YOLO, as in You Only Live Once. POLO, as in the sport, not the game involving a guy named Marco. I am a self-confessed Polo neophyte, and I am not alone. When most people watch polo, all they see are people on horses riding up and down a field, chasing after a ball while they try to score goals. Polo is not like “Pretty Woman” with people sipping champagne and stomping divots. This does happen during halftime at larger tournaments, but the sport is becoming more diverse and open to a variety of audiences.
Many think that the “polo ponies” should be small, yet they are full-sized horses, ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands. The field that is used may not look that big, but is actually the size of nine football fields, measuring 300 yards long by 150 yards wide. The mallet that players use is made out of bamboo, so it can bend, which is why some players hit the ball so hard that they break their mallets during the game.
Polo is easy to follow once you know the basics. The game consists of six periods, called chukkers, lasting seven and a half minutes each with a halftime. Each player brings about 6-8 horses to the field per game, with four players on each team. Players usually change horses either in between chukkers or halfway between chukkers depending on how tired the horses are and the how hot the temperature is.
OK, so now you have an idea about the way the sport is played.
Now let’s talk about the event itself…
The 10th Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic returns to Liberty State Park, on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Guests are invited to enjoy an exciting afternoon of polo, picnicking, and Veuve Clicquot champagne – and so much more this year!
To commemorate the 10th anniversary, there will be a series of exciting highlights. Neil Patrick Harris will host the event. Jordan Fisher, of the acclaimed Hamilton cast, will sing the national anthem. The celebration will culminate in a special performance on the field by Alicia Keys.
New to the experience is the introduction of Veuve Clicquot’s newest champagne offerings, Veuve Clicquot Rich and Rich Rosé, served over ice by the glass with a fresh ingredient. In addition to the existing on-site purchase limit of one bottle per person, guests can now purchase two additional glasses from the champagne of their choosing.
In honor of the 10th anniversary, Veuve Clicquot is proud to support Keep a Child Alive, in addition to Friends of Liberty State Park, the official beneficiary of the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.
So yes, I am now not only enlightened but plan to be seriously entertained by the game, the guest artists and of course, the bubbly. Admit it, you are just as intrigued as I am.
See you there.
Saturday, June 3 Liberty State Park
www.eventbrite.com
