CIRQUE DE POLO SUMMER BALL


Article By Joanna Stuart


From supermodels to international tycoons, the beautiful, the talented, and the downright enthusiastic descend onto the hallowed lawns of Ham Polo Club each year for its annual summer ball. Regarded as one of the highlights in polo’s social calendar, this year its circus theme saw several hundred guests immersed in the thrill and awe of the ‘Big Top’.


Roll up! Roll up! Ham Polo Club’s world famous and legendary summer ball had all the magical ingredients of the Big Top: prancing ponies, performing elephants, a commanding Ringmaster, acrobats, a lion-tamer and even a few clowns. Tickets were in such hot demand that the waiting list was the longest ever with many disappointed not to grasp a ‘golden ticket’.


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Be-jewelled and dazzling party-goers arrived under clear skies for a glamorous reception of bubbles in the fading evening sun. As the time came to step inside the clubhouse for dinner, guests were immediately transported through a huge red curtain to the ‘Big Top’, where the Ball Committee’s hard work had magically transformed it into the inside of a circus tent. Lavishly-decorated tables refl ecting the same candy-stripe of the tent were complemented by carousel horses and elephants and even a coconut- shy, giving everyone a real carnival feeling.


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Guests, including three of the players from one of the following Cartier International games, were treated to a delicious dinner created by Andrew Hunt of Hunt Kendall, of Morecombe Bay Potted Shrimps and Roasted Stuffed Quail, followed by a lavish pudding buffet. And what high-class party would be complete without a ‘party bag’ of treats? These were kindly donated from generous sponsors such as Molton Brown and Montezuma chocolates.


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After dinner, prizes were drawn for the raffl e, with Mike Trippitt the lucky winner of a luxury Spa Break in Tuscany. The auction, so ably ‘ring-mastered’ by Chris Graham, was lively and exciting. Hands fl ew up all around the tables for lots such as a luxury Polo Holiday in Bangkok donated by HPC President Vichai Raksriaksorn; helicopter rides; designer homeware; a private Box at Ascot; a Box for the Royal Gala Horse Show at the O2 and much more.


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A few gallant members executed a high risk strategy of bolstering bid prices, whilst attempting not to be the last man with his hand in the air! Unfortunately, some were more adept at this on the night than others, and it is fair to say no one is quite sure why club VP, Geoffrey Godbold was so keen to take home two beautiful embroidered cushions… The real mystery, however, was why Pete McCormack, the club’s ever-helpful Polo Director, paid two grand to join the Stuart family on holiday in Mauritius! You’d think he was more than fed up of seeing them all summer. Suffi ce to say, they were very excited at the prospect of such free babysitting on tap!


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The ‘Big Top’ theme so seamlessly incorporated into the décor of the evening was even more prevalent through the more salacious activities of the night once live-band ‘Madison Square’ kicked off the dancing. Prancing ‘circus’ ponies appeared in the form of a Talamoni brother riding one of the decorative Carousel horses around the dance fl oor; and two polo ponies escaping from their coral for an hour’s freedom around the polo grounds! Other ‘clowns’ followed this lead by dancing with the elephants as well. Emma Marin, Manager of caterers Hunt Kendall and all-round superstar, stepped in as lion tamer to subdue the rants of the Environmental Health Offi cer duly called to quell the enthusiastic rock and roll from the dance fl oor.


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Guests enjoyed the dodgem cars, dancing, and circus-themed Vodka luge way into the small hours, concluding one of the best HPC Balls ever. Answers on a postcard if you remember the shape of the Vodka Luge!


Sincerest thanks go, as ever, to the dedicated and hard-working Ball Committee, who once again pulled this remarkable and unforgettable event together. As if the following day was not challenge enough after the merriment of the preceding evening, the committee had the added headache of fi nding the missing carousel horses. Only one was eventually returned, alone in its own black taxi, a few days later! The clowns responsible remain nameless - you know who you are!


>>> 25 film art >>> negative >>> 37 See you all there in July 2011. >>> 36 >>> 37 >>> 26 film art film art >>> negative >


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