Now, polo has become a passion that borders an addiction.
Highlights started early in the day at the Leisure Society sponsored polo lessons before the pros kicked-off at 1pm. Long time horseman and first time polo player, actor Chris Klein, having a beginner and quintessential yet dramatic fall off the horse. Klein was playing in his first game of polo ever during our morning polo lessons and with the active encouragement of a vocal audience, Klein found himself over committed and took a slow motion fall off the polo saddle onto the ground. Everything seemed fine, until we realized that his left foot was still in the stirrup. We simultaneously gasped in horror as the horse began to kick and pick up speed as Klein bounced around like a rag doll, or better yet, a seasoned Hollywood stuntman doubling in a John Wayne movie. It lasted only moments and I was positive that Chris was maimed or even worse. Eventually, his boot was pulled off his foot and he laid there limp and motionless, the horse went on its way. Klein hopped up, regrouped, brushed off/spit out the dust, slipped the boot back on and remounted his steed. It was a true Clint Eastwood moment, the stuff of legends. Klein, ever the actor, was quite upset that none if it was captured on film. It seemed so grisly that all cameras were seemingly deafened by the severity of the situation. I’m happy to report that Klein made it to the festivities later in the day, bruised in ways only a true horseman knows…a courageous moment.
In the afternoon, Leisure Society designer and CEO, Shane Baum and Erin MacAlpine hosted guests at their tailgate with up-close, panoramic views of the match with ponies racing at 30mph up and down the field.
