Greenwich Polo
Saturday, September 15, 2012
No matter what your level of knowledge of the game, it is difficult not be entertained by polo. Dubbed the sport of kings, it is a breathtaking thing to behold: these strapping men wielding mallets with such skill and aplomb, all the while maneuvering such powerful, splendid beasts.
But if I'm truthful about why I really love watching polo matches, I'll give you the unvarnished truth: It's a picnic with live entertainment! What's not to love?
The sheer majesty of polo aside, these events are replete with eye-candy, from adorable little children dressed to match their preppy parents to the young fillies sauntering on the polo field bedecked in fascinators and Lilly Pulitzer prints. Our Sunday afternoon at the Greenwich Polo Field did not want for constant visual stimulation, with a picnic beside us that seemed torn right out of a magazine and cute dogs that appeared to be just as fascinated as we were with how many layers of pastel-colored clothes some men could use in one outfit.
It's difficult not to think, "Ah, this is how the 1% lives" while at these shindigs. Polo matches, after all, seem to also be a great excuse to show off some massive horsepower. While we were gawking at a line of sports cars parked by the field, I overheard a man say to his date, "I wouldn't get an open-top convertible. People spit in those." Ah. The 99% gets their street justice, after all.
Economic inequality notwithstanding, polo afternoons are loads of fun. The emcee at the Greenwich Polo Club always has me in his stitches when he accompanies a surge to the goal with a heavily accented, "Tiki, tiki, tiki!" (I still have no idea what that means) And who doesn't love channeling Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when it's time to stomp the divots? Or, if you're like me, bringing divot-stomping to 2012 with a bit of Gangnam Style (that video did not start in a stable for nothing).
The match that we watched between White Birch and Heathcote appeared to be the last of the season. But I highly encourage adding this to next summer's to-do list! Make sure to come in your flowered summery best, and don't be shy about whipping out your favorite straw hat.
'Til next year ... tiki, tiki, tiki!
7 comments
I've always wanted to watch a polo match {and with Veuve Clicquot in hand} :D
ReplyDeleteThere's actually a Veuve-sponsored polo match on Governor's Island every year! Right up your alley ;-)
DeleteAck --- not sure I'll ever become one of the privileged ones to get invited there but I do sure hope so! =)
DeleteHello :)
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Willkommen! Such lovely pictures on your blog!
DeleteI am in complete photo envy...You capture such amazing moments not to mention they're in great quality.
ReplyDeleteI adore your stories. Keep on blogging I can't wait for your next one =)
Thanks dear! Believe it or not, they're all taken on a iPhone. I get very lucky :-)
DeleteThank you so much for following along! I will keep them coming!