2016

KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

TOURNAMENT BOOKLET

TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME LETTER HOST HOTELS EVENT LOCATION PROGRAMME HOW TO GET THERE LADIES DAY GOLDEN TRIANGLE ASIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION BENEFITS FOR ELEPHANTS HISTORY AND RULES SPECTATOR REGULATIONS HOW TO PLAY TEAMS 2016 SPONSORS 2016

Drone photo

Dear Friends of Elephants, Welcome to Elephant Polo Week in Thailand, and to those of you returning from previous seasons, welcome back! Although the tournament took a break last year, the efforts and initiatives to create real and lasting change for the elephants did not stop as we presented the world’s largest outdoor art exhibition, Elephant Parade Bangkok in Decemeber 2015 to reach out further to the general public. Almost a hundred brightly coloured elephants delighted locals and tourists alike over the Christmas, New Year period with the parade ending with a charity gala dinner, raising over 10 million Thai Baht. Due to the popularity of the tournament, the internationally renowned event is making a comeback this year into its fourteenth year and will take place for the second time in Bangkok. Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort will once again be hosting the 2016 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Bangkok and could not be more excited to receive players and guests from around the world. We are now celebrating more than a decade of successful tournaments, and this year promises to be better than ever. We look forward to bring you five days of unforgettable action both on and off the pitch, from an impressive opening parade and nail biting matches, children’s and ladies’ days, fun elephant related activities, to BBQ nights and culminating in an unmissable experience that is richly integrated into the local culture. We are also excited to host 10 international teams for one of Thailand’s most prized annual sporting events, held by the riverside, which has throughtfully been transformed into your elephant polo stadium for the week. A very special thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, all of our corporate sponsors, especially Audemars Piguet, and members of the Bangkok community where we live and thrive, for allowing this special event to take place in the iconic location of Thailand’s capitol. Finally, a special thanks to all of you for taking the time to join us for this year’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, and to the team at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Yours Sincerely,

Tim Boda Group Director of Culinary Excellence & Events, Minor Hotel Group

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HOST HOTELS ANANTARA RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT

AVANI RIVERSIDE BANGKOK HOTEL

Conveniently located on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya River, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is your gateway to Thailand’s shimmering capital. Positioned amongst a backdrop of verdant greenery, Anantara Riverside offers the ultimate in luxurious waterfront serenity.

One of the latest additions to the Minor portfolio, AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel is the perfect access point to Bangkok for any kind of visit, whether a leisurely family break or an important business meeting. All 241 rooms and suites are located on level 12 or above, allowing for uninterrupted views of the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s glittering skyline.

Combine the thrill of urban living and the calm of tropical luxury in this 11-acre oasis, both an ideal sanctuary to recharge and a perfect platform to facilitate your immersion in this ancient Kingdom on your own adventures. Delve into an ancient city steeped in history and tradition, seek hidden treasures exploring Bangkok’s labyrinthine network of sois or simply relax on banks of the river as life unfolds before your eyes. Whether you want to experience an authentic side of Bangkok on your terms or simply relax and rejuvenate in a sanctuary of calm in the midst of this thriving metropolis, your individual journey in Bangkok will be enriched by your stay at Anantara Riverside.

To ensure every requirement is satisfied, four restaurants and bars offer simply delicious eats and treats, from grab-and-go snacks in the designer deli to exotic indulgences at the rooftop or lobby bar. Its location by Riverside Plaza shopping complex and directly opposite Asiatique, Bangkok’s largest open-air night market, affords guests a wealth of entertainment options whilst the rest of Bangkok’s delights are easily accessed by complimentary boat shuttle to Saphan Taksin pier. Whether seeing the city’s many sights or brokering deals, family fun or individual adventures, AVANI Riverside Bangkok is designed with you in mind.

AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

PROGRAMME 2016 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TENTATIVE PROGRAMME 9 TO 13 MARCH 2016 9 March 2016, Wednesday 7:00 pm *Handicapping draw night 10 March 2016, Thursday Grand Opening Day 8:00 am Monk blessing ceremony 9:00 am Grand opening parade 10:00 am Fruit buffet for elephants 11:00 am Tournament matches all day 11 March 2016, Friday Kids’ Education Day 9:00 am Tournament matches all day 12 March 2016, Saturday Ladies‘ Day 9:00 am Tournament matches all day 5:00 pm Ladies’ day fashion show & prize presentation Till late Pitch side festival with entertainment, mini concerts & fireworks 13 March 2016, Sunday Grand Final Day 9:00 am Final matches all day 10:00 am Sunday morning jazz 3:00 pm National anthem King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament Grand Final 4:00 pm Trophy giving ceremony by Royal Representative 5:00 pm Fruit buffet for elephants 6:00 pm End of tournament celebrations

2016 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO LADIES DAY

HOW TO GET THERE

12 March 2016 from 2:00 - 5:00pm By the riverside next to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Charoennakorn R D.

PITCH

Whether you are watching the exciting trunk-to-trunk action on

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field, sipping refreshing drinks or simply there for a good oldfashion girly day out, make sure you do it in style! Saphan Taksin Pier

Chaophraya River

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Pier

Taksin Bridge

Krungthep Bridge

ANANTARA RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT

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RIVERSIDE PLAZA

Asiatique Saphan Taksin BTS station

Entrance to tournament is THB 200 per person per day, gross proceeds going to Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. VIP hospitality packages are available, for more information, please contact Jaime Koh at [email protected] or visit anantaraelephantpolo. com Complimentary boat transfers between Saphan Taksin Pier and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort are available every 30 minutes. Spectators can hop on the free shuttle service from lower lobby of the resort to pitch or enjoy a 5 minutes stroll. Limited parking available at Riverside Plaza only, no parking available at the polo pitch.

Dress to impress for the 2016 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Ladies Day for a fun day of fashion, giggles and bubbles, and the best dressed ladies will win handbags, fashion vouchers & party services in value of above THB 500,000! Our Fashion Police will be on the lookout for you all afternoon and prizes will be presented at 5pm. Stay on and join us for the evening entertainment till late.

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE ASIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION

Established in 2006, The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) was set up to improve the plight of Thailand’s elephants. Since then its scope has increased to include welfare projects that incorporate wider philanthropic and cultural objectives across broader Southeast Asia. Since the foundation’s inception more than 40 elephants have been rescued from Thailand’s city streets, accompanied by their entire mahout family. Recognising the cultural significance of mahouts whilst staying committed to the ideals of creating elephant friendly circumstances, a broader community development programme for mahouts and their families has been implemented. Through this programme English lessons are provided for mahouts and their wives, education programmes offered for their children and a silk making enterprise for the mahouts’ wives has been established, with all profits from sales going back directly to the wives. In addition to performing street rescues the GTAEF cooperates with the Thai government and other organisations in projects including supporting scientific research and clinics using elephants as assistant therapists for children living with autism; donating equipment and

vehicles to government elephant hospitals in Lampang & Krabi; sending their team of expert vets to assist elephants throughout Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos; developing scientific positive reinforcement training techniques for elephants; reducing human–elephant conflict in Thai national parks and building the world’s first and only research facility dedicated to researching elephant intelligence and behaviour. Working with local partner Wildlife Alliance, GTAEF, along with their parent company Minor International, have successfully funded and implemented the protection of 18,000 hectares of standing forest in Cambodia’s Cardamom

Mountains, the only remaining link between elephant territories to the north and south of the country. Since protection, the wildlife has become visible and wild elephants have started using the forest again. The GTAEF has had unprecedented success in creating positive outcomes for both wild and captive elephants, helping provide a voice for these incredible creatures. As well as running their own projects, GTAEF have supported and funded projects by the following organisations.

