Once again, Epping's Gayne's Park Estate played host to the renowned 'Duke of Essex Polo Trophy', a glamorous star-studded event which saw Katie Price (AKA glamour model Jordan) acting as the events Patron.
The event was also attended by a range of other celebrity guests, including Penny Lancaster (Epping residents and wife of Rod Stewart), Vicki Michelle (Loughton resident of ‘Allo ‘Allo fame), Michelle Heaton (Liberty X singer), Nick Knowles (BBC presenter), Jack Tweed (Buckhurst Hill resident & husband of the late Jade Goody) and Jackiey Budden (High Beach resident & mother of the late Jade Goody), many of whom arrived by helicopter.
Also in attendance to entertain the crowds were American superstars Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child) and Jocelyn Brown. VIP guests enjoyed a four-course lunch prepared by award-winning chef Jean Christophe Novelli before the England v’s Argentina polo tournament begun. The main arena played host to show jumping, motorcycle displays, the Black Knights parachute jumps and an air show by AeroStars.
This year’s event was officially supporting The Vision Charity, which raises money for blind, visual impaired and dyslexic children, as well as the Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides 'Home from Home' accommodation at the UK’s major children's hospitals and for Jo’s Trust, which is helping to fight cervical cancer.
Once again, Epping’s social event of the year is almost upon us and the rolling, hallowed fields of Essex will once again thunder with the hooves of polo horses at The Duke of Essex Polo Cup on Saturday 4th July 2009 at the renowned Gaynes Park Estate in Coopersale. The event provides an opportunity for anyone to attend, whatever your budget. This year's event will see Katie Price acting as Patron and, as such, she will be starting the match, presenting the prizes and taking part in a fashion show.
The Family Picnic area offers a huge funfair, face painting, clowns, balloon artists, quad bikes, 4 x 4 trips, clay pigeon shooting, skydivers, helicopter trips, aircraft dogfights, marching bands, Pony Club championships, motorbike displays, BBQ and much more. There will be a fully licensed bar selling all alcoholic and soft drinks. There is literally all-day-fun for all ages in the very informal Family Area. Tickets for access to the Family Area are sold at £10 for adults and £5 for children. For more information, click here.
Guests in the VIP Players Marquee will start with a champagne and canapés reception which will lead into a gourmet four-course luncheon. Following lunch, there will be celebrity charity auction after which the polo match ball will then be delivered by skydivers, descending onto the pitch from a military aircraft, plunging 3,000 feet in seconds! 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 and the tournament will commence. After the polo prize-giving ceremony, there will be two after-parties hosted in separate marquees, with live music, celebrity DJ’s and a dance floor needing to be filled! This year we see the launch of The Duke's Marquee that will feature live acts, singers and entertainment, lounge style seating and VIP areas for the more discerning clubber; ultimately aimed at guests over 30 years of age. The Players Marquee as in previous years will be hosted by Poshfunk and will be transformed into another decadent nightclub with top, celebrity DJs. All day tickets to access the VIP Players Marquee are sold at £150 per person. For more information, click here.
Once again, Epping's Gayne's Park Estate played host to the renowned 'Duke of Essex Polo Trophy', a glamorous star-studded event which saw Katie Price (AKA glamour model Jordan) acting as the events Patron.
