Tianjin Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Expands Polo in China

The ‘Sport of Kings’ is set to grow in China with the opening of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, an hour’s drive north-east of Beijing.

It features state-of-the-art equestrian facilities including two international-sized polo fields, stabling for 150 horses, training facilities, riding school and a members-only Clubhouse.

To celebrate the Grand Opening, international professional players from England, Australia and New Zealand competed for the inaugural Goldin Cup.

“We see the opportunity to introduce a new and exclusive type of luxury to the region,” said Mr. Pan Sutong, Chairman of the polo club developer, Hong Kong-listed Goldin Properties Holdings Limited. “By bringing in polo, a sport that is becoming increasingly popular amongst royal families and the affluent around the world, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club and Hotel will add to Tianjin’s status as a landmark destination and contribute to its overall city status.”

Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club opened with 60 thoroughbred polo horses from Australia.

Professional international management is headed by General Manager Paul Stevens, formerly manager of Guards Polo Club, England. Director of Polo is former Australian captain Derek Reid. Director of Stables is current England player John Fisher, whose home club is Cowdray Park.

With the largest polo facilities in China, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club already has an impressive line-up of forthcoming international polo tournaments and events.

Next on its calendar is the first ever snow polo event in Asia – the ‘Metropolitan Snow Polo Challenge Trophy’ – scheduled for February 2011. The event is likely to become an annual fixture in the international polo calendar.

The ‘Ambassador’s Cup’ aims to foster intercultural and international relations amongst polo teams from around the world and the biggest event of the year, ‘The Goldin Charity Cup’ in October 2011, will promote polo in China highlighting social responsibility and goodwill with a charity component.

In addition to major polo events are monthly ‘Club Events’ for members, from Michelin-Star dining experiences to product launches and fashion shows, art exhibitions and wine and spirit appreciation evenings.

Membership is in four major categories, priced from RMB380,000 for social members to RMB10 million for patron owners of polo teams, including stabling for up to 24 horses.

Alternative membership options include overseas membership, corporate membership, reciprocal membership with other international polo clubs and expatriate membership.

MPC is the sporting and social flagship of the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan project. The new development also incorporates a new luxury destination resort hotel, villas, residential buildings, offices, shopping, convention centre and entertainment centre.

Polo was popular in China during the Tang Dynasty and frequently depicted in paintings and statues. The sport was revived in China in 2004 with the founding of the Chinese Equestrian Association, led by the Beijing Sunny Time Polo Club and Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club in Shanghai.

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