Cartier, Makers Mark, Italians, Chukkers, High Fashion, Land Rover, Oasis, Big Hats - Leesburg Virginia

by Mari Stull

Quick - what do all of these elements have in common? Of course! They were all integral to the Land Rover America's Cup of Polo held May 9 & 10 at Morven Park in Leesburg.

The Polo Cup weekend began Friday night with a runway show featuring the fashions of Italian designer, Renato Balestra. Dress was black tie optional or supremely chic - the Italian and USA Polo Teams opted for the chic attire and dressed for the occasion in white jodhpurs, English riding boots and blue blazers (be still this heart). Gowns and Manalos dotted the tent - unfortunately, two inches of mud from 24 hours of straight rain slayed more than a few of those Manalos. All was forgiven, however, when the Gipsy Kings hit center stage and serenaded the well-heeled audience.

Next day was the actual tournament. That. was. rained. out. The field was simply too wet to play a full match, but a few polo ponies and their riders made it to center pitch for a fun exhibition. Truth be told, I barely noticed the main event - the private tents ringing the field were the real attraction of the day. Cartier's tent was, by far, the most elegant. The $600 Cartier ticket provided Cartier Champagne, stylish tables set with sterling and linen, a Cartier gift bag (Cartier writing paper, catalogs - alas, no baubles). Cartier even positioned a liveried white-gloved "door man" to welcome guests. Land Rover also had a swanky tent, as did Sun Trust, Lily, and Black Water (those guys are All-American rock stars - see the photos of them parachuting into the event).

A smattering of private tents surrounded the rail, intent on outdoing eachother in their decorating. Iron urns, lawn statues, candelabras, and tons o' flowers, were de rigeur. Mrs Helen Padron celebrated her birthday in one such tent festooned in a red, white and blue theme in honor of the USA Polo Team, complemented with cases of wine in honor of Helen's birth. Since the rain forced the Polo Teams off the field, they took advantage of this vacation by mingling with the spectators. Ever the gracious guests, several of the players stopped by Helen's tent to share some Cuban cigars and toast her good health.

The evening's finale was a fireworks show followed by a concert by Huey Lewis and the News (the heart of rock & roll is still beating...).
Did you miss this polo tournament? Other polo tournaments and exhibitions are coming up:

May 31 - Twilight Polo Season Opening Evening: Great Meadow, VA. Every week at 6.30 pm grab a blanket, bottle of wine and head to Great Meadow for an evening of Polo.

June 15 - Capital Hospice Polo Cup: Llangollen, Upperville, Virginia. A Polo Cup to benefit Capital Hospice, the area's oldest and largest nonprofit hospice organization. Llangollen is a magnificent historical estate located just north of Upperville, Virginia. The gates open at 11 a.m. and the game starts at noon. In addition to the match, the event will feature brunch and cocktails.

Mari Stull
The Vino Vixen™
Wine Journalist
www.WineTasteTV.com
www.VinoVixen.com

The Vino Vixen™ is Mari Stull – Syndicated wine columnist, correspondent for Wine Taste TV, and member of the Society of Wine Educators. Have a wine question or comment for Mari? She can be reached at VinoVixen@vinovixen.org.