A Record-Breaking Crowd of New Yorkers Converge on Governors Island for the Fourth Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Benefitting Hope Help and Rebuild Haiti

NEW YORK, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Veuve Clicquot Champagne along with renowned polo player and captain of Black Watch Nacho Figueras were proud to toast the fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, held on New York's Governors Island on Sunday, June 5, 2011. A record-breaking crowd of more than 18,000 public access spectators turned out to enjoy the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic and celebrate the official opening of the Governors Island season.  For the first time ever, more people visited Governors Island than the Statue of Liberty on the event day.

One of summer's most unique and highly-anticipated social events, the 2011 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic once again showcased polo in New York City, a tradition that Veuve Clicquot brought back to Governors Island in 2008, marking the first time polo was played there in more than 70 years.  The beneficiary of this year's event was Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti (HHRH), an initiative of Donna Karan's Urban Zen Foundation and the next evolution of Hope, Help & Relief Haiti.

President of Veuve Clicquot USA, Vanessa Kay, official Master of Ceremonies, Hugh Jackman, Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, Marc Jacobs and co-founder of Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti, Donna Karan, welcomed VIP guests and public spectators to the fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, setting the stage for a beautiful day of polo. More than 6,000 bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne were consumed as a fashionable VIP crowd – which included bold-faced names Naomi Watts, Isla Fisher, Wyclef Jean, Nicky and Kathy Hilton, Shenae Grimes, Erin Fetherston, Mia Moretti, Kathy Griffin, Amber Heard, Alek Wek, Julianna Margulies, Keith Lieberthal, Paul Haggis, Andre Balazs, Olivia Palermo, Lauren and Andres Santo Domingo, Keren Craig, Whitney Port, Sanaa Lathan, Sunrise Ruffalo, Gaby Basora, Lisa Mayock, Sam Jaeger and Anna Bingemann– watched and cheered throughout the afternoon. Wyclef Jean also wowed the VIP crowd with an impromptu acoustic freestyle jam, which got guests out of their seats dancing.

Team Veuve Clicquot, captained by polo great Rico Mansur, faced off against defending rival Black Watch team, led by renowned Argentine polo player and internationally recognized face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Fragrances Nacho Figueras. The two teams, each of four players, went head-to-head during four chukkas, or play periods, in the fast-moving 70-minute minute match. An exciting 6-5 victory by the Black Watch team thrilled the crowd as Black Watch Captain and match MVP, Nacho Figueras, led the way scoring four goals.

Public spectators joined in the half-time tradition of stomping of the divots. With the majority of field space dedicated to public picnicking, polo watching and champagne sipping, public guests enjoyed gourmet food options from Union Square Hospitality Group favorites Blue Smoke, Public Fare and El Verano Tacqueria. Guests were also able to have their photo taken with "Nacho cut-outs," cardboard life-size photos of polo star and event co-host Nacho Figueras. Guests will be available to download their photos this week at www.vcseason.com/polo.

Veuve Clicquot partnered with Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group on the exquisite Polo luncheon served to guests in the VIP marquee, curated by The Modern Executive Chef, Gabriel Kreuther. Gourmet menu items included fennel panna cotta with American caviar and orange emulsion, Black Angus beef tenderloin and delicious desserts, all paired with flutes of various Veuve Clicquot qualities and vintage champagne.

The Standard, New York served as the official hotel partner of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. In honor of the event, The Standard held a private soiree at Le Bain on Saturday, June 4, welcoming polo players and host committee members to a gourmet sunset barbeque.

Master of Ceremonies, Hugh Jackman, introduced the event and entertained guests throughout the afternoon. The national anthem was sung by Regina Wilson from the New York Fire Department and Vanessa Kay, president of Veuve Clicquot USA, provided the ceremonial toss-in to start the game.

Host Donna Karan collaborated with Haitian artists to feature a pop-up market, where work by Horn Artisans, Jean-Paul Sylvaince, Shelly and Corrigan Clay, Pascale Theard, Einstein Albert, Caribbean Craft, Metal Artisans and Philippe Dodard was on display and for sale.  Donna Karan was excited to share the amazing and unique work of these Haitian artists with over 18,000 people at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.  The Urban Zen Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti merchandise shop sold out of the woven paper-mache hand bags, the same one Donna Karan sported at the event.  Haitian beaded necklaces and stone hearts - part of the Million Hearts for Haiti initiative - were also top sellers.

Voss water kept guests cool and hydrated on the warm New York afternoon.

Additional event information, b-roll and images from the 2011 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic are available at http://www.epklink.com/poloclassic2011.

ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT

Veuve Clicquot has a long association with polo in England with the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and now in the United States of America with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, which kicks-off the Veuve Clicquot Season summer opening.  The champagne house was established in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot, and began to thrive when Madame Clicquot took the helm 1805.  For over 200 years, Veuve Clicquot has been inspiring the world to "Be Clicquot": modern, audacious and premium quality.  These values, set forth by the ground-breaking and extraordinary Madame Clicquot and maintained by generations of Clicquot drinkers, promise a remarkable experience with each sip of Veuve Clicquot.  Today its eponymous Yellow Label continues to be one of the world's most beloved champagnes.  The Veuve Clicquot Season is an essential guide to the most exclusive social events and parties of the year across the country.  For more information, please visit www.vcseason.com or www.veuve-clicquot.com. Always sip responsibly.

ABOUT HOPE, HELP & REBUILD HAITI (HHRH)

HHRH is the next evolution of the work that was started by Donna Karan and her Urban Zen Foundation immediately following the January 2010 earthquake with music executive Andre Harrell, the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, and Andre Balazs and The Standard as an initiative of Urban Zen aimed at galvanizing a community in response to Haiti's immediate need to rebuild.  HHRH's mission is to create a conscious community of leaders in music, fashion, film, finance and art to become agents of change for the renewal of Haiti.  The initiative launched in February 2010 with a "Night of Humanity," a fundraising event at the Urban Zen Center and has since raised over $2 million dollars to support Haiti.  Supported by the William J. Clinton Foundation the current focus of HHRH's work is on showcasing the rich culture, history and artistry of Haiti, through its tradition of skilled artists and artisan products.  HHRH is bringing together the confluence of commerce and philanthropy to collaborate and develop Haitian artisans and help bring their designs to international markets.

ABOUT GOVERNORS ISLAND AND THE GOVERNORS ISLAND PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION CORPORATION (GIPEC)

One of the most historic and iconic locations in New York, Governors Island sits roughly 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan. Polo was played regularly on Governors Island when it was an Army base and matches were played throughout the early part of the 20th century, with the last match being played just before World War II in September 1941. Veuve Clicquot brought polo back to Governors Island in May 2008, almost 70 years since it was last played on the island. The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. GIPEC seeks to bring life to Governors Island, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. Governors Island is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 5 through October 10.   For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

ABOUT BLACK WATCH

Black Watch is a world-class polo team which has won numerous tournaments throughout the United States. In 2007, Black Watch was the champion of the Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge and the winter champion of the Palm Beach Hall of Fame Cup. The team is captained by Nacho Figueras, professional polo player, face of Ralph Lauren's Polo Fragrances and model for Ralph Lauren's Black Label Collection. For more information, please visit http://www.Facebook.com/NachoFigueras.

SOURCE Veuve Clicquot