When it comes to summer events that slay, you’ve got to count the Kentucky Derby and the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic among them. A close cousin to the renowned Kentucky Derby, the Polo Classic is the East Coast’s version of a sophisticated summer soiree.
It’s okay if you’re not into horse races or polo games because you can still have a good time. I recently spent a glorious afternoon at the Polo Classic and had a blast, and I didn’t know a thing about Polo.
Don’t let your rookie status keep you from attending the season’s signature events. Here’s AGL’s guide for the uninitiated to enjoying summer’s must-attend events.
Dress the part—Part of what makes events like the Kentucky Derby and the Polo Classic special is the dress code. While women can wear sundresses all summer long, these events are the few times where the more bodacious and fanciful the headgear on the woman, the better. Likewise, a man in red and white polka dot pants, a yellow shirt, an orange bowtie and a blue jacket will be applauded, not mistaken for a member of a circus act.
Eat great food—My group’s menu included shrimp cocktail, various cheeses, olives, Scotch eggs and African meat pies. Yum and yum! We also had lots of fruit, including strawberries, watermelon, cherries, two types of grapes and blueberries. And the drink du jour was champagne from one of the best houses in France.
People watch—Events like these draw a veritable who’s who of people across industries, including celebrities. Everyone is thrown into the mix together and your picnic blanket could be right next to your new favorite star’s blanket. This is one of the few times you will actually have the opportunity to make casual conversation with A-list actors and chart-topping pop stars while stomping divots.
Participate—Speaking of stomping divots, it’s part of the fun and, literally, everyone is invited out during half-time to do it. At this year’s Polo Classic, there were jumbo Jenga games and checker boards set up around the grounds. A couple of DJs were spinning the hottest music and, at the end of the game, attendees could join in the winner’s celebration and personally congratulate renowned Argentinian polo player Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, who also just happens to be the face of Ralph Lauren’s Black line and of Ralph Lauren fragrances.
Learn—If you thought the Kentucky Derby was a hat worn in the South/Midwest, and that Polo was a game played in a swimming pool, there’s hope for you yet. Since you’re already at the event, why not actually learn what’s going on? Learn the rules, pick your own favorites and root for the underdog—or not. Brush up on your event terminology and trivia. Who knows? You might actually become a fan of the activity and enjoy things even more.
