World’s biggest beach polo competition gets underway in Dorset

Sell-out crowds expected to attend 17th annual Sandpolo event on the stunning Jurassic Coast

Author: Jamie GuerraPublished 12th Jul 2024

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Poole for the World biggest beach polo event.

The glamourous event, held on Sandbanks’ iconic blue flag beach, is now in its 17th year and widely considered a “highlight” on the Dorset calendar.

Sandpolo founder, Johnny Wheeler told us what inspired him to set up the event: “I came down to Sandbanks, saw the beach and thought, ‘this is the perfect place to have a beach polo tournament’.

“The council absolutely loved the idea and 17 years on I still find it staggering how much interest and money the event generates for the area.

“We always have thousands of people here watching the Polo, drinking from the bars, eating from restaurants etc.”

Year on year the luxury event welcomes around 8,000 spectators who travel from far and wide to enjoy the polo, hospitality, parties and outstanding scenery of the Jurassic Coast.

Mr Wheeler believes the uniqueness of the event is what attracts so many people to go and watch.

He said: “Much like Formula1, not everyone can afford to play polo but everyone still likes to watch it and support it, especially when it’s up close and live.

“We have a real variety of people come to the Sand Polo who just mutually love this exciting spectator sport.”

Often referred to as ‘Ice Hockey on Horseback’, it is a fast-paced sport played in an enclosed arena.

Players need excellent riding skills, as they navigate their horses at high speeds while manoeuvring the mallet to strike the ball accurately.

Professional polo players, including the Hazel Jackson, the No.1 UK Ladies player, will in attendance and vying for the winner’s medal.

“The players love to come here. It's something a bit different the excitement and exhilaration of beach Polo,” Mr Wheeler said.

Then, as the sun goes down, the party begins with Brit Award winner Lemar headlining the ‘boogie of the beach’ from 6pm until midnight on Friday.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s closing party promises to be a genre-defying and decade hopping night of entertainment.

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