UK Polo shocked on sudden death of Charles Stisted, the great polo impresario
Polo lovers and followers in United Kingdom and as well in Europe are in mourning due to the sudden death of Charles Stisted, the leading polo figure of Great Britain, who passed away in a chopper crash accident two weeks back. He was the one, who really
uplifted Polo in Europe. He was very fond of this game and rendered his entire life in the promotion of Polo in Europe and across the globe.
Charles Stisted was the Chief Executive of Guards Polo Club, who made it the most booming and victorious place of Polo in Europe. The club is situated at Smith Lawn, Windsor Great Park, Berkshire and was established in the year of 1955 with the support of
Royal Family of Great Britain. Primitively this was founded as a military club and it was named the Household Brigade Polo Club till the year of 1969.
Charles Stisted, the former military staffer joined the club in 1989 in the management department. Within a short span of time, this polo lover changed the Cartier International Day into the greatest tournament in the world of polo. The construction of Cartier
International Polo Challenge in Dubai completed with the enthusiasm of Charles Stisted, who promoted this game across the globe.
The leading Polo admirer, Charles Stisted was born in 1963 in London. After his education, he served as a member of the ‘Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland’ after working with Scots Guards in Cyprus and Belize. His post was equitable to the commissioner of General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Stisted was promoted to the post of Club Secretary from Event Manager in 1995 after sixteen years of service. In his tenure as a Secretary, the Club registration and licensing programme started in order to enhance the performance of the club.
Stisted was elevated to Chief Executive of Guards Polo Club in 2000, after the shifting of power to Civilian administration from the Household Division, the unit of army.
Though Charles himself was not a polo player, but he was impassioned regarding the game. He actively participated in all type of Club activities and brought new ideas for promotion of the game. Queen of Great Britain appointed him as manager of another Club
and asked him to overhaul it according to the international standards.
Guards Polo Club, where he was Chief Executive is the biggest Polo Club in Europe, which is comprised of 160 players and around 1, 000 non-playing members. This club is consisted of some ten polo grounds at the area of 130 acres along with 120 stables and
practise grounds. The biggest event of the world in Polo, the Cartier International Competition occurs in the month of July at Guards Polo Club, where more than 25, 000 watchers come in the ground.
The club in its mission statement described the event as, “One of the highlights of the English Social Calendar”. However, Charles Stisted explains the event by this line “the upper quartile of banking and upper quartile of lifestyle”.
Managing Director of Guards Polo Club, Arnaud Bambarger praising the role of Charles Stisted for promotion of polo and making the club as biggest venue of the Europe had awarded him the ‘Cartier Watch’ on the completion of 25 years of the club.
Chairman of Guards Polo Club, Colonel Paul Belcher over the sudden death of Charles Stisted said,
“Charlie was highly regarded and much loveable personality and everyone in the club will miss him a lot.”
Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall said over the sad demise of Charles Stisted that they were shocked and saddened after knowing the awful incident, which popped off the friend of the Royal family. They stated that
their Royal Highness’ sympathies are with the bereaved family.
The promotion of the of game of Polo will not stop by the death leading Polo figure Charles Stisterd, however his absence definitely will feel in the hears of polo lovers and promoters ever.
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