BENEFITS FOR OUR ELEPHANTS Every elephant attending the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament has a unique microchip number which is required by law and means that Thai authorities know the animal was not taken from the wild. The elephants receive no specific training to play polo. In addition, only young elephants who like to run around and enjoy themselves participate in the tournament, and consequently tend to easily pick up the game (some better than others!). Each elephant only plays two games a day – we don’t want our elephants to get tired so they only play for 28 minutes each day compared with working 10 hours a night on the streets or 5 hours a day in a trekking camp. Young elephants enjoy running around and playing games – and at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation we have an area for the young elephants to play, which they’ll do for hours at a time, participating in possession games with tyres and such. High-energy food is essential for all ‘eleathletes’ and each elephant participating

in the tournament is fed 20 stems of bananas, 50 sticks of sugarcane and 10 pineapple plants per day, in addition to being provided with veterinary care and vitamin supplements. The tournament’s largest expense is maintaining and pampering the elephants – this is on top of the money raised at the Charity Auction Dinner which is used for more strategic projects that benefit all of Thailand’s elephants. An elephant that does not enjoy elephant polo is immediately retired and still gets to keep their bonuses, as this is usually the only time of the year they receive regular veterinary check-ups, vitamin supplements and a chance to rest in natural surroundings. Each elephant receives a veterinary check before she’s declared fit to play. Those that fail don’t get sent home; they just get prescribed rest – something often not possible throughout the rest of the year. We aim to make this as much of a holiday for the elephants as for our guests.

HISTORY AND RULES The Story Behind the Game What started out as a whimsical conversation between two quirky sport lovers has evolved into one of the largest annual events in the Thai tourism calendar. The event in question is polo, with the adventurous twist of being played on the back of elephants. The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Thailand was first launched in Hua Hin by Anantara in 2001. In 2006 the tournament moved to the Golden Triangle and was hosted by Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort). In 2011 the tournament returned to its original venue at Hua Hin for the following three years, before making its debut in Bangkok in 2014. Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort will once again be hosting the tournament this year. Elephants are a key symbol of Thailand’s history. Nothing but the utmost respect is given to these pachyderms, with all proceeds of the tournament used to ensure their welfare, sustenance, employment, mahout training and the provision of medical treatment. • Due to the size of these great mammals, each team comprises three players and their four legged accomplices. Matches take place on a marked pitch of 80 metres by 48 metres, using a standard size polo ball. • The game is divided into two 7-minute “chukkas”, or halves, of playing time with an interval of 15 minutes. A whistle blast from the referee signals the start and end of play. Both the elephants and playing pitch ends are changed after the first chukka. • The pitch is marked with lines; a circle with a radius of 10 metres marks the middles of the field, while a semi-circle arch in front of the goals has a radius of 20 metres, measured from the centre of the goal line at either end of the pitch and referred to as the D. • The scoring system awards two points to a winning team and one point apiece to teams which draw.

Spectator Regulations • No flags or banners are permitted on the grounds without the permission of the organisers. • No whistles or horns are allowed at any time, as they may scare the elephants. • Smoking is not permitted in the restaurant or public areas. • For your own safety, please do not approach the elephants. • No gambling or betting of any sort is permitted on the premises. • Please do not litter; use the conveniently located garbage cans. • Elephants must always be given right of way and at no time shall unauthorised personnel enter the elephant area. • Selling goods or services is not permitted without prior approval of the event organisers. • Please use the public facilities which have been made available on the grounds. • Do not leave children unattended at any time. • Spectators under the age of 18 must be under adult supervision and are not permitted to consume tobacco or alcohol. • Adults are requested to consume alcohol responsibly. • For your safety, please refrain from crossing over or sitting on the field fence and maintain a safe distance from the pitch. • Do not feed, touch or throw things at the elephants. • No firearms or fireworks of any kind are permitted on the grounds. • The tournament welcomes the public from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm daily except for Saturday 12 March until 12 midnight; guests are not permitted on the grounds at any other time. • Please note that by attending the tournament, guests may have their picture published inmedia outlets or on internet news sites.

