Piaget celebrates polo in Palm Beach

Intense competition on the field was matched by glamorous festivities off, as Piaget hosted the polo world’s best and brightest for a memorable afternoon at the International Polo Club in Palm Beach. Kicking off the day was the Butler Handicap match that saw the Piaget Black team, captained by Melissa Ganzi, competing against Las Monjitas. Piaget polo ambassador, Nic Roldan, scored 8 goals, earning him the Most Valuable Player award and helping him to deliver a 14-10 win for Piaget. As the Butler Handicap concluded, Piaget President of North America, Larry Boland, hosted an elegant champagne brunch on the Club’s grandstand terrace to celebrate the afternoon’s highlight—the USPA Piaget Gold Cup final match. A total of 40 guests, including television host, Mario Lopez, actress and model, Veronica Webb, Piaget polo ambassador, Jeff Hall and fellow players, Marc Ganzi and Kris Kampsen, were seated at a dramatic long table covered in white linen and accented with bouquets of Yves Piaget roses. Also on display were the newest Piaget Polo Forty Five timepieces. The Piaget Gold Cup final brought together two Denver-based teams, Valiente I and Valiente II, in a heated competition that pitted father, Bob Jornayvaz, against son, Robert Jornayvaz, and saw multiple stoppages, as well as an injury late in the 5th chukker to Adolfo Cambiaso, considered to be the world’s top player. Ultimately, Valiente II emerged victorious with a wellearned 11-9 win. In addition to being awarded the prestigious Piaget Gold Cup trophy, each member of the winning team also received a Piaget Polo FortyFive chronograph. Pelon Stirling was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the match and Capilla, a Chilean thoroughbred, was named Best Playing Pony. The 2012 USPA Piaget Gold Cup marked the fifth consecutive year of sponsorship for the Swiss luxury jeweler and watchmaker. Piaget is also a principal sponsor of polo in Santa Barbara, CA and this year will host the Piaget Silver Cup final on August 12th. The brand has had a long history with polo in the United States, dating back to the late 1970s, when Mr. Yves Piaget was a strong supporter of the sport of kings in Palm Beach.