The Ritz-Carlton Polo Cup 2004, organised to support the Riding for the Disabled Association in Dubai (RDAD), is set to become an annual event following its enormous fund-raising success earlier this week.

The day-long polo tournament held at the Desert Palm Polo Club raised a total of Dh250,000, which will go towards the building of a new riding centre for the children.

Four sponsored teams entertained guests to an afternoon of the finest polo, combining exceptional riding and playing skills as they competed to win the coveted trophy.

In an entertaining final, Lexus beat Engel & Volkers by one chukker, while Christie's were placed third following their victory against the Jaeger-LeCoultre.

After the tournament, a charity auction was conducted by the Deputy Chairman of Christie's auctioneers, Jussi Pylkkanen, and all proceeds were donated to the RDAD.

Items which went under the hammer included the book Dubai World Cup – the first five years, a collector's edition signed by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence and Frankie Dettori; a painting by Jacquie Jones; a Reverso Grande Reserve watch donated by Jaeger-LeCoultre; a share in the Ahlan! Syndicate racehorse donated by VIP Thoroughbreds; and The Greatest of All Time – A Tribute to Mohammed Ali, a collector's edition donated by Taschen Publishing.

The auction alone managed to raise Dh150,000, contributing to the funds required for the RDAD to build a new riding centre.

The new centre will not have sand which impedes wheelchairs, there will be no stairs to climb, and it will have enough space to accommodate all the special equipment the riders require in an air-conditioned arena to continue classes all year round.