Cocktail Party
by Katie Letman
There are welcome signals towards the start of the polo season – some of which are fairly arduous, such as catching my horse and getting us both fi t, and some which are just sheer pleasure, namely the Cocktail Party, held again at the Gaucho Restaurant in Richmond.
As my horse is now on the wrong side of 20 and no longer playing a full season, and my other ones are still too young to play, my summer truly began with the party, which was a perfect way to kick it off. Although it was a fairly chilly evening – meaning a last minute change to a slightly sturdier frock, it was fi ne and bright and frankly one doesn’t really notice the outside temperature after a couple of the Gaucho’s welcome drinks.
The restaurant’s veranda was packed with social members, players, husbands, boyfriends and Wags and it was wonderful to walk in and see everyone again. The fi rst part of the evening was spent catching up with what everyone had been doing over the winter. The next part was spent panicking that I had done precisely no polo since the previous summer and was dreadfully unfi t. That quickly became enthusiasm for the coming season, a resolve to play my best and above all to enjoy it. I also remember having a few competitive and quite animated discussions about the 2008 season and no doubt my shots had become longer and more precise and my goal scoring record enhanced by the passage of the intervening months and the conviviality of the evening. The party, general conversation and my own reminiscences were deftly punctuated by delicious canapés and attentive staff proffering drinks, which I felt it would be rude to decline.
62
When the event drew to a close it didn’t end, it just moved indoors and the Gaucho’s hospitality and fabulous food were enjoyed until late into the night. It was such a fun evening and a perfect prelude to what proved to be a very enjoyable season.
GAUCHO
T H E L O N D O N P O L O C L U B
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72