New York may be the city that never sleeps with its towering glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers, late night partying, congested streets with honking taxis and proliferating street vendors. Traveling a couple hours outside the city in virtually any direction brings one to beautiful rural areas, be it the beaches for Eastern Long Island, the colonial areas of Connecticut or north into the majestic Hudson Valley.
As a disclaimer, too frequently I pass up opportunities to visit these places. For a couple years one of the most enjoyable weekends I spent was at The Mashomack Polo Club, hosted by James McBride, then the Managing Director at The Carlyle and now partner in a number of hospitality related businesses, including the serene Indonesian resort Nihiwatu that he has brought to world class standards.
While I should have put the reports and other paperwork to the side and headed north last weekend, I duly report that the 17th Annual Mashomack International Polo Challenge & Luncheon was held on June 21 presented by Nespresso.
Below I provide you a first hand report in my absence submitted by Bruce and Teresa Colley, Parker Gentry Thorne and Karen Klopp:
“The high-spirited event began at noon with a Louis Roederer Champagne Reception, while Mashomack’s “Young Guns,” aged eight-years-old and up, rode their hearts out in a rousing exhibition match.
A tented field-side elegant luncheon and the exciting eight-goal International Polo Challenge immediately followed. This year, the Challenge welcomed Team Italia sponsored by Wide World Ferrari, embolized in vivid red, Marco Elser, Paolo di Campello, Raimondo Visconti di Modrone and Gringo Colombres.
The other teams were QUEST, Vikram Chatwal Hotels, Nihiwatu Sumba On the Edge of Wilderness, and What2WearWhere.
The Chairmen of this year’s event, Bruce & Teresa Colley, Parker Gentry Thorne, and Karen Klopp, welcomed the additional support of sponsors La Martina, Heather Croner Sotheby’s International Real Estate, Manhattan Saddlery, and Kokin Hats. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will help local charities including Pine Plains Fire Hose & Rescue Company, New York State Troopers Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House New York.
After a hard fought battle the International Mashomack Challenge Cup was won by What2WearWhere against Wide World Ferrari, and the Mathias Guerrand Hermes Sportsmanship Award went to captain of the team, John Klopp. The Heather Croner Sotheby’s International Real Estate’s Best Playing Pony Award went to the well-deserved Dynamite, owned by Philip Mactaggart.
This prestigious event marks the official start of the summer social season in Millbrook, and attracted over 1000 guests, who enjoyed an exciting day of competitive polo. Besides the beautiful tented luncheon, many others enjoyed the enjoyed field-side tailgating and the merriment of the sidelines.”
Roster of Players:
Quest: Don Langlois, Shane Finemore, Oakleigh Thorne and Julio Ezcurra
Nihawatu: James McBride, Bruce Colley, Craig Callen and Agucho Zavaletta
Vikram Chatwal Hotels: Guy Merison, Philip Mactaggart, Ian Mactaggart/Oliver Merison and Tatin Zubiaurre
What 2 Wear Where: John Klopp, Parker Gentry, Nick Bienstock and Michel Dorignac
Wide World Ferrari: Marco Elser, Raimondo Visconti, Paolo Campello and Gringo Colombres
Young Guns White Team: Jake Klopp, Alex Langlois, Ian Mactaggart and Milo Dorignac
Young Guns Black Team: Adam Klopp, Max Langlois, Juanse Olivera and Davis Colley
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