Horsing around

Thread took our first ever trip to the Polo at the 2011 BMW Polo Open, held out at Clevedon on Sunday 20th February and found the old-fashioned sport has a charm and style still relevant today- plus the addition of a BMW racing a Polo pony…

Thread took our first ever trip to watch the Polo at the 2011 BMW Polo Open, held way, way south out at Clevedon on Sunday 20th February.

We found the elegant, old-fashioned sport has a charm and style still relevant today.

However, they were adding some contemporary touches for a modern audience whch made it very entertaining.

We enjoyed as the addition of croquet played with champagne bottles, not to mention a BMW racing a Polo pony around the track!

Below: Guests in the Veuve Clicquot marquee.

Bubbles and straw hats- tres Polo.

Lunch at the Veuve Clicquot tent with champagne flowing at the gold-coloured bar, and live jazz from a band featuring Nathan Haines.

Nathan Haines leads the jazz band on flute.

Nathan Haines wearing his yellow Veuve Clicquot sunnies!

Guests in white straw hats check out the BMW parked inside the BMW marquee.

Polo action on the field; I learned that Polo horses are called ponies and the polo mallets are called sticks.

A BMW raced a Polo pony in two races: first, a sprint in which the pony won.

Second, a longer race, which the car won.

Watering the ponies in between polo.

Playing croquet with Veuve Clicquot bottles.

All in all, it was such a break from the inner city world and felt like entering a bygone era where the Great Gatsby might turn a corner in a boater hat.

If you get the chance, get to the Polo. Giddy up!

Megan Robinson 23 February 2011.
Photography by Kevin Robinson.