POLO+10 is glad to announce the International Beach Polo Association (IBPA) as new cooperation partner. In 2004, polo was played on sand for the first time in Dubai. Still quite the sensation back then, beach polo is now one of the most popular types of polo and the one that attracts the most spectators. It is played in the most beautiful and renowned locations and polo destinations around the globe, and new locations are being added every year. The International Beach Polo Association (IBPA) was created in 2008 by Alex Webbe to promote national and international competition and cooperation in the pursuit of the sport of beach polo. Joy Countess du Lau d’Allemans began working with the IBPA in 2010 and after taking over a number of the responsibilities of the organization, was named President in 2012.

President and Chief Operating Officer of the International Beach Polo Association.

The IBPA has a new president.  After two years of working hand in hand with the International Beach Polo Association, Joy Countess du Lau d’Allemans has been named president and Chief Operational Officer, it was announced.

Initially enticed to join the international body in an effort to coordinate charitable efforts with global beach polo events and to assist in branding opportunities, the association decided to take advantage of a broader scope of talents offered by her.

“Joy has a long association with horses,” said IBPA Chairman Alex Webbe, “and has been fascinated by the game of polo since her childhood on her family ranch in Texas.  It was only a matter of time before she found herself swinging a mallet from the back of a galloping thoroughbred,” he added.

“She’s enjoyed matches from St. Tropez to Buenos Aires to the Palm Beach,” Webbe said, “but it wasn’t until she saw her first beach polo event that she understood how powerfully the game could be presented to the general public.”

“It’s one thing to be racing down the field at a full gallop, feeling the wind in your face and the power of the horse underneath you while you chase the ball,” she said, “but the smaller arena-like setting of beach polo and the relaxed ocean-side setting make it an ideal vehicle with which to educate the general public about this great sport,”  she said.  “When you are literally yards away from the play you have the opportunity to see the expressions on the faces of the players as they struggle for control of the ball.  You see every muscle of these powerful animals flexing as they carry riders into one play after another, stopping, turning and accelerating on the beach so close to the spectators that they could actually touch them as they race by.”

Joy will be focusing on coordinating assistance and support for emerging beach polo events around the world in an effort to grow the sport and introduce the game of polo to a larger audience.

“Our feeling is that the game will gather popularity as more people that are exposed to it,” she said.  “The key is bringing the sport to populated areas that can accommodate the beach polo game, allowing larger audiences access to this great sport.  The spectacle of beach polo serves as a vehicle to introduce the game to the masses in a relaxed but upscale setting.  We have seen it work in England, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, and so many other places, with the sport of polo being the ultimate winner,” she added.

Joy Countess du Lau d’Allemans named Vice President of the International Beach Polo Association.

Joy Countess du Lau d’Allemans has been named Vice President of the International Beach Polo Association and will be working with the non-profit organization to coordinate affiliated charities that will participate in a World Beach Polo Tour.

Joy has been active in charitable causes for some time now and it was felt that her international contacts and experience with charities on a local, national and international will be invaluable to the Association.

“I’ve always been a big fan of the game,” Joy said, “and the opportunity to join work with charities and causes on a worldwide basis and participate in this most exciting of games is a rare opportunity.”

Joy began riding at an early age and did her share of showing. Although her prowess on the polo field hasn’t been put to the test she can be seen mallet in hand hitting the ball around.

“There’s something very regal about the field game,” she offered, “but I believe the intimacy that is offered by a beach polo arena has a great deal to offer. Whereas so many times a game of field polo serves as merely a backdrop for a cocktail party, the proximity of the players and horses in beach polo forces the spectators to get involved.”

With current beach polo venues ranging from Argentina to Germany, from Australia and India to England; the game has exploded with its own special brand of the sport of kings.

“I believe that there is a sense of noblesse oblige that goes hand-in-hand with a noble sport like polo,” Joy added. “The fact that a great many people are enjoying a day or two of heated competition, cocktail parties and great companionship while raising monies to enrich the lives of children in need, a local community or helping to combat a particular disease or blight, for instance shows a definitive social conscience with which I wholeheartedly support.”

“We’re looking for more than her charitable support,” said International Beach Polo Association Chairman, Alex Webbe. “We’ll be looking to her to assist in the direction and production of a number of the many fashion shows that accompany our events.”

The 6′ 1″ former model was signed by Eileen Ford herself while in her early teens, and doesn’t fail to turn eyes when she enters a room.

“I have to admit that her appearance is an added bonus when it comes to approaching and coordinating efforts with charitable institutions,” said Webbe, “combined with her international experience in the field and many well-placed contacts, we feel very lucky to have her join us.”

The appointment comes as the International Beach Polo Association continues to spread its global wings in an effort to bring the game of polo to a wider audience.

“Polo has always been looked upon as a sport of the elite,” added Webbe, “but we believe that the much more casual approach taken by beach polo sets fans and spectators alike at ease from the first throw-in.”

Recently referred to by the International Polo Federation’s marketing expert, Bruce Colley, beach polo attracts more spectators than any other form of the game in the world.

The IBPA is already scheduled to organize an event in China with a number of other sites clamoring for a like-event. The addition of Joy Countess du Lau d’Allemans to the Association ranks will only serve to further the growth and popularity of the horse and mallet game.