A ONE-OF-A-KIND BENEFIT EVENT

Houston (Sept. 27, 2006) – It’s the British Invasion!  Houston’s grandest and greatest polo lovers and socialites from both the United States and Great Britain will gather for a weekend of festivities celebrating Polo, Pageantry & Panache - a trio of soirees in support of “A Royal Match”. 

Polo, Pageantry & Panache will benefit The British Forces Foundation and The English-Speaking Union of the United States.  The honorary chair of “A Royal Match” is Janice Anderson and the event chair is Major Mark Cann (Rtd.). The Auction chair is  Anna Williams and auction co-chairs are Denzil Hollingsworth and Hector Villarreal.

The festivities begin on Friday, October 13 at the Alden Hotel Houston with a “Meet The Players Cocktail Party” and event underwriters.  Guests will enjoy hors      d’ oeuvres from nationally renowned Executive Chef of 17, Ryan Pera, while viewing the award trophies.

The Gala Celebration and Benefit Dinner will take place at the St. Regis Hotel on Saturday, October 14.  Among all the glitter and dancing will be a special Vintner Dinner pairing a delectable menu especially prepared by the Executive Chef Garret Fujieda to complement ultra premier wines from Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate.  A live and silent auction will feature one-of-kind items including a five-night stay at the Westbury Mayflower Hotel in London with an intimate reception hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales.  In addition, high bidders will also have the chance to win a two night stay in London including an evening reception with Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.  Six lucky people will be escorted to Palm Beach aboard a private Learjet from Bombardier and a weekend of festivities in conjunction with the 2007 US Open to be held at International Polo Club Palm Beach, another live auction item.

The following day, Great Britain will take on the United States during “A Royal Match” the thrilling exhibition match held on the championship Farish Field. The day’s events will launch at 3:00 p.m. with a reception on the lawn and the Grand Tasting of wines from Artisan & Estates.  Then it’s time to grab a seat and watch The Cartier Polo Cup, a 4-chukkar exhibition polo match between Great Britain and United States featuring Team Royal Bank of Scotland against Team Isla Carroll.  Players on the Royal Bank of Scotland polo team will include Major Mark Cann (Rtd.), Capt. Nick Cowley and Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras.  Nacho is a world class professional polo champion and has been chosen as the face of Polo Black, Ralph Laurens’ latest fragrance.

Following “A Royal Match” will be the second polo match of the day, the finals of the Stanford USPA Silver Cup. In its 107th year, this high-goal polo competition is the oldest and most coveted polo trophy in the country.

Players from both matches will be showered with awards and trophies including the Cartier Polo Cup which will be presented to the winners of A Royal Match and the stunning Stanford USPA Silver Cup.

Proceeds form the dinner will benefit the British Forces Foundation (BFF) and the English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US).  The BFF’s goal is to promote the Armed Forces through charitable means and by supporting all serving personnel.  The ESU US is a non-profit, non-political, educational organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community.

Sponsors for “A Royal Match” include The Royal Bank of Scotland, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Stonestreet Wine Estates, Carroll and John B. Goodman, Cartier, Active Imagination, Alden Hotel Houston, Houston Magazine, Grafton Development, LTD., Grover Printing, Momentum Jaguar, The Linen House, Sheri & Grant Roane, Something Special in Flowers – Mimi Topper Stinson and Western Airways.

Advance tickets cost the following:
- Reserved Table for 6 Guests  - $2,500
- Premiere Reserved Table for 8 Guests  - $5,000
- Individual Event Ticket  for Non-Members  - $300
- Individual Event Ticket  for Members  - $250
- Polo only tickets - $50

For Reservations please call (713) 622-7300 or visit
www.thehoustonpoloclub.com.

About Houston Polo
Houston’s original sports franchise since 1928, the Houston Polo Club is the top-ranked polo club in the southwest U.S. Over its 78-year history, the club has grown in international acclaim, and today ranks as among the top five best clubs in the U.S. Additionally, it is home to Isla Carroll, one of the top polo teams in the country.

Underwriting sponsors of the 78th Polo Season are Capital One and Stanford Private Wealth Management. Presenting sponsors include Air France, Bombardier, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, David Yurman, Lockton, PaperCity Magazine and Sotheby’s. Official sponsors are Active Imagination, Marion Montgomery, Inc.,17 Restaurant, Cartier, Catena USA, Gittings, Hotel Derek, Neiman Marcus, The Palm and San Pellegrino.

The Houston Polo Club is located in the heart of Houston at 8552 Memorial Drive (at Loop 610), just minutes from The Galleria. The gate opens one hour before match time. Tickets range from $25 to $150. Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available online at www.thehoustonpoloclub.com or at the gate. 

To receive a complete schedule of events and for ticket information, please call Houston Polo at (713) 622-7300.