equalizer for Sona Polo. Himalayan Horse/Equisport was quick to take the lead again as Simran Shergill converted a 60-yard penalty awarded to them. Both teams were in attack and Ransher Singh equalized yet again for Sona Polo with a superb goal. The score read 3 all at the end of the second chukkar.

Brilliant play by Himalayan Horse/Equisport in the third chukkar as Simran Shergill was in cracking form and scored two consecutive goals for his team. Sona Polo played defensively as there were no goals on the board for the team. The scoreboard at the end of the third chukkar read 5-3 goals in favour of Himalayan Horse/Equisport.

In the final & penultimate chukkar, a foul by Himalayan Horse/Equisport gave Sona Polo a 40-yard penalty which was converted successfully by Ransher Singh. Good team effort and a pass from teammate Adhiraj Singh gave Simran Shergill an opportunity to score another beautiful goal sealing their victory. Himalayan Horse/Equisport defeated Sona Polo by 6-4 goals.

GOALS FOR THE DAY:
HIMALAYAN HORSE/ EQUISPORT: Abhimanyu Pathak-1 goal, Simran Shergill-5 goals.
SONA POLO: Ransher Singh-4 goals.