Our extraordinary Polo experience in Mongolia culminated in the Shanghai Tang Polo Cup, a fast-paced tournament staged at the stunningly beautiful Genghis Khan Polo & Riding Club today.
After several days of competing in mixed teams, the players had developed a spirit of camaraderie. Now, it was time to divide them and compare the prowess of the Mongols versus the internationals. The home team consisted of Mongols trained and nurtured by the Genghis Khan Polo & Riding Club's programmes, which aim to groom future generations of world-class Polo players.
As the teams took to the field, there was a great deal of excitement and anticipation as everyone wondered how the Mongols would perform against the international players. Until recently, Polo had not been played in Mongolia since Genghis Khan had trained his warrior cavalry in the exhilarating sport during the 13th Century. Yet, after a hard fought battle, the Mongols conquered the international team, winning by a triumphant 8-2.
Shanghai Tang hosted an Emperors Dinner that evening, prepared by celebrity Mongol Chef Enkhee and graced by one last performance by pianist Odgerel Sampilnorov. The traditional ger (tent) was decorated in the brand's signature vibrant style and even scented with its Ginger Lily fragrance. Throughout the joyous occasion, there was a sense that we had all witnessed something special together - the renaissance of Polo in Mongolia.