Team A

Team B

HOW TO PLAY GAME TECHNICALITIES • No elephants may lie down in front of the goal mouth. To do so constitutes a foul and a free hit is awarded to the opposing side from the semi-circle in front of the goal. • An elephant may not pick up the ball in its trunk during play. To do so constitutes a foul and a free hit is awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the ball was picked up. The defending players must be 15 metres from the spot. • Teams are made up from the pool of elephants and balanced out as fairly as possible, bearing in mind the size and speed of the elephants. Once the pool of elephants has been selected, each elephant is categorised and marked as A, B, C, D, E and F. • Sugar cane or rice balls packed with vitamins (molasses and rock salt) are given to the elephants at the end of each match, and a cold beer or soft drink to the elephants’ drivers, and not vice versa! The health and welfare of the elephants used in tournaments is of prime concern. Abuse of an elephant is considered to be the most serious offence.

FUN FACTS • Elephants in this tournament only respond to Thai commands from their mahouts. • The first elephant polo games were played with a soccer ball. These were quickly changed to standard polo balls after it was realised the elephants like to stamp and pop the soccer balls. • Some players train by sitting on top of a slow moving jeep and swinging at the ball using an elephant polo stick!

TEAMS 2016

AUDEMARS PIGUET TEAM

Mr. Uday Kalaan Uday started playing horse polo at a very young age and has since played professionally in India. He was part of the World Cup team which played in the World Championships in 1995; having captained India against worthy opponents and is highly regarded as an impact player. Uday currently runs the Haryana Polo Club at this farm near Delhi with his brother.

ANANTARA TEAM Mr. Tim Boda Tim Boda, Minor Hotel Group, Organizer of King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. Tim Boda

Mr. Manish Jha Manish Jha, General Manager Anantara Hua Hin Resort, is one of the highest rated Anantara players. He played every King’s Cup since 2012. A prolific penalty shooter, Manish is the bedrock of any team on which he competes.

Uday Kalaan

Mr. Angad Kalaan “The Dark Horse of Delhi” has quietly and stealthily maneuvered through the corridors of polo to become the much-feted icon and pin up of the Indian horse polo team. Angad played for the winning Chivas Nepal team in 2001 King’s Cup. He has won the “Golden Stick” award on four occasions and is considered one of the best players ever.

Manish Jha

Lars Kerfin Angad Kalaan

Cameron Humphries

Mr. Cameron Humphries With over 24 years of service in the British Army and having completed numerous operational tours around the world, Cameron is considered a close combat specialist- making him particularly useful in the melees and scums on and off the pitch! When not on operations with the Army, he is normal found on horseback playing and umpiring polo but is probably most renowned for bring that mad Brit who practiced his polo on a bicycle on the streets of Baghdad whilst under the fire from mortars and snipers! He’s hoping the locals are a bit friendlier in Bangkok!

Dylan Counsel

Volkert Geertsen

Mr. Lars Kerfin Lars Kerfin, General Manager Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, a hard-riding, long-hitting powerful player, Lars’ defensive and team skills lifted him to the ranks of one of the top players in the game today. Mr. Dylan Counsel Dylan Counsel, General Manager Anantara Sikao Resort, the new but not to be understimated kid on this legendary team, known for his leadership and direction on (any) field really. Probably one of the best young elephant polo players south of Krabi. Mr. Volkert Geertsen Volkert, Hotel Manager of Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, another new acquisition for the Anantara team, great hand-eye coordination and exceptional accuracy allowed this talented athlete to excel in land hockey before selecting elephant polo as his next career path. He is on the 2016 watch list. Mr. Paul Domiique Win Vacharasinthu Previously Paul was playing for the CDD team, he turned elephant polo pro several years ago, a cool headed field general, a force to be reckon with on the field- offensively and defensively.

