We haven’t been for a day out at the polo now for a few years, but it is such a great day out! Quintessentially English, although that said – the first polo I saw was actually at Apes Hill in Barbados (same set, different location).
Cowdray Park is a gorgeous venue for the polo and for us it is easy, about 45 minutes away by car. All summer tournaments are played in the grounds of the big house, ramping up to the Veuve Cliquot sponsored Gold Cup.
The photo below was of one of the opening rounds – it was a sunny day and we had no plans and so we packed a picnic and headed to watch. On other occasions big groups of us have headed over for a great day out! I’m not entirely sure I ever watched much of the polo, but regardless it is a great day out!
Between each chukka (section of the game) the crowds are invited onto the pitch to partake it a spot of divot stomping. By this I mean using the heel of your shoe to put the grass clump back where it came from and smooth the pitch.
Pimms and champagne go hand and hand with an afternoon at the polo, as do umbrellas, picnics and rain! All very enjoyable, even if it rains!
Cowdray is a gorgeous village and the polo ground is just on the outskirts. What you will notice is that all of the window frames of the houses in and around the village are painted Veuve Cliquot yellow. According to ‘Country Life’ magazine this is because of Lord Cowdray’s allegiance to the Lib Dem party, but whatever the reason and the timing of the painting – it matches the Veuve Cliquot sponsorship and I’m sure that isn’t just by chance!
Cowdray Polo – June 2008
Any place where you can pack a picnic, drink champagne and watch an outdoor event is good with me. What a crazy deal that all the windows are painted the same color in Cowdray. What ever the reason, great marketing for
Veuve Clicquot!
Author
I know – I had assumed it was a Veuve request, but instead they got savvy and aligned later! Clever regardless!
Not so sure I’d stay to watch in the rain but a picnic in the sunshine with of a glass or two Champagne (or Pimms) in Cowdray Park plus a spot of polo watching, sounds good to me.
Author
Hmm, it doesn’t work quite so well in the rain I imagine – what with fancy summer dress and shoes!!