The Event
The Duke of Essex Polo Trophy is a unique fusion of entertainment and field sports set amongst the grounds of a fine stately home. It is the most exclusive event of the East London and Essex season and as Rod Stewart comments ‘We are lucky to have such a dynamic, glamorous and exciting event in Essex’.
The grounds are split into two areas, there is the VIP Player's Marquee (and later in the evening the second marquee, The Duke's Marquee) and also the Family Picnic Area. Both areas are designed with entertainment, comfort and glamour in mind – and will offer different types of guest the ultimate polo experience.
The Family area
This year the organisers are focusing a lot of resources into making the Family Area a really wonderful day out for all ages. There will be a huge array of activities for guests to choose from; a huge funfair, face painting, clowns, balloon artists, skydivers, aerobatics displays, marching bands, fully licensed bar, show jumping championships, jousting, Shetland Pony dinky derby, and much much more. Plus, Britain's Got Talent winning street dance troupe DIVERSITY will be making a very special appearance, in support of our nominated charity Haven House.
The VIP Area
Guests in the main VIP Player's Marquee will start with a champagne and canapés reception which will lead into a gourmet four course luncheon created by our celebrity chef partner Aldo Zilli. Following luncheon there will be coffee and petit fours to accompany the celebrity charity auction. Once the VIP guests have enjoyed their lunch, VIPs will be treated to an exclusive appearance from DIVERSITY, before the charity auction in aid of Haven House and a beautiful catwalk show. At 16.00, guests can move outside to see the polo match ball delivery by skydivers, descending onto the pitch from the skies above Essex. This unique signature manoeuvre is renowned across the globe as being utterly unique to the Duke of Essex Trophy and is a spectacle that once witnessed will never be forgotten. The skydivers disembark from a military aircraft before plunging 3,000 feet in seconds prior to a high-altitude canopy opening. Flags and smoke will alert the crowds as to the match ball carrier. Once on the ground the skydivers will salute the crowds before presenting the ball for the throw-in.
In the Evening
Following the polo prize-giving, there will be two after-parties hosted in two separate marquees, with live music, celebrity DJs and a dance floor needing to be filled!
The Duke's Marquee will feature live acts, singers and entertainment, lounge style seating and VIP areas for the more discerning clubber. Aimed at the over 30s market. Acts include The Real Thing, Rose Royce, Loose Ends, Junior, Rozalla, and Martin Bell & The Mystic Soul Band.
The Player's Marquee as in previous years will be transformed into another decadent nightclub offering the finest evening's dancing you will ever have. With a top celebrity DJ line-up, great lighting and special effects, and a fantastic post-match atmosphere, it's always an amazing party and keeps jumping into the small hours.
Both Marquees will open only to those people who have bought VIP tickets or evening tickets for either marquee.
Official Charity Partner
This year The Duke of Essex Polo Cup is proud to be working with Haven House as our official charity partners. We will be holding a Charity Auction in the VIP Player's Marquee,with proceeds from the sale of sporting memorabilia, jewellery and money-can't-buy experiences being donated to the charities.
Haven House is a children's hospice in Woodford Green, Essex, providing specialist care for children and young people who have life-limiting conditions and who are unlikely to reach adulthood. Haven House Children's Hospice is dependent on its supporters for the majority of its funding, so it can continue to offer families the support they need when they need it most at no cost to themselves.
A History of The Duke of Essex
The title of the Duke of Essex has never been bestowed. However, Essex has long since been home to the landed aristocracy with a line of Earls dating back to 1139 and traceable up to the present day.
The Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals, of which the best-known and most closely associated with the title was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566–1601) He was a military hero and royal favourite of Elizabeth I, but following a poor campaign against Irish rebels during the Nine Years War in 1599, he failed in a coup d'etat against the queen and was executed for treason.
Frederick Paul de Vere Capell, 11th Earl of Essex (born 29 May 1944) is the current Earl of Essex. He succeeded his father Robert Capell, 10th Earl of Essex, in 2005. Born to Robert Capell and his wife Doris, Lord Essex began his life as just Frederick Paul de Vere Capell. His father was a distant cousin to the 9th Earl of Essex. Lord Essex is currently unmarried at age 64. If he dies without a legitimate son, the Earldom will pass to William Jennings Capell, his fourth cousin once removed. William's father, Bladen Horace, was a strong claimant to the heirship of the Earldom, before the 10th Earl proved his superior claim.
The Exhibitors / The Stands
Click on the link below to view the companies that will be exhibiting their products at the Duke of Essex Polo Trophy. The stands will be located around the whole event so take time to look around and shop until you drop!
Click here