III Riviera Nayarit International Beach Polo Cup 2014

This is the sixth time the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will be backing the event; it’s the third time it will take place on the beach.

The event has grown to encompass eight teams: two from Guadalajara and two from Mexico City, plus teams from Italy, Canada and Switzerland, as well as a mixed team with players from Mexico and Argentina. It is also being extended one more day for a total of four days.

José Antonio Amutio, Marketing Director for Tucané and part of the organizing committee, informed they are expecting a 30% increase in visitors compared with last year’s cup, which had around 650 spectators.

“Pablo Pieres, the top polo player in the world, will be participating in the event,” said Amutio. “Polo is a bridge to investments, as we are expecting an influx of celebrities and international businessmen.”

This sporting event blends glamour, luxury, rock, beach and family. The date was chosen to take advantage of a national holiday.

“Thanks to the support of the Riviera Nayarit CVB and the State Government the events at the Hard Rock keep coming and keep getting bigger,” said Manuel Rubio, General Manager of the host hotel.

Among the novelties of the 2014 event: it will be the first tournament with augmented reality taking place during the event itself, generating interaction through technology. Another special touch: each of the trophies is an exclusive work of art.

The Riviera Nayarit CVB promotes and encourages high-expenditure tourism per the direction of the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association and the State Government.

“I would like to thank the organizers who have put together this event for the sixth time, as it clearly identifies the Riviera Nayarit as a luxury destination,” said Marc Murphy, General Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This type of event fits perfectly with the destination. It’s a luxury sport that attracts tourism with high purchasing power, which greatly helps the bay area.”

Playing at the III International Beach Polo Cup will be Pablo MacDonough, currently regarded as the "World's Best Polo Player”.
 
HEADQUARTERS:

• Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
• 8 teams (to be confirmed)
• Tournament Handicap: 6-8 goals
• Teams will play 2 games of 4 chukkers, beginning on May 2nd

REFERI:
To be defined

UNIFORMS:
Team shirts will be provided by the organizing committee

HOST HOTEL:
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
(Field: Hotel's Beach - 90x45 meters).

EVENTS:

• Thursday, May 1st, 2014
11:00am – News conference  
8:00pm – Opening ceremony  
8:45pm – Welcoming remarks
9:00pm – Fashion show
9:30am – Team presentations - Uniforms - Draw for positions  
9:45pm – Opening party by Hard Rock

• Friday, May 2nd, 2014
10:00am – Yacht experience - Sponsors
11:30am – Parade of horses and riders (Av. Paseo de los Cocoteros starting at the motor lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta)
1:00pm – Unloading
2:00pm – Start of the tournament - Qualifiers
7:00pm – End of matches
7:15pm – Entertainment by Hard Rock

• Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
10:00am – Yacht experience - Polo players
12:00pm – Unloading
1:00pm – Start of the tournament - Final matches  
6:00pm – Awards  
8:30pm – Closing party by Hard Rock

• Sunday, May 4th, 2014
1:00pm – Match for 5th place
3:00pm – Match for 3rd place
5:00pm – Final match
7:00pm – Trophy ceremony

II Riviera Nayarit International Beach Polo Cup