Interview: Pablo Casero Discusses 10th Luxembourg Polo International Tournament

The tenth anniversary edition of the BARNES Luxembourg Polo International Tournament, organised by the Polo Club Luxembourg, will take place at the Écurie de la Pétrusse (66 Rue des Celtes) in Luxembourg-Merl this coming weekend (7-9 July 2023).

Ahead of this prestigious event, Chronicle.lu sat down with Polo Manager and professional Argentinian polo player Pablo Casero to learn more about the tournament.

Chronicle.lu: How has this event grown/changed over the past decade, e.g. in terms of visitor numbers, participant/player numbers and the format of matches?

Pablo Casero: Polo Club Luxembourg has existed since 2004 and its prestigious international tournament, pride of the country, is ten years old. The Luxembourg Polo International Tournament has established itself over the years as the unmissable "Country Summer Polo Rendez-Vous". It brings together a cosmopolitan audience (families, fans, etc.) that grows every year and has been multiplied by ten over the past ten years.

Six international teams representing Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, the USA and Argentina will compete at the rate of three matches per day to win the famous Coupe du Luxembourg.

This tournament, now famous in Europe, will celebrate its tenth anniversary with the presence of excellent players from all over the world, talented Argentinian professionals and this year again, Lia Salvo, one of the stars of world women's polo who will be the captain of the Argentina team. This fabulous weekend of polo, meeting of friendship, elegance, fair play is also punctuated by entertainment: equestrian show, hat stroll, vintage car review, disco party... and a concert by Leona Winter.

Chronicle.lu: Have you seen polo as a sport grow in popularity in Luxembourg over the years?

Pablo Casero: The popularity of polo in Luxembourg continues to shine thanks to the many victories won under the colours of the country by the talented players of the Polo Club Luxembourg and also thanks to the National Polo School, which trains many riders and non-riders in the practice of the "Sport of Kings", with the pride of having a very high-level women's team that honours the Grand Duchy.

Chronicle.lu: This year, the tournament will support the LGBTIQ+ cause. Why is this important for the Polo Club Luxembourg and how will this event concretely support this cause?

Pablo Casero: Each year, we support a cause that particularly affects us. Last year, we raised funds for LUkraine asbl to participate in the financing of ambulances. Recently, with the demonstrations against the wearing of the One Love armband during the football World Cup, it seemed obvious to us to support the action led by Rosa Lëtzebuerg asbl, which defends LGBTIQ rights, especially since the date of our tournament coincides with the last weekend of Gay Pride in Luxembourg. We hope that our spectators will buy many One Love Pins, the profits of which will be donated to Rosa Lëtzebuerg asbl.

Chronicle.lu: What else is new this year, e.g. new teams?

Pablo Casero: This year, for the first time in Luxembourg, a gay team will play under the colours of the USA with a magnificent rainbow polo shirt. Composed of talented and spectacular players - members of the Gay Polo League - it will be the proud ambassador of the LGBTIQ cause.

A great show in perspective which will be extended on the evening of 7 [July] by the Pink & White Gala Polo Dinner at Come à La Maison and on 8 [July] after the matches with the Aperinetwork evening, a BBQ on the polo field where a concert by Leona Winter, a gorgeous and elegant world famous drag queen, will be given.

Further information and tickets are available online at https://poloclubluxembourg.com/10th-luxembourg-polo-international-tournament-book-now/.