Paul Domiique

ANANTARA ARABIAN KNIGHTS TEAM Wael Soueid

Amer Braik

Stuart Allan

Steve Thompson

Kristin Grube

Mr. Wael Soueid Brought up in France and passionate about all things luxury, among them, expensive hotels, the sport of King and Cuban cigars, Wael is a man of style on and off the field. 2016 marks his third year captaining the Arabian Knights team in the King’s Cup Tournament. Now as confident on an elephant as he is on a horse, he’s a force to be reckoned with and one to watch this year. Mr. Amer Braik A keen horse rider and an active sportsman, Amer can be seen challenging his physical fitness and endurance, traversing the world’s largest sand dunes by fat bike in Abu Dhabi. This marks the second year for Amer to participate in the King’s Cup drawing on his experience riding camels and horses to help him on his way. Mr. Stuart Allan Originating from the UK and in Dubai since 2007, Stuart is a keen polo player and has played in several locations around the world including Germany, Portugal, the UK, India, Thailand, Argentina, Chile and South Korea, in addition to Dubai. Stuart returns to the King’s Cup for his third year to support this annual fund raising event representing the Arabian Knights team. Mr. Steve Thompson Personality ploys and an internationally renowned polo player and coach, UK born Steve is the founder and owner of Dubai Polo Academy, which he started in 2005. The Dubai Polo Academy was established to offer tuition to players of all levels looking for expert polo tuition using a methodology unique to the Dubai Polo Academy. Steve has put this methodology into his new book “How to Look Cool Whilst Learning Polo” which will be available worldwide in 2016. He is also famous in the UAE for being the first person to train camels for polo! Ms. Kristin Grube Born in Germany, Kristin started horse riding at the age of seven. Based in Dubai for several years, she’s been playing in the Dubai Polo Academy for four years. 2016 marks Kristin’s third King’s Cup playing for the Arabian Knights. In 2014, she showed remarkable focus in the tournament’s penalty shoot-out. True to the motton “communication is key”, Kristin has commerced her first steps to speak Thai, trying to improve communication with the Mahout and the elephant. We can’t wait to see how that goes.

