SANDBANKS came alive with polo players and party goers this weekend as Dorset’s sporting and social event, Sandpolo returned to the beach.

Usually held over the second weekend in July the 14th British Beach Polo Championships, usually referred to as Sandpolo, took place on a sun drenched beach this weekend after being postponed from July 2021.

This year the U.S. Polo Association was the official apparel partner.

The polo teams battled it on horseback with gladiatorial action in the polo sand stadium.

Winning the British Beach Polo Champions 2021 this year was Whispering Angel, consisting of Chris Gregory, Hazel Jackson and Adolfo Casabal.

They were lucky enough to have Hazel Jackson, one of the top ladies polo players in the UK.

Runners up were Lightning Commercial Finance, consisting of Garrie Renucci, Jimmy Wood and Nick Van Open.

Fringe activities include the ever-popular 4x4 V pony charity race with pony charging across the sand to beat the car and the renowned beach after-parties.

Party goers let their hair down and enjoyed the beach backdrop at Friday’s Boogie on the beach and there was an electric atmosphere at Saturday’s Gold closing party, a highlight being George Michael tribute, Rob Lamberti.

Molecular Magic conjured up a spectacular lunch for 350 people on each day.

The Dorest-based chef Maciek Kijewski said: 'This is an opportunity to bring my unique take on food to everyone and give people something different to the mainstream.

“I always try and use local suppliers for my menus. This weekend was a great opportunity to showcase what I do in a wonderful location.”

The Mayor of Poole, councillor Julie Bagwell, who attended on the Saturday said: “This is a magnificent event on Sandbanks beach, I will definitely be here next year.”

Johnny Wheeler, Sandpolo director said: “It is nothing short of a miracle that all of the infrastructure supplies, event staff, security and players delivered this perfect event given the initial uncertainty we always had.

“We never quite knew we could pull it off until the last minute but it all came together.

“This was a wonderful balmy September weekend and a perfect finale to the summer season.”

The polo will be back next year on the usual weekend of July 8.