A child is absorbed in the polo match. Zhu Xingxin / China Daily

Tradition of quality

That's because his country has a well-known tradition for quality, he says, that goes back centuries to times when skilled craftsmen worked at the behest of royalty and the aristocracy. The relatively late arrival of British luxury goods here, combined with that tradition, has only added to their sense of exclusivity. Land Rover, Abercrombie and Kent and about 30 other top luxury brands now partner with British Polo Day to showcase his nation's craftsmanship and heritage－from vehicles to sportswear to shotguns－in emerging markets. Britain's strong tradition in equestrian sports, particularly polo, has helped the extravaganza become an annual road show with stops in 11 countries, including Abu Dhabi, Mexico, Morocco as well as Great Britain itself.

Abu Dhabi presented a special opportunity for Olver in 2009, when he flew 50 horses from the queen's guard for a "royal-to-royal" event for the emirate's crown prince. A series of public events, including musical and equestrian performances, drew big crowds. "The diplomatic effect was huge," he says.

Year of the Horse polo

This year Olver has savored hosting a polo event in China during the Year of the Horse, but he's confident that equestrian sports－well documented in the Tang and Yuan dynasties－have an enduring legacy here.

"There is immense appeal for both the new and the traditional elite," he says. "People with means are people with influence, so polo offers a perfect way to combine sporting and business relationships."

That takes time and patience as well as energy. As a lifelong emissary of his country, Olver seems to have it all.

In the British army for five years, he was airborne-trained and led troops in operations in Iraq. He spent time in Maysan province, a Kurdish area, and was tasked with keeping militants and munitions from getting across the nearby border.

If that sounds like tedious and gritty work, Olver didn't see it that way.

"I felt like a young Lawrence of Arabia," he says, grinning.