CITI TEAM

Darren Buckley

Wanvisa Komidr

Fon Windsor

Tom Fontaine

Rob Mullis

Oliver Winter

Mr. Darren Buckley Having recovered from a shoulder injury, while foiled his plans to join the last King’s Cup, Darren is intent on a dramatic comeback this year. Rumor has it that he has been holding secret trainings with an elephant Denra, at the Citi Elephant Nursery in the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. While Citi’s Head of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar may not realised that this will not help his game on adult elephants at all, he is ready to stun the world with his Djokovic-backhands and Woods- swings, all in flourishing Cambiaso-style. He’s also a big and consistent sponsor of this event, so cheer you must. Ms. Wanvisa Komidr Official holder of the Miss Glamorous Citi title, you would never guess Wan could run Armstrong for her titles completely “supplement” free! With the mental will of someone who has done 89,295 marathons, duathlons and triathlons, Citi’s Thailand’s Head of Markeitng & Client Experience is one to watch as she handles the grueling demands of competitive elephant polo. Don’t let her class and beautiful boots fool you, as she is sure to snatch that polo ball from right under your trunk. Let’s just hope her Masters in Endurance Sports also taught her to hold on to the ropes on the elephants for dear life. Ms. Fon Windsor- Clive A mother of two, a professional photographer and a committee member of the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, Fon is also a keen pilot (604 Squadron RTAF) and a Cordon Bleu Cook. She lives in Bangkok with her English husband Simon and their two daughters. She is also trained as an Emergency Medical Technician and voluteers at Raividhee Hospital and actively supports the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Thailand. In her spare time, you will find her in the gym, museums or climbing mountains. Mr. Tom Fontaine Tom is an engineer and businessman who lives in Australia and who watches the calendar counting the days until the next elephant polo tournament. He is also directly involved in an organisation devoted to stopping Rhino poaching in Africa. His company has invented “paint” that when painted onto a horn or tusk, can be used to always identiy the origin of the horn. The organisation recently caught one of the most notorious poachers in Zimbabwe, and has reported in the Austrialian and International news, leaving the poacher 30 years in jail. Mr. Rob Mullis Farmer Mullis is, without a doubt, the finest purveyor organic sugar cane in the North of Thailand, and for this alone, is beloved by all elephants. He has not yet talked about distilling his own rum but is beloved of mahouts nonetheless. His Mullis Capital Elephant Polo Team were, in past times, a powerhouse in the sport feared by opposition and umpuires in equal measure but fate lead to their parting ways and today he contents himself with providing strike power for his erstwhile rivals- there were no enermies in elephant polo. When not terrifying the local motorists with his Kubota, he lives in Bangkok and divides his time between watching his sons play soccer and his daughter’s DJ’ing. Rumor has it that he also does something with money in his spare time but nobody is sure what. For all his urban socialite lifestyle, he longs to return to his sugarcane valley where the sun and the moon can be seen at the same time (after the correct amount of wine) and live out his days as a pastoralist. Mr. Oliver Winter Oliver reintroduced polo to the Royal Siam Polo Club after a 50 years interval. Importing polo ponies from Germany, Argentina, Brunei and Australia, he also acted as a teacher and coach and engaged Argentinean professionals to train horses and players. Polo is now thriving in various new clubs across Thailand with over 200 polo ponies, and Oliver is also the current president of the German Polo Federation. Oliver lives in Hamburg where horse polo occupies a large part of his weekends. Importing food for the German market from various countries, Oliver travels the globe to visit suppliers and join a game of polo where possible.

CASILLERO DEL DIABLO TEAM

Ravini Perera

Sharlyn Stafford

Sharona Hurmuses

Areeya Sirisopa

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL TEAM Hana Lewis

Ploy Bhinsaeng

Ms. Ravini Perera Ravini is a competive player who is thrilled to be back playing elephant polo after having previously played in the Nepal (coming in very close to 3rd position!) as well as being part of the legendary Spice Girls Team in Hua Hin. Ms. Sharlyn Stafford This is Sharlyn’s 4th elephant polo tournament; three in Thailand and one in Nepal. She is thrilled to be back this year and a part of the ladies team, previously, known as the “Spice Girls” Whilst enjoying the completion, she also looks forward to re-uniting with the other players who have been a part of elephant polo over the years and meeting new friends. Ms. Sharona Hurmuses Sharona is from Singapore and first played elephant polo back in 2013. This will be her 7th elephant polo tournament. She is a personal trainer and a fitness competitor and a mother of 3 daughters. She used to play for the legendary Spice Girls team and hope to continue the tradition. Ms. Areeya Sirisopa Khun Pop, is an American model, teacher and filmmaker. She qualified for Miss Thailand pageant and won the crown in 1994. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant held in the Philippines, placing 13th overall; and recipient of the “Best Kodak Smile”. She began working as a model, actress, and emcee. Ms. Hana Lewis Miss Teen Thailand 2010, Hana is both an actress and model and will be joining the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament for the first time this year. Ms. Ploy Bhinsaeng Ploy Bhinsaeng is a professional polo player and equestrian and also one of the top woman player in Thailand polo.

Robin Lourvanij

Rickard Hogberg

Chris Stafford

Bjorn Richardson

Tarrik Stafford

Ms. Robin Lourvanij Robin, half Australian, half Thai, interior designer, established Kuppa Tea & Coffee Traders Co., Ltd, Bangkok’s popular restaurant/ coffee house in year 1998. A co-owner of Polo Escape, she is also one of Asia’s most active lady Patron. Currently 0 goal polo handicap player, Robin has participated in many international tournaments, in Australia, Argentina, Germany, UK, Dubai and Singapore. She also participated in the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur in year 2009 & 2011. Robin and her team had also won the 12 goals Dubai Cup at Ham, England, August 2010. Mr. Rickard Hogberg Former captain of Singapore Polo Club and a native of Sweden. Rickard now reside in Singapore and has a +2 goal handicap in horse polo. He represented Sween in the FIP European Championship in 1995 and 1997, and Singapore in the FIP World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore in 2003. In 2004, he acted as a coach, manager and escort for the super glamorous DBS Ladies Team. Mr. Christopher Stafford Famous for bringing elephant polo to Thailand as the former VP & GM of Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Chris has spent time practicing his skills around the world. Chris has played in every King’s Cup tournament. Chris is not only a very fine person that seems to grow younger and fitter every year but also Chief Operating Officer at 137 Pillars House and current elephant polo world champion. Mr. Bjorn Richarson A stalwart of elephant polo, Bjorn had captained the Thai team to a silver medal in two championships; he swears he witnessed the goal of the century (though no one can recall the morning). Bjorn, who works for Oakwood, is also an avid golfer, which allegedly caused serious problem with his polo swing! Mr. Tarrik Stafford Tarrik is a multi-national Swede, Canadian and Aussie combo and a new generation elephant polo player, footballer par excellence and a keen golfer. He brings added speed in his attacking role and his natural aggression adds not only youth but strength to the tournament.

KING POWER DUTY FREE TEAM Mr. Tom Claytor Tom is a member of the infamous Black Dog Polo Team and has often been compared to Murli Murlitaran, not only for his playing genius but also for having perfected the controversial “Claytor Move” on the back of an elephant. Tom is a bush pilot who has flown extensively in Africa. He started playing polo at age 23 when he was in Kenya, and has been on 4 championship King’s Cup Elephant Polo teams. Tom Claytor

Mr. Nattanpong Pratumlee Kh Nat is Thailand’s highest handicapped horse polo player, but he is also no stranger to the elephant polo circuit. The very mention of this name strikes fear in the hears of most veteran elephant polo players, not only for his prowess in handling a mallet, but also for his impeccable Mahout language skills. Kh Nat studied under polo instructor Reggie Ludwig in USA for two years, and is a member of Thai National Team. Nattanpong Pratumlee

Mr. Satid Wongkraso Kh Bung hails from Muktahan along the outer reaches of the mighty Mekhong River on Thailand’s Eastern border. Bung is the strong and silent type and has been rising through the ranks of Mahout polo players. He recorded a solid victory on horseback in the 2013 Ambassador Cup, and he is looking forward to be back on an elephant again.

Satid Wongkraso

MEKHONG TEAM

Tim Beaumont

Franck Constant

Prab Thakral

David Wildridge

David Patridge

Mr. Tim Beaumont Tim is CEO of the Beaumont Partnership- an architectural, interior design and landscape firm based in Bangkok. Tim’s extensive experience offers clients a level of intelligence highly sought after in today’s competitive commercial environment. Mr. Franck Constant Franck happened to be at the Anantara Hua Hin Resort that weekend of the elephant polo tournament in 2012. Being the sports enthusiast he is, the game of polo peaked his interest. Now that Franck is not falling off his horse that much, he is enjoying this sport. It’s not surprising for this Frenchman to fly in from long business trip and go directly for a polo lesson! Franck works in the solar sector with offices in the US, Asia, Europe & Africa. Mr. Prab Thakral Visionary entrepreneur owner of the Boutique Hotel Company, Prab is one of the new entrants into the world’s 100 elephant polo players. Besides his success in the world of business, Prab is a friend and supporter of the Thai Elephants and is thinking of organising a mini tournament during the year to further practice his own polo skills. Watch this man who is sure to climb up the rankings this year. Mr. David Wildridge Former RAF fighter pilot, David first played elephant polo in Nepal in 1988, being introduced to the game by the great James Manclark, with whom David has won two world championships. He is known for his patient captaincy, and is particularly good at training new players, and for his witty commentary. David is a horse polo player and lives near Oxford. When he is not flying the Airbus 320 for Vueling Airlines in Spain, he is a display pilot with the Tiger 9 vintage aircraft. He is accompanied on this visit by his son William, who has also previously played elephant polo in Thailand and in Nepal. Mr. David Patridge While relatively new (3rd year) to the pachyderm sport, David has plenty of experience riding pterodactyls while under the influence of absinthe. Based in Niger flying airplanes, he splits his time home in the USA between Culver, Indiana and Naples, Florida.

PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS TEAM

Paul Stitt

Charles

Olo Brown

Robin Brooke

RUEANG CHANG TEAM

Mr. Ed Story Southeast Asia is a core area in Ed Story’s SOCO International oil exploration business and has been Ed’s home based for over 40 years. Ed’s former SOCO team has been rebranded as The Elephant Story (Rueang Chang) team. Ed and Joey have opened the first elephant polo store in the world, The Elephant Story, to raise funds for elephant conservation and support the country’s textiles and crafts. Mark Pearson

Ed Story

Mr. Paul Stitt Founder and still sole member of the Nothaburi left-handed polo players club, Paul is participating in his sixth elephant polo tournament. He has previously played for the PricewaterhouseCoopers Legends. Now back with the PwC All Blacks for the fifth year, he is easily recognisable, being two feet shorter than the rest of the team. Bon vivant and snappy dresser, Paul is reputed to be the only person to have climbed Doi Inthanon (Thailand’s highest mountain), while wearing tweed. He also holds the course record at the Royal Gems Golf Course for most balls lost during a single round of golf. Mr. Charles Reichelmann Charles is a Tongan born New Zealand rugby union player. He played for Auckland, the Blues and the All Blacks at international level. Charles played six test matches (in all cases as a reserve) for New Zealand and in 1997 he scored three tries. He was also a part of the Blies 1996 and 1997 Super 12 winning teams.

Mr. Jason Friedman Managing Director at J.M Friedman & Co.- Bespoke Hospitality Services. Known for ridiculously good looks, a man that loves and much enjoys the good things in life. Never misses a game , never says no to a Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Jason Friedman

Khun Taweesak Keereekaew Kh Wee is one of the leading Thai elephant polo players in the world and well known in the community for his powerhouse swing, inexhaustible energy and calm disposition. Kh Wee is not only the core of the Rueang Chang team but fondly claimed as its spritual leader. Everyone will soon appreciate and realise why he is regarded as the “Elephant Whisperer”.

Mr. Olo Brown Olo was born in Apia, Samoa and is a former rugby player who played prop positon for the Auckland Provincial team, the Super Rugby Blues team and the New Zealand All Blacks. He was known to be the cornerstone of the pack with his techniques and straightness of back, and was rated by scrum experts as one of the finest props to play for New Zealand. Mr. Robin Brooke Robin played representative rugby for Auckland and made his All Black debut in 1992 against Ireland. Robin captained the Blues in the Super 12 of 2000 and 2001 and was also in the Auckland NPC sides in those two seasons before retiring. Since 2010, he has been the proprietor of the New World supermarket in Warkworth, New Zealand.

Taweesak Keereekaew

Khun Prakorn Saejaw Kh Saeng is the Elephant Programme Manager for The Four Seasons Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle, which gives him an excellent background knowledge on everything to do with elephant behavior.

Mr. Mark Pearson Mark is the Managing Director of Premier Thai Lawyers, a legal and accounting firm based in the centre of Bangkok. Mark first played elephant polo in 2014 and was also a player at the World Championship in Nepal in 2015. He is looking to use his experience to improve his game this year and be a challenge to the more experienced teams. Prakorn Saejaw

MATCH SCHEDULE

14TH KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL SPONSORS

2016 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO

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