Polo in Barbados

The tourism authorities of Barbados acknowledge the importance of Polo as an entertainment source for locals and visitors. The sport is widely regarded as a way to tap into the high-end sports tourism market.

The future of Barbados polo has never looked better. In response to increased demand over the past ten years, excellent polo facilities have been built, including the Lion Castle and Waterhall estates.

1. Introduction / Sponsorship Request

2. Schedule of Events

3. Sponsorship Details

4. Polo Club Details

5. Expectations / Exposure

The Cheshire Polo Tournament is the oldest in Barbados, and is hosted by the Barbados Polo Association and the Cheshire Polo Club from Great Britain. It is a traditional tournament which takes place annually for one week. There are four teams invited to the tournament from countries all over the world, including the United Kingdom and Argentina.

The event starts on Sunday, February 26th, and the finals are on the following Sunday, March 5th, with two matches taking place mid-week. Each event is enjoyed by approximately 600 - 1000 spectators: local polo fanatics, as well as many visitors. The visitors often travel to Barbados to enjoy the world-famous Gold Cup Horse Races, which are the largest in the Caribbean, and held the week prior to the Cheshire Polo Tournament.

Diamonds International Ltd. has secured the sponsorship of this event from Rolex, the previous sponsors, and have offered Breitling SA the first right of refusal to be the major sponsor of this event. All details of the sponsorship of this event are outlined the ‘Sponsorship Details’ below.

February 1st, 2006 – Event Promotions startVIP Invitation Bags distributed.Newspaper AdvertisingRadio Advertising

February 26th, 2006 – Cheshire opening match at Lion Castle

February 28th, 2006 – Cheshire mid-week match at Lion Castle

March 2nd, 2006 – Cheshire 2nd mid-week match at Lion Castle

March 5th, 2006 – Cheshire final match at Lion Castle

March 5th, 2006 – Royal Pavilion V.I.P. Tent at Lion Castle

March 5th (Evening) – Cheshire Polo Tournament awards ceremony

a. Major Sponsor’s Contribution

b. Diamonds International’s Contribution

c. Minor Sponsors

The Major Sponsor of the Cheshire Polo Tournament is requested to contribute the following towards the event.:

i. Half Tournament Fees: $30,000.00 (Co-op with Diamonds International) Breitling = $15,000.00

ii. Winning Team Prizes = 4 Time Pieces. (Watch models left to manufacturer’s discretion).

iii. Visiting Commentator Gift = 1 Time Piece iv. Polo Field and Club House Merchandising material (Detailed list of

material will be forwarded).v. Polo Team Gift Bags = 16 Total (Detailed requested list will follow

in separate document).vi. Provide blank invitations for both General and VIP guests.vii. Provide Polo Shirt design only for Major Sponsor Polo Team.viii.Provide Catalogs and Sales Person tools for event.

For this Cheshire Polo Tournament, Diamonds International will be responsible for the following:

i. Half Tournament Fee: US$30,000.00 (Co-op with Major Sponsor)

Diamonds International = US $15,000.00ii. All advertising media creation and placement.iii. Merchandising and branding of polo fields and club houses.iv. Creation of prize giving podium to include major sponsor’s logo.v. Printing and distribution of both general and VIP invitations.vi. Installing manufactured furniture to the Lion Castle polo

clubhouse for retail.vii. Branding Royal Pavilion VIP Tent with Major sponsors material.viii.Producing polo team shirts (major sponsor to provide design).ix. Provide photographer to cover event.x. Provide additional decorations for club house (e.g. floral

arrangements).xi. Provide DJ and soloist for final match day and awards

ceremony.

The following minor sponsors will have a visual exposure during this event:

Barbados

Lion Castle Polo Club (Barbados)

Cheshire Polo Club (Great Britain)

The Lion Castle Polo Estate is the most prestigious property on the island of Barbados.

It is a sixty-four acre development consisting of thirty-four magnificent house lots set in the rolling hills of the parish of St. Thomas. The development is centered around a world-class polo field and club house comprising thirteen acres. At 1,000 feet above sea level, it is almost the highest point on the island, and commands stunning views.

Cheshire Polo Club can claim through a ‘direct line of succession’ to be the oldest polo club in England. It has been under its present name only since 1957 - a brief period in polo terms - but is actually an amalgamation of three much older clubs: Manchester (founded in 1872), Wirral (1885) and Bowdon (1891).

Cheshire polo club today has over 50 playing members and is a well known playground for the rich and famous. In the months from May to September, sportsmen and women from around the world head to England to play the summer season. This club has a great tradition of sending teams to Barbados and the Bajans themselves are frequent visitors to the Cheshire Polo Club. The Villagers Team from America are also visitors each year and the Indian Team visit regularly from Jaipur.

Edge House, Smithy Bank, Acton, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8LF

Tel:  01270 611100,    Fax: 01270611200

Previously, when Diamonds International has sponsored Polo Tournaments with Piaget, Cartier and horse races with Audemars Piguet they have had tremendous success in two avenues:

a. Retail SalesIn previous Polo Tournaments where Piaget has been the main

sponsors, the sales of Piaget timepieces during the tournaments has equaled approximately 30% of Diamonds International’s annual Piaget sales.

Also during a weekend horserace in Barbados sponsored by Audemars Piguet, Diamonds International achieved sales equivalent to 15% of their annual Audemars Piguet sales. Diamonds International is therefore expecting the sale of at least 40 Breitling Instruments during this Cheshire Polo Tournament.

b. Brand Exposure

Other than the many affluent owners, spectators, polo players and coaches who attend this event there is extensive media coverage which includes the following from local and international media:

i. PQ International MagazineThere will be coverage in the PQ International (Polo Quarterly) magazine. Reporters from this prestigious Lifestyle magazine will be attending this Polo Event and will be writing an article on the event and its sponsor in the following quarterly edition of PQ International to which polo fans from all over the globe subscribe.

ii. Polo Barbados MagazineThere will be articles on both Breitling and the sponsored event in the forthcoming print of Polo Barbados. This journal is delivered to most of the affluent residents and visitors to Barbados, and will be available at all polo and horse events that take place in Barbados and the Cheshire Polo club in the United Kingdom.

iii. National NewspapersArticles both prior to the event as well as highlighting the results of the tournament will be placed in both of the national Bajan newspapers, the ‘Barbados Advocate’ and the ‘Daily Nation’.

iv. National RadioPrior to, during, and following the tournament there will be significant radio advertising and general radio coverage of the tournament.

v. In-Store advertisingThis tournament will be highlighted in all of the Diamonds International Barbados stores along with special VIP invitations given to the more affluent customers.