Karl Ude-Martinez

Heineken Cup Final for Karl

karl — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:34:53 +0000

Karl has been very fortunate to be asked to be one of the live event hosts & presenters for the 2012 Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham on the 19th May!
He will work the stage in Twickenham for Sky Sports, follow the Trophy tour bus route from Richmond to the Stadium, interview the players, bands and many guests invloved in watching this all Irish battle for the biggest European title in the world!

Karl hosts London 02 Gaucho Polo Event for second year!

karl — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:54:42 +0000

Karl has been asked to host and commentate the fantastic Gaucho International Polo Tournament at London’s Grand 02 Arena for the second year running.

February 2011 saw the inaugural ‘Gaucho International Polo’ tournament at The O2. The event attracted over 7000 spectators and was the highest attended indoor ‘International’ in the history of the sport.

Wednesday March 21st, 2012 will see the return of the event in a more intense format that will express the passion and culture of Polo, Gaucho and Argentina.

Building on last year’s successful event and the sport’s growing popularity, The O2 offers spectators the chance to get right into the thick of the action with their intimate arena setting. This interesting twist on indoor arena polo provides a dynamic form of the sport which is played on a reduced pitch, providing a quicker, slicker game to add to the already highly-charged gladiatorial contest. Traditional arena polo rules, which feature only three players, enhance the spectator experience and will magnify the intense atmosphere. Matches include – Ireland vs Scotland and the grudge match – England vs Argentina – This year the polo event returns even bigger and better!

For more information or to buy tickets – www.gauchopolo.com

Karl presents for Channel 5 day time chat show!

karl — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:30:12 +0000

Karl is doing some presenting for day time chat show “Live with Gabby“. The jobs will see him covering hot topics of the week or latest current entertainment news for the chat show hosted with Gaby Logan. Last week he did a fun VT feature about ”Big Cats” roaming the english countryside! Check out the show or Channel5.com ondemand to see what hes up to next!

Karl hosts – Fashion Decadence Runway Shows for the Autumn/Winter Collection 2011

karl — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:57:22 +0000

Karl has just returned from Cambridge where he hosted 2 fantastic days launching the Autumn/Winter Collection 2011 for top high street retailers such as Ted Baker, River Island, Gant, Coast, Jane Norman, Rigby & Peller, TM Lewin, LK Bennett & Crew to name a few.
Based in the heart of the beautiful city of Cambridge, Grand Arcade offers an exciting mix of designer and high street brands, as well as the world’s favourite department store, John Lewis.
Decadence, Fashion Eccentrics, Modernista, 60′s Vibe and 40′s Flair, New Heritage, Dark Goth and Winter Wonderland Collections were all the themes for this seasons top trends and the high street’s versions of the latest designer catwalk inspirations from top names such as Stella Mccartney, Prada and Marc Jacobs!

Quadrille stars selected for Olympia

karl — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:30:06 +0000

The 2011 British Riding Clubs Dressage to Music Championships and SEIB Quadrille Selection Trial took place at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool recently.
The Quadrille trial, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers, decides the four teams who will compete at the grand final at Olympia on Saturday 17 December.
Nine teams came forward to compete for the coveted four places at Olympia and Karl along with fellow Judges Karen Barker & Stephanie Croxford had their work cut out from the start as the costumes glittered and sparkled under the lights. The four top spots went to Eldwick Riding Club with their theme of Riverdance, Bath Riding Club with Pride of Bath, Witheridge Riding Club (Witheridge Dragon Riders) and finally St Edmunds Riding Club with Shoulder to Shoulder.
Karl will be at Olympia International Horse Show this December & will also be judging the grand final along with fellow judge, actor and horse ambassador – Martin Clunes. For more informatioin on Olympia Christmas Horse Show go to www.olympiahorseshow.com

From Horse-Racing to Polo with that touch of class & an interview with Kevin Spacey!

karl — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:54:50 +0000

Karl was fortunate enough to work for Veuve Clicquot again this year on the highlight of the polo UK calendar – The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup British Open Polo Championships which is held at Cowdray Park Polo Club in West Sussex. Think Wimbledon, think Silverstone Grand Prix or the St Andrews Golf Open and this is the equivalent in the Polo world!
Karl was brought on board to present the programme for Sky Sports and to also assist with Veuve Clicquot’s corporate hospitality lunch to bring a little inside information on the basic “rules of polo” to what was a mélange of celebrities, polo players, corporate and selected guests, plus over half a marquee of VIP’S that had never seen a polo match before! It was his mission to make sure they could see how action packed and engaging the sport of polo can be!

With a final score of 12-11 – Jo Gottschalk “Les Lions” Team saw his dream of hoisting the Veuve Clicquot Gold cup melt away, whilst Lyndon Lea’s “Zacara” Team, coached by former England player Andrew Hine, and surrounded by a huge network of grooms, support staff and family erupted into celebrations!!

The fabulous golden trophy was presented by Sabina Belli, International General Manager of Veuve Clicquot, to a delighted Lyndon Lea who also received a Salmanazar of champagne – equivalent to 12 bottles – from Jo Thornton, Managing Director Moet Hennessy UK Ltd.

Despite the changeable weather, celebrities packed into VIP Veuve lounge. Karl was very lucky to interview Kevin Spacey and Lily Allen, who both came for lunch & watch the match. Kevin spoke to Karl about his play in London at the moment and his dapper choice of suit for the day! He also loved the fact that there was a giant table football in the Veuve marquee! Model Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nicol took to the DJ booth while polo fanatic Jodie Kidd heavily pregnant enjoyed the lunch, along with Chloe Moretz, Tamsin Egerton, actress Camilla Rutherford, Jack Freud, Rebecca Macmillan and Henry Conway.

Karl hosts Fashion event at Newmarket’s Piper Heidsieck 3 Day July Festival

karl — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:52:11 +0000

Karl enjoyed a feast of top class racing and stunning fashions at Newmarket’s most stylish summer event! It’s the East of England’s answer to Royal Ascot, with racegoers encouraged to dress up in their finest clothes on all three days. The fashions dazzled, the racing pulsated, the atmosphere crackled…for three fantastic racing days!
Karl worked along side Grand Arcade Cambridge, Piper Heidsieck Champagne, Premier Travel Agency and Newmarket Racecourse. He judged with Franki and wife Catherine Dettori the various fashion competitions like Best Dressed Lady on Ladies Day where over 1,200 ladies entered the fashion marquee on the side of the course, Best Dressed Acessories and then on the final day, Best Dressed Couple where the top prize was a 14 day VIP Caribean Crusie for the best couple!

Polo Times interviews Karl for article in international leading Polo Magazine

karl — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:34:23 +0000

This months issue of international magazine the Polo Times features a great article and interview with Karl on his role, work and love in the polo world! Check out the article coming soon to the website! Or go the link … Continue reading →

Karl hosts & commentates the 3 day International Polo in the Park London, for Sky Sports

karl — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:17:01 +0000

Team Abu Dhabi Claim Victory at MINT Polo in the Park 2011

Mohammed Al Habtoor, Andrea Vianini and Piki Diaz Alberdi Steal the Show at the World’s Biggest Polo Tournament
Back for its third year, Hurlingham Park once again thundered with the hooves of world class polo players for MINT Polo in the Park 2011. Over 29,000 people packed the stands at the inaugural three-day event from 3-5 June, to cheer on the six international teams who took part in this year’s tournament.

Throughout the weekend, a number of celebrities including Matthew Morrison, Lord Coe and the Made in Chelsea cast, dropped by to enjoy the polo and soak-up the bustling atmosphere which was on offer. Guests looking to embrace the ultimate polo experience also made the most of the weekend thanks to The Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar and Guy Ritchie’s Punchbowl Pub. Fans of Harrods fine food were not disappointed as the iconic store opened it’s first ever pop-up food court, just meters away from the action.

Throughout the three day spectacular, the aristocracy of England were spotted maintaining the polo tradition by treading the divots at half time.

Brand Ambassador Jodie Kidd took some time out from watching boyfriend Andrea Vianini and happily cradled new nephew Jesse James. Jodie Kidd, who is expecting her first child in September, caught up with her polo-playing brother, Jack Kidd and his fiancee Callie Moore, as they cheered on Jack’s teammate Jamie Morrison.

No polo tournament is complete without a player’s after-party and MINT Polo in the Park did not disappoint. As the polo ended the party commenced and players, celebrities and special guests headed to The Hurlingham Club for the exclusive Veuve Clicquot after-party. Razorlight’s front-man, Jonny Borrell, performed an amazing acoustic set in front of the London crowd and societies finest including Astrid Harbord, Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Olivia Grant danced into the early hours.
With huge crowds, stunning food courtesy of Harrods and some of the best polo London has ever seen, the event was a huge success and guests are already looking forward to next year’s event.

Watch highlights from 2011 Polo in the Park at www.polointhepark.com

Double hit for Karl as he hosts at the London O2 arena!

karl — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:39:41 +0000

Karl was asked to host the impressive show – APASSIONATA! It returned to the UK having recently been awarded “Show of the Year” at the 2010 PRG Live Entertainment Awards. Following sell out performances in over 30 cities across Europe, APASSIONATA left audiences star-struck with two performances at The O2 on the 29th and 30th January 2011. The unique ‘By the light of the Stars’ tour captivated the London audiences with its magical encounters between the artists and their 45 horses of all shapes and sizes!
Spell binding stunts, dazzling displays of true horsemanship and the voice of an angel entertained the crowds with Karl enjoying playing the host/compere of the evening guiding the audience through the magical theatrical equestrian themed story.
The tour continues around Europe and the next stop is Helsinki, Finland. Karl is hoping to join them later on the tour but will first host his second large event at the 02 this year -with what he is known for -The Gaucho International Polo Tournament at the end of February – see latest news!