Things Do Change... Summer Party By Pepe Oberoi


Can you believe it’s a New Year? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2013. The last year brought many memorable moments and stories some sad, some awesome and some too funny to mention. All at Ham Polo Club from Stable, Office, Grounds, Catering, Officials, Professionals, Amateurs, and Players and behind the scenes should all be very proud of all that they have accomplished in the past twelve months! Let’s be sure to share in the coming 2014 season, all that makes us go “YES!” in the world of Polo.


The culmination of the 2013 season events as ever saw the “Ham Polo Summer Party”, and yet again it did not fail to deliver, as the golden light of the evening sun set over the manicured Polo fields, glistening lights gaining strength in the club house. As guests began to arrive they were met by a volley of flash bulb activity from the photographer, as all lined up much like at a sold out movie show, to have their pictures taken. Couples, friends, players, members and their guest’s enjoying drinks in all their finery, flanked either side by the ever smartly dressed staff complete with trays of cocktails.


All mingled, cross chatting about games won, games lost what could and what might have been, as with all good sport banter some factual and some stretching the imagination, the guests encompassed the quiet stark club house floor, in anticipation of what was to come, the clue to which was the glistening apparatus that would later entertain the troops, chrome, brass instruments, fancy lights all very neatly laid out on a stage, in anticipation of fun times.


Many spoke of “what happened to the much famed and popular themed Marquee” that had in the past led all into a wonderland of Giant Butterflies, draping curtains, all in a “Cirque Soleil” ambience, so lovingly created by Rachael and her team, but alas this year, it was not


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to be, in its place was the picturesque Polo pitch, where in the past the Marquee had stood.......Some echoed “what no dodgems?” whatever will we do!!! - whilst in the background, the groundsman echoed a sigh of relief....


An inquisition followed as Annie was grilled from all sides, as to the change of plan and the lack of an Adults playground?? - Guess it was not meant to be, keen not let that spoil the evenings fun, in true British grit and fashion all brushed their shoulders, in the prospect of “fun will be had by all” irrespective.


The nights table plans carefully studied, as all took their places at the beautifully adorned dining tables complete with goodies from Bvlgari and many a generous sponsor, making for many a photo opportunity as giga bytes of space was consumed on hand held devices. All now in a merry mood as Hunt Kendall began to turn on their magic of fine food and fayre.


Raucous laughter, the clatter of cutlery, clinking of glassware commenced as the courses of fine food was enjoyed by all, only distracted in part by the head on collision of two taxis at the entrance gates of the Club, how did that happen was the question, no one thankfully hurt, it was back to evening. All fed and watered time for a siesta I heard people cry....... others with their dancing shoes on the ready, as the nights band limbered into position, but oh no - oh no, it was to be none of the above, as it was time for the infamous speeches.


Speakers having delivered their contributions, it was soon time to see how deep those pockets of all were, as the Nights Auction commenced, with people feverishly bidding for all things from weeks of Polo in Soto Grande to a child’s Saddle, once the property of no other than the Sultan of Brunei, which saw my own hand shoot up in a Donald Trump


HAM POLO CLUB


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