Celebrity Interview: Natascha Baecher

Dutch, brought up in Kent but now mainly based in Argentina, as it’s the dominating country all round in polo. I am very lucky to lead a life following my passion; the harmony with the horses and the amazing places I get to visit and play at. As Churchill’s over quoted saying goes when asked which was the best passport in the world to have and he replied “A polo handicap”.

Polo is a predominantly male sport. It is one of the few sports where women and men can play together on equal terms as well as a sport in which often the sponsor is also a playing part of the team thanks to the handicap system. Having said that though there is also a flourishing ladies polo movement and I find participating in both forms gives a great mix, superb challenges and opportunities. It is a big family and one finds wherever you land in the world you will always have mutual connections.

Champagne is a standard feature of most polo events and is simply part of the lifestyle, not only the prize giving with several Champagne Houses featuring heavily in the sport internationally: Veuve Cliquot in particular as well as Pommery and Laurent-Perrier.

Glass of Bubbly Interview

Where’s the most memorable place you’ve enjoyed a Glass of Bubbly?
I would say on safari in South Africa for Sundowners. Two good friends and myself went to play which we followed by a few days on safari, which was magical.

Do you have a favorite Champagne when celebrating your success in Polo?
Veuve Clicquot would be my first answer as it has been so synonymous with Cowdray Park Polo Club (the estates colors are the same as those of the Champagne house) so it is very much what I’ve been brought up with.

However two sparkling wines which are also special to me are: Gusbourne Estate, as it is made in Appledore, Kent where I was brought up and which will always be home as well as Chapel Down which is just up the road and has the most wonderful restaurant overlooking the vines. To me it is still a novelty there are vines in that area!

What does Champagne mean to you?
A: Success
B: Celebration
C: Romance
D: Enjoying great company

All of the above! Celebrating a victory with ones team-mates and a jeroboam at the end of a tournament on a summers afternoon is always a special moment. Quoting Churchill “In victory, deserve it. In defeat, need it”.