Up for a Chukker?

Turns out Gretchen and I and our friends were Sunday as we headed to a polo match at the King Family Vineyards in Crozet, VA. The home Roseland Polo Club plays mid-Atlantic teams here every Sunday from Memorial Day to mid-October and it is quite a happening. We pitched our tent along the Sideboards with 150 other groups and settled in for a gourmet lunch with a bit of wine during the Match.

We learned that players are rated by the U.S. Polo Association, teams are handicapped based on those ratings, that polo ponies are shorter than other horses and the field is 300 yards long by 160 yards wide. It was obvious from the first Throw In that it is not an easy task to hit the ball with one's Stick, galloping full speed on a pony while other players are trying to Bump or force you to Ride off the Line of the Ball!

We thought the match was six Chukkers and we were waiting for folks to charge the field after three to stomp the divots! Alas, they do not uphold that tradition at this venue. But our group, not deterred and with wine in hand, stomped the field after chukker three. Turns out the match was only four chukkers...but since there were no announcements...we had no idea. We still don't know the team Roseland played...but they did win!

Many years ago (circa 2000), NBATC had a wine tasting event and we stopped at the King Family Vineyards. They were just beginning to build the polo field. And what a smart move that was from what we could see.....there were a lot of people buying and drinking wine at the Vineyard Sunday afternoon! We bought their rose which was quite good, dry and fruity. They named it Crosé!

 

Thanks Emily for putting together this event! It was a lot of fun!

Oh no Emily, that divot is steamy!

 

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