Sunday, August 30, 2009

Back from another Polo Weekend

I Love polo. I have been around polo for all of my adult life. It was entirely by accident. I grew up on a small farm. Surrounded by big farms. One of the big farms included a polo field and a family who was very involved in polo. Their youngest daughter is my age -- I've known her since before kindergarten. This is how I came to polo. Polo involves a lot of work, a lot of hands. Mowing the field, taking gate fees, hiring goalies, finding grooms, finding an announcer, preparing food for the refreshment stand, preparing food for the after game picnic. One does not even have to see a polo game to be thoroughly wiped out with the work required so other people can see the game. But if you actually do get to see the game it is very exciting -- like football and golf... on horseback.

It is loads of fun. You meet the nicest people. There is lots of food and an endless stream of interesting drinks.


This adorable Castle Cake is for a very lucky Princess whose 1st birthday happened to fall on game day. I'm guessing that someday, if she asks very nicely, she will get her very own pony. And why not?

As often happens polo games center on some charity or another.

This particular game supported an Indianapolis program called HELPING HER HEAL. It is a very cool charity that supplies the needs of women who are undergoing cancer treatment. (I say women because this program focuses on women's cancers -- breast cancer, ovarian, cervical -- women's cancers.) And what needs are provided, you ask. Any need. If the a woman needs her electric bill paid, Done. If a woman needs school clothes for her child, Done. If a woman needs transportation to her treatment, Done. Is that the right kind of charity, or what? Over the last several years polo teams have diminished somewhat -- once upon a time there were more than 300 teams nationwide. Cincinnati, where I live, used to play Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Darlington and Sewickly. Of these the only Team I know remaining is in Indianpolis. So every year my boyfriend is asked by the people who own the Indianapolis team to come announce their two biggest charity games. By association I get to come too. Lucky me. He announces and I schmooze, even though he is a much better schmoozer than I am.

So there we are, at the polo game again this weekend -- I hope they raised a whole bunch of money for a really worthwhile charity. I know there were a bunch of people who certainly had a terrific time.

9 comments:

Dori said...

Such a good cause! Such pretty ponies!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Looks like fun!

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

Beautiful pics. Looks like a great time was had. followed the link from David McMahon's blog. Congrats on being mentioned on the post of the day.

Breeze

Daryl said...

Lovely post/pix .. congrats on the POTD mention at David's!

Boozy Tooth said...

I so enjoyed your post and photos. Helping Her Heal sounds like a magnificent charity. Long, long ago We used to have a society that filled in the gaps like that. In a way it's too bad that our most intimate needs have fallen squarely on the shoulders of charities like this - but thank God for them. And thank God for people who support the charities. And for Polo which makes it all the more fun to support.

Congratulations on your POTD mention from David McMahon!

Cheffie-Mom said...

What a great post! Love that cake! Congrats on the Post of the Day Award!

Brian Miller said...

nice when you can have fun for a good cause. every little bit makes the difference. wonderful pics as well. congrats on the POTD mention.

Boozy Tooth said...

Something seems odd about saying: Hi Old Bag! {wink}

Here's the URL to David's blog:

http://david-mcmahon.blogspot.com/2009/09/post-of-day_03.html

It's quite an honor to be mentioned, you know. Congratulations again and welcome to the circle.

Maria said...

There is a polo world out here in India too. I haven't moved in the relevant circles but still....it was a favourite sport of Maharajas back in their glory days and holds an olde worlde fascination and charm....