Carnival celebrates decadeof polo on iconic beach

The iconic white sands of Cable Beach will welcome one of WA’s most glamorous sporting and social events to celebrate 10 years.

The 2019 Airnorth Cable Beach Polo is returning to town for a three-day carnival on Friday, May 17, to Sunday, May 19.

Beach polo was introduced to Australia a decade ago by event producer Marilynne Paspaley, who has cited Cable Beach as the best location for beach polo in the southern hemisphere.

“The huge tides that wash Cable Beach twice a day create a beach polo playing field better than any prepared by man or machine,” she said.

“The sand is compacted naturally by the tide, forming a firm but giving surface ideal for a vigorous polo game with fast-moving ponies and ball.”

Along with the main attraction on Cable Beach, the festival is jam-packed with events for the three days.

The carnival will kick off with a new event: the Cable Beach Polo Ladies Luncheon, hosted by Kimberley Sands Resort & Spa on Friday, May 17.

Guests will enjoy a meal among a catwalk showcase of WA designers curated by stylist Peta Preston and modelled by local indigenous empowerment modelling academy, Kimberley Girl.

The Airnorth Cable Beach Polo will officially launch that Friday evening, featuring an exclusive cocktail party at the Paspaley Boutique, followed by the official welcome reception at the historic Pinctada McAlpine House.

The public open-air launch party will take place at the Mangrove Hotel.

Dinner Under the Stars on Saturday, May 18, will be headed by special guest chef Hamish Ingham.

Special guests at this year’s festival include Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree and Secret City actor Andrew McFarlane.

Ms Rowntree said attending the Airnorth Cable Beach Polo this year was a “dream come true”.

“When I was in Broome last year, I noticed an ad for the Airnorth Cable Beach Polo and dared to dream that the stars would align and I could attend,” she said.

”I must have a guardian angel because now I’m all booked to go!”

Ms Rowntree is also set to host the carnival's fashion runways and hold a signing for her book The Best of World Cruising at Kimberley Bookstore on Saturday, May 18.

Mr McFarlane will serve as the special guest polo umpire to choose the winner of the Blue Balls for RFDS Challenge on Sunday, May 19.

The challenge returns in 2019 to raise funds for Airnorth Cable Beach Polo charity partner, Royal Flying Doctor Service. In 2018, $33,000 was raised for RFDS.