A Civilized Day of Polo…

Everybody has their sport. For some it is shopping, for my husband it is football, others cars… for me: horses. Incorporate beautiful animals, people watching and high-end tailgating for a photography trifecta.  Last weekend a group of us got together for a girls day and headed off to the Prestonwood polo matches. Believe it or not but it was the first fall weather day we had gotten in Dallas, finally, in November. So our timing was perfect to pack up the car for a little outdoor entertaining and a day of girl time. While it is still Year Of The Horse, you get one more photo-journal horse post… Side note: next year is year of the sheep- don’t count on sheep lifestyle posts.

Polo is so fast paced that a camera almost helps one to see split second details that could otherwise be missed.

For example, one of the things the players are much more aware of than the spectators is the flexibility of the mallets.  I captured several photos where the mallet appeared to bend around the horse- it was bizarre.

One of the great things about polo is how colorful it is. Even the black of this horse is velvety and rich.

Polo is truly considered a “gentleman’s sport”, but above we have Roxy, who was the only female playing in this match… and she was taking names later.

 The camaraderie is palpable. Horse and rider seem to totally “get” each other and the teams are so small that it appears that the riders know each other quite well.

Here we have father and son on the same team, headed right at me. The horses appear to enjoy it every bit as much as their riders. Let’s watch a little polo:

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“She’s like a pole dancer- dumb as dirt but she really performs out on the field” said the owner of this beauty. !!

So let’s take a look at the lifestyle influences that this sport provides. Luxury brands regularly align their brand identities to this rarefied equestrian world,

providing nods to a lifestyle that inspires consumers to bring equestrian elegance to interiors and wardrobes. For these luxury brands, every year is year of the horse. Equestrian lifestyle= luxury.

HERMES:

http://youtu.be/84Un9NSDpQU

ht: Michael Ryan for sending me this video

RALPH LAUREN:

“I called it Polo because it was a sport that had a sensibility that was sporty and international. It was stylish”  -Ralph Lauren

The sport of polo is undeniably timeless, civilized, classic.

This casual unloading of the car could almost be a display in a Ralph Lauren store-

The polo attire is fantastic…

As are the Equestrian inspired fashions…. (thank you Ann for the comparison shot)

 (thank you Angela for the belt shot)

Have you ever noticed how the polo sponsors are always alcohol related? It’s all about the party.

This Vodka brand is new to me (which means I need to try it)- Marani is California based. Each player from the winning team went home with a bottle and a pitcher.

And here is Roxy, post match, with a well deserved celebratory beverage.  Corona, if you are reading this, you should sponsor Roxy.

Ann, a stylish spectator, sipping on Veuve.

TAILGATING OBSERVATIONS:

The luxury entertaining element of polo reminds me of steeplechase days when I lived in DC-  pure elegance. Something about the english saddle sports…

this is not the kind of display one would encounter at a rodeo.

Bubbles are an appropriate polo watching libation.

An assortment of cheeses, baguettes, fig jam, interesting mustards-  always nice – all can be acquired on the way to the match at a place like Molto Formaggio in Dallas.

GOOD cheeses…

a charcuterie assortment…  bite sized snacking food seems to be the key.

More on tailgating next time…

This was just a sampling of the 2000+ photos I took that day. Follow me on instagram for luxury lifestyle.

If you are into entertaining, come see the recently updated Traditional Home issue with more of my photography from the fun Traditional Home/Thermador event we attended- also my double feature entertaining article while you are there!