Yesterday we were invited to the Mint Polo at the Park in Hurlingham Park, courtesy of Stella Artois, and so jumped at the chance to get out in the sun and watch some seriously good polo!
We had perfect front row seats by the pitchside and were treated to a beautiful lunch and lashings of Pimms when we arrived.
After a gorgeous lunch of pork cheek, confit duck, plaice, roasted peaches with gorgonzola and heaps of fresh salad we were whisked off to the Stella Artois clubhouse to experience their perfect serve.
There was no glass allowed in the whole park and to ensure they didn't compromise on service Stella had developed an entirely plastic chalice to serve in. It was so like glass it took us a while to realise it wasn't!
After a few drinks in the beautiful sun we headed back pitchside to watch Buenos Aires play Sydney (and unfortunately lose) followed by a spot of afternoon tea! How very civilised...
At half time of each match the huge crowds were let loose on the pitch to take part in the most famous part of Polo: divoting.
Ian took this very seriously...
Ben did not...
The busiest venue during the day had to be the Mahiki bar, which was packed solid all day with punters sipping cocktails from pineapples and coconuts. Seeing people leave at the end of the day was quite amusing though!
There were also an impressive array of coloured trousers in attendance; well we were in West London!
We finally headed out of the park at about 8pm as the sun had gone in and the ponies were already tucked up ready for the finals the next day. We finished the evening off with a few drinks in the nearby White Horse at Parson's Green, where the party atmosphere continued well into the night!
Polo in the Park is an annual event across three days and I would certainly recommend it as a great day out with friends - we were lucky with the weather though, and I'm not sure it would have been as lovely if it had rained!