Mingling exhilarating sport with a profoundly social event, polo has a tendency to attract bon vivants. In two weeks time, London will play host to a polo event that recognises this more than any other – an event as compelling as it is convivial. Taking place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of June, Chestertons Polo in the Park will bring world-class polo in to the heart of the city, returning once again to the iconic Hurlingham Park ground. Hailing the start of the social season, the event has gained an extensive following over the last eight years, becoming one of the most sought-after events in South-West London.
The evening of Friday the 3rd will bring with it a hotly-anticipated international fixture between England and South Africa – a chance for these adept teams to play out their fierce rivalry. Backed by the full force of a home crowd, the English team will be looking to keep a tenacious grip on the match; the relentlessly competitive South Africans, on the other hand, are certainly capable of wrestling a victory from them, meaning that it should, by all indications, be an excellent match. Saturday and Sunday will see teams from six cities around the world meet in competition, playing a so-called ’round-robin style’ tournament, in which each team meets all the others in turn. Sunday, finals day, brings with it heightened pressure for the players, permeating the ground with an electric atmosphere.
One unique feature that has contributed to the event’s popularity are are its modified rules. Newly ratified, the City Rules make for a fast paced game that maximises spectator enjoyment, proving particularly popular with newcomers to the game. Allowing for play on a smaller pitch, they enable a gentleman to get get closer to the action. That said – and in the spirit of this abundantly sociable event – he can likewise spectate, drink in hand, from the Lansom Champagne Garden, MINT bar, Pimm’s Bus or one of the plethora of bars scattered throughout the site.
Knowing that the bon vivant is almost always an epicurean too, the team behind Chestertons Polo in the Park have made a new addition this year in the form of The Great Polo Food Festival. Bringing together some of London’s top restaurants and street food vendors – all of them at the very pinnacle of their trade – the festival will offer a profusion of international cuisine. Gordon Ramsay, Mark Hix and Scott Hallsworth will be among those represented, serving a variety of bespoke dishes created exclusively for the Chestertons event.
As an exclusive offer for Gentleman’s Journal readers, enter the code TGJpolo when buying tickets to receive £5 off Friday and Sunday tickets.
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