Horses, elegance, and style – Uwe Zimmermann on what makes the La Estancia Polo Cup special
Galloping horses, elegant attire, and a touch of Argentine flair – the La Estancia Polo Cup is once again on Hungary’s summer social calendar. The Zimmermann family organises the event every year, and we sat down with Uwe Zimmermann to learn about the history and spirit of the polo festival and the secrets that make this event so unique. From world-class horses to unforgettable hospitality, Zimmermann also gives us a glimpse of what guests can expect at this year’s tournament.
Question: How did the tradition of polo start at La Estancia?
Uwe: La Estancia, our private family retreat, was always meant to be a place for family, friends and polo. I have been playing polo for more than 3 decades now, and my entire family is playing too. Our sons became not only nice young gentlemen, but good polo players too.
Q: What inspired you to promote this sport in Hungary?
Uwe: I started with polo and could not find any suitable place in Hungary in the early 90s to keep the polo horses in a safe place polo and play. So, we decided to build our own polo place, providing the best possible conditions for horses and players and to create a „little Argentina“ in Etyek, Hungary.
Q: Can you tell us about the very first major event held here?
Uwe: This must have been in 2002. For the first time in Hungary, we welcomed 4 international polo teams (with a famous 9-goal player) and recruited some high-profile sponsors to support the event. The gala dinner, an important part of the social activity, was held at the Szabo Ervin Library „Wenckheim Palota“ with 120 invited guests.
Q: What challenges and successes did you experience over the years?
Uwe: It’s always a challenge when you deal with animals and nature, but we managed quite well. Where there was not a single tree 27 years ago is now a little forest in the club. The infrastructure has improved over the years, and La Estancia has become a meeting point for friends. By organising international polo tournaments and Fox Hunts, we established the place as an island of style and fun.
Q: What are the core values or traditions from the early days that you are most committed to preserving?
Uwe: It’s our family values and hospitality. We respect nature and try to live in accordance with nature. There are no chemicals used in the place…we have more than 30 species of birds, snakes, hedgehogs, fish, and even a tortoise is calling La Estancia home. The farm produces eggs, fresh chickens, many vegetables (including the famous peppers and chillis of Pippo) and fruits. About 2500 trees were planted over the years and are now forming a natural reserve.
Q: What can visitors expect at this year’s event in June? Are there any new features or special highlights?
Uwe: We always try to surprise our guests by providing fun, good food and drinks, playing great music and giving room to socialising with all the guests. With 5 polo teams with players from 8 nations, the La Estancia Polo Cup is by far the biggest polo event in Hungary and the region. But, more important than the sizes, is the blend of local and international friends and guests pampered by the highly appreciated support of our sponsors and partners.
With the help of f.e. Hublot, Defender, Dorothea, Unicum, Areus, Peroni, Turkish Airlines, Fishmonger and many more, my wife Krisztina is putting together what I believe is the best summer party in the country and already legendary. Under the patronage of the Embassy of Argentina and H.E. Lorena Capra, an event is organised reflecting the best of polo has to offer and attracting more than 30 ambassadors and their families.
From great music, tango, helicopter flying and delicious catering to cold drinks and good talks, La Estancia Polo Cup makes you feel in another world.
Q: How does the farm prepare for an event of this scale – in terms of logistics, the horses, and the teams?
Uwe: The infrastructure, polo fields, paddocks, and stables are already prepared and manicured. The Polo Village is built just some days before the event and all is ready for the big opening ceremony on the 15th of June. Since we play for 3 days, there is a great program organised during the tournament. Visiting and partying at the Unicum House, having a Cocktail reception at the BiBo Restaurants terrace of Danny Garcia and a Dinner at Pavilon in the Dorothea hotel with 80 polo friends and guests.
With 50 horses visiting the club, the need to manage all the logistics is obvious. Having 5 teams with players from Mexico, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Argentina, Austria, Hungary, and the US is rather demanding in terms of coordinating in order to present the tournament and the country in the best possible way!
Q: What personally motivates you to organise this event year after year? What does polo mean to you – as a sport, a social event, or even a lifestyle?
Uwe: It’s already an established tradition to have the 2 big polo events at La Estancia every year. The La Estancia Polo Cup is obviously the biggest and most prestigious event of the year, while the Octoberfest Polo Cup is to party and celebrate a hopefully successful polo season (and drink lots of beer).
To me, to my family, polo is a statement in terms of culture, sport, lifestyle and cosmopolitan mindset.
It’s one of the sports you can still play when you are 80 plus years old, you can play with your children, your friends, no matter where they are from or what their religion is. We have experienced in our polo life many amazing places, met so many wonderful people on and off the polo field, build and established many polo clubs and events around the world and created a little polo cosmos on our own and we are happy to share this with our guests and to contribute to the sportive and social life in Hungary.
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