Jaeger-LeCoultre steps up commitment to British polo showpiece

Host venue Cowdray Park Polo Club has announced luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre as the title sponsor of the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship from 2015 under a multi-year deal.

Jaeger-LeCoultre replaces Veuve Clicquot as naming partner, with the Champagne house having sponsored the event for the past two decades.

The agreement enhances Jaeger-LeCoultre’s established relationship with Cowdray Park, where it has served as official timekeeper since 2006 and is a supporter of its HPA tournaments series.

Peter Barfoot, chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club, told UK newspaper the Telegraph: “There were no shortage of partners who wanted take over from Veuve. When I took the job over I saw sponsorship as potentially one of the most difficult areas. The relationship with Veuve Clicquot had been 20 years and, in a way, it was a bit taken for granted that they'd still be there and still want to be involved.

“Jaeger-LeCoultre have been associated with us for a very long time and they asked us to respect the fact they've been with us for a long time.”

The 2015 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship will commence on June 23, with the final taking place on July 19.