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Land Rover Returns as Title Sponsor to World's Largest Polo Match -- The Land Rover America's Polo Cup

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Land Rover America's Polo Cup hosted the Official Kick Off Preview Rally for a weekend of power plays and players for guests both at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City VIP reception on Friday evening and an unprecedented sold-out Polo match held on Saturday on the D.C. National Mall. Amidst the challenges in sports, music and fashion -- president and founders Tareq & Michaele Salahi stated thatAustralia is already preparing to challengethe United States for the America's World Polo Cup taking place at the Capitol Polo grounds inPotomac, Maryland on May 9, 2009.

Following the announcements from Tareq Salahi -- he introduced His Excellency Dennis Richardson, Australian ambassador to the U.S. who took the stage and expressed his excitement for the U.S. & Australia Challenge for the prestigious Land Rover America's Polo Cup. "We are proud to be the challengers, and I know our teams are preparing now to be ready to compete in the prestigious Land Rover America's Polo Cup in 2009," stated Ambassador Richardson.

Saturday began with a stunning version of the Australian national anthem being performed by American Idol star "Michael Johns" with the Washington Monument as a backdrop and eight horses galloping across the polo field carrying Australian flags. Sgt. Antonio Giullano, U.S. Army Chorus Soloist then performed the U.S. national anthem followed by God Bless America. During the anthems three F-18s performed their ceremonial flight over the D.C. National Mall polo field. This performance was followed by helicopter fly-bys of the 2009 America's Cup partners which includes theState of Maryland's governor's helicopter -- honoring its new home at Capitol Polo Club,Potomac, MD -- and U.S. Coast Guard fly-bys throughout the day over the polo field.

The USA Cartier polo match featured Michael Johns throwing in the first game ball out of a Range Rover HSE. The U.S. Polo Teams, sponsored by Cartier, played an aggressive and intense match with the U.S. Cartier White Team, winning the preview match 8 to 3. MVP was Tareq Salahi, scoring 5 goals.

Johns performed three songs to the sold-out crowd during halftime. The crowd roared during his performance and Johns confirmed that he will be performing a full concert both at the Land Rover America's Polo Cup Battle of the Coral Sea Gala on May 8, 2009 and at the Land Rover America's Polo Cup world Championship on May 9, 2009 inPotomac, MD.

The main feature match started with the game ball thrown in by Miss America's Miss D.C., Kate Marie Grinwold, to the First Chukker polo players. The match was a fast and open game, where First Chukker White Team won the first Ambassador's Celebrity Cup at the America's Polo Cup Kick-Off presented by the Embassy ofAustralia and the Land Rover America's Polo Cup.

"Being the title sponsor of America's Polo Cup is again a perfect fit for the D.C. area Land Rover retailers," says Andy Palmisano, Land Rover Market Manager. "This event improves year after year and has proven to be a prestigious and high profile opportunity to showcase our vehicles."

"The Land Rover America's Polo Cup kick-off preview is an impressive weekend for Polo fans, horse lovers, visitors, Washingtonians, sponsors, sportsmanship and diplomacy all convening in a breathtaking setting with the Washington Monument as our backdrop reminding us how patriotic and unique the Land Rover America's Polo Cup is -- we are honored to have endorsed this premier Polo match inthe United States for the 2009 Land Rover America's Polo Cup," said Roger Stern, U.S. Commissioner to the National Polo League.

"This is a new chapter for the sport of polo, making the sport more accessible to a wider audience. Each year we add more to the Land Rover America's Polo Cup experience, and we remind everyone to plan early to join us on May 8-9, 2009 to experience the world's largest Polo Experience combining the adventure of Land Rover, our proud military air show partners, charity, fine food and drinks, sports and government relations," stated Tareq Salahi.

"The Athletes of the Land Rover America's Polo Cup are incredible and our common denominator in professional sports is working together with an end goal of making differences in peoples lives. I am proud you asked me to say a few words, and look forward to joining you as a guest for the May 9, 2009 Land Rover America's Polo Cup," stated Daryl Johnston, NFL Athlete and Dallas Cowboys SuperBowl Champion.

Roger Stern, former NFL executive and Commissioner to the National Polo League confirmed that the season opener game will be held at the Land Rover America's Polo Cup on May 9, 2009 and will feature the New York Empires versus theWashington, D.C. Patriots.

Select photos from Friday and Saturday night can be seen on the following web pages. High resolution versions of these photos, as well as additional images of all events, are available upon request.

Photos: http://www.uspolocup.com

To purchase a Box Seat or a VIP Table at the 2009 Land Rover America's Polo Cup, please visit: www.AmericasPoloCup.com or email: sponsor@americaspolocup.com

About Land Rover North America -

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander 2 (LR2), Discovery 3 (LR3), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.

Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, it is investing 700m pounds Sterling on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Also, since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.

About the Land Rover America's Polo Cup -

The Land Rover America's Polo Cup, is the world's most prestigious and largest International televised charity polo sporting event; it provides a unique experience for both loyal fans of polo and those discovering the world's oldest sport for the first time. America's Polo Cup hosted its official Kick off Preview on September 20th, 2008 on the DC National Mall with its opening ceremonies of numerous military fly-overs throughout the day including three F-18s flying by the Washington Monument over the polo fields. The America's Polo Cup will culminate with the Battle of the Coral Sea Gala on May 8th, 2009 followed by the World Cup on May 9th, 2009 at their Host Club, Capitol Polo Club inPotomac, Maryland. The First polo match will be the NPL presenting the NY Empires vs. Washington DC Patriots, followed by First Chukker Polo Match. The main polo match will be the World Cup to feature theUSA being challenged byAustralia in a weekend filled with Live Concerts, polo, fashion, wine, beer, music, Military exhibitions, family fun and a spectacular fireworks show that rivals the 4th of July inWashington, D.C. Friday night's Battle of the Coral Sea Gala and Rockin the Runway show will feature a performance by the USO, American Idol star Michael Johns and then a full runway show. Proceeds from the Land Rover America's Polo Cup benefits Journey for the Cure, a not for profit public charity. For more information please visit www.americaspolocup.com.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & B-ROLL FILM AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Media Contacts:

Sky Melton

703-945-5753

Media@AmericasPoloCup.com

SOURCE Land Rover America's Polo Cup