The excitement at the 2015 Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge is building up with the semi-finals under way today at the Desert Palm Retreat and Polo Club in Dubai, UAE.

Now in its 10^th year, the event is held under the patronage of the patronage of HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Cartier Red, who finished top of the table due to goal difference, play HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s UAE team in the first semi-final, while Desert Palm face Faris Al Yabhouni’s Abu Dhabi team in the second.

Sheikha Maitha’s team were the winners in 2013.

The 10th Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge kicked off on February 14 with a shirt presentation at the club. Carla Abboud, PR and Events Director of Cartier Middle East and India and Neil Hobday, Chief Executive of Guards Polo Club, made the presentations to team representatives.

This year, for the first time, six teams - Carter Red, Cartier White, Desert Palm, UAE Team, Abu Dhabi, and Guard – have been battling for the coveted Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Trophy. 

The teams and the members are:

Cartier Red: Clive Reid (0); Martín Valent (2); Tariq Albwardy (1); Matías Zavaleta (7).

Cartier White: Ahmed Al Habtoor (-1); Rashid Al Habtoor (0); Joaquín Pittaluga (7); Nacho González (6).

Desert Palm: Alan Meeker (0); Rashid Albwardy (2); Tom Brodie (2); Diego Cavanagh (8).

Guards: HRH Prince Abbas bin Ali bin Nayef (0); Amr Zedan (0); Pablo Casero (2); Pablo MacDonough (10).

UAE Team: Sandra Schneider (-1); HH Sheikha Maitha (0); Santiago Stirling (4); Lucas Monteverde (9).

Abu Dhabi: Faris Al Yabhouni (0); Nasser Al Shamsi (1); Ernesto Oscar Trotz (4); Alfredo Cappella (7).