Hua Hin's white silky coastline was transformed into a sand racetrack during the Hua Hin The InterContinental-B Grimm Beach Polo 2022 charitable tournament to raise funds for the Nabha Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
This is a collective effort between B Grimm, Proud Group, InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Bluport Hua Hin to promote the popular resort town as a premier sport destination for professional athletes and sports enthusiasts.
"B Grimm marks its 144th anniversary this year and this event underlines the country's potential to organise an international polo tournament. The difficulty with beach polo is that it requires calculating and monitoring tidal timings throughout the year in order to determine when the tide has receded to a suitable level for the competition," said Harald Link, tournament chairman and president of the B Grimm Group and the Thai Equestrian Association.
"Unlike ordinary polo balls, a beach polo ball is composed of rubber, similar to a soccer ball, and is smaller in size. However, international competition regulations continue to be followed."
This year, Thailand and Argentina are the remaining two teams competing for the HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Cup. Visitors enjoyed a parade of more than 60 horses from across the city, food and beverage outlets, fun-filled activities such as charitable games with prizes and a fashion show on horseback from day to night.
"This is Asia's most stunning event of its sort, having been staged for 11 years in a row. The international athletic event has been held in Hua Hin for several years since the resort city provides stunning scenery and the allure of horseback riding along the beach, which is one of Hua Hin's most notable features. The Hua Hin beach is broad enough for a polo competition and it is popular among celebrities," said Suwat Liptapanlop, the tournament's management adviser.
"As part of the charity, a collection of handicrafts by inmates and a painting in collaboration with Bangchak and Ajarn Thawee Kesa-ngam, director of the Hua Hin Artist House, are also up for auction.
"Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Nabha Foundation to support the underprivileged, particularly women serving jail sentences, to return to society."
