Chestertons Polo in the Park Is Back!
This weekend was an event we have been waiting for for a long time and it came back with a bang and did not disappoint!
Closer to the game means closer to the action
Chestertons Polo in the Park is one of my favorite polo events in the world! And there are many reasons for that, it brings polo to the people. When I first watched a game of polo many years ago and fell in love with the sport, it took some serious dedication to learn about the game and rules to slightly understand what in the world was going on between the players and horses out there.
The format of polo played at PITP is much more spectator friendly. The pitch is smaller than traditional grass polo and has tall boards so you can really get up close and personal with the game. This means there’s only space for 3 players on each team while still keeping the game fluid and fast.
James McCarthy right at the boards
They play with an inflated arena polo ball instead of the small hard ball from grass polo, this is for the safety of the spectators but also makes the game really fun to watch as that ball seems to have a mind of its own and will not necessarily go where the player meant for it to go.
The teams only switch field halves at halftime, instead of after every goal scored. It is easier to follow along as a spectator like this (and even as a player, I once scored a goal against my own team cause I had lost track of which direction we were going).
Something that is truly special at Chestertons Polo in the Park is the atmosphere, it is a huge party! From polo watching to people watching, with Pimm’s and pizza in between, divot stomping at halftime and I even got to pet a pony (thank you Sophie for letting me do my thing đ ) even the weather was perfect. I have attended this event every year since 2013 and only once did it rain a little. I don’t know how they manage to control the weather, but it truly is the start of the London summer at PITP.
Jason and I divot stomping
New friend Pete Hill from Cudos.org
Cudos International Day with the VP of Sales of Cudos.org
Gotta pet a pony
The final match of the day was the Cudos International Match between England and Argentina. It was a tough match ending 4-4 so they went on to do another game alteration special for Polo in the Park: the race to the goal. Max Charlton and Cesar Crespo raced their ponies down the field controlling those tricky balls and Argentina took the win… and showered us with Lanson champagne.
My fiancĂŠ Jason and I had a great time at the Cudos International Day at Chestertons Polo in the Park and I already look forward to next year.
Saturday at the event there was a historic first ladies international team, where the English Ladies Team played against the USA Ladies team. England took the win 4-2 and got to keep the trophy in the homeland.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Abbie Grant, Kylie Sheehan and Olivia Merlos with Champagne Lanson at Chestertons Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park on June 11, 2022 in London, England.
Pic Dave Benett
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Milly Hughes, Jemima Walker and Milly Hine with Champagne Lanson at Chestertons Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park on June 11, 2022 in London, England.
Pic Dave Benett
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Milly Hine, Milly Hughes and Jemima Walker with Champagne Lanson at Chestertons Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park on June 11, 2022 in London, England.
Pic Dave Benett
