1 red devils manoeuvre

Red Devils drop safely into Ogdens-backed Polo day

The Red Devils display team were back in action last weekend at the Harrogate Polo tournament just two days after parachutists hit the headline with an emergency landing at a prior event.

The polo tournament was sponsored by Ogden of Harrogate and Parmigiani, which received a massive spike in publicity because of the near-disaster that unfolded at a Whitehaven event.

Corporal Mike French and Corporal Wayne Shorthouse were involved in a life-threatening incident when Corporal French’s parachute became tangled in the legs of Corporal Shorthouse above him and they were forced to land in water sharing one parachute.

Both were back in action in Harrogate, and this time they executed the very same ‘stacking’ stunt to perfection, amid cheers from a capacity crowd.

Photographer Anna Gowthorpe said: “There was a huge cheer from the crowd when these two guys came in.

“Everyone knew about the Whitehaven incident and there were cheers and clapping when they landed safely.”

The Red Devils team, sponsored by Victorinox Watches, joined guests for champagne and lunch in the Ogden of Harrogate enclosure, before the polo began.

One lucky guest, Eleanor Goddard, won a £5900 Kalpa Piccola watch by Parmigiani, presented to her by Emmerdale actress Michelle Hardwick.

“Ogden of Harrogate has been a major part of this polo tournament for the last ten years and this year was particularly special with the excitement of the Red Devils stunt and the support of Parmigiani Watches and Maserati,” said Ben Ogden, Director of Ogden of Harrogate.

“Everyone loves the glamorous but relaxed atmosphere at Toulston and we all had a fantastic day. The popularity of this event demonstrates that polo is continuing to go from strength to strength in the North of England and we at Ogden of Harrogate very much enjoy being involved in such an exciting sport.